The intersection of Politics and Energy Policy is a busy one. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees on the traffic signals and, as a result, there’s a lot of gridlock. Even as scientists warn that world leaders are running out of time to take comprehensive action on climate change, some politicians are still debating the existence of the problem. Across the globe, the carbon-free-future campaigners are in a tug of war with the fossil-fuel advocates. Bold plans set in motion by one administration are postponed or cancelled by the next. In 2019, energy buyers must remain alert in tracking political developments, as well as traditional concerns about energy security, and trade policies and sanctions, for example, to understand the impact on energy markets.

If you’re considering conducting a materiality assessment, read Antea Group’s blog for 7 basic steps that should be a part of your initiative.

Since 2014, Millcraft’s Buy & Give paper program has given its business customers a way to support local charities through their purchase of Buy & Give paper. Each Buy & Give box is custom made by Domtar with private label wrapping and packaging, and then is filled with Domtar private label office paper. For each carton purchased through the paper program, Millcraft donates $1 to charity.

In cases of widespread foodborne illness, like last year’s E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce, the next step is to determine where along the food supply chain the contamination occurred. That’s where food traceability—the ability to trace a product through every step in the supply chain, from point of origin to final retail location—comes into play.

As part of its commitment to increasing its renewable energy footprint globally and finding clean energy solutions near its operations, General Motors has partnered with DTE Energy for 300,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of wind energy in the state of Michigan. Once complete, the energy sourced will be enough to power 100 percent of the electricity needs of GM’s global technical center in Warren and its Detroit-based operations at the Renaissance Center. The 300,000 MWh are equivalent to the amount of power consumed by nearly 30,000 U.S. households per year.

First responders put their lives at risk daily, and Verizon supports these heroes. That’s why we recently made a $10,000 investment to the First Responders Foundation that will help expand and grow the Foundation, serving more first responders.

This past summer, the Water Well Trust partnered with Xylem Watermark to launch its largest project to date outside of Ashville in Holly Ridge, NC. The small town of 24 households relied on 3 deteriorating wells as its water source and did not have access to clean water. Xylem Watermark worked with local distributors, and together they assessed the site and installed 3 new well houses, which provided all 24 households access to clean, safe water. The project involved rehabilitating the wells, which cost $45,336—$3 million less than it would have cost for the households to connect to the local municipal system. Xylem Watermark is thrilled to have taken part in this project.

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation recently announced the launch of Gro More Good, a national initiative that will bring the life-enhancing benefits of gardens and greenspaces to 10 million children over the next five years. As part of Gro More Good, the Foundation is now offering a curriculum designed to help parents, caregivers, and educators engage more children in hands-on learning opportunities in the garden.

As it champions the critical need to end ocean bound plastic waste, consumer products leader SC Johnson is offering a new challenge. Having already sponsored eight plastic recycling centers in Indonesia, the company will build an additional one if social media dialogue raises the profile of recycling and Social Plastic®.