The Week in Review in Business and Industry, February 21-25

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This week at ENN we featured a number of stories about businesspeople who are doing what they can to improve the environment and contribute to the economy at the same time.

This week at ENN we featured a number of stories about businesspeople who are doing what they can to improve the environment and contribute to the economy at the same time. These people remind us that business and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive activities.


The organic food industry is one of the fastest-growing segments of the food business. We featured a story this week about the growth of that business, and how much of that growth has been spurred by small farmers and business people. Read it here: Organic Produce Businesses Start to Grow.


We generally don't associate rental car companies with environmental protection, but one company goes against the grain. Jeff Pink, CEO of EV Rental Cars, is trying to boost the number of hybrid cars available for rent to businesspeople and the general public. He hopes more people in car-crazy Los Angeles choose his cleaner option. See the full story here: Environmentalist CEO's Business Rents Hybrid Cars.


Also, a brother and sister-run business in Spokane, Washington, features environmentally friendly equipment for business. However, they're finding that there is a market among the general public for things such as wind turbines and solar panels. That story can be found here: Eco Depot.


ENN's Business and Industry section also this week featured examples of the nexus of technology and conservation. Some businesses are finding new ways to produce more environmentally responsible products. One company in Japan has developed a plastic that can be recycled using bacteria: Low-cost Technology for Environment-Friendly Plastic Developed. Another company, this one in the US, is using a corn-based product to make labels and other similar products, supplanting petroleum-based products. Read that story here: Columbus, Ohio-Based Plastics Firm Finds New Use for Corn.


The week also brought the continuing push among activists and government for better business practices. Farmers were encouraged to conserve water: Programs Aim to Help Farmers Conserve Water. A lawmaker in California looked to convert a nuclear power plant into a natural gas plant: California Lawmaker to Propose Study on Converting Nuclear Plant to Natural Gas. The government of Kenya considered banning plastic bags, which are a growing litter scourge in that country: Study Proposes Plastic Bag Ban in Kenya to Manage Growing Waste Problem. And, in a story not directly related to the environment, but one which illustrates one corporation's attitude toward wildlife, animal activists decried a new candy aimed at children: Kraft Draws Ire for Road Kill Candy.


Several stories this week concerned recreation and tourism on conservation land. The impact of snowmobiles in rural northern New Hampshire was covered in this story: New Hampshire Nature Center Wants Snowmobile Ban. Tourists had to be evacuated from a Chilean national park, sparking debate about fire-prevention policies there: Tourists Evacuated as Chilean Park Fire Burns. In the popular ski resort area around Banff, Alberta, Canada, scientists are seeing an alarming drop in the birthrates of polar bears: Birth Rate Falls for Canadian Grizzlies, Development Cited.


Of course, ENN covered a number of business stories about other topics of interest to those who care about our environment. These stories touch on every aspect of business, and come from all over the world. They are kept online in date-order, so you can always check back in case you missed a story at some point during the week.


As always, check ENN regularly for the latest developments and news about business and the environment, and the business of environmental protection.