The Polar Bear is my most favorite animal. Look at 'em go!
Courtesy of Yahoo! News Photo Hightlight
Friday, July 31, 2009
GREEN iPhone apps
Thursday, July 30, 2009
More US colleges are making the GREEN Honor Roll
See who received top honors by maintaining our nation's greenest campuses.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Timberland cleans up their footprint in the Amazon
The leading manufacturer and retailer of leather boots and shoes announced today that they will work to reduce their ecological footprint in the rain forest and partner with their Brazilian leather suppliers in their efforts. The suppliers must be in agreement with the company by August 15th in order to maintain their working relationship with Timberland. Notably, they are the second major shoe manufacturer, behind Nike, within this year, to reevaluate their supply chain and its effect on the environment. Well I wonder why? For decades these companies did not own up to their influences on their suppliers and the communities and natural environments in which they operated. Now, there is no denying their abuse of natural resources. we will definitely have to stay informed about the company's progress in cleaning up the Amazon Biome. To do so, you can check out their eco-friendly blog or for a more different perspective see GreenBiz.com
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Be aware of GREENWASH
The term greenwashing was coined by an environmentalist from New York, Jay Westerveld. He used this term in an essay to describe the ill will "green" marketing strategies of the local hotels. These establishments would attract guest with what a appeared to be a GREEN campaign against wasting natural resources, yet it was only a ploy to increase profits. They placed green placards in each room and encouraged guests to reuse their towels but past this, no real efforts were made on the part of these hotels. They only greened aspects of the guests stay at the hotel, ones that they could easily recognize, and not the hotel's operations and business practices.
More than ever, GREEN critics and surveyors have learned how to distinguish the genuine GREEN companies and initiatives from the rest. Prime example, in today's news, Johnson & Johnson reported that their company is on track to meet their goal of reducing carbon emissions by 7 percent by 2010, using 1990 as their benchmark. They have all kinds of facts and numbers to prove that they will meet their goal, but even still, somehow, their emissions manage to grow 3.3 percent in the year 2008 compared to teh year before. Now, how do they explain that? In the company's 12 sustainability report, they have acknowledge that their goal is "more aggressive than anticipated." They are working to become more energy efficient across various elements. Though carbon emissions increased in 2008, J&J reduced all waste by 16 percent and water use by 8.7 percent. Not bad at all for a company of their size with an extensive, global product line; however, we as a society must still hold them accountable. They must deliver on their overall carbon emissions goals too. It is not enough to say, "well they did decreased their X, Y, and Z, so its not a big deal if their A increases just a little bit." No! Please do not be deceived. This is yet another form of greenwashing.
Company's like J&J may have good intentions to help save the planet, but that is still no excuse to let them make exaggerated promises to the public, advertise it with their products and services, and manipulate consumers while increasing their profits. It is important that we remain informed and up-to-date on industry leaders and their GREEN promises. Consumer awareness drives corporate social responsibility, which instills accountability and this leads to real change.
More than ever, GREEN critics and surveyors have learned how to distinguish the genuine GREEN companies and initiatives from the rest. Prime example, in today's news, Johnson & Johnson reported that their company is on track to meet their goal of reducing carbon emissions by 7 percent by 2010, using 1990 as their benchmark. They have all kinds of facts and numbers to prove that they will meet their goal, but even still, somehow, their emissions manage to grow 3.3 percent in the year 2008 compared to teh year before. Now, how do they explain that? In the company's 12 sustainability report, they have acknowledge that their goal is "more aggressive than anticipated." They are working to become more energy efficient across various elements. Though carbon emissions increased in 2008, J&J reduced all waste by 16 percent and water use by 8.7 percent. Not bad at all for a company of their size with an extensive, global product line; however, we as a society must still hold them accountable. They must deliver on their overall carbon emissions goals too. It is not enough to say, "well they did decreased their X, Y, and Z, so its not a big deal if their A increases just a little bit." No! Please do not be deceived. This is yet another form of greenwashing.
Company's like J&J may have good intentions to help save the planet, but that is still no excuse to let them make exaggerated promises to the public, advertise it with their products and services, and manipulate consumers while increasing their profits. It is important that we remain informed and up-to-date on industry leaders and their GREEN promises. Consumer awareness drives corporate social responsibility, which instills accountability and this leads to real change.
Monday, July 27, 2009
WOW. Bravo JT!
Singer, actor Justin Timberlake has set the bar pretty high in green golfing and now owns America's first golf course with a Audubon International Classic Sanctuary distinction. Located in his hometown, Memphis, TN, Mirimichi was his childhood golf course where he first learned to play the game. In 2007 Timberlake and his family bought the property and are now working towards LEED Platinum certification for the building in 2011. Mirimichi means "place of happy retreat." This is an excellent attraction for the city of Memphis. Justin Timberlake and his family have invested they're resources into a local treasure, making it GREEN and sustainable.
GREEN Therapy?
I took a three-day weekend and went on a vacation to visit my favorite relatives and just relax. Now, that I'm back, I feel a little lethargic, but maybe its just a case of the Mondays. I know we all can relate. Luckily, I found this article by Bryan Walsh on the Time Magazine website. He found that there is a growing group of psychologists that practice 'Eco-Therapy.' He revealed that more than half of every human on this planet lives in a cities and is cut off from nature. Before now, the human race evolved with and blended with nature for millions of years. However, today, we are all consumed with work, school, technology, and economic downturn. In this article, the Eco-therapists recommend that their patients keep a nature journal in which they record exactly how much time they spend outdoors. Some find that they spend less than 15 minutes outdoors a day! WOW. Try it for yourself. Monitor your time spent outdoors AND your mood. If it is less than 15 minutes per day and you are feeling the office blues, go outside and play!
\'Eco-Therapy\' for Environmental Depression: Go Jump Off a Pier
\'Eco-Therapy\' for Environmental Depression: Go Jump Off a Pier
Thursday, July 23, 2009
A new record-setting GREEN building feature
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc will be the proud owners of the largest living wall in North America, pending municipal approval, to be intalled in septemebr. My first thought, "Will this be costly to maintain and water?" Not hardly! It is reported that the wall is estimated to require only a 15 mintue watering PER WEEK. Along with its weekly, man-made rain fall, the living wall is sure to have a natural irrigation system being that it will be located at their headquaters in Pittsberg. The 2,380 square-foot, soil based portrait is not just for show. It will also contribute to cooling this GREEN building. "The wall will be a fitting reminder that PNC is the world-leader in green building," commented PNC Director of Corporate Real Estate, Gary Saulson.Above is a rendering of the living wall design.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
The Top U.S. Green Brands
Clorox Green Works, Burt's Bees, Tom's of Maine Top U.S. Green Brands
(According to the 2009 Global Green Brands study)
(According to the 2009 Global Green Brands study)
Can one's waste become another's hydrogen fuel?
Environmetal researchers from the AENews Network say yes! Hydrogen, as an alternative energy source, is gaining support in the industry because it is efficient and clean. When hydrogen burns, it does not produce carbon dioxide and only emits water vapors in to the atmosphere.
"It’s becoming increasingly necessary for scientists devising new technologies to limit the amount of carbon dioxide they release. This project takes us one step closer to these goals – once we have technologies that enable us to produce hydrogen sustainably, the infrastructure to support its use will grow.”-Dr. Valerie Dupont
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