On March 31, 2014, the Tennessee House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill to establish a state licensing program for legal hemp cultivation. Sponsor Rep. Jeremy Faison emphasized

On March 31, 2014, the Tennessee House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill to establish a state licensing program for legal hemp cultivation. Sponsor Rep. Jeremy Faison emphasized hemp's historical benefits and cited the recent U.S. Farm Bill, which permits states to regulate production and allows universities to conduct studies.

The legislation passed with an 88-5 vote. Following its approval, Faison distributed various hemp products, such as breakfast cereal, soap, cooking oil, and twine, to legislative leaders, showcasing the plant's diverse applications.

Growing up in Detroit, Brittany Stallworth, a 2012 Brower Youth Award Winner, faced environmental injustice, including limited healthy food access and exposure to factory emissions. This

Growing up in Detroit, Brittany Stallworth, a 2012 Brower Youth Award Winner, faced environmental injustice, including limited healthy food access and exposure to factory emissions. This experience fueled her to establish "Green is the New Black" at Howard University, a campaign dedicated to food and environmental justice.

Through her initiative, Stallworth organized expert-led workshops for students and a symposium that connected over 35 green organizations with college students for internships and jobs. Her passion has inspired others to advance food accessibility and environmental justice in underserved communities.

Adopting environmental and social sustainability principles enhances performance, with an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) corporate culture fostering long-term success. This is

Adopting environmental and social sustainability principles enhances performance, with an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) corporate culture fostering long-term success. This is detailed in research by Harvard Business School's George Serafeim, co-authored with Robert G. Eccles (Harvard Business School) and Ioannis Ioannou (London Business School).

Their paper, "The Impact of a Corporate Culture of Sustainability on Corporate Behavior and Performance," highlights these benefits. Download the working paper. Courtesy of FS Insight and Holland Financial Centre.

This visualization illustrates the rise in global temperatures from 1880 through the end of 2013. NASA scientists report that 2013 tied for the seventh warmest year since 1880, continuing a

This visualization illustrates the rise in global temperatures from 1880 through the end of 2013. NASA scientists report that 2013 tied for the seventh warmest year since 1880, continuing a significant long-term warming trend. Notably, with the exception of 1998, the ten warmest years on record have all occurred since 2000, with 2010 and 2005 ranking as the hottest.

The visualization displays a running five-year average global temperature, compared to a 1951-1980 baseline. A color-coded map shows surface temperature anomalies, with red indicating higher and blue indicating lower than normal temperatures. Credits include Animator Lori Perkins, Producer Leslie McCarthy, and Scientists James Hansen Ph.D. and Patrick Lynch.

Todd Reeve of the Portland, Oregon-based Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) discusses the organization's three core program areas: climate change and renewable energy initiatives; educating

Todd Reeve of the Portland, Oregon-based Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) discusses the organization's three core program areas: climate change and renewable energy initiatives; educating K-12 students on climate and energy; and long-term watershed restoration.

For more information, visit the BEF website: http://www.b-e-f.org/.

Explore more sustainability leaders on the Portland Sustainability Leadership channel on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/group/portlandleaders#.

The World Resources Institute and partners recently previewed Global Forest Watch 2.0 at the UN Forum on

The World Resources Institute and partners recently previewed Global Forest Watch 2.0 at the UN Forum on Forests 10 (UNFF) in Istanbul. This powerful new initiative aims to improve forest monitoring and management globally.

Speakers at the event included Zulkifli Hasan (Minister of Forestry, Indonesia), Kerri-Ann Jones (Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of State), Wu Hongbo (Under-Secretary-General, United Nations), Naoko Ishii (CEO, Global Environment Facility), Tim Christophersen (Senior Program Officer, UNEP), and Nigel Sizer (Director, WRI).

Stonyfield Farm CEO Gary Hirshberg argues that environmentally sustainable business practices offer significant long-term financial advantages.

Watch the complete video discussion: