green business news stories on Newser

Cap-and-Trade Could Help —Not Hurt — the Economy

Jason Farago — Fri, 01 May 2009 08:40:19 CDT

Now that Washington finally has the political will to combat climate change, opponents of environmentalism are pushing a new line: limiting emissions would do further damage to a battered economy. For Paul Krugman, those claims are "junk economics" to go with climate change deniers' "junk science." A cap-and-trade system would...

Bjork Banks on Girl Power to Save Iceland

Sarah Quinn — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:45:02 CST

Quirky Icelandic singer Bjork is promoting a venture-capital fund run by women that will invest in socially and environmentally sustainable companies and, she hopes, help rebuild her economically stricken country. "Instead of talking about the problems we have, she is on a mission to build a sustainable Iceland that's not...

Em-Bottled SF Mayor Urges Restaurants to Tap City's Water

Matt Cantor — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:00:00 CDT

San Francisco’s mayor called on restaurants yesterday to quit selling bottled water and favor the tap, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Gavin Newsom, a former restaurateur, says the plastic containers pile up in landfills and hurt the environment. The request—which isn’t a requirement—follows Newsom’s ban last year on...

Toasting the Holidays, the Green Way

Caroline Zimmerman — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 17:05:11 CST

This holiday season, you can drink responsibly, at least when it comes to the environment. Organic spirits, beers, and wines are the new growth sector of the industry, as consumers are increasingly on the look-out for green alternatives, MSNBC reports. But while an organic pint may not contain chemical preservatives...

Wal-Mart Shops for Green Cred

Nick McMaster — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 06:16:49 CST

Hoping to soften its image, Wal-Mart is going green, the Washington Post reports. The retail giant is now donating to environmental groups, improving its energy efficiency, and creating the first hybrid shipping truck. Yet some critics say it's a mere cover. "Wal-Mart is willing to spread its money wherever it...