November 2010 Archives

We talk a lot about saving paper, turning off paper statements and not printing ATM receipts — all of which are positive things. We also point out how all these actions can help reduce greenhouse gases* (GHG) and prevent fraud. But I thought I'd take a moment to re-focus on the root of why we make those suggestions...trees.

There are several reasons trees are important to all of us and make the planet a better place: They function as the lungs of the planet by taking ("breathing") carbon dioxide (CO2) out of the air and then releasing ("exhaling") oxygen that we in turn can breathe. They also offer shade from the sun and shelter from the rain.

But there are other reasons as well, which Steve Nix, a forestry consultant, reminds us of in his article.

Aside from all the practical things, trees are also beautiful. According to the World Resources Institute, there are approximately 100,000 known species of trees that exist throughout the world today. Some of my favorite varieties are aspen, maple, oak, and cherry. But I have a special fondness for Coastal Redwoods.

While once found across the northern hemisphere, Coastal Redwoods now only exist along a 500-mile coastal strip in northern California and southern Oregon. And just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, stands one of the world's famous forests — Northern California's Muir Woods National Monument. Thanks to the leadership of a few conservationists (PDF) more than 100 years ago, locals and visitors can enjoy these towering trees today.

The National Park Service claims most of the mature trees in Muir Woods are between 600 to 800 years old. Some of these ancient redwoods stand 258 feet tall, which is equivalent to a six-foot person stacked head to toe 45 times.

Spending time among these giants is a terrific way to re-connect with nature. It's also wonderful to know that someone was visionary enough to promote their preservation. If you visit Muir Woods, you can stroll along meandering paths through the trees or take hikes that lead toward the Pacific Ocean.

There's a symbiotic relationship between trees and people — one which I find intriguing and very much worth celebrating. After all, as Nix states in his article, "Trees are...the ground troops on an environmental frontline. Our existing forest and the trees we plant work in tandem to make a better world."

Just a quick post to let our readers know how proud we are to be partnering with Enterprise Cascadia! Together we are demonstrating how the clean energy economy is doing more than slowing climate change — it's accelerating economic opportunity.

Through funding from the Washington State Legislature and a New Markets Tax Credit made possible with capital provided by Wells Fargo, Enterprise Cascadia has invested $16 million in a six megawatt Coastal Wind Farm (PDF) on the northern coast of Washington that:

• Produces clean, independent renewable energy
• Has created or retained 30 jobs
• Will yield and expected $750,000 every year to Coastal CAP to increase the services it provides to low-income people. Please watch Coastal CAP's windmill video!

If you'd like to find out more information about the Coastal Wind Farm project, we encourage you to take a look at these articles:

• "Wind-project for CCAP" (PDF), from The Daily World
• "A social service, green energy financed by tax credits," from The Daily Astorian
• "In the Wind," from The Daily World
• "Big Wind, Small Town,"Sightline Daily
• "Turbines go up to keep prices down,"Chinook Observer
• "Community Service Organization Harnesses Wind Energy,"Novogradac Journal of Tax Credits

We'd like to see more projects like this nationwide. How about you?

Wells Fargo Environmental Forum blog readers, we are happy to announce Wells Fargo's first combined online banking and online statement sweepstakes!

The sweepstakes runs through December 15, 2010. If you're a Wells Fargo or Wachovia personal or business customers, all you have to do during the sweepstakes period is:

• Sign up for a new Online Banking account
• Sign on to your existing Online Banking account
• Switch now to receive Online Statements

Doing any one or combination of those things will automatically enter you for a chance to win the grand prize of $50,000 or one of fifty prizes of $1,000!

Customers who choose to switch from paper to online-only statements can access Wells Fargo statements from their secure online banking session.

Why online statements? Well, they provide clear and concise summaries of your account activity so you can instantly find the information you want to know. Online-only statements are available for checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, home equity lines of credit and loans, personal loans, and student loans.

Business customers can access online only statements for checking, savings, credit card and business line of credit. As an added convenience, a notification is sent to customers by their preferred email to inform them when a new statement is ready.

Remember: By opting for online statement delivery, you can join Wells Fargo in protecting our environment. In fact, you've already started! As of September 2010, you've helped us save more than 180,000 trees by switching to Online Statements from paper. [Source: Environmental Defense Fund] And with your help, we reduced our greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by seven percent in 2009.

As we continue to focus on energy efficiency, optimizing space, and online and mobile banking services, we're on our way to achieving our GHG reduction goal of 20 percent below 2008 levels by 2018.

Please enter the sweepstakes! And thank you for doing your part for the environment.

You may have noticed that our November Poll of the Month is about home air quality. Well, that's because this November is the Wells Fargo Environmental Forum's month of Indoor Air Quality (or IAQ as we say in the green building industry).

"Why November?" you ask. Well, as we move into the cooler seasons, we'll stop keeping the windows open and the fans running, essentially sealing us and any indoor pollutants inside our four walls. Tasty.

According to the EPA, inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants outside. Additionally, the increased indoor air temperature due to cranking up the heater can also raise concentrations of certain pollutants.

What are these sources of indoor pollutants? Here are just a few:

• Damp or wet carpet and building materials can grow mold.
• Cleaning products, paints, varnishes, wax, cosmetics, and hobby materials can all contain organic chemicals that stay concentrated in the air long after the activity is completed.
• Woodstoves and fireplaces emit smoke and particulates (PDF) that can stay trapped indoors.
• A dusty home can be a haven for dust mites and pet dander.

I'll stop now, before I creep you out too much. If you are interested in seeing a more complete list of pollutant sources as they relate to the home, the American Lung Association of Alaska put together a great checklist (PDF).

The point is, while we think of our homes as safe havens from outdoor pollution, we are actually exposed to myriad pollutants. Most importantly, we have the power to improve the air quality in our homes and, while it's a fairly integrative approach, it's quite easy to do.

It's November, and time for another Poll of the Month!

Winter is right around the corner and the weather's turning cold, which means keeping our windows and doors shut and turning on the heater. With that in mind, we wanted to ask you: What's the best way to ensure good air quality in your home?

Think about it, make your selection, and as always share your thoughts with us!