Daily Archives: January 25, 2013

Business

FRA welcomes report on climate change mitigation investment

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The World Economics Forum has released a report that states that some $700 billion is needed in extra funding to make a real difference to climate change. The report has been welcomed by analysts at FRA, which endorses investment in sustainable forestry projects.

Seattle, United States, January 25, 2013 — The World Economics Forum has released a report that states that some $700 billion is needed in extra funding to make a real difference to climate change. The report has been welcomed by analysts at Forest Research Analysis (FRA), which endorses investment in sustainable forestry projects.

The report outlined the fact the cash invested into climate change mitigation in 2011 was 93 per cent higher than the amount invested in 2007. However, the World Economics Forum still suggests this is way too low. Its report stated: “This business-as-usual investment will not lead to a stable future unless it achieves environmental and sustainability goals.”

FRA agrees that investment needs to be ploughed into areas such as clean energy, sustainable aforestation and preventing deforestation, low carbon transport and clean energy infrastructure.

Promoting ethical and green investments now is key to the future of the planet, according to a recent blog post by the Forum’s global managing director for strategy and sustainability services. He stated, that if people continue to invest in non-clean energies it could tie us all into many more years of reliance on these unsustainable sources of energy that will continue to contribute to climate change.

FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins, added that investing in timberland that produces sustainable and non-native lumber is a great alternative investment for those who agree with the Forum’s message.

“We endorse investment in clean energy and sustainable schemes, such as plantations run by businesses like Greenwood Management.”

Greenwood Management’s plantations of teak and eucalyptus are grown in regions where these species are not indigenous. They grow quickly and offer a great alternative to using timber from natural rainforests in the region. “The steel industry in Brazil uses a large amount of charcoal and it can now source this charcoal sustainably thanks to these kinds of plantation projects,” claimed Peter Collins.

About Forestry Research Associates

Forestry Research Associates is a research and advisory consultancy that focuses on forestry management, sustainability issues and forestry investment around the globe.

Media Contact:
Peter Collins
Forestry Research Associates
620 Vineyard Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 316 8394
info@forestry-research.com
http://www.forestry-research.com

Business

Ron Baron’s interest in Alternatives endorsed by AAA

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High profile investor and member of the Forbes 400, Ron Baron, recently shared his fondness for alternative investments with journalists from Forbes, in an interview that has been welcomed by AAA.

Boston, MA, January 25, 2013 – High profile investor and member of the Forbes 400, Ron Baron, recently shared his fondness for alternative investments with journalists from Forbes, in an interview that has been welcomed by Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

Ron Baron explained that his investment vehicle, Baron Capital Group, is upping its exposure to a range of alternative investments, including real estate investment trusts (REITs) and energy finds. He told Forbes that one of the real estate funds it started three years ago gained 40 per cent last year, with gains totalling 70 per cent over the three year period.

He talked about the possibility of expanding into new markets, where there is significant growth potential for commercial properties and hotels, for example. He told Forbes: “The United States there’s 5 million hotel rooms and 300 million people. In India there’s 160,000 hotel rooms, that’s like in Orlando. So what he’s got is he’s got this ability to go into these new markets.”

He added that he is interested mainly in investing in businesses that offer a long-term prospect of growth and that are well managed. AAA, which advocates ethical alternative investments, endorses this investment strategy. “Following the economic collapse, savvy investors are taking a more long-term view of things and are less interested in making a quick buck at any cost,” explained AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson.

He added, “Investing in alternative has many benefits, from an ethical and sustainability port of view, there are more options. Meanwhile, alternatives also offer a means of diversifying an investment portfolio to protect against risk and offset the effects of inflation.”

AAA supports a range of alternative investment funds and also endorses investment in forestry and timberland that is managed sustainable, through firms like Greenwood Management. Greenwood runs sustainable forestry plantations in Brazil and Canada, rearing non-native fast-growing trees.

Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com

Business

NexBoom Continues Campaign With My Day 1

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My Day1 is now emerging as a leader on the playing field of cause-related marketing – helping to develop opportunities for the new breed of ‘citizen consumers’.

Hong Kong – January 25, 2013 — Lou Zant President of Nexboom Universe http://www.nexboom.com, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nexboom Universe Group http://www.nexboomuniverse.vg/ , announced today that the current campaign for My Day 1,http://www.myday1.com/ is continuing into 2013. My Day 1 is a purpose-driven company, aiming to serve their associates, as well as to serve the needs of others.

The people behind the scenes of MyDay1 are long-term innovators in the sphere of home-based businesses. My Day1 is now emerging as a leader on the playing field of cause-related marketing – helping to develop opportunities for the new breed of ‘citizen consumers’. Their pioneering business model gives each associate the opportunity to give a chosen amount of money to their charity of choice. The campaign aims to assist a wide variety of charities to meet their fund-raising goals when they are designated by a My Day 1 associate.

The business structure of My Day 1 can help people to save money with the unique, innovative and products that are often exclusively obtainable from My Day 1. With their Linear Pay System, consumers can choose from three levels of involvement. People can simply purchase the available products from an online associate. Or, they can choose from two other levels: Charity Partners or Preferred Customers. Charity Partners and Preferred Consumers have the right to purchase all products at wholesale prices, as well as an opportunity to receive bonuses.

About NexBoom:
NexBoom offers a full suite of proven online marketing solutions developed by industry thought leaders and tested through years of e-commerce experience. NexBoom creates and implements comprehensive online marketing campaigns and acquires customers through online and offline touch points.

For more details visit http://www.nexboom.com

For more information:
Contact Adrian Fellows at
Nexboom Universe Group, Ltd.
2/F Shui On Centre
6-8 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Telephone: +852-2824-8673
info@nexboomuniverse.vg

Press & Media Contact:
Adrian Fellows
Nexboom Universe Group, Ltd
2/F Shui On Centre 6-8 Harbour Road
Wanchai, Hong Kong
+852-2824-8673
info@nexboomuniverse.vg
http://www.nexboom.com

Education

McKissock Reveals Top-Rated Courses in Home Inspection and Land Surveying

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Five-Star System Allows Users to Rate Courses and Provide Feedback

Warren, PA, January 24, 2013 – McKissock, a leader in continuing education, reveals its top-ranking land surveyor and home inspector courses, with ethics/standards and water rights coming out on top. McKissock determined these rankings by looking at its five-star rating system, which allows all class attendees to provide feedback on the courses. Read the most recent course reviews and rankings at www.mckissock.com.

McKissock is a trusted resource for the most up-to-date regulation and compliance information. An approved education provider in almost every state, McKissock offers required state-specific courses that home inspection and land surveying professionals need to keep their licenses current.

“We take student input seriously and actively use our rating system and comments sections to improve course material or make other changes,” says Annie Creek, Business Development Manager at McKissock. “Customer satisfaction is a hallmark of our business and we appreciate the feedback. We are proud of how many courses rank highly and strive for five stars every time.”

These results are purely based on user-generated star ratings, not taking into consideration the number of people who have taken the course or their availability.

Top home inspection courses include:

1. American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice – 4.60 stars

2. Home Inspection Safety – 4.54 stars

3. Attic Ventilation – 4.54 stars

4. Residential Cooling Systems and Heating Pump Inspections – 4.43 stars

5. Basic Principles of a Residential Electrical Inspection – 4.37 stars

Top land surveying courses include:

1. Water Rights – 4.51 stars

2. Utilities – Public and Otherwise – 4.42 stars

3. Disputes Between Adjoining Landowners – 4.41 stars

4. National Flood Insurance Program: Regulatory Basics for Land Development – 4.41 stars

5. Boundaries and Monuments – 4.40 stars

In order to stay compliant with each state board, not all courses are available in every state. However, people who would like to take courses purely for informational purposes may still do so. Feel free to contact Annie Creek at McKissock at annie.creek@mckissock.com if you have any requests or questions.

To highlight the land surveying profession in an entertaining way, McKissock also recently released a meme-inspired video called “What is a Land Surveyor?”. The video takes a humorous look at what people think land surveyors do versus what they actually do on a daily basis.

To learn more about McKissock, visit www.mckissock.com. On the site, you can select a state for information on approved land surveying, engineering and home inspection courses. McKissock offers customizable packages, individual courses, correspondence books (for states that accept them), and a free license renewal reminder service.

Contact:
Jenny Foust
Communications Strategy Group
303.433.7020 (office) or 720.244.4268 (cell)
jfoust@csg-pr.com

About McKissock
McKissock is an education company that educates, empowers and enriches professionals in real estate, appraisal, home inspection, land surveying and engineering. McKissock gives specialists access to relevant, easy-to-use and high-quality courses that provide the hours and information necessary to meet state compliance and regulation requirements. Founded in 1990, McKissock offers more than 100 courses and serves thousands of professionals daily. McKissock promises to provide a great experience that surpasses expectations; deliver interesting information that helps further careers in a way that is enjoyable, clear, concise and pleasant to digest; and seeks users’ input to understand their needs so it can continue to serve its customers effectively throughout their careers.

To learn more, visit www.mckissock.com.

Contact:
Jenny Foust
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-433-7020
jfoust@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Environment

Eccotopia, Ltd. Moves Headquarters from Johannesburg to Cape Town, South Africa

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Move will facilitate company’s expanded efforts at combining ecological and environmental improvements with industrialization and profitability.

Cape Town, South Africa – January 25, 2013 — Eccotopia, Ltd., a BVI company domiciled in the Republic of South Africa, is pleased to announce the relocation of its headquarters from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Republic of South Africa. The move will support the growth of Eccoptopia’s ongoing efforts to create enterprises out of environmental and restoration initiatives. The new telephone number is +27-21-680-5252.

Julian Moses, Eccotopia’s CEO and founding director noted that the move is “a strategic decision for long-term growth and maximizing earnings potential.”

Based on over 30 years of research and development, Eccotopia Ltd. has developed a number of significant strategic alliances with environmental industry partners which offer not only innovative, patented technologies, but also an unmatched ability to provide experienced, objective third-party testing and evaluation of new technologies and cutting-edge approaches to site remediation, decentralization, forestation programs and pollution control.

To learn more about Eccotopia Ltd. and its business of providing individuals, corporate entities, states and countries the diversity of information and expertise required to obtain sustainable community and economic development via planning and implementation of carbon sequestration, Phytoremediation, renewable and sustainable energy technologies and strategies, visit www.eccotopia.com.

For more information,
Contact Richard Kruger, Client Services
Email: richard.kruger@eccotopia.com
Ground Floor, Liesbeek House
Gloucester Road, River Park
Mobray, Cape Town 7700
Republic of South Africa
Phone: +27-21-680-5252
Fax: +27-22-881-5611
Website: http://www.eccotopia.com

Press & Media Contact:
Richard Kruger, Client Services
Eccotopia Ltd
Ground Floor, Liesbeek House
Gloucester Road, River Park
Mobray, Cape Town 7700
Republic of South Africa
+27-21-680-5252
richard.kruger@eccotopia.com
http://www.eccotopia.com