Annual American Cancer Society Report Finds Continued Drops Lead to Milestone

SOURCE:American Cancer Society

DESCRIPTION:

January 18, 2013 /3BL Media/ - As of 2009, the overall death rate for cancer in the United States had declined 20 percent from its peak in 1991, translating to the avoidance of approximately 1.2 million deaths from cancer, 152,900 of these in 2009 alone. These figures come from the American Cancer Society’s annual Cancer Statistics report, one of the most widely-cited medical publications in the world. 

Each year, the American Cancer Society estimates the numbers of new cancer cases and deaths expected in the United States in the current year and compiles the most recent data on cancer incidence, mortality, and survival based on incidence data from the National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics. The data are disseminated in two reports, Cancer Facts & Figures 2013 and its companion article, Cancer Statistics 2013, published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

The latest report finds that cancer death rates decreased from their peak of 215.1 per 100,000 in 1991 to 173.1 per 100,000 in 2009. Death rates continue to decline for all four major cancer sites: lung, colon and rectum (colorectum), breast, and prostate. Over the past two decades, death rates have decreased from their peak by more than 30% for cancers of the colorectum, female breast, and male lung, and by more than 40% for prostate cancer. These large drops are primarily due to reductions in smoking for lung cancer and to improvements in early detection and treatment for colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers.

The authors say as encouraging as those drops are, further progress can be accelerated by applying existing cancer control knowledge across all segments of the population, with an emphasis on those groups in the lowest socioeconomic bracket and other underserved populations.

According to the study, a total of 1,660,290 new cancer cases and 580,350 cancer deaths are projected to occur in the United States in 2013. Among men, cancers of the prostate, lung and bronchus, and colorectum will account for half of all newly diagnosed cancers; prostate cancer alone will account for 28% (238,590) of incident cases in men. Among women, the three most commonly diagnosed types of cancer in 2013 will be breast, lung and bronchus, and colorectum, accounting for about half of all cases. Breast cancer alone is expected to account for 29% (232,340) of all new cancer cases among women.

Read more about the Annual Report information. 

Tweet me:The @AmericanCancer Society Reports #Cancer Mortality Down 20% from 1991 Peak http://bit.ly/WaUs2d

KEYWORDS: Reporting, Ratings & Rankings, Health and Wellness, Healthcare Innovation, Wellness, American Cancer Society, annual report, cancer rates, cancer mortality

SOURCE:3BL Media, LLC

DESCRIPTION:

California regulators are reporting that the state has hit a major milestone in renewable energy: more than 1 gigawatt—1,000 megawatts—of solar power has been installed through the California Solar Initiative, which encourages homeowners, businesses, local governments and nonprofit organizations to install solar panels on their roofs. Launched in 2007, the California Solar Initiative is an ambitious road map that calls for 1,940 new megawatts of solar power to be installed statewide by 2016. The 1,066 megawatts installed by the end of 2012 put the state more than halfway to that goal. PG&E has more than 75,000 solar customers connected to the grid via net metering, which allows homeowners and businesses to offset the cost of their electric use with the rooftop solar power they generate and export to the grid.

Next-generation energy-efficiency technologies and programs could help utilities save 27 percent of forecasted electricity use and 19 percent of forecasted natural gas use by 2030, according to a report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. The report, Frontiers of Energy Efficiency, says new technologies combined with innovative program designs can help meet the aggressive saving targets being set by many states. ACEEE says energy-efficiency programs for utility customers that have been in place for more than 30 years have experienced unprecedented growth over the past decade, in part because of policies that establish high, specific energy savings targets to be achieved through energy-efficiency programs. Over the next two decades, while savings opportunities exist for all types of customers, the report finds some of the greatest potential exists for renovations and retrofits of homes and commercial buildings. Lighting also remains a large source of energy savings along with building mechanical systems and a variety of electronics.

For more information on these and other stories, go to 3blmedia.com

Video Source: California Records 1,000 Megawatts of Installed Solar Power; New Energy Efficiency Tech and Programs to Save 27% of Future Electricity Use

Tweet me:California records 1,000 megawatts of installed solar power http://3bl.me/595dtx New #energy efficiency tech to save 27% of #electricity use

KEYWORDS: solar power, homeowners, Businesses, Local Governments, nonprofit organizations, California Solar Initiative, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, 3bl Media, Energy, energy efficiency, Energy Minute

SOURCE:Home Depot Foundation

DESCRIPTION:

What do Atlanta Union Mission, Help the Children, and Rebuilding Together have in common? They, along with thousands of other nonprofits, receive regular donations of products from The Home Depot. Since 2008, The Home Depot and The Home Depot Foundation have worked with Good 360 to distribute millions of dollars in product to nonprofit organizations that use the materials to help those in need. As the program, Framing Hope, prepares to enter its sixth year this February, we are happy to announce a new and exciting milestone - we have surpassed $150 million in product donation!

Framing Hope was launched in 2008 after a call from our associates who wanted to make good use of merchandise from our stores that would otherwise be discarded. Now, the national program matches more than 1,200 stores with local nonprofits that receive much needed home improvement supplies to support their charitable efforts. In a true life example of “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” the receiving nonprofits have made use of the donated materials that would otherwise be thrown away to address housing needs of low-to-moderate income homeowners, veterans, seniors and others in need.

Since it began, Framing Hope has become not only a vital part of our organization, but a significant part of our giving strategy. In 2012 alone, The Home Depot donated $37.7 million worth of products to nonprofit organizations, $10 million of which directly supported U.S. military veterans.

“[Framing Hope] started as a grassroots effort on the part of our associates to divert good, useable building materials from the landfill to local nonprofits helping individuals, low income families and the needy have a decent, safe affordable place to call home,” says Fred Wacker, Director and Chief Operating Officer of The Home Depot Foundation. “It is a great accomplishment of our associates that we have reached the $150 million milestone and impacted over one million homes and families.”

The $37.7 million in product donated during 2012 alone benefited more than 60,000 homes and local facilities that help these deserving families and individuals in their areas. Just a few examples of what Framing Hope accomplishes include:

• Atlanta Union Mission renovated the dormitories at The Potter’s House, a working farm outside Athens that can house about 180 men in long-term, intensive care for chemical addiction.
• Help the Children distributes products to nonprofits including bathroom fixtures, carpets, tile and wood flooring, window blinds and more.
• Rebuilding Together affiliates in Lynchburg, VA and Tempe, AZ have refurbished homes for disabled veterans and seniors.

Recently at the National Retail Federation’s BIG Show, we were thrilled to join Good360 Board Chair Carly Fiorina in a panel discussion, “Doing Well by Doing Good,” about the strategic business case for product donation. There, Fred Wacker highlighted our program and discussed how the partnership successfully allows us to repurpose Home Depot product for positive social impact. (For more information on the National Retail Federation’s BIG Show, click here)

“Framing Hope aligns many of The Home Depot’s core values, such as Giving Back, Doing the Right Thing and Building Strong Relationships,” adds Wacker. “In addition, it positively addresses the social, economic and environmental needs of our communities.”

According to a recent report on the program from Indiana University, the “social, economic and environmental” impact he references have been substantial. Results include:

• Social Impact:  Nearly 600,000 low income families reached
• Economic Impact:  More than $56 million in embodied energy costs saved.
• Environmental Impact: The Framing Hope program has helped families across the nation increase the sustainability of their homes by distributing ENERGY STAR products that help them save money on their energy bills. The program has also saved landfill space equivalent to approximately 6,000 garbage trucks.

On the heels of a very successful 2012, Framing Hope shows no signs of slowing down in 2013!

Tweet me: Framing Hope Program Reaches $150 Million Milestone! Learn more in our Fdn blog: http://bit.ly/UBHJWL @HomeDepotFdn @Good360org

KEYWORDS: Green, Environmental Business, Environmental Politics, Recycling, Community, framing hope, nonprofit, product donation, Veterans, good360, The Home Depot Foundation, The Home Depot

SOURCE:3BL Media, LLC

DESCRIPTION:

The Nutrition Business Journal has named the nutrition industry’s most notable business leaders of 2012. Winners of the NBJ Business Achievement Awards include Doctor Bonner’s for Organic Excellence, Nature’s Path for Philanthropy, Traditional Medicinals for Sustainability, and Wellness FX for Innovation. NBJ represents the nutrition, natural, organic, dietary supplement, and integrative medicine industries. The Business Achievement Awards recognize the industry’s leaders in making significant advancements in health, wellness, and nutrition.

$2 trillion in healthcare spending over the next decade could be saved if the U.S. government brought rising costs in line with economic growth, according to a new study by the Commonwealth Fund. The study recommends holding the $2.8 trillion U.S. healthcare system to an annual spending target by having Medicare, Medicaid, other government programs, and private insurers encourage providers to accelerate adoption of more cost-effective care. The United States has the world's most expensive healthcare system, which forecasters say will cost more than $9,200 this year for every man, woman, and child. Costs, while slowing over the last year, continue to outpace inflation and restrain overall economic growth. The Commonwealth Fund is a private foundation dedicated to improving the U.S. healthcare system by developing policy proposals as the country prepares for millions of uninsured Americans to enter the healthcare system under the Affordable Health Care Act.

AT&T is launching a new Corporate Accessibility Technology Office to promote access to its products and services for customers with disabilities. The new corporate structure builds on AT&T’s current offerings such as U-verse Easy Remote and Mobile Accessibility Lite that support people with disabilities. AT&T’s first Chief Accessibility Officer will lead the new office to maintain accessibility as a top priority by adding defined accountability into the company’s governance.

For more information on these and other stories, go to 3blmedia.com

Video Source: Nutrition Business Journal Names Award Winners; $2 Trillion Savings in U.S. Healthcare Possible, says Commonwealth Fund; AT&T Launches Accessibility Dept for Customers with Disabilities

Tweet me:.@nutritionbizjrl awards winners; http://3bl.me/4zaw9k $2 Trillion Savings in U.S. #Healthcare Possible; @ATT launches Accessibility Dept

KEYWORDS: Organic Excellence, philanthropy, sustainability, Innovation, Wellness FX, Nature’s Path, Traditional Medicinals, Doctor Bonner, Commonwealth Fund, Healthcare Spending, AT&T, Corporate Accessibility Technology Office, 3bl Media, Health, health care

Kaiser Permanente forges partnership with Alliance for Climate Education to increase youth awareness of the impacts of climate change

SOURCE:Kaiser Permanente

DESCRIPTION:

When trying to tackle a large-scale environmental issue that has potentially global impacts on the health and vitality of people, communities and the planet, sometimes the most effective place to start is a simple one — educate and inspire young people.

That is the premise behind an organization known as Alliance for Climate Education, a national non-profit based in Oakland, Calif., whose mission is to educate high school students on the science behind climate change and inspire them to take action to curb global warming. Kaiser Permanente recently awarded a $75,000 grant to ACE to support its work in “building a generational shift” to help solve climate change.

“We see that young people have the desire, the energy and the optimism to make a difference in addressing climate change,” explains Sarah Shanley Hope, executive director for ACE. “This is a global challenge that will directly affect their communities and our future. Bringing out their enthusiasm and potential leadership is critical to making solutions happen.”

ACE delivers two core offerings as part of its educational presentation: the award-winning ACE assembly that blends storytelling, cutting-edge animation, music and video; and the Student Action Program that engages students in small actions they can take to help the environment, scaling up to larger carbon-cutting projects that students can take on at school and in their communities.

Continue reading about Kaiser Permanente's partnership with the Alliance for Climate Education.

Tweet me:#KaiserPermanente and @ClimateEd are taking the science of #climatechange to the streets http://3bl.me/gzeb6s

KEYWORDS: climate change, Kaiser Permanente, Alliance For Climate Education, environment, carbon-cutting

Verizon is helping connect doctors to the latest cancer research for better treatment options.

SOURCE:Verizon

DESCRIPTION:

What if your doctor could learn of the newest protocols, medicines and regimens as soon as they are released to the medical community?

Through the combined strengths of NantHealth and Verizon's cloud services, oncologists are now able to access the most current cancer regimens and treatments through a new medical database is called eviti, powered by the security, mobility and reach of the Verizon 4G LTE network.

Armed with the latest evidence-based cancer treatments and protocols, doctors can offer more hope, more options, and better care to their patients.

At Verizon, we believe in the power of technology to solve just about anything. Because the world's biggest challenges deserve even bigger solutions.

More information is available at: http://www22.verizon.com/powerfulanswers/nanthealth

Tweet me:.@Verizon works with #NantHealth connects doctors to the latest #cancer research for better treatment options. http://3bl.me/wea7ax

KEYWORDS: Marketing, Media & Communications, Technology. Innovation & Solutions, Health and Wellness, NantHealth Cancer Research, Powerful Answers, cloud services

SOURCE:Mary Kay

DESCRIPTION:

In honor of MLK Day, Kerry Tassopoulos speaks about Mary Kay Inc.’s commitment to serve others and the legacy of Dr. King.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'"

Growing up in Atlanta in the 60s, the work of Dr. King was a daily discussion in the news, in homes, at work and in places of worship.  As a proud native son of Atlanta, I always felt a deep sense of pride that Dr. King and his family were so instrumental in the history of the city and the country. As the nation pauses to honor Dr. King, many will commemorate his life with a day of service in our respective communities. The commitment to serve and help others is one of my greatest joys about working at Mary Kay.

In my role as the Vice President of Government Relations, I’m honored to have Mary Kay’s corporate social responsibility team reporting to me. Mary Kay’s longstanding commitment to enriching women’s lives and giving back is at the core of our CSR efforts. In the last year, we’ve built outdoor learning environments at women’s shelters to connect children with nature as they heal from the trauma of dealing with abuse. We’ve sponsored the nation’s first text-based helpline for teens and young adults. We’ve lobbied various state legislators around the country to strengthen laws that protect women from violence. And, together with thousands of Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants, we committed to a month of service that helped thousands and thousands of people around the world.

Our organization’s CSR efforts are deeply rooted in the commitment of helping others. I truly believe that each of us must be accountable for our actions, responsible for our mistakes and willing to help those in need. Mary Kay Ash said it best, “Before you ever receive the wonderful treasures of a happy life, you must first give. Give of yourself.”

Tweet me:In honor of #MLKDay @MaryKay talks about their commitment to serve http://3bl.me/r33a29 #csr

KEYWORDS: positive impact, Mary Kay, csr, inner beauty, community impact, martin luther king day, mlk day, Corporate Social Responsibility

$20,000 Grant to One Place Family Justice Center to Support A CALL TO MEN Initiative

SOURCE:Verizon

DESCRIPTION:

Tweet me:$20,000 #VerizonFoundation Grant to One Place Family Justice Center supports A CALL TO MEN http://3bl.me/33qe4m #domesticviolenceprevention

Contact Info:

Ellen Yu
Verizon
+1 (908) 559-2818
ellen.yu@verizon.com

KEYWORDS: Verizon Foundation, philanthropy, A CALL TO MEN, One Place Family Justice Center

With video solutions like Redbox Instant™ by Verizon, you can get entertainment at home and away.

SOURCE:Verizon

DESCRIPTION:

What if you could get information and entertainment wherever and whenever you wanted it? The Verizon network give you more choices, at home and on the go.

With apps like My FiOS, you can get your FiOS channels on the go -- on any connected device. With video-on-demand services like Redbox Instant™ by Verizon, you can choose from a vast library of movies and TV shows.

At Verizon, we believe in the power of technology to solve just about anything. Because the world's biggest challenges deserve even bigger solutions.

More information is available at http://www22.verizon.com/powerfulanswers/fios

Tweet me:With apps like #MyFiOS &video services like #RedboxInstant by @Verizon, you can watchentertainment at home and away. http://3bl.me/r5nncp

KEYWORDS: Marketing, Media & Communications, Technology. Innovation & Solutions, Fios, 4G LTE, Redbox Instant, Verizon

SOURCE:The Cause Marketing Forum

DESCRIPTION:

On today's show, Megan and Joe talk to Alex Gold, Director of Partnerships at Carrotmob, about the power of buycotts - campaigns in which a group of people offer to spend their money to support a business. In return, the business agrees to make an improvement that the people care about. Buycotts are an interesting idea, and Alex explains how they are being used with by consumer goods companies such as Unilever. Are you tired of the threats and attacks that often precede any kind of meaningful change? Carrotmob is proposing a new model based  on incentives and money. A "carrot" instead of a "stick"! Tune in now!

Don’t Miss an Episode!  Subscribe to Cause Talk Radio in iTunes!

Don't see the player above? Click here to listen!

Tweet me:PODCAST >> @Carrotmob Dangles Money for Businesses That Embrace Change http://3bl.me/ptwg7s Interview w/ @_AlexGold @JoeWaters @meganstrand

KEYWORDS: Marketing, Media & Communications, cause marketing, cause-related marketing, best cause marketing 2012, examples of cause marketing 2012, example of cause-related marketing 2012, company nonprofit partnership, company cause partnership, carrotmob and unilever, carrotmob, cause talk radio, marketing podcast, nonprofit podcast

SOURCE:Carroll School of Management Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College

DESCRIPTION:

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass., January 21, 2013 /3BL Media/ - The Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship  has just released its latest publication of The Corporate Citizen magazine. Issue 8 looks at the power of partnership to increase the value of corporate citizenship for business and society. As with a team of rowers, corporate citizenship partnerships require pulling together in a coordinated way with clear communication and direction to maximize each partner’s contribution to the effort. Stories in this issue illustrate how this is accomplished at leading companies

The magazine opens with “A guide to forming effective partnerships”, offering some best practices in implementing an important strategy for companies trying to meet their corporate citizenship goals. It explains critical steps that allow a company to leverage its partners’ resources while engaging stakeholders and building awareness on important issues. To read more an electronic version of the magazine is available for you to download at www.BCCorporateCitizenship.org.

Tweet me:Just released The Corporate Citizen magazine, Vol 8. This issue looks at the power of partnership. http://bit.ly/11EWxt9 #CSR #Partnership

KEYWORDS: Marketing, Media & Communications, Corporate Citizenship, CSR goals, #CSR, Partnerships, Community Partnerships

Anti-poverty initiative featured in new edition of Beyond Borders magazine

SOURCE:Barrick Gold Corporation

DESCRIPTION:

TORONTO, January 21, 2013 /3BL Media/ - Barrick Gold Corporation has helped 125 Chilean families living in poverty become homeowners through a partnership with A Roof for Chile (Un Techo para Chile), a non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to eradicating slums and providing adequate housing in Chile. 

About Barrick Gold Corporation

Barrick is the gold industry leader in production, reserves, and market capitalization. Based in Toronto, the company operates globally, with a portfolio of 27 operating mines and advanced exploration and development projects located across the world. Barrick trades on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and employs 26,000 people worldwide. The company has been ranked as a world leader in social and environmental responsibility for five consecutive years by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and is also listed on the NASDAQ Global Sustainability Index of the top 100 companies. To learn more about Barrick’s commitment to responsible mining, visit www.barrickbeyondborders.com. You can also follow Barrick on Twitter and Barrick on Facebook.

Tweet me:.@BarrickGold and its partners help 125 families in Chile become new homeowners http://3bl.me/n5q3dt #csr

Contact Info:

Andy Lloyd
Director, Media Relations
+1 (416) 307-7414
alloyd@barrick.com

Greg Panagos
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations and Communications
+1 (416) 309-2943
gpanagos@barrick.com

KEYWORDS: CSR, Barrick Gold Corporation, Chile, beyond borders, a roof for chile, Renacer, Rebirth program

SOURCE:Justmeans

DESCRIPTION:

Caesars Entertainment Corporation, the world's largest gaming company with $8.83 billion in revenue in 2011, has been recognized for commendable environmental sustainability practices.

Two of the company's casinos on Lake Tahoe, Harrah's Lake Tahoe Casino and Harveys Lake Tahoe Casino, have received the prestigious Gold Certification from Travelife, a certification system dedicated to achieving sustainable practices within the tourism industry.

Caesars Entertainment, which was known as Harrah's Entertainment until 2010 and whose brands include Caesars, Harrah's, Horseshoe, Flamingo, and Planet Hollywood, launched "CodeGreen," its comprehensive sustainability program, in 2004.

Click here to continue reading and comment 

Harry Stevens is a freelance reporter covering climate change, corporate social responsibility, social enterprise, and sustainable finance. Harry has contributed to several media outlets, including Justmeans, GreenBiz, SocialEarth, and Sustainablog. You can followHarry on Twitter: @Harry_Stevens

Tweet me:Caesars Entertainment Corporation recognized for #sustainability on Lake Tahoe http://3bl.me/6tmngg @Harry_Stevens @justmeans

KEYWORDS: sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility, lake tahoe, CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, caesars foundation, Travelife

SOURCE:ConAgra Foods Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

OMAHA, Neb., Jan. 21, 2013 /3BL Media/—ConAgra Foods, Inc., announced that, with the help of the community, this year’s goal of raising 1.1 million meals for the hungry through the sixth annual Shine the Light on Hunger  campaign has not only been reached, but surpassed. This year’s campaign achieved unprecedented results; including a matching grant from ConAgra Foods, the community raised the equivalent of close to 1.5 million meals through both in-kind and cash donations to Food Bank for the Heartland. In recognition of the community’s accomplishment, ConAgra Foods lit the top of its iconic “food barrel tree” located on the ConAgra Foods campus at the corner of 10^th and Farnam Streets.

“Thanks to the generosity of our community, we’re able to make a difference for our neighbors who no longer need to wonder where their next meal will come from or whether they’ll even be getting a meal,” said Chris Kircher, vice president of corporate affairs and president of the ConAgra Foods Foundation. “ConAgra Foods would like to thank everyone – individuals, businesses and non-profits – who came together to make this year’s Shine the Light on Hunger campaign such a success.”

The focal point of the Shine the Light on Hunger campaign was the ConAgra Foods ice skating rink. More than 18,000 skaters took to the ice this year, raising funds for the campaign through admission and concession sales. The ConAgra Foods Foundation matched donations to Food Bank for the Heartland dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000.  Each dollar raised equates to three meals for those in need.  In addition, community members donated more than 145,000 pounds of food to Food Bank for the Heartland. When combined with donations from other community efforts, these results exceeded this year’s goal and surpassed previous year’s campaign efforts.

“The nearly 1.5 million meals raised by the community truly makes a big difference and couldn’t come at a better time,” said Susan Ogborn, president and CEO of Food Bank for the Heartland.  “During this challenging economic time, the need in our community is greater than ever. We are so grateful for this support and the commitment it shows to eliminating hunger in Nebraska and Iowa.”

Omaha’s nonprofit organization, Food Bank for the Heartland, will distribute more than 11 million pounds of food and household products to families in Nebraska and Southwest Iowa this year. Food Bank for the Heartland works with 375 agencies to benefit those in need. Today, more than 92,000 children in the 93 counties served by Food Bank for the Heartland struggle, according to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap: Child Food Insecurity 2011. Douglas County has the most children at risk for hunger (26,970) followed by Sarpy County (7,600) in Nebraska, and Woodbury County in Iowa.

About ConAgra Foods

ConAgra Foods, Inc., (NYSE: CAG), is one of North America's leading food companies, with brands in 97 percent of America’s households. Consumers find Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Egg Beaters, Hebrew National, Hunt’s, Marie Callender’s, Orville Redenbacher’s, PAM, Peter Pan, Reddi-wip, Slim Jim, Snack Pack and many other ConAgra Foods brands in grocery, convenience, mass merchandise and club stores. ConAgra Foods also has a strong business-to-business presence, supplying frozen potato and sweet potato products as well as other vegetable, spice and grain products to a variety of well-known restaurants, foodservice operators and commercial customers. For more information, please visit us at www.conagrafoods.com.

Tweet me:#ConAgra Foods, Inc. and #community raised close to 1.5 million meals to Help Shine the Light on hunger. http://3bl.me/sqs9nk

KEYWORDS: ConAgra, Conagra foods, Ice Skating Rink, Ice Rink, Shine the Light on Hunger, Hunger

Investors' Circle increases investment activity in targeted sectors

SOURCE:Investors' Circle

DESCRIPTION:

Investors' Circle, a network of impact investors, is dedicated to the growth of businesses with high social and environmental impact. As mentioned in Forbes recently, the IC network invested more than $10 million in early-stage enterprises in 2012, and targets are higher for 2013. Some of the exciting companies in Education, Health and Cleantech that raised significant investment through IC in 2012 are:

• LearnZillion - LearnZillion delivers more than 2,000 video lessons built from Common Core Standards and produced by top teachers for students, parents and education professionals.
• Bioceptive  - Bioceptive is developing a patent-pending intrauterine device (IUD) inserter that vastly simplifies the insertion procedure while significantly reducing complications inherent in current insertion techniques.
• Gridtest Systems - Gridtest Systems eliminates the interoperability and safety challenges faced by electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, infrastructure providers and users by providing test equipment that demonstrates reliable and safe operation of EV charging stations, in accordance with global industry standards.

Early-stage entrepreneurs are invited to apply to this active network of socially responsible angel investors, venture capitalists, foundations and family offices. Applicants will be considered for an opportunity to present (pitch) at the Investors’ Circle Spring 2013 Venture Fair & Forum, scheduled for May 8–9 in San Francisco, CA.

Application deadline: Friday, February 1 by 5pm PT | 8pm ET

There is a $200 application fee and all entrepreneurs are first directed to review IC's criteria and funding process. Qualifying businesses receive immediate exposure to network members and will be considered for IC's in-person and virtual venture fairs. They will be highlighted in an e-newsletter read widely by IC's entire investor network and a permanent profile is automatically posted on GUST, IC's secure online deal database.

Entrepreneurs selected to present will be notified within 6–8 weeks, at which time they will receive presentation coaching. Entrepreneurs will engage an exclusive audience of angel and institutional investors, and are offered ample networking time.  An outstanding feature of working with this group of investors is that interested parties enter due diligence discussions right away, greatly faciliating the investment process.

"The recent rise in our network's investment levels are exciting," says Justin Desrosiers, IC's Director of Strategy & Operations and the one in charge of the organization's vetting process. "Entrepreneurs in education, health and cleantech are enthusiastically encouraged to get their applications in for consideration and now is an optimal time to do it."

Tweet me:#Education, #Health and #Cleantech SocEnt can look to @InvestorsCircle to raise capital http://3bl.me/8cxc5n

Contact Info:

Sally Steele
Investors' Circle
+1 (415) 255-6844 ext.110
ssteele@investorscircle.net

KEYWORDS: Education, Health, cleantech, capital, entrepreneurs, Venture, Enterprise, Investment, Angel, Early-stage, funding, Business, financing, investor, Healthcare, Electric Vehicle, impact, environment, sustainability, Investors’ Circle, network, community, foundation

Novo Nordisk ranked fifth on the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World index.

SOURCE:Novo Nordisk

DESCRIPTION:

January 23, 2013 /3BL Media/ – Today at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Novo Nordisk received the top position in the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology industry group of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World index. The index is published annually since 2005 by Corporate Knights – a Canadian and North American business magazine.

The aim of the Global 100 is to highlight the global companies that are most proactive in managing their environmental and social performance and corporate governance issues. Overall, Novo Nordisk ranked fifth on the 2013 list of global sustainable companies having moved down four places from its 2012 number one ranking.

Out of the 12 key performance indicators, Novo Nordisk received a Best Performance rating on:

·         energy use and greenhouse gas emissions as a percentage of revenue,

·         CEO compensation as a percentage of average employee pay, and

·         the mechanisms in place that link senior executive pay to clean capitalism targets.  

Novo Nordisk’s drop from its 2012 top position is a reflection of below average performance on the companies waste productivity, R&D expenditure as a percentage of revenue, taxes paid as a percentage of earnings, employee safety performance and employee turnover.

“We are proud to see Novo Nordisk’s sustainability performance being ranked among the best,” says Susanne Stormer, vice president of Corporate Sustainability, Novo Nordisk. “Our sustainability leadership is borne out of being confronted by challenges, and rakings such as this keep us on our toes to continuously keep pushing for stronger performance on all three bottom lines.”

Corporate Knights selects the Global 100 from a base of 4,000 developed and emerging market stocks, based on their sustainability ratings from the world’s largest sustainability research consortium, the Global Sustainability Research Alliance (GSRA). The GSRA integrates research from 10 leading firms across the globe including Goldman Sachs | GS SUSTAIN, Société Générale, EIRIS, and RiskMetrics Group.

For more information about Global 100: www.global100.org

About Novo Nordisk sustainability efforts: novonordisk.com/sustainability

About Novo Nordisk

Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with 90 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company also has leading positions within haemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. For more information, visit novonordisk.com.

Novo Nordisk strives to conduct its activities in a financially, environmentally and socially responsible way. The strategic commitment to corporate sustainability has brought the company onto centre stage as a leading player in today’s business environment, recognised for its integrated reporting, stakeholder engagement and consistently high sustainability performance. In 2013, Novo Nordisk received the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology industry group top ranking on Corporate Knight’s list of Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. Novo Nordisk is listed in the 2011/2012 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices with a gold class rating. For more information, visit novonordisk.com/sustainability.

Tweet me:Proud to see Novo Nordisk’s #sustainability performance being ranked among the best! http://3bl.me/8c2pby #WEF #Davos2013

KEYWORDS: Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability Business, Carbon Footprint, Climate Change / Global Warming, Event, Business Surveys, Company Ratings, Health and Wellness, Novo Nordisk, sustainability, Triple Bottom Line

SOURCE:Enbridge, Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

CALGARY, Alberta, January 23, 2013 /3BL Media/ – Corporate Knights has again named Enbridge (TSX: ENB) (NYSE:ENB) to its Global 100 ranking of the Most Sustainable Corporations in the World, based on Enbridge’s economic, environmental and social performance in 2012.

This year is the fifth consecutive year that Enbridge has been included on the Global 100, which was recently recognized as one of the world’s most credible corporate sustainability ranking.

“Developing energy infrastructure in a sustainable way is important for Enbridge because it embodies what stakeholders expect and what we need to do to succeed in our business today,” said Al Monaco, Enbridge’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We have implemented sustainability initiatives at every level of the company. Our particular emphasis is on achieving industry-leading performance across all critical safety, integrity management and environmental protection dimensions of our business.

“We’re committed to ensuring that every decision we make has the best possible impact on our stakeholders, the environment and the communities in which we live and work. We’re also committed to transparency of our CSR performance.”

Corporate Knights collected data for the Global 100 ranking primarily from Bloomberg and through direct engagement with the 350 companies that made the ranking’s shortlist, selected from a starting universe of about 4,000 global mid- and large-cap companies. The final ranking includes companies from 22 countries on six continents with a collective revenue of US$3 trillion and a workforce of nearly 5.3 million.

The Global 100, now in its ninth year, uses a two-step methodology. First, companies from the starting universe are screened according to their sustainability disclosure practices, financial health, product types and recent legal payouts. The companies that remain after the initial screen are then scored relative to their same-sector peers on a set of 12 key performance indicators (KPIs). A different suite of KPIs is used for companies in each sector, depending on industry reporting trends.

Enbridge’s inclusion on the Global 100 ranking is a distinguished addition to a growing list of awards and recognition that the company has received for its CSR performance. Among Enbridge’s other honours include being listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (World and North American), the Financial Times/ London Stock Exchange (FTSE4Good) and Corporate Knights Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada ranking.

The full results for the Global 100 ranking are available at http://global100.org/images/stories/global100_website_pdfs/pr_global_2013_final.pdf.

About Enbridge Inc.
Enbridge Inc. is a North American leader in delivering energy and one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. As a transporter of energy, Enbridge operates, in Canada and the U.S., the world's longest crude oil and liquids transportation system. The Company also has a significant and growing involvement in natural gas gathering, transmission and midstream businesses, and an increasing involvement in power transmission. As a distributor of energy, Enbridge owns and operates Canada's largest natural gas distribution company, and provides distribution services in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and New York State. As a generator of energy, Enbridge has interests in close to 1,000 megawatts of renewable and alternative energy generating capacity and is expanding its interests in wind and solar energy, geothermal and hybrid fuel cells. Enbridge employs more than 10,000 people, primarily in Canada and the U.S. and is ranked as one of Canada's Greenest Employers and one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2013. Enbridge is included on the 2012/2013 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index and is also a constituent of the 2012/2013 FTSE4Good Index Series. Enbridge's common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol ENB. For more information, visit www.enbridge.com.

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Certain information provided in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate", "expect", "project", "estimate", "forecast" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although Enbridge believes that these statements are based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are necessarily subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties pertaining to operating performance, regulatory parameters, weather, economic conditions and commodity prices. You can find a discussion of those risks and uncertainties in our Canadian securities filings and American SEC filings. While Enbridge makes these forward-looking statements in good faith, should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Enbridge assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or otherwise, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Tweet me:#Enbridge named to @CorporateKnight's #Global100 list for commitment to #sustainability, #csr http://3bl.me/y57p3s

Contact Info:

Jennifer Varey
Media
+1 (403) 508-6563
jennifer.varey@enbridge.com
Toll Free: (888) 992-0997

Jody Balko
Investment Community
+1 (403) 231-5720
jody.balko@enbridge.com

KEYWORDS: Enbridge, corporate knights, sustainability, Global 100, most sustainable corporations, environment, social commitment, csr, Corporate Social Responsibility

SOURCE:Monsanto

DESCRIPTION:

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 23, 2013 /3BL Media/ -- Container gardening has been on the uptrend over the past five years and continues to grow in popularity, especially in urban areas where green space can be limited. But to ensure the most success, it is crucial for the 21 million households planting container gardens to pick the right plant for the pot.

Tweet me:Want to plant, but have limited green space? Have you tried container gardening? Learn more: http://3bl.me/672ekp

KEYWORDS: Eco-Living, Consumption & Travel, Monsanto, Seminis, sustainability, farming, plant, planting, garden

SOURCE:United Nations Global Compact

DESCRIPTION:

ZURICH/NEW YORK, 23 January 2013 /3BL Media/ – The Nobel Sustainability Trust (NST) and the United Nations Global Compact today announced their collaboration to accelerate the transition to global sustainability through mutual projects and network facilitation in the areas of alternative and renewable energy, as well as social enterprise.

As part of the new partnership, the Nobel Sustainability Trust will support Caring for Climate, the world’s largest climate action platform for business, in its efforts to develop a global action hub on climate and energy. This online platform will identify targeted action areas in various geographic locations and create concrete opportunities for business and other stakeholders to collectively implement green solutions, scale up climate finance, create jobs and deliver sustainable energy systems on a large scale.

The UN Global Compact will support the wide portfolio of the Nobel Sustainability Trust, which is designed to encourage the research and practice of sustainable and renewable energy. Its activities include a new Sustainability Award to be presented to an individual, company, organization or community that has carried out significant accomplishments or discoveries in the field of alternative, renewable and sustainable energy. NST will organize Sustainable Energy Conferences to present hands-on solutions for sustainable energy, and combating pollution and global warming. In addition, the Nobel Sustainability Funds will be established to bolster clean technology innovation with optimal environments in terms of financing, expertise and network to ensure market reach.

The two organizations will also seek to leverage their networks and matchmaking competencies, particularly to advance the Global Compact’s social enterprise and impact investing framework and NST’s Sustainability Projects Value Chain Platform.

“In our aim to crystalize and extend global awareness and focus on environmental considerations and solutions to ensure ready access to energy for all members of our society whilst ensuring the protection of the Earth, we see our partnership with UN Global Compact as a major step forward in our struggle for a sustainable planet,” said Gustaf Nobel, Chairman, Nobel Sustainability Trust.

“In recognizing the urgent need for awareness, action and ultimately implementable solutions to scale up the global sustainability movement, we are thrilled to partner with the Nobel Sustainability Trust to advance clean technology and renewable energy solutions,” said Georg Kell, UN Global Compact Executive Director.

About Nobel Sustainability Trust
Nobel Sustainability Trust, founded in Zürich, is a non governmental and non profit organization committed to push forward the development and implementation of renewable and sustainable energy by giving out The Sustainability Award by Nobel Sustainability Trust, The Sustainable Energy Conferences and establishing The Nobel Sustainability Funds, clean technology investment funds that are to provide clean tech innovation with optimal environments in terms of financing, expertise and network to ensure market reach. www.nobelsustainability.org

About the United Nations Global Compact
Launched in 2000, the United Nations Global Compact is both a policy platform and a practical framework for companies that are committed to sustainability and responsible business practices. As a multi-stakeholder leadership initiative, it seeks to align business operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and to catalyze actions in support of broader UN goals. With 7,000 corporate signatories in 135 countries, it is the world’s largest voluntary corporate sustainability initiative. www.unglobalcompact.org

Tweet me:#Nobel Sustainability Trust, @globalcompact team up to advance #sustainable, renewable energy http://3bl.me/kxs3fv #csr

Contact Info:

Kristen Coco
UN Global Compact
+1 (917) 367-8566
cocok@un.org
@globalcompact
www.facebook.com/UNGlobalCompact

Søren Kofoed
Nobel Sustainability Trust
sk@nobelsustainability.org

KEYWORDS: Business & Trade, Environment, Events, Conferences & Webinars, Finance & Investment, People, Social Action & Community Engagement, Technology. Innovation & Solutions, nobel, sustainability, renewable energy, UN Global Compact, nobel sustainability trust

SOURCE:Southwest Airlines

DESCRIPTION:

DALLAS, January 23, 2013 /3BL Media/ — Southwest Airlines’ (NYSE: LUV) Senior Manager of Community Relations & Giving Marilee McInnis was recently named as one of the Top 35 Women in CSR by TriplePundit, an innovative new-media company that cultivates awareness of the triple bottom line and provides news on sustainable business in the 21^st century.  Marilee joined Southwest in 2002 and developed and spearheads the Company’s annual integrated reporting effort, the Southwest Airlines One Report™, which makes Southwest one of only a handful of U.S. companies publishing an integrated report and the subject of Harvard’s first case study on integrated reporting. Marilee also directs the airline’s green initiatives, leads the Company’s Green Team, helps the Company put a green filter on business decisions, and communicates and fosters sustainability for Southwest Airlines.  To view the complete Top 35 Women in CSR list, visit TriplePundit’s web site.

Since Southwest’s beginnings more than 40 years ago, the LUV airline has always approached business differently—instituting the ten-minute turn, democratizing the skies with affordable air travel, delivering Legendary Customer Service—the list goes on and on. One thing that has remained constant since Southwest took to the skies four decades ago is doing the right thing. 

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

In its 42^nd year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by nearly 46,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually.  Southwest is the nation’s largest carrier in terms of originating passengers boarded, and including wholly-owned subsidiary, AirTran Airways, operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world to serve 97 destinations in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and six near-international countries. Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People and Planet.  To read about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good corporate citizen, visit southwest.com/citizenship to read the Southwest Airlines One Report™.

Southwest Airlines

From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel quantified by the U.S. Department of Transportation as “The Southwest Effect,” a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic wherever the carrier serves.  On every flight, Southwest offers Customers the first two pieces of checked luggage (weight and size limitations apply) and all ticket changes without additional fees. Southwest’s all-Boeing fleet consistently offers leather seating and the comfort of full-size cabins, many of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi connectivity and a new, eco-friendly cabin interior.  With 39 consecutive years of profitability, the People of Southwest operate more than 3,100 flights a day and serve communities around 78 airports in Southwest’s network of domestic destinations.  Southwest Airlines’ frequent flights and low fares are available only at southwest.com.

AirTran Airways

AirTran Airways, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines Co., offers coast-to-coast and near-international service with close to 600 flights a day to 54 destinations.  The carrier’s high-quality product includes assigned seating and Business Class. As Southwest continues to integrate AirTran’s People, places, and planes into Southwest Airlines, Customers of both carriers may book flights at airtran.com and exchange earned loyalty points between both AirTran’s A+ Rewards® and Southwest’s Rapid Rewards® for reward travel on either airline.

www.southwest.com

Tweet me:Congrats to @SouthwestAir's @MarileeMc for making @TriplePundit list of Top 35 Women in #CSR: http://3bl.me/xxkcee

KEYWORDS: Southwest Airlines, triplepundit, csr, women, Giving Marilee McInnis