NuRide honored for recent rideshare success

NuRide, an online ridesharing community where users earn rewards from local and national sponsors, was recently honored for the success of its Tri-State 5,000,000 Mile Rideshare Challenge (NY/CT metropolitan region).  Area employers actively supported the challenge by “racing” against each other and promoting the event to their employees.  Over ten thousand commuters participated in the event, which was held between April 2007 to April 2008, and shared 177,000 rides resulting in 5,060,000 fewer miles driven and the prevention of 2,200 tons of greenhouse green emissions.  Over 30 local and national sponsors also supported the events and provided $118,500 in rewards and prizes to participating commuters.   Connecticut’s Governor, M. Jodi Rell, was on hand during the July 28^th event to recognize NuRide’s accomplishments, emphasize the value of ridesharing and honor individual and corporate participants.

Silk Soymilk continues Green Caps for Green Energy program

As more consumers demand cleaner, greener power, many find themselves seeking information about how to support and utilize renewable energy. But since the technologies behind renewable energies like wind power are often complex and confusing, it’s hard for most people to know where to begin.

Now in its second year, Silk Soymilk’s Green Caps for Green Energy program continues to educate the public about the importance of clean, sustainable wind power, and let them know that supporting domestic wind energy can be as easy as taking a trip to the grocery store. Designed to convert the purchase of Silk Soymilk into increased funding for wind energy, the Green Caps for Green Energy program furthers Silk’s mission to make the world a healthier place by giving people a chance to make a real difference. “Over the past two years, Silk has successfully engaged several hundred thousand individuals across the U.S. to take action and show their support for wind energy,” said Patrick Nye, vice president of Green Tags for the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. “In terms of consumer response, the Silk Green Caps for Green Energy program competes among the most successful utility green power programs in the nation.” By working with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, a nonprofit partner, Silk ensures that consumer contributions through the Silk Green Caps for Green Energy program go directly to funding wind farms across the country.

Green perceptions are changing

Perceptions of the green marketplace and green consumers are changing. The LOHAS 12 Forum, which took place June 18-21, opened the door for some lively discussions and eye opening realizations about the evolving trends and the progression of the “green purchaser”. The LOHAS consumer, the individual who makes purchasing decisions based on their values of personal and planetary health and benefit, accounts for a healthy 19% of the overall LOHAS marketplace. However, according to several key note speakers and LOHAS conference luminaries, while they continue to be the primary influencers, they are no longer the primary focus of businesses developing more eco-friendly products and services.  The LOHAS consumer base has remained static for several years, while the overall LOHAS marketplace continues to grow. More and more individuals have come to appreciate the value and attributes of products offered in the green, fair-trade, eco-friendly and organic market area; but are not at all interested in changing their purchasing habits. They are instead looking to their familiar and favorite products, businesses and organizations to incorporate strategic and sustainable, green practices. The LOHAS 12 Forum disclosed that this will be the next wave in business. In fact, according to The Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), the LOHAS marketplace is expected to nearly double in size, from $209 billion to an incredible $400 billion by 2010.

Blue gets green: Kelley Blue Book adds green section

Kelley Blue Book’s http://www.kbb.com, a provider of new- and used-vehicle information, has announced the launch of KBB Green an all-new section of the company’s top-rated Web site designed to help guide new-vehicle shoppers on environmental and fuel economy issues.  Kelley Blue Book’s new Green section allows new-car shoppers to obtain information about alternative-fuel technologies, such as hydrogen cars, diesel cars, hybrid cars, natural gas cars, electric cars and flex fuel/ethanol vehicles, as well as fuel-sipping gasoline cars. Kbb.com’s vehicle experts also will keep consumers up-to-date on the latest Green news and information from around the automotive world. The video section of KBB Green offers an in-depth, inside look at the latest eco-friendly vehicles on the market from both the Kelley Blue Book perspective and the carmakers’ themselves. KBB Green also features helpful tools such as the Perfect Car Finder(R) and the all-new Fuel Efficiency Challenge.  In conjunction with the launch of KBB Green, the expert editors of

Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com name their inaugural picks for the Top 10 Green

Cars. “In today’s rapidly changing economy and environment, KBB Green is a one-of-a-kind resource for anyone interested in learning more about hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com. “Our list of the Top 10 Green Cars shows consumers that there are fuel-friendly vehicles available in almost every segment to accommodate a variety of lifestyles, so you don’t have to sacrifice much, if anything, to go Green.”

Survey looks at current state of “Green”

AMP Agency, an Alloy Media + Marketing company released findings from “Green AMPlified”, a national survey of more than 3,000 consumers between the ages 18-49 conducted to unearth a solid understanding of the current state of “Green”, its meaning and impact on consumer’s lifestyle and purchasing behaviors and to provide vital learnings for marketers endeavoring to attract increasingly environmentally and socially conscious customers.  The survey found that close to all American consumers (90%) believe that acting in an environmentally responsible way is important, but feel corporations hold most of the responsibility to implement change over their own personal efforts and are increasingly implementing eco-friendly evaluation into their product purchasing decisions. With additional qualitative research, the study produced strong reaction from consumers who feel corporate America needs to lead the charge.  The survey went on to state that over half (53%) of consumers factor a company’s social and environmental activities into their purchasing decisions and while overall, consumer’s personal actions to protect the environment show minimal sacrifice in terms of changing one’s lifestyle, consumers are ready to reward those companies that prove their commitment to the cause. In fact, after learning a company is environmentally friendly, the study found that 57% are likely to trust the company, 60% are likely to purchase its products, and 58% are likely to recommend the company or its products to others.  “Our study aimed to uncover how the growing “Green” movement is impacting the way consumers perceive, evaluate and talk about companies and brands,” stated Anastasia Toomey, SVP, Consumer Insights, AMP Agency. “What became evident is that “Green” is redefining business as usual. Consumers are becoming more savvy and inquisitive, increasingly challenging companies and their green claims and efforts and demanding certain factors in exchange for their loyalty. But, with that also lies ample opportunity for brands to impact consumers in a positive way no matter what shade of green that customer may be.”

Conference discusses the green car revolution

Automotive News is furthering the Green Car Revolution discourse by hosting a one-day conference featuring key automotive executives discussing the challenges, opportunities and trade-offs of reducing the carbon footprints of their vehicles.  The Automotive News Green Car Conference/Exhibition is slated for Thursday, November 13 at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, MI. Throughout the day, industry leaders will debate alternate fuel options, discuss the role of design in contributing to more efficient vehicles, look at powertrains of the future and examine a variety of innovations that could improve fuel economy.  The event, sponsored by Ernst & Young, will also feature a product showcase of green vehicles, parts and technology, as well as the presentation of the first Automotive News PACE Environmental Awards.  Joining host sponsor Ernst & Young as Automotive News Green Car Conference sponsors are: The Aluminum Association, Inc.; Bosch; Bridgestone; Delphi; Firestone; i2; Indiana Office of Energy & Defense Development; International Automotive Components; Michelin; Michigan Economic Development Corporation; Tenneco; Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, Yazaki and ZF.