March 2010

World Water Day, PR and the World's Longest Toilet Queue

Here in the US, it’s hard to think of water being more valuable than gold. But in regions of the world, such as sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, where sanitation issues and water-related diseases are responsible for up to 80% of all illnesses and deaths, that’s just how valuable clean water has become.

To raise awareness of these water challenges, the UN launched World Water Day 18 years ago, and has been using it to fight for attention of this global crisis ever since. This year, thanks to a big PR push by non-profits such as WASH and the Water Advocates, the campaign is closer to getting the level attention that it deserves.

Trying to convince Americans of the sheer scale of this problem is the biggest obstacle. For years, the biggest problems that long showers or green lawns created was maybe a bigger pinch from our water bill. Now, with water shortages facing at least 36 states, the problem is hitting closer to home. Riding that passion are demonstrations to get Washington and the world to act. Among the activities: the World's Longest Toilet Queue tomorrow on Capitol Hill. Looking forward to seeing what kind of turnout that appropriate yet painful-sounding demonstration gets...

I’m in San Francisco, so I won’t be able to make it. Not sure I could hold it that long anyway. I have, however, logged in to stay updated on future opportunities to advocate on international WASH issues. You should too: here

In related Schwartz client news, Energy Recovery, Inc., which makes technology that brings down the cost and energy consumption associated with desalination, launched a new educational site to educate kids and adults alike. Visit the site here and read how desalination works, and how it is an important part of the overall solution to solve the global water crisis.

Posted by Erin DelLlano on March 22, 2010 at 3:15 PM
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Cleantech's Hottest Start Ups: Forbes and SharesPost

One quick hit this Monday morning involving a Schwartz PR client and the cleantech start-up world. Forbes created a slide show featuring the 12 hottest cleantech start ups according to SharesPost.

At SharesPost.com, you can find bulletin boards of private company shares, including offers to buy and sell in companies like Suniva, Bloom Energy, Amyris Biotechnologies, Altra Biofuels, Altarock Energy, eSolar, GreatPoint Energy, GridPoint and Bright Source Energy. These are some great early stage companies backed by a "whose who" of cleantech VCs, including NEA Ventures, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Sequoia and others, in markets like smart grid, solar, biofuels and fuel cells.

As investors wonder about private company liquidity even amid some potential cleantech IPOs, secondary market options like SharesPost are stepping in. It is an exciting time to be at the intersection of clean technology and private equity.

The cleantech VC world will come together next week at AlwaysOn GoingGreen East in Boston, where the organization showcases the GoingGreen 50. Drop us a line if you're planning to attend, as Schwartz handles the public relations for that event.