Bgreen2

Humana and Pro-bicycling Campaign

2011-01-21T15:46:00.003-05:00

Congratulations to Louisville, Kentucky based Humana Inc. for sponsoring this outstanding program.

http://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/31441-Humana-Becomes-Premier-Sponsor-Of-Pro-Bicycling-Campaign-Peopleforbikes-org

Corporate Responsibility

2011-01-18T10:35:00.003-05:00

Does your business report their corporate social responsibility program? Read this article to learn more.
http://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/31378-Top-10-CSR-Research-Findings-in-2010#

Why in the World Can't you go Green?

2009-12-11T09:11:00.002-05:00

During a conversation with a colleague yesterday, we discussed the questions we hear from potential clients about going green. They want to know things like the level of effort required, how much does it cost, whats in it for me and so on. Then we shared the responses we hear from folks that are not interested. I had someone tell me that they studied several energy conservation options and they were not going to initiate an energy conservation policy because it would not save enough money. Another one stated that they weren't interested in doing anything green because they just wanted to market themselves as selling a good product. The doozy of them all was when my colleauge asked a potential client if they would be willing to power down their computers at the end of each work day. The person replied "We don't have the manpower to do that." That is without a doubt the lamest excuse of the year! Can you imagine the mindset of someone who would say that? It would be funny if it wasn't true. Sadly, this is what we are up against in our efforts to promote energy conservation. Lesson learned, take five seconds at the end of the day and turn your computers off. Seriously, I know you have the "manpower".

Carbon Offsets Are Not a License to Pollute

2009-01-09T10:44:00.002-05:00

The carbon offset market is often misunderstood and misjudged. The goals of carbon offsetting are not to give a license to pollute to its customers. Rather, offsetting is a mechanism that is used by the environmentally conscious to further offset their carbon footprint once they have employed reduction strategies. This is a good thing. Offset companies that offer regulated projects are legitimate. The projects they undertake are monitored by non governmental organizations or other similar organizations for completion and sustained operation.

In the absence of such options, the renewable energy projects that are funded by offsetting would most likely not happen. Admittedly, there is some controversy here, however, the general consensus is that the carbon offset cash flow is crucial to the projects they fund. Choosing not to offset means that you are doing nothing above and beyond your reduction efforts. Conversely, purchasing offsets in addition to your mindful conservation and reduction strategies plays a significant role in developing renewable energy applications.

Green, Green, Green and More Green!

2009-01-04T22:44:00.004-05:00

Are you feeling saturated with all the Green out there? I have seen plenty of advertisements using the phrase Going Green in the recent past. Is Green here to stay or is it just a fad? I say that we need to keep in mind the purpose of the Green movement. The goals of natural resource conservation and decreasing demand for virgin products via recycling are crucial to the Green movement. In addition, protecting endangered species and the delicate balance of our ecosystems are just as important now as in the past and will continue to be so going forward. Our society should not view these goals as optional if we want the existing global landscape to appear the same for future generations.

Those of us that are passionately concerned about the environment need to stay the course and remain true to the cause. Whether we change the name or revise the slogans, the movement must carry on. Green is definitely here to stay.

What's in a Label? Green Product Labeling Facts

2008-12-23T09:39:00.004-05:00

Are you into purchasing environmentally friendly products? If so, how do you determine what products are and aren't Green? There is actually very little regulation for Green product labeling. For example did you know that there is no third party verification for labels such as earth smart, eco safe, environmentally friendly and environmentally safe? This essentially means that manufacturers can claim their products are green without providing validation or supporting data. As a consumer, you need to read the product labels and be aware of which ingredients are environmentally friendly. Look for items such as essential oils, vinegar, no added dyes or fragrances, biodegradable and recyclable or recycled content packaging. Avoid ingredients such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), bleaches (including chlorine), toluene, naphthalene, phthalates, phosphates, lead, ethylene glycol and formaldehyde. As with organic food labeling which will shortly receive FDA labeling requirements, Green product claims will eventually be meaningful and validated. For now, take the time to read and understand the product labels and choose wisely.

Carbon Cap and Trade

2008-10-14T09:05:00.006-04:00

The days of carbon cap and trade are coming. Eleven states have drafted legislation to impose cap and trade policies with California at the helm. They are now waiting for the EPA to grant them authority to enact the legislation. The basic premise of the cap and trade process begins when a company is allocated carbon emission maximums. If the company does not exceed their maximum they may put the remaining carbon emissions out for trade as carbon credits. Companies that exceed their limits then purchase these credits to offset their exceedances and achieve their emission goals. The carbon credit sales and purchases are certified by third parties thereby ensuring that the procedures are legitimate. The European Union already has a similar process in place. This process is doable and over time it will be an effective means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and carbon dioxide levels.

Commentary: Obama's energy plan would create green gold rush - CNN.com

2008-08-29T11:10:00.001-04:00

Commentary: Obama's energy plan would create green gold rush - CNN.com

Green-Collar Jobs

2008-08-29T10:36:00.006-04:00

Have you heard the term green-collar jobs? I've mentioned it to several friends in the last week and none had heard of it. As the name suggests, a green-collar job is one that is created from the shifting focus of Americans to a greener way of life. An example is the growing demand for skilled workers to operate and install solar panels and wind turbines. From there the list goes on and on for everything from green consultants to carbon offset specialists and climate change analysts. These job titles and career paths were not even in our vocabulary five years ago! Listen closely to Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton for references to green-collar jobs as they are both proponents of the shift to a greener America. See the next post for more information!

Natural Green Hair Brush

2008-07-30T15:31:00.005-04:00

Conair has introduced a line of green hair brushes. The one I purchased is packaged in 70% post-consumer recycled material which is printed with soy based inks. The attractive brush handle is Pagoda wood which is a rapid growing hardwood tree. The bristles are a combination of natural boars hair and nylon. It is a nice brush that is ergonomically pleasing and does a great job with my hair.

Recycled Play Sets

2008-06-26T09:57:00.002-04:00

Play Mart recycled plastic play systems are made in Somerset, Kentucky. Play Mart primarily uses recycled milk containers to make their equipment. Wooden play equipment is under scrutiny by environmentalists due to the preservatives used to inhibit rotting. Some opponents also claim that the wooden sets cause splinters and contribute to global deforestation. If you are interested in a recycled plastic play set it may be noted that a local provider has a smaller environmental impact than one shipped from a distant location.

Frugal is Green

2008-05-30T16:49:00.002-04:00

The frugal shopper is perhaps unknowingly Green. The more one decreases consumption of goods and services the smaller their ecological footprint. It then follows that avoiding excessive consumerism such as "throw away" toys, apparel and gadgets is a smart way to become more eco-friendly. Think of frugal alternatives as you go about your daily routine and you are on your way to being better environmental stewards.

Green will Not cost You!

2008-05-19T09:14:00.008-04:00

Green as a concept is something that most people appear to believe in. There is also the common perception that going green requires a significant financial investment. Research shows that companies who embrace the Green movement receive higher than anticipated returns on their investment. Study after study indicates that the return on investment is even greater at the intangible levels. Items that are less measurable such as employee productivity, retention, health, recruiting, facility saleability, etc. are proven to increase in green buildings. Green may have a slightly higher price tag (2-5%), but in the long run, going green saves you money and research tells us that the return on investment happens quickly and in unexpected ways. More importantly, if you don't go green you will really pay for it down the road.

Dallas Goes Green

2008-04-11T09:50:00.006-04:00

I am thrilled to see a major municipality make this kind of move and Dallas has done it. Many cities including Louisville, have set goals for City buildings to increase energy efficiencies and some have passed laws on the matter. Dallas has raised the bar to require that residential construction meets their Green guidelines. The plan is for a phased approach that begins in 2009 and is finalized in 2011. This ordinance is an important step in the right direction for the residential construction market. I look for additional major cities to follow suit and to that I say, bring it on!

ABOUT GREEN DALLAS
The City of Dallas is the number one municipal purchaser of renewable green power in the United States. Dallas boasts the largest clean vehicle fleet of any city in Texas and one of the largest in the nation. The City of Dallas is the only city chosen as a pilot city for the EPA’s Sustainable Skylines Initiative aimed at improving air quality. To find out more about how the City of Dallas is an environmental leader and what residents can do to ‘build a greener Dallas’ visit the City’s green Web site www.GreenDallas.net.

Marriott Hotel Chain Going Green

2008-04-10T09:32:00.003-04:00

The Marriot International hotel chain has committed to reducing their carbon footprint. Their primary focus is on protecting the Brazilian rain forests and they have pledged $2 million dollars toward this effort. They are also Greening their hotels by using recycled BIC pens, changing their towels to a ready to use brand, and using recycled products such as carpet and card keys. These strategies will reduce their fuel and water consumption. Marriott also plans to implement solar power and recycling programs at their hotels. Their stance on rain forest protection is really forward thinking and I appreciate that they are willing to take a stand and devote their environmental efforts to such a worthy cause. This commitment sets them apart from other hotel chains and allows Marriotts guests to contribute to global sustainability efforts.

Green Living in Town & Country

2008-04-10T09:13:00.004-04:00

The April 2008 edition of Town & Country magazine includes a section dedicated to Green living. The section discusses Chicago's greenest apartment building as well as the premiere Green condos in Los Angeles, Boston and Toronto. The highlighted properties are upscale and represent the luxurious and deluxe side of Green living. T&C goes on to report that they found beautiful Green condo developments sprouting up across America. This is a great trend in urban residential dwelling and even better for the environment.

Green Beer is Here

2008-03-10T13:06:00.002-04:00

Last week, Fosters announced the launch of their new beer Cascade Green. This is the first premium beer labeled as a Green product. Fosters reports that Cascade Green sports environmentally friendly packaging and that carbon offsets were purchased to meet Australia's independantly certified Greenhouse Friendly product criteria. They also report that Cascade Green was produced to meet the increased customer demand for eco-friendly products but most importantly to fulfill their corporate sustainability mission. The introduction of Cascade Green beer is an excellent addition to the Green movement, unfortunately, I am unable to try it since Cascade Green is only available in Australia at this time. Hopefully other major beverage companies will follow Fosters lead and launch their own eco-friendly product lines.

Recycle Now - Just Try It

2008-02-22T15:19:00.005-05:00

Recycling is an excellent way to ease into the Green lifestyle. A January 2008 poll shows that 62 percent of the 2,000 adults surveyed participate in their residential recycling program. In Louisville, recycling can not be made any easier. The Louisville Metro provides recycling bins and pickup services to Metro residents as do most cities outside the Metro limits. I realize it is not always easy to segragate your garbage and place every recyclable item in the bin but the important thing is that you make the effort. If every household would participate in their available residential recycling program, the volume of waste accumulating in area landfills would be greatly decreased.

Carbon Offset Credits

2008-02-18T15:00:00.011-05:00

"Whats the deal with carbon offsets?" you ask. Carbon offset credits are a commonly used mechanism to reduce your carbon footprint. The concept is that once you establish your carbon footprint, you purchase carbon offset credits to reduce or "offset" your footprint. For example, carbon offsets can be purchased from companies that plant trees or invest in renewable energy projects both in the United States and around the world. The options abound. Research the companies that interest you to ensure that their philosophy aligns with yours and look for transparency in their offsetting process. Be vigilant and do your homework before you buy.