Summer Opinions and Editorial Series

This summer, I am opening up the pages of the Examiner to experts from the renewable energy and sustainability industries - to share not only their insights, but also their company's latest projects that are helping to carry us forward to a more sustainable future.

All summer long, we will be tapping into the best and the brightest from around our area and around the world to garner new insights into the challenges we face, and the solutions that lay just beyond the horizon.

Op-eds in this series:

Muskets, crossbows, and CEOs

Brandi McManus, TAC

The ability to react and adapt dynamically to disruptive changes in the business environment is the hallmark of successful and enduring companies.  In the modern era, the environment and natural capital are steadily proving to be of greater and greater importance - and will inevitably change the way that business is done.  "Once a concern only for hippies and extremists, the environment has become a pressing issue for everyone living in our world today"

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What is all this "Green" Stuff, and does it matter to me?

Scott Sklar, President, The Stella Group, Ltd.

"The extraction, conversion and use of energy is the single largest contributor to emissions causing changes in our global climate."  Sklar is a long-time veteran of the energy industry, and has helped to foster the growth of renewable energy sources throughout the country and around the globe.  His op-ed seeks to demystify some of the complex ideas that are changing the way we live and the way we do business in the sustainable economy.

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Machine-to-machine communication for monitoring environmental impact

Alex Brisbourne, President and COO, KORE Telematics

Wireless-enabled data services have never been more important to business success, and the next generation of digital capabilities will greatly impact our ability to monitor and effect environmental impact that every business has. Noted industry leader, Alex Brisbourne, offers his insight into the evolving world of machine-to-machine communications and its role in environmental monitoring.

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Clean energy loans: Solution for rapid deployment of renewable energy?

Kerinia Cusick, Renewable Energy Consultant, Syn-Dex Consulting

Different clean energy loan programs are being implemented all over the country, but it is not certain how they will effect the marketplace and the energy consumption that is spiraling out of control in this country.  Kerinia looks at some prominent programs and the impact they are having on carrying us forward.

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Carbon Recycling - An alternative to carbon capture and storage

Rowan Oloman, Freelance Writer

Carbon emissions are a reality of our current energy and transportation infrastructure, but often the only solution that is presented is carbon capture and sequestration, which is a contentious issue in and of itself.  There are companies working on an alternative though, and it comes in the form of carbon recycling.  Rowan tackles the implications of this approach to carbon reduction, based on her extensive knowledge of environmental management issues and international experience.

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Everyday Solar

Rhone Resch, President, Solar Energy Industry Association

Solar continues to expand its role in the day-to-day lives of millions of Americans - from new installations on homes and businesses to utility scale thermal projects powering entire communities.  Incentives and grants from government entities are carrying this even further forward and putting solar within reach of everyone.  Rhone looks at the ways in which solar are impacting our everyday lives, and saving Americans money and helping pave a sustainable way forward.

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The Right Foundation - Education and our green stimulus planning

Kent Baake, Founder and Owner, Continuum Energy Solutions

Creating a viable renewable energy solution for our nation's energy future requires education about fundamental energy concerns surrounding efficiency and green power production.  Kent Baake explores the importance of education in his op-ed about green stimulus planning.

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