Sustainable Business

Utilizing the dynamic sustainability learning opportunities available to students on campus, Cedar Valley College is launching a living lab initiative on Oct. 22.

A living laboratory gives college students the hands-on work skills they need as part of the college education they receive in academic and technical programs.

The initiative will be officially presented at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22 in the D Building at CVC, followed at 1 p.m. by a nationwide webcast titled “Empowering Change on Campus and in the Community” that will feature higher education sustainability leaders discussing ways in which students can make a difference, be a part of sustainability solutions and build careers with “green” jobs.

The CVC Living Lab Initiative will focus on four components:

•  Buildings – Students will partner with CVC Facilities to attain hands-on work skills as part of the curriculum, which includes monitoring electric meters in each college building to gather 

• Energy – Performance technology students and Facilities will partner in installing a ceramic sculpture with moving parts powered by solar energy. 

Even though the cost of electricity in Texas is among the lowest in the nation, placing new technologies at a competitive disadvantage relative to other states, rooftop solar and plug-in electric vehicles are beginning to penetrate the Texas market. As with the development of other technologies, public policy and financial incentives are helping rooftop solar and plug-in electric vehicle technologies compete in the retail market. The emergence of these technologies presents both opportunities and challenges to the Texas market. 

This webinar will look at key factors driving these grid management challenges and the legal and regulatory context for such improvements.  Topics Include:

• Current realities of the broader Texas solar market, and the most likely local markets for connecting these technologies to the grid;

• Legal and regulatory challenges to broad deployment of distributed generation, and how to structure transactions, system designs and ownership to meet those challenges;

Monthly gathering of green-minded folk.

City of Dallas festival featuring green vendors, organizations and entertainment. Free.

The North Texas Corporate Recycing Association and the Greater DFW Recycling Alliance have joined forces to present the North Texas Recycling Awards. Guest speaker Damon Carson, owner and founder of Repurposed Materials. $45/members, $75/nonmembers. $400/member table of 10.

Tour of homes in North Texas with solar systems and other sustainable features installed. Check the website in the coming weeks for updates. Free.

Sustainability 101 is a core course of UNT’s Sustainability Leadership Program. Engage in classroom discussions on the most challenging issues and see sustainability in action on the UNT Sustainability Tour. LEED professionals earn three CEUs for the tour. Breakfast and lunch are provided.

Workshop topics include:

• Fundamentals of Sustainability

• Funding Projects and Programs

• Changing Behavior

• Stakeholder Involvement

• Measuring Success

• Public/Private Partnerships

• Sustainability Marketing and Promotions

Part of the North Texas Innovative Technology & Diversity Summit. This two-day summit [Aug. 6-7] brings together national and local industry leaders, corporate executives, technology experts, entrepreneurs and business owners. In addition, NTITDS will also honor and award outstanding women in technology and the leading innovative small business in North Texas.

Keynote speaker: Caroline Cummings, VP Bus Development

2014 Women in Tech Award Winner: Julie Bugala, VP of Talent Mgmt, AT&T

2014 Innovcative Small Business Award Winner: Nominations open until July 25. Prize $1,000.

Aug. 6 Awards Dinner: $30
Aug. 7 Tech & Diversity Expo & Conference: $30
Entire Summit: $50, students, $15 w/student ID 

Over 93 percent of CEOs now see sustainability as vital to their company’s future success, but many still don’t know how to implement it. What leadership models and building blocks should executives and managers consider when leading for sustainability? Leading for the Triple Bottom Line will explore key strategies and tactics for embedding sustainability into your corporate culture and engaging stakeholders.

Industry experts will discuss how to:   

• Integrate CSR into the C-Suite

• Embed CSR in recruiting, talent management and other HR functions

• Engage employees in sustainability

• Give back to communities through green initiatives

The Speakers

Jack Lowe, retired CEO,TDIndustries, Inc.

John Muros, Ph.D.,Senior HR Research Consultant, AT&T

"Vision North Texas 2050: How Local Communities and Businesses Can Position North Texas for a Fiscally and Environmentally Sustainable Future."
 
Presentor Kevin Shepherd is a principal and co-founder of Verdunity, Inc., a Dallas-Fort Worth-based consulting firm specializing in planning and design of sustainable communities and infrastructure.  

Shepherd will present he results and findings of the multi-year planning and visioning effort that culminated in the release of the award-winning Vision North Texas 2050 Plan. He will also discuss current global and national trends, highlight a few projects from North Texas that are incorporating new approaches and offer some suggestions on how cities can position themselves to stay competitive in recruiting and retaining businesses and residents.