Sustainability: Changing the Paradigm

Changing the Paradigm  Report: China's eco-revolution violates WTO deal China's push to green its economy could be coming at the expense of its free-trade commitments, according to a new report. Beijing is accused of breaking its World Trade Organization commitments by seeking to shut out Western clean-tech companies and ordering state-run businesses to favor homegrown technologies. "What we found in China is phenomenal [government] involvement in solar and wind," says the report's author. "They have used every measure you could possibly think of to promote renewables." The Christian Science Monitor (3/15)  "The Sensitive Gut" — The experts at Harvard Medical School explore the gut-brain connection and describe digestive conditions caused or exacerbated by stress, emotion, and anxiety such as heartburn, reflux, and dyspepsia. 30% off the cover price and free shipping for SmartBrief readers. Order here in hard copy or download.   Pioneers  U.S. Navy turns ocean into giant solar panel The Navy is investing millions of dollars in efforts to use solar energy trapped in seawater as a source of clean energy. Officials plan to build a 10-megawatt demonstration plant using the temperature differential between the ocean's sun-warmed surface and its frigid depths to drive turbine generators. Ultimately, officials say, the technology could be used to drive 100-megawatt plants at many of the Navy's Pacific bases. National Defense (4/2010)  Transportation companies showcase green products Transportation companies are showcasing their green products on a global stage to capture new customers. Wabtec, for instance, designed two new locomotives that save fuel costs and are designed to reduce scrap, and MotivePower has created a greener passenger locomotive that is 60% cleaner than those it will replace. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (3/16) Architect floats oceanic-skyscraper prototype Malaysian architect Sarly Adre bin Sarkum designed a "waterscraper" that floats, iceberg-like, with most of its mass beneath the ocean's surface, for an eVolo Magazine skyscraper competition. Tethered to ballast tanks, the building would operate on solar, wind, wave and kinetic power and contain space for hydroponic agriculture. Popular Science (3/11)    Solutions  Ceres offers guide to business sustainability Companies that act now to develop sustainable business practices will be able to compete better in a global economy in which resources are becoming more constrained, according to a report from Ceres. The nonprofit's report provides a blueprint for companies to reconsider their structures, processes and performance to become more sustainable. GreenBiz.com(3/11)  New carbon calculator eases carbon counting for builders A new carbon "calculator" called ConstructCO2 helps contractors measure carbon emissions when a job calls for green standards. The calculator was developed by people in the construction industry and designed specifically for use by builders, making use of existing data-collection methods. iSite blog (3/15)    Green Living  Have a planet-friendly St. Patrick's Day If you're having a tipple today, try an eco-friendly beer, ranked according to water use and carbon footprint. The bad news? Guinness comes in at the bottom of the list, requiring a whopping 7.2 liters of water to make single liter of beer. Earth911.com (3/16)  Are you still eco-conscious when nobody's looking? People are more likely to buy green products when they think someone's watching, according to new research. Shoppers in brick-and-mortar stores were far more likely to opt for sustainable choices, a study found, while online shoppers were more likely to choose less green, more luxurious options. "People want to be seen as being altruistic," says the study's lead author. "Nothing communicates that better than by buying green products."Telegraph (L