UPDATE

This issue of MBITA’s World TradeWinds eZine continues to focus on the Environmental Technology (ET) global revolution. Breakthrough water purification systems from a new MBITA member, local/regional energy saving models for global consumption, Green technology luncheons, conferences and trade missions to China are featured in this issue demonstrating MBITA’s commitment to a greener and healthier world.

The Monterey Bay International Trade Association (MBITA) is pleased to welcome its new member, SylvanSource, Inc.

Sylvan Source delivers technically advanced ultra-clean water systems designed for residential and industrial use. Sylvan Source products produce breakthrough water quality and eliminate the use of chemicals, filters, and membranes to assure consistent water quality and delicious taste over time.

MBITA New Member

MBITA Goes to China to Promote Green Technologies

The Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG) Energy Watch program provides energy efficiency education and services to business, residents, and municipalities in Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties. Improving energy efficiency is one of the simplest and most effective methods to reduce one’s carbon footprint, and it saves money on energy costs. Through AMBAG Energy Watch, we are able to realize energy savings locally which results in emissions reductions on a global level. So far, the one-and-a-half year program has saved 12,343,110 kilowatt hours of electricity, or 1,433,035 tons of carbon.

Reducing carbon dioxide emissions is a primary issue of international concern. Emissions which contribute to global warming that occur locally are distributed across the globe, affecting places we may have never been, seen, or heard of. The regional energy efforts (i.e., Monterey Bay Regional Energy Plan, AMBAG Energy Watch, Annual Community Planning Forum, and grants from the California Energy Commission), implemented by AMBAG can be used as a model for communities throughout the world. This model can be shared with domestic and international regions through collaboration with MBITA to achieve emissions reductions and reduce contributions to global warming worldwide. 

Since 1968, AMBAG has been a leader in regional issues such as transportation, environment, and now energy efficiency. AMBAG is a voluntary association of the 18 cities and 3 counties of the Monterey Bay area, giving the organization a special position in bringing together the agencies that make policy and implement and approve projects that guide the way our communities grow. On June 28th, AMBAG presented the 9th Annual Community Planning Forum: Climate Action Plans – Strategies for Local Governments where nine speakers presented their expertise on global warming impacts, legislation, and tools for local governments to implement emissions reductions projects and programs and track those reductions over time. Presentations delivered by the speakers at the 9th Annual Community Planning Forum are available for viewing on AMBAG’s website at http://www.ambag.org/events/past.html.

AMBAG Energy Watch provides energy efficiency services and product to hotels, motels and restaurants free of charge to the business owner. From lighting to occupancy sensors, professional energy auditors identify the measures to be retrofitted in the facility, work with the facility manager, and install free lighting and other measures that reduce energy consumption. Both product and installation services are free, which exemplifies the importance of saving energy and reducing our emissions in light of growing concern about global warming and the vast potential impacts due to climate change.

The AMBAG Energy Watch program also provides free education and training classes throughout the tri-county region that target residential, commercial and municipal energy efficiency. The next class, Tools for Evaluating Lighting, is scheduled for October 30th at the Moss Landing Marine Labs. On November 14th, two classes on rebates for new residential construction will be held in Salinas and Santa Cruz.

The AMBAG Energy Watch Partnership is a joint project of Pacific Gas & Electric and AMBAG and is funded by California utility ratepayers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. For information about AMBAG Energy Watch or a list of current classes, please call 831-883-3750 or visit us on-line at http://www.ambag.org/EnergyPrograms/EnergyPrograms.html.

MBITA Luncheon

Green Technologies in the 'Flat World' - Santa Cruz, June 22, 2007

On June 22 , 2007 in Santa Cruz, California the Monterey Bay International Trade Association (MBITA) and sponsor, the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG), conducted its second in a series of luncheon/conference meetings regarding the Green industries and global trade. After a successful luncheon/conference the previous month in Monterey, Ca. on May 4 th where a panel of experts discussed the importance and impact of the Environmental Technology (ET) revolution in the global marketplace, this luncheon/conference featured presentations from an array of ‘Green’ products and technologies that have a competitive position in the global marketplace.

Conference Presenters:

Peter Fordos, Hayward Lumber
Chuck Fishel, CEO, Gold Star Biodiesel
Jeremiah Ridenour, CEO, Wise Solutions, Inc.
Eugene Thiers, CTO, SylvanSource
Ray Kemp, KF3 BioDiesel Production
Peter Brumis, Marketing Director, Blueline Power
Anders Riel Muller, Senior Advisor, Baltic Sea Solutions
Alexander Yatskar, Faraday Motor Works
Ron Swenson, Managing Director, SolarQuest
Richard Gillis, CEO, Energy Alternative Solutions, Inc.
Caroline Campbell, Creative Director / Producer, Green Dragon Media Project

From water purification systems to electric cars, over 55 participants consisting of MBITA members and guests realized first hand that the ET revolution that is permeating all sectors of industry is more than a passing fad. “What we have seen today”, stated Tony Livoti, President of of MBITA, “is just a snap shot of what is occurring in California in the ET revolution. Imagine now what is going on worldwide where countries such as Japan and Germany are moving even faster than California companies to develop new products and services for a greener and healthier world.

At the end of the luncheon/conference MBITA introduced a new private sector ‘spin-off’ project called the Greentradenetwork.com (GTN) where MBITA is a key partner in its development. This website will be a composite of information and publications, investment opportunities, advanced match-making solutions and eConsulting & eTraining global trade services all targeted for 'Green' manufacturers, publishers, agents, consultants and investors throughout the world.The GreeenTradeNetwork.com project is now recruiting sponsors for its development. For more details please contact the MBITA office at 831-334-2218 or email tlivoti@mbita.org

Sponsors, Partners, & Affiliates