natureOffice is leading a project 50 miles outside of Lome, Togo - West Africa. The project has a size of 14000 acres of Jatropha trees and impacts the lives of 500 people by employment. We are especially proud of this project because it it proof how carbon credits can impact not just reforestation projects but the social environment in less fortunate areas of the world. Climate protection is a big part of sustainability efforts and if climate protection programs include social benefits than this project is a model.

Our entire world economy is based on fossil fuels. Every day we burn huge amounts of oil, coal or gas to create the energy we need in our society. This burning of fuels emits huge amounts of CO2 into our atmosphere. CO2 is a greenhouse gas that keeps the heat inside our atmosphere and therefore changes the weather pattern on our planet. Some parts of the world are more affected than others. However, the floods or droughts are reducing productivity in agriculture as an example. Food prices are climbing and civil unrest is sprouting all over the planet. It is simply our responsibility to “clean up” after ourselves. What always amazed me is the resistance to take action when it is obvious that it is time to do so. We need to take our heads out of the sand and take the few and simple steps to assure that our children have a world that is as livable as we have enjoyed it. This is voluntary and as long as we can keep emissions balanced by acting on our own then we can keep the government out of it. I believe as soon as we are coming to a crises level the government will step in and then it will be expensive. Right now to compensate for emissions is very little, around 1% of the cost of a product. 
Just buying carbon offsets is not the answer and our goal is not to sell as much carbon offsets as possible but to reduce emissions to a low level, preferable to a zero emission level. This can be done and has been done. In the US we have so many resources such as wind, solar, wave and geothermal energy that a carbon neutral USA can be created within 20 years. The resistance is in the powerful industries that make fortunes by selling oil or coal and they will do whatever it takes to keep the business going. It is up to us to make the change, little by little but at a steady pace. For those who still believe that this is all a huge hoax, how about just thinking about cleaner air, cleaner oceans and no pollution? How about more forests and less asthma? How about eliminating heavy metals in foods and how about a healthier lifestyle due to less pollution? If you think global warming is not a fact, well then lets work on a cleaner and healthier planet, wouldn’t you agree? 

With the ribbon cutting ceremony on January 15th, 2011, natureOffice USA, Inc. is now officially a member of the Chamber of Commerce in Las Vegas. The Chamber is the largest membership organization for businesses in Nevada. The  chamber’s more than 6,000 members employ 250,000 people. This Chamber of Commerce is heavily involved in building a stronger local economy, and strengthening and protecting Nevada’s businesses. 

From left to right: Andreas Weckwert of natureOffice, Germany, with Erwin Hudelist and Puja Hudelist of natureOffice USA Inc.

natureOffice USA Inc. will focus especially in our home state Nevada on working with local businesses and organizations to spread the concept of sustainable business practices, work on climate protection and build regional climate protection projects. We are excited that although on a political level there are obstacles to participate in international treaties it seems that on a regional level, there are many businesses that are very curious and interested in our work.  This shows that businesses in the USA, just like in Europe, are taking the reins in their own hands and wanting to participate in climate protection practices.

Climate change in the USA

Even in Nevada one can feel the change in the climate. In the first weeks of January the state experienced an unusually high amount of rain. Although the residents of Nevada are glad to see more water pour down on their state, they do fear the consequences the rain brings. Due to the dry desert soil the danger of flash floods and mudslides is great and can cause a lot of destruction in the valleys.

The week of January 9, 2011 natureOffice executives will visit several printers and other companies that showed interest in becoming carbon neutral. It is very encouraging to see that businesses in the United Sates see the benefit of becoming a climate neutral business. The benefit of working with natureOffice is that not only the company but also the customer becomes a climate neutral partner. This is how we see the future of environmentalism, a profitable, sustainable cooperation between suppliers and endusers.

During 2006 and 2007 Hagadone printing implemented sustainability processes into the daily routine of the business.

The first step was a major recycling program. Hagadone reduced its waste by 80% and generated revenues by selling the waste and reducing disposal fees. The second step was to have the employees being part of the decision making process. This was the difficult part, the implementation of working teams took over 18 month but created insight into manufacturing processes management has not seen before. The resulting improvements in the processes helped reduce errors (Hagadone had the lowest error rate in the industry 0,3%), improved speed and quality.

When the recession hit the industry in late 2008 Hagadone had a major advantage to its competition, the company was seen as a clean, fair and environmental conscious organization. Therefore sales dropped much less than with the competition and helped Hagadone get through the hard time much less impacted than others. 

German company expands to U.S.; helps printers develop sustainable green business models

natureOffice USA, specialists in voluntary climate protection, is proud to announce the launch of new programs that help printers convert to green printing and become carbon neutral. Founded in Germany in 2006, natureOffice USA works hand-in-hand with printers to help them develop sustainable green business models. The company, which recently opened headquarters in Henderson, Nevada, also creates carbon offset projects.

It’s no secret that the printing industry has a major impact on the environment. From forestry and water to carbon dioxide emissions, printers are heavy users of resources and significant polluters. Today, printers and their customers are seeking green printing methods that are environmentally sound and cost-effective. The natureOffice USA program offers both, as well as employee engagement and education. 

natureOffice USA begins with a full audit of the printer’s carbon footprint . They design an action plan for decreasing energy, water and raw materials use, as well as reducing shipping, waste, and carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions. Printers purchase certified carbon credits, including renewable energy sources with no emissions, to mitigate processes that cannot integrate sustainable practices. When a printer completes the natureOffice USA program, they are qualified as a 100 percent carbon neutral print shop.

“Carbon neutral printing with the natureOffice USA program provides both environmental benefits and cost-savings, and is easily integrated into long-term growth strategy,” said Erwin Hudelist, president, natureOffice USA. 

natureOffice USA is also taking action to improve the way Americans buy carbon credits. Unlike Europe, the United States has no recognized standard for carbon credits. Buyers have no guarantee that credits are sold once and apply to a certified project. 

natureOffice USA develops carbon offset projects that offer the ability to track credits through a database. All natureOffice USA projects are certified to European standards, including the Native Forest (Koa) Reforestation project in Hawaii.  Each offset (credit) has a unique tracking number; making it the most transparent carbon offset system available today. 

About natureOffice USA

natureOffice USA supports businesses in all aspects of voluntary climate protection. natureOffice USA provides consulting and product solutions for developing carbon dioxide reduction strategies, employee education and energy efficiency, as well as the development of certified carbon offset projects. Visit www.natureoffice.com/us/.

Media Contact:

Puja Hudelist

1-888-975-1333
ph@natureoffice.com