FOLIO: Personalities -- The Blog People Page

In order to lower carbon emissions, the 2005 Transportation bill provides a $1 per gallon subsidy to companies that reduce their use of fossil fuels.  For example, mixing ethanol with gasoline reduces the amount of fossil fuels used, which in turn reduces carbon emissions.  

Paper companies, however, have found a loophole in the law that allows them to increase their fossil fuel use, increase their carbon emissions, and still get the $1 per gallon subsidy.

For more than 50 years, paper companies have been burning the organic and chemical byproduct of the pulping process, called “black liquor,” as fuel to power their mi More...

In my blog on Better Ingredients, an associate questioned my bias and support for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. I, as we all, have biases. Giving preference to FSC is one of them, and I'm glad that I was "called out" on it. Do I think that FSC is perfect? No. Is it possible for me to support other certification schemes? If they meet stringent, authentic, transparent and comprehensive standards, yes. The following are some of my reasons for supporting FSC:

1. FSC does not allow genetically-modified (GMO) trees to be certified.
2. FSC has a transparent and participatory process wherein an More...

Is the paper the message?

Most know the Marshall McLuhan axiom—“the medium is the message”—stressing that the vehicle used to deliver the message, in fact, has its own message. At the American Magazine Conference in October, Avrim Lazar, president of the Forest Products Association Canada (FPAC), paraphrased the famous McLuhan quote for the paper-using audience.

He explained to the magazine executives in attendance that consumers are becoming savvier about the paper they use—its environmental characteristics and fiber origins. “You’re selling identity in a brand,” he reminded publishers. “And if you’re not care More...

"An environmentalist, a paper mill rep, and a magazine publisher walk into a bar," the joke goes. "The environmentalist says to the other two ... well, nothing. Those three would never drink together."

That perception is quickly being dismantled as growing numbers of collaborations make the adversarial relationship just an outdated stereotype.

At two separate events during the American Forest and Paper Association's (AF&PA) Paper Week in New York City earlier this month, I presented at sessions where both industry and environmental non governmental organizations (ENGOs) gathered to discuss challenges related t More...

There was no reason to expect that Condé Nast would actually display some sort of responsible environmental citizenship in the production of its third annual "green" issue for Vanity Fair. While they have a right to run their business as they see fit, they must also take responsibility for their lack of commitment to protecting the environment.

The fact is that while other magazines like Shape, Fast Company, Inc. and Every Day With Rachael Ray have made important achievements in environmentally responsible publishing, Vanity Fair and CN have on More...

The Green Predictions for 2008 can be summed up thusly: growing momentum. We'll see that the increased attention towards the environment over the past year will continue and gain build in 2008. This momentum will become increasingly evident when working with the following five stakeholder groups:

1. Staff: Talented new staff will be looking for publishing houses that have strong commitments to the environment, while current staff will accelerate their efforts to green their offices from the amount of materials recycled to the environmental production of the publication. All departments from designers, editorial, marketing, production, and ac More...

Paper price increases are painful. What do they mean for environmental publishing considerations? The good news is that being fiscally conservative with paper expenses can also be environmentally responsible with thoughtful planning.

The simple explanation for the increases is that supply has constricted due to mill closings, mergers and acquisitions while manufacturing costs have gone up primarily due to increases in oil prices. Experts in the industry predict that the prices will stabilizing anytime in the next six to 18 months–likely 18 months.

The high paper prices provide an opportunity to assess paper use efficiency and find ways to reduce relative costs. These savings will last beyond the current market fl More...

I don't believe in "carbon neutrality."

It is not a helpful concept-some would argue it is deceptive-and there is no clear or agreed upon definition. Publishers who want to be environmentally responsible stewards should view claims of "carbon neutral" paper with suspicion. Such paper most likely doesn't offer any environmental benefit and can be a marketing risk.

A recent report from the Sustainable Forest Product Industry (SFPI) working group makes the claim that "carbon neutrality" can be a More...

Are you a magazine publisher that uses environmentally and socially-responsible paper, or you would like to learn how?

Here's why you should read this blog:

1. There are opportunities for magazines to gain rewards and recognition for their environmental publishing practices through awards like the Aveda Environmental Awards (deadline Nov 30, 2007, click here for the application).

2. There are special bookstore promotions at Barnes and Noble and Hasti More...