February 2012 Archives

One of the most active Green Teams here at Wells Fargo is our group in India. With members based in two locations (Hyderabad and Bangalore), the team certainly relies on virtual communication. And in this spirit, they've chosen to focus on paper reduction for 2012.

While the campaign is barely a month old, the Wells Fargo Green Team India has already posted some impressive results. To kick off 2012, the team created an online pledge and urged team members to promise to take one step to reduce paper usage throughout the year. All team members who signed the pledge received a reusable mug to help eliminate the use of disposable paper cups at both locations.

Approximately 40% of all team members who work in our India offices took the pledge. To thank each individual for their efforts, Green Team members then personally delivered mugs and provided encouragement for taking this first step.

The team also worked with their procurement and marketing teams to introduce recycled paper options to all offices and order Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC)-certified business cards and corporate letterhead. They're also busy establishing paper recycling options and ensuring that all team members know how to recycle paper when they must use it.

In the community, the team volunteers to plant trees (PDF*) at their local business parks as a way to remind people of paper use and the link to the environment. But the team isn't stopping there! Their next order of business is to set all printers to print double-sided as the default option. This will certainly help them reduce waste in the office, and we look forward to hearing about their results.

In recognition of this focused effort, the India Green Team was recently awarded our newest Green Team recycled art piece. The new work, entitled Land & Sea, was developed by S.F. Bay Area environmental artist Lorna Stevens. Lorna's work explores the boundaries of culture and nature and, more recently, our relationship with the natural world. Her art is conceptually based and her materials and techniques are integral to and representative of her subject matter. For example, Lorna will use clay and glass to sculpt small fragile objects or organic materials when representing the natural world. When possible, she combines many of these elements and partners with complimentary artists to create unique installations.

For us, Lorna developed a piece entirely of recycled materials, primarily damaged and reclaimed flooring that the artist binds and shapes to create sculpture. Both the box and the trophy were designed from sustainable materials selected for durability and repeat shipping. The piece is actually composed of three separate structures that fit together like a puzzle to create the final work.

The team's story is included in the finished product and when the art moves to the next location, the team is sent a small replica for permanent display.

* You will need Adobe® Reader® to view PDF files. Download Adobe Reader.

Please allow me to introduce guest blogger, Stephanie Smith! Stephanie is executive vice president for Wells Fargo Internet Services Group, where she leads the development, operations, and management of our online sales platforms on wellsfargo.com, as well as the marketing activities for consumer and small-business products and services through our online, email and mobile channels.

One of many areas Stephanie and her team focus on is showing customers how they can help protect the environment by choosing Online Statement delivery and using Bill Pay. Today on the blog, she provides more insight into why both provide the benefit of convenience, improved record keeping and fraud prevention, while helping the environment.

And if you're not already paying bills online, don't forget about our Bill Pay Sweepstakes currently underway! (—Stephanie)

With all the news about environmental issues facing the world today, it's easy to see why some might think there's little they can do to make a difference or be confused about what actions really "help the environment." However, there are little things we can do in our everyday lives that, when added up, will make a big difference.

This year, Wells Fargo, with the help of the Arbor Day Foundation, a nonprofit conservation and education organization, is encouraging everyone to "Do One Thing for the Environment" by switching to Online Statements and Online Bill Pay to help save trees and protect the planet.

We strive to be a responsible environmental steward in every community where we do business. Since we began offering Online Statements, a total of 626 million paper statements have been eliminated, which translates into an environmental savings of more than 200,000 trees.¹

Last year, in honor of customers who opted for paperless statements, we planted 40,000 trees in Michigan's Pere Marquette State Forest. This year, Wells Fargo and the Arbor Day Foundation will team up again to plant even more trees in forests across the U.S.

Switching to Online Statements and Bill Pay is a convenient way to keep track of your finances and a great way to "go green." Plus, from now until April 30, 2012, we're giving customers the chance to win $25,000 for using Online Bill Pay—and an additional 60 customers will win $500 each, awarded 20 per month in February, March and April.²

Keep coming back to the blog for updates on our progress, additional tips for going "green," and to let us know what you think about our environmental efforts.

In the meantime, please tell us: What one thing are YOU doing to help the environment?

¹ Environmental impact estimates were made using the Environmental Paper Network Paper Calculator. For more information, visit www.papercalculator.org.

² NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. BILL PAY ENTRIES AND NON-BILL PAY ENTRIES SUBMITTED BY MAIL HAVE AN EQUAL CHANCE OF WINNING. Sweepstakes runs from 12:01 AM Pacific Time ("PT") on 2/1/12 to 11:59 PM PT on 4/30/12 ("Promo Period"). Sweepstakes is open to Wells Fargo customers as of 1/31/12 who are legal residents of the U.S., 18 years of age and older. Wells Fargo employees not eligible. One sweepstakes entry will be automatically given for every payment sent during the Promo Period using Wells Fargo's Bill Pay or Business Bill Pay services ("Bill Pay") including Bill Pay payments submitted through a mobile device. Prizes: (60) $500 prizes awarded from prizes awarded, 20 per month February, March and April; entries not cumulative. Odds to win depend on number of automatic and mailed entries ("Entries") received each month. (1) $25,000 prize awarded from all Entries received in the Promo Period. Odds to win depend on total number of Entries received during Promo Period. For complete details, including drawing date and how to enter without using Bill Pay, see Sweepstakes Rules. Winner verification and redemption rules apply. Void where prohibited.

If you weren't one of the 500+ that attended the Clean-Tech Investor Summit put on by the International Business Forum, Clean Edge, and Technology Partners, fear not! I will provide a quick recap of the two-day, power-packed summit.

Basically, this summit (Wells Fargo is one of the sponsors) brings together the industry's thought leaders—including representation from corporations, research, investment, entrepreneurs, and government leaders—all of whom share perspectives and are deeply engaged in the future and opportunities within the clean-tech landscape.

It also featured many special guests that presented on investment opportunity, the current energy landscape, the future of energy innovation, energy policy at federal and state levels, leadership among various corporations, and much more.

Before I share a few interesting details and tidbits from specific companies and speakers, here are a few high level themes present throughout the summit:

1. Optimism. There is tremendous growth opportunity in the clean technology landscape.
2. Jobs. Investment in clean technology is essential for moving the jobs needle.
3. Education. Consumer education and awareness around energy use is a necessity to increase energy efficiency.
4. Leadership. Corporations are part of the solution and can provide transparent best practices for others to follow.
5. Investment. One trillion dollars have been invested by the public and private sector in the clean tech space since 2004. In other words, this investment is real and here to stay!

Now, let me share a few examples of what some of the key speakers unveiled as they addressed the eager clean tech audience....

Environmental Forum readers, here is the latest version of our ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Notes compiled each week by Adam Berkowitz. If you have any questions or comments about Nelson Capital's ESG notes, please leave them for Adam below or visit our website.

Farmers fight back against Monsanto

Family farmers were in the Federal District Court in lower Manhattan this past January hoping for a green light to pursue a landmark case against the giant pesticide and GMO seed company, Monsanto. At issue is both Monsanto's ability to sue farmers who accidentally end up with crops grown from Monsanto's genetically engineered seed (GE) and Monsanto's ability to create patents on seeds in the first place.

In all, 83 plaintiffs—family farmers, independent seed companies, and agricultural organizations—are seeking protection from patent infringement suits when non-GE crops become unknowingly contaminated by Monsanto seeds blown into their farms by the wind.

When this first started happening, farmers and organic seed companies tried to get Monsanto to sign a binding agreement not to sue. Monsanto not only refused, but threatened legal action based on patent infringement against the farmers if they found GE crops in their fields. However the case is decided in March, it will have far reaching implications.

The disposable razor goes green

Plastic hangers, buckets and trays are being recycled to make the handles for a greener version of the Schick Xtreme3 disposable razor, which made its debut last week. The razor is the first to use 100 percent recycled plastic for the handle and 100 percent post-consumer paper for packaging, according to Mike O'Malley, the company's director of program management and sustainability. Over the course of a year, Schick expects the new razor will prevent the use of 103,000 pounds of new plastic and save 15,500 pounds of virgin paper.

UPS's philanthropic arm

In a February 1 press release, UPS announced it was awarding 120 grants totaling more than $6 million to non-profit organizations around the world that champion diversity and support diverse communities.

For more than 60 years, UPS's philanthropic arm has funded organizations that support under-served and under-represented members of society. This year's grants will support a wide range of programs, including those for wounded veterans, the hearing and visually-impaired, and women and girls and culturally distinct populations. In 2010, UPS and its employees, active and retired, invested more than $95 million in charitable giving around the world.

Nelson Capital Management is a registered investment adviser and a non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. The information in this report was prepared by Nelson Capital Management and expresses the opinions of its investment team unless otherwise noted.

This material is for general information only, is not suitable for all investors, and is not soliciting any action from any particular investor.

Information and opinions presented have been obtained or derived from sources we believe reliable, but we cannot guarantee their accuracy or completeness. Opinions represent NCM’s judgment as of the date of the report and are subject to change without notice.

Affiliates of Nelson Capital may issue reports or have opinions, which are inconsistent with, and reach different conclusions from, this report.

Asset allocation does not assure or guarantee better performance and cannot eliminate the risk of investment losses.

Nelson Capital Management and/or its affiliates do not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult appropriate tax or legal advisors to determine how this information may apply to your own situation.

Additional information is available upon request.

This presentation is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned. The investments discussed or recommended in this presentation may be unsuitable for some investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial position.

We've told you all about some of the incredible projects our Green Teams complete throughout the year and our plans to recognize their efforts through our shared eco art program. So today, I wanted to take a quick moment to tell you a little more about what our teams have accomplished in the last year.

First up, our Wells Fargo Insurance Green Team, which has members scattered throughout the United States, and has run an incredible energy efficiency campaign at their offices for the past three years.

The team started their energy work by hosting the Power Down Challenge, a two week contest that encouraged team members to take one eco action a day as a way to increase our overall electricity usage. The contest was held in October in honor of Energy Action Month and helped to inspire more than half of the office to participate. Although prizes were only awarded for the week, the team has seen lasting results from their efforts as more colleagues turn off the lights in unused office spaces and power down at night.

Next we'll go to Washington State, where our Seattle Green Team helped leverage their eco-enthusiasm to inspire community volunteer work. It all started on Earth Day 2011, when Green Team leader Erin Arslanagic organized a local clean-up effort with Seattle-based nonprofit EarthCorps. Her team met to clear invasive plants, such as blackberry and ivy, and create space for newly planted native species. Not only did the park clean-up event help team members get outdoors to enjoy the day, but it also inspired many of them to join their local Green Team.

Erin has already capitalized on her teammates' enthusiasm, scheduling follow-up projects for office composting and recycling, and educational events to help everyone at Wells Fargo make more sustainable choices. Her work further inspired the Wells Fargo team members in Seattle to start a Volunteer Chapter that would support all manner of community events.

Finally, we'll head to Missouri, where our amazing St. Louis Green Team has been recognized for the St. Louis Green Business Challenge Circle of Excellence for the second year in a row! In order to receive this honor, the team documented several key accomplishments for the challenge, such as:

• Introducing new single-stream recycling processes that helped to divert more than 17% of the campus' solid waste
• Installing a new real-time energy monitoring system to help reduce electricity
• Continuing to track carbon footprint to reduce emissions by an estimated 1,846 metric tons

As these stories prove, much of our success in reducing our collective environmental impact is the result of our incredible team members who inspire so many of us to take at least one small action every day!

What do YOU plan to do today to help our environment?

If you are a regular Environmental Forum reader, then you know how much our team here at Wells Fargo loves art and recycling—especially when the two come together in unique ways!

That's why I am so excited to share with you the story of the Scroungers Center for Reusable Art Parts, or SCRAP. Through a creative art program, this amazing organization helps divert over 200 tons of materials from SF Bay Area landfills each year.

Founded in 1976, SCRAP is a San Francisco-based nonprofit that supports local artists and educators through promoting environmental awareness and creative reuse. Working together with the SF Department of the Environment and the local public school system, SCRAP collects donations of reusable materials, beautifully curates them at their store in the Bayview district, and resells these materials back to the community.

All SCRAP materials are contributed by individuals and businesses, which allows SCRAP to then donate or sell the supplies at minimal cost to local artists and teachers. From scrapbooking and paper supplies to textile and sculpture, you can pretty much find anything and everything you need to complete or start a creative project. And if you're stuck with artist's block, then you can attend one of SCRAP's many free art workshops to learn how to make the best use of some of the organization's most unique materials or to volunteer to help local school children with their art projects.

The concept is so brilliantly simple: Turn trash into treasure by keeping interesting supplies out of the landfill and giving them to artists and schools well below cost (or free, as is the case for some of SCRAP's school programs) as a way to support community creativity and connection.

How could you not want to get involved? Well, now you can! SCRAP will be hosting the I ♥ SCRAP Party (PDF*) on Sunday, February 12, from 1-4pm PT at their studio space at 801 Toland Street in San Francisco. The event will feature live music, food and refreshments, live art demonstrations, and craft workshops. Donations are accepted on a sliding scale with a recommended contribution of $10 for admission to the event. You can also purchase art from local artists or buy a supply bag for a local teacher as a way to support the cause!

You can RSVP for the party here.

Even if you can't attend the party this Sunday, I would still encourage you to stop by SCRAP the next time you are in the San Francisco area. You never know what you might find!

Last time I was in for a visit, I stumbled upon several cases of donated CDs from Fat Wreck Chords, a local record label whose artists were on permanent rotation during the playlist of my youth, and a bin of small, beautiful glass bottles donated by a local pharmaceutical company, that made a beautiful collection of bud vases for my home. And who can resist a nonprofit with cute kitties at the check-out counter?

So, tell us, what trash and treasures would inspire you to create art?

* You will need Adobe® Reader® to view PDF files. Download Adobe Reader.

If you're not already paying bills online, please sign up and get started today—and if you're already paying bills online, please keep doing what you're doing!

During our Bill Pay Sweepstakes, for every online payment you send using Wells Fargo Bill Pay or Business Bill Pay between February 1 and April 30, 2012, you'll automatically be entered for a chance to win $25,000 or one of sixty $500 prizes—twenty in February, March and April!⁺

Once you try online bill pay and get into the habit of using it, you're sure to love it and wonder why you ever did things any other way. Aside from saving paper (which we always encourage), it allows you the convenience of paying your bills from one secure place. And if you like, you can set up email or text reminders for when your next payment is due to help avoid late fees and mail delays. Give it a try!

Aside from the possibility of winning big in the sweepstakes, here are the top five benefits to paying bills online:

	Environment. Use the PayItGreen® Paper Calculator on our Go Paperless tab to determine the environmental benefits associated with your switch to online bill pay. Then imagine the benefits multiplied as more and more people make the switch. For example, according to my calculations using the PayItGreen Paper Calculator, if all of our 70 million customers paid just one bill online each month, we could avoid more than 25.1 million pounds or 11.4 thousand metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. (Note: Find out what's included (PDF*) in the calculator.
	Money. Save money by paying bills without the expense of stamps and checks;  pay on time, every time with our Payment Guarantee, you may never pay another late fee again.
	Security. Receive bills online so you can pay and view your bills all in one secure place; avoid the risk of mail fraud and identity theft.
	Control. You decide who, when, how much, and how often to pay. Set up recurring bills to be paid automatically, and never worry about a late payment again; pay utilities, phone companies, your landlord, and even your babysitter when you want.
	Time. Pay an entire month's worth of bills in minutes, after you set up your payees.

What are some of the other benefits? Please tell us what you think and help us encourage others to pay bills online and transition to a more efficient and paperless environment!

* You will need Adobe® Reader® to view PDF files. Download Adobe Reader.

⁺ NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. BILL PAY ENTRIES AND NON-BILL PAY ENTRIES SUBMITTED BY MAIL HAVE AN EQUAL CHANCE OF WINNING. Sweepstakes runs from 12:01 AM Pacific Time ("PT") on 2/1/12 to 11:59 PM PT on 4/30/12 ("Promo Period"). Sweepstakes is open to Wells Fargo customers as of 1/31/12 who are legal residents of the U.S., 18 years of age and older. Wells Fargo employees not eligible. One sweepstakes entry will be automatically given for every payment sent during the Promo Period using Wells Fargo's Bill Pay or Business Bill Pay services ("Bill Pay") including Bill Pay payments submitted through a mobile device. Prizes: (60) $500 prizes awarded from prizes awarded, 20 per month February, March and April; entries not cumulative. Odds to win depend on number of automatic and mailed entries ("Entries") received each month. (1) $25,000 prize awarded from all Entries received in the Promo Period. Odds to win depend on total number of Entries received during Promo Period. For complete details, including drawing date and how to enter without using Bill Pay, see Sweepstakes Rules. Winner verification and redemption rules apply. Void where prohibited.

Environmental Forum readers, we wanted to make sure you saw yesterday's announcement about Wells Fargo serving as a senior underwriter on a $31 million renewable energy program lease revenue bond for Morris County Improvement Authority. Details are in our news release (PDF*)—it was also featured in NJBIZ.

We're thrilled to continue supporting projects that can help tax payers save money and cities go "greener." For more information, please contact us and be sure to ask to speak to someone in Sustainable Public Infrastructure group.

As always, we welcome you feedback. Please let us know what you think!

* You will need Adobe® Reader® to view PDF files. Download Adobe Reader.