Improved Ecological Footprint

Throughout the quarter I was able to reduce my ecological footprint by almost one planet. I feel that my efforts this quarter were definitely at a high level and I would have hoped that my reduction was greater. In regards to the goals I had set this quarter, I followed them to the best of my abilities and tried to always remain conscious of my daily impacts on Earth. My original footprint related that my lifestyles and actions would require the resources of 4 Planet Earth’s to fulfill my demands. From the first footprint, I realized that my meat-heavy habits and energy wasting activities were mostly to blame for my high impact. Accordingly, I attempted to change my lifestyle and reduce my ecological footprint. The goals I set for myself were to eat a PB&J for a meal every day, reduce unnecessary consumer goods purchases, and to be more mindful of the electricity use in my house. I would say that I maintained these goals quite well over the quarter. PB&J every day is almost impossible, but the result of this initiative is that I am more mindful of the resources that are required for non-vegetarian meals. I try to limit the amount of animal-based meals that I eat nowadays. I have also not bought any unnecessary new products; I have tried to buy reused clothing if at all possible. And I am glad to see, after paying more attention to the use of electricity in my house, the bill for these services actually seemed to go down as I started to preach my message to the roommates.

Concluding, I wish that I was able to get a lower number on the ecological footprint calculator but I believe that this method is not entirely accurate. My efforts are in the right place and I have definitely made a mindset change that will be with me from now on. I am much more interested in figuring out sustainable ways of doing business and of living on this world. I wasn’t aware of many issues regarding the environment and I hope that I can be more mindful of these types of things throughout the rest of my life.

KNOW WHAT YOU'RE WEARING

Our website focusing on the negative impacts of cotton and some safer alternatives is finally 100% completed! It is also now featured on google search after a few weeks of fanagling with that... You can find it on google by type "know what you're wearing wwu" or you can follow this link.

You should definitely check it out!

Being Green Actually Improves Revenues?! No Way?!?!

Part of what we have been learning in class recently deals with the fact that incorporating sustainable business practices and environmental concerns as part of the core company activities leads to greater profitability. This example has been made on a huge scale by the GE company this year. The GE company just reported a 21% increase in revenues throughout it's environmentally concerned sectors, which is nothing to shrug off. I am sure the CEOs of other similar albeit less environmentally concerned companies are scratching their balding heads and wondering what they are doing wrong. How could being green actually prosper the business? It is just ridiculous!!! Or is it?

Too bad many of these execs haven't taken a class in green business and don't realize that you needn't wear Birkenstocks and tye-dye to be concerned about global eco-changes. It doesn't have to be like that, it can be as simple as increasing efficiency which haphazardly can reduce the negative externalities of your Fortune 500 company.

Some of the more ambitious environmentally concerned goals for GE are stated below:

"• Bringing annuals sales of ecomagination products to $25 billion by 2010.
• Investing $1.5 billion annually in ecomagination R&D by 2010.
• Improving energy efficiency by 30 percent by 2012. (GE has already met its 2012 target to cut absolute GHG emissions by 1 percent, the goal it set in 2005.)
• Reducing water consumption by 20 percent by 2012; the company's water use was flat last year."

It is about time that other monstrous conglomerates realize that services and eco-friendly initiatives are not a passing phase and represent vital business opportunities. Until then, companies like GE will reap all the rewards for their innovation and eco-magination.

Retired U.S. Military Leaders Dog on Our Current Energy Policy

Often, you hear the message of change from idealic young citizens in America. When the message comes from retired military personnel you know the revolution is almost here. A report put out by the Military Advisory Board, part of a nonprofit research firm called CNA, attacks our current energy policy. The conclusion of their report is that staying on this road we journey down is simply "perilous."

Here are some of the conclusions from the article on greenbiz.com...

"• The U.S. uses a quarter of the world’s oil but only controls 3 percent, leading to a dependence that undermines its foreign policy objectives and economic stability.

• Climate change will foster instability in already politically unstable regions. Dwindling fossil fuel reserves will face additional costs from an increase in demand and future regulations put in place for carbon-intensive fuels

• The military is overly reliant on fossil fuels but uses them inefficiently, undermining effectiveness and exacting a human and economic toll. The Department of Defense should understand its own carbon footprint, correct inefficiencies and adopt renewable energy where possible"

It is easy to see that a reliance on fossil fuels is detrimental to the American way of life. Third party interests by large industries like the oil producers, automobile industry, and others have led American energy concerns for too long. It is time to take a serious look at the downfalls of our current society and make changes that will secure the infrastructure of this country and lessen our worries over seas.

Uzbekistan Cotton

While doing research for our marketing campaign which focuses on the detrimental effects of cotton production on a global scale, I came across this thoroughly depressing video from Uzbekistan. It is a video created by the Environmental Justice Foundation in I think 2007, that clearly illustrates the wide range of negative aspects of cotton production in the small Asian country. You owe it to yourself to watch the video and realize just what goes in to some of the everyday materials we take for granted in America. Uzbekistan is the second largest exporter of cotton in the world and Europe is a huge purchaser of this ill-gotten cotton. Schools are completely shut down throughout the whole country and students of very young ages are forced to work in cotton fields all day to the tune of 3 cents an hour... Too bad on top of that they have to pay an average of 10 dollars a day for lodging and food ( usually 20 children placed in 1 dorm room ) and end up in debt by the end of the harvesting season.

I had no idea this was happening still in the world today...

Luckily, many companies --including Wal-Mart-- have boycotted the use of Uzbek cotton. I stand behind them totally, I want to find out more than I can do to help but the country is so backwards and is currently under the rule of an extreme authoritarian government that renders aid futile.

White Gold: The True Cost of Cotton

White Gold - the true cost of cotton from Environmental Justice Foundation on Vimeo.

Recapping my Carbon Footprint Reduction

So, looking back at my carbon reducing strategies, I would have to say that I am doing quite well on my commitments.

1. Replace a meat-based meal with a nice, healthy peanut butter and jelly

Recently, I ran out of peanut butter... I have been scraping the bottom of the jar. It is truly sad to watch. But soon, soon I will have another jar and things will be back up and running. Other than this recent --yet frightful-- deviation from my carbon-fighting course, I have done well on eating PB&J once a day or atleast like 3-5 times a week. Sadly, I am getting a little sick of it, but I can struggle through --it is for a good cause after all. This goal has had a great impact on making me pay attention to what I eat everyday and I have made a conscious attempt to change my eating patterns for the better of myself and the environment.

2. Reduce buying of non-essential new consumer goods

This goal has been going pretty well too... I admit, I bought a nice, new shirt from target for like 20 bucks... but it was for work and I haven't bought anything else, i swear! No new socks, underwear, t shirts, nothing. I feel like this is something that will become even more important to me over the coming years. I now feel like I need to know where a piece of clothing or consumer good is coming from before I feel truly comfortable with purchasing it. It is definitely a step in the right direction. Our project focuses on the detrimental impacts of cotton growing around the globe and that also makes me wary of where exactly my clothes come from. I have always had more of a flare for social justice rather than the environment but now I am finding out how inextricably linked they are and it is startling.

3. Reduce household energy consumption simply, by unplugging unused appliances

Once again I feel like I have done very good at this goal. In my room currently, I can attest to the fact that my most often used electronics are plugged in to my surge protector and that it is currently turned off! My computer isn't needlessly charging, and my cell phone charger is only plugged in when truly necessary. I only charge it when it completely dies. I think that I have helped urge my roommates to reduce their unused electrical components too. And I also have been paying more attention to when lights are being overused, or turned on for no reason.

United States of Efficiency Contest

One of my favorite websites to peruse when not learning about the detriments occurring to our planet everyday, is a website called instructables. It is a DIY based website where people around America upload different projects for other people to do. There are all kinds of different instructional ideas put up everyday, ranging from dorky crafts to highly involved technological toys.

One thing that I just noticed on the website is very interesting and relevant for this class though too!

The website is featuring a complete green section to their DIY projects and is also holding a contest on energy efficiency. So, in essence, people are going to just upload different things they have created that are eco-friendly and reduce energy waste. Instructables partnered up with EarthJustice to hold this competition and they are offering a macbook pro as the top prize! Too bad I saw this competition too late, but as of now the final entrants are being voted on.

One of the ideas that I thought was pretty cool was this portable iPod or iPhone solar charger... Very fashionable and yet, eco-friendly. And honestly, who hasn't needed to charge their iPod without having their computer around? I think it is a pretty good idea and these kinds of websites are becoming much more popular. They put the power of change in the hands of every day people and also allow those people to show off their good ideas for gadgets.

There are a whole host of other entries in the competition and I will post a follow up describing the winning instructable.

Dangerous Daily Care

I decided to examine one of my most often used personal care product, a large bottle of Garnier Fructise Daily Care Shampoo. I couldn’t wait to find out what toxins I was covering my body with every morning in the shower. The ingredients listed on the back of the bottle are as follows;

“Aqua/Water; Sodium Laureth Sulfate; Cocamidopropyl Betaine; Cocamide MIPA; Dimethicone; Distearyl Ether; Sodium Chloride; Behenyl Alcohol; Niacinamide; Saccharum Officinarum/Sugar Cane Extract; Sodium Methylparaben; DMDM Hydantoin; PPG-5-Ceteth-20; Polyquaternium-10; Camellia Sinensis/Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract; Linalool; Pyrus Malus/Apple Fruit Extract; Carbomer; Pyridoxine HCl; Citric Acid; Butylphenyl Methylpropional; Citrus Limonum/Lemon Peel Extract; Laureth-2; Parfum (Fragrance).”




All this is packed in to a seemingly harmless off-the-shelf shampoo. Now to examine the ill-effects of my daily care ritual. According to the Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Reviews website some of the substances in my shampoo have been linked to cancer, reproductive problems, neurotoxicity, allergies, and multitudes of other cellular level changes. Generally, the shampoo was given a 5 out of 10 on the hazard scale on the website, indicating a moderate level of danger associated with its ingredients. In regards to the Table on toxicity featured in the Okala Design book, I couldn’t find direct connections between the toxins they listed and the ones cited on the other website. I assume that the wording on the ingredients list on the back of the bottle may be a little different than the toxins listed in the Okala book, but they still describe the same compounds. I also noticed the supposed “data gaps” that were listed on the website, I was really confused by these. How can “fragrance” have a highly dangerous score of 8 but feature a “100%” data gap on its information? I wonder how the account a score to a substance without any information on it?

Even so, there are a lot of terrible things in my shampoos and other body care products. After realizing how many terrible things are in a lot of the regular use products I own, I have definitely started evaluating other alternatives. I spent a little time browsing the Environmental Working Group’s database and found a moderate rating on most of my products, but also found a lot of replacements for my products that were much safer. While I know that I cannot just stop using deodorant and shampoos, I now know the harmful side effects that these everyday items have on human and animals in testing situations. It is slightly terrifying to find that products like these are sold to consumers constantly and there is not that much outcry from the public… In light of my new found knowledge, I definitely plan on switching to daily care products that were rated on the 0-1 range on the informative EWG’s database. What is still throwing me off is that even products with a 0 rating, such as “Healing-Scents Pepperminty Shampoo/Body Wash” include substances linked to cancer, what hasn’t been linked to cancer? Is there any way to escape these types of toxins? I feel like you could drive yourself crazy attempting to rid your lifestyles of these toxins… Also, a concern of mine is buying these lower-risk products. Just take a look at the Healing-Scents website which is flat out terribly done. Albeit, possibly erroneous, this can illustrate an inferior product and furthermore makes me uncomfortable with purchasing their products. I simply don’t want to transfer my credit card information over that website. It just leads a little bit of credence to the notion that alternative, ecological products are somewhat inferior. Presentation is still important, even if the company is ecologically friendly.

Why Can't Anybody be as Green as They Seem

Like most people in the class today, I was extremely impressed with Bill McDonough and the initiatives he described in the video that was presented. His passion for the subject, and astute knowledge of green practices, were clearly evident while watching. I was very interested in finding more information about the cradle to cradle cities that he had designed for the Chinese and went on a Google-led quest right as class broke up.

What I found was a lot of good propositions and developments that William McDonough had been a part of but also many dismayed organizations that he had worked with over the years. A few articles had not-so-nice things to say about the man.

The image of Mr. McDonough that is portrayed through these outside sources is far from what I thought; portrayed as a man that has selfish interests in heart and claims untruthful things about his past business partners. Why can't anybody be what they seem? I am frustrated with the portrayed images and excellence of people that are eroded so easily with just a simple Google search. One thing that has become extremely depressing and disenfranchising through the actual study of environmentalism and other social justice-type missions is the innate human flaws that permeate. An overarching shadow of greed, transgression, or insincerity tends to follow these once noble pursuits. It is so easy for me to see the fatalist views of youth in our culture, what else are we expected to think? Without people able to cover their tracks as well as they once did, forms of the objective truths in this world are finally being brought to attention and it is heartbreaking. Many seemingly innocent organizations and institutions have been sullied by the flaws and foibles of high-iconic figures within them; take a look around. Religious zealots preaching the existence of a 'hell' to be saved from have created that on Earth for countless sexually molested children; the atrocities hidden by the veil of ignorance created by their once-faultless image. People shouldn't be allowed to hide behind false sugar coated securities and claim to be something they aren't. Until the evils of man are espoused from social institutions, it will always be hard for me to put any faith in something man-made.
This is more of a rant than anything, and features blurbs from sources that I didn't provide. I apologize for that, I guess the point is to not just trust everything you see once or even twice, there is often more lurking in the background than you will ever know.

HP Has Big Plans of the Green Nature

While browsing the GreenBiz website, I stumbled upon a few very interesting articles. One that I chose to discuss was that of Hewlett-Packard's newest attempts at being a more green machine-maker. 2008 was a huge year for HP's environmental impact reduction. The article describes numerous ways that HP was able to reduce carbon emissions by a relative 13% over 2007 -not a figure to dismiss lightly. Another notable fact, their new e-waste objectives led "HP... to 1.7 billion pounds (850,000 tons) of total electronics recycled" that would have otherwise gone directly to landfills. I think that these socially responsible activities are very poignant in business today. Electronics companies seem to have become a ridiculously large source of waste by requiring mostly virgin materials for construction, the short useful lifespan of products, and the small rates of recycling done with the products afterwards.

I think the most interesting aspect of the article centered on a Wal-Mart sponsored green design challenge in September of 2008. (Wal-mart sponsored?? Atleast the green bandwagon is one that everyone should jump on.) In regards to packaging for a laptop, HP was able to reduce the materials needed by 97%! How you reduce packaging to 3% of what it used to be is astounding to me... By doing so, HP was able to fit 3 laptops per average shipping box instead of 1 like before, this means huge savings for HP and for the environment. Why wouldn't electronics companies want to do this? By using recycled materials and a lot less foam, HP is able to change the world one laptop at a time. If there was a design challenge on all products think of how much negative impacts on the globe could be suspended? Truly mind-blowing.

First Post and 3 Goals

Hey there, so this is my first post on my sustain-abili-blog. Say it with my now, Sustain- Abili- Blog! (It truly rolls of the tongue, surprised it wasn't already taken...) Through the use of this blog, I hope to transform from current careless college student to eco-friendly and environmentally aware young adult. You can watch as I become cocooned and eventually spread my green-wings throughout the course of the quarter.

During the first class session of Marketing 488: Strategies for Sustainabiliy, we were asked to go home and calculate our "Ecological Footprint," after completing the activity, I was told that it would take 4 Earth’s to sustain my sort of lifestyle. First off, I can’t believe that, I felt like my carbon footprint was somewhat low due to use of public transportation, recycling, and very infrequent driving and when done often accompanied with a passenger… I guess I still have a lot to learn about my actions in regards to the ecosystem.


After realizing my wasteful ways of living, I came up with a few simple goals to help me reduce my negative impacts on Mother Earth.

My plans to reduce my carbon footprint this quarter:


1. Replace a meat-based meal with a nice, healthy peanut butter and jelly sandwich

My first action that I plan to enact centers around the PB&J campaign. I realized after using the EF calculator that a lot of my meals centered on meats, and after visiting the PB&J campaign website I learned how a subtle change like eating a plant-based meal over a meat-based meal can drastically reduce my personal footprint. I wholeheartedly accepted this challenge. I have already replaced two normal sandwich meals with PB&J and feel like this will be a simple and successful step in my personal sustainability efforts.

2. Reduce buying of non-essential new consumer goods

I want to reduce my purchases of new consumer goods. As of now, I don’t buy every new gadget or anything but I have replaced a few computers and big purchases like that before it was completely necessary. In such a fast moving industry there is no way to keep up anyways, especially in regards to consuming responsibly, and it gets individuals stuck in a cycle of trying to keep up for seemingly no reason. Also, in regards to clothing and other unnecessary comforts, I would like to continue buying second hand and possibly force all my purchases to be second hand in this area.

3. Reduce household energy consumption simply, by unplugging unused appliances

Reduce energy consumption in my house. Living in an antiquated house with 3 other men in a college environment is possibly a carbon-reducers biggest nightmare. While we are pretty good about recycling and keeping water usage low, we have never been very good at unplugging electronics. In a house with 4 college kids, there are probably 4 phone chargers in at all times, 4 laptop chargers, 4 huge power strips connected; all while we are out and about all day… It takes a little persistence to end these wasteful activities and I plan to not only utilize the power switch on my surge protector much more efficiently but also my roommates’ as well.