Survey Says...HUH?!?

A recent survey of 2,000 people shows that a virtually negligible number actually even recognize or see many of the more than 400 "green labels" which typically appear on the packages of consumer products. The good news in all of this is that if any of these label markers are disguising harmful behavior or participating in greenwashing at least very few people are falling for the message!

How do your shopping habits correlate with these results?

Do you believe that the sheer number of certifications and labels contributes to consumer inability to see the forest for the trees? Let us know!

Whadda Ya Do?!? Damaged Goods?

What happens when transparency slaps you in the face? In the case of the recent admission by the CEO of SIGG, makers of the ubiquitous (at least in green circles!) reusable water bottles, you now have your opportunity to find out. For some reason, the company decided (conscious decision) to not inform customers that earlier designs of their bottles contained "trace amounts of bisphenol A."

Now, we could take the decision to boycott the company (disassociate like Patagonia) and make them pay for their error in judgement. We could also take the time to read through the CEO's explanation and his apology and, if we really feel our power as consumers (feel it rising?!?!?), we could let him know he should never attempt this kind of stunt again. We could then inform him that we definitely approve of his growth as the head of a "green company" and that we will be watching and will encourage him to take a lead in encouraging all businesses to apply common sense safety and health standards to their products. After all, since it is our health and safety we need to protect, WE must take the initiative to hold companies accountable. Sometimes punishment is needed and other times encouragement is the best option.

Here is a link to the SIGG website regarding an exchange program.

Let them know what you think:

SIGG USA
1177 High Ridge Road
Stamford, CT 06905
(203) 321-1220

Transitioning

Here is an interesting video about the sale of Dagoba Chocolate to Hershey's back in October 2006. Although the sale of the company had its critics, especially those who believe bigger ain't better, the goal of the sale was to gain a bigger platform and greater resources for high quality and sustainability. You be the judge!

Video

Here is a link to the website for Dagoba Chocolate:

Dagoba

Green Labeling Facing Crisis of Faith

I found this overview of the eco-label frenzy that has been riding the green wave of the past few years. We've written often on this blog of our feeling that much stricter oversight is needed to help these certifiers maintain high levels of integrity.

Much has been recently discussed regarding the horrible impact on global economies of a lack of regulation in the mortgage, banking and insurance industries to name a few. The eco-labels are also completely unregulated and consumers basically must depend upon instinct or hearsay to judge adherence to self-proclaimed standards. There certainly are many highly reputable and important certifiers around the world.

Take a look at the article and let us know how you feel some of these concerns can be addressed. How would consumers be able to hold these certifiers accountable for their claims?

Tracking Sustainability

Here is an interesting review of the usefulness of applying Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) to identify what a company would need to do to capture the purchases of customers dedicated to supporting companies that engage in sustainable practices and produce products that are environmentally friendly.

It is suggested that this simple approach of getting to the core of consumer values can benefit both the bottom line and the sustainability of a company. By focusing on what consumers actually want and not what the companies think they want, everyone wins.

Take a look and let us know how you can integrate this perspective into your operations as a business owner or, how you think this information can be transmitted effectively to companies.

At the end of the day, an approach like this can truly put consumers in the driver's seat! Take advantage and push for sustainable business practices!

Greening Your Business Isn't Always Costly!

Here is a nice feel good story of a small vineyard taking the initiative to become a "certified green" business through Alameda County's (California) Green Business Program. To date, there are over 450 certified green businesses in the county. The Cedar Mountain Winery uses beneficial insects, a contained waste water system, and maintains owl boxes to keep rodent damage to a minimum. These and numerous other efforts have help them achieve this certification by using common sense much of the time. Sure you could spend a bunch of money on major renovations and new technologies. but most of the time, changing the way basic things are done is the best method to attack sustainability. After all, it is a journey!

To be certified by the Green Business Program, all businesses must meet set standards in energy conservation, environmental law compliance, water conservation, waste reduction and pollution prevention. I would love to take a look at their certification criteria to get a better idea as to what levels the issues are investigated and monitored.

Throw Down the Gauntlet!

Hey folks! Here is an article from the folks at GreenBiz discussing responsibility in the food industry. There are a few people quoted in the article who are advocating for purveyors of our nation's food to take the lead in sustainability.

"We need to begin to think of retailers as leaders in sustainability; they help consumers live more sustainable lifestyles and build sustainable consumption into their lives," explained Michele Halsell, the managing director of the University of Arkansas' Applied Sustainability Center. "They are the link between the suppliers and the consumers, [and] taking that approach to your role in the world is the start of an important transformation."

And when retailers do it right, it's a "win-win-win," according to Halsell: the environment, local communities and most of all retailers themselves all benefit from green initiatives.

"You the retailers have bought all the environmental impacts [of the products you sell] at every step along the way," (Jonathan) Kaplan said. "That's a responsibility, but also an opportunity: you can have the biggest bang for the buck and you're in the driver's seat."

Clearly, the point of sale opportunities to educate (if that is what retailers are willing to do properly, honestly & transparently!!) are innumerable and ever-present. We at Visionary Values welcome this potential for every retailer to become a sustainability advocate!

We also must STRONGLY ADVOCATE for increased and consistent consumer involvement and oversight of this process. Initially it would most likely stem from an inherent distrust of these retailers to tell the whole story and keep it truthful. As the process matures however, it could develop into more of a friend looking after friend type of interaction (pie in the sky?!?) where we all look after one another's best common interests. After all, isn't this an essential piece of sustainability?!

As always, we love to hear YOUR opinions! Keep in touch!

A Growing Green Gap?!?

Take a look at this article for a good review of the pitfalls of the proliferation of green labels. We sometimes like to believe we live in the land of plenty and that more choice is better. We have supermarket shelves loaded with 20 different granolas and 30+ different flake cereals and then the yogurt shelves with dozens of brands of the "best" available. Conscious consumers are then faced with the daunting task of weeding through the company labeling as well the the third party certification labeling that each package displays. What to do?!?!?

The article does present the argument that eco-labels may be reaching the saturation point (or going beyond) and are actually serving to dilute truth in advertising as more folks clamor for green products. For example, from the article:

Scot Case, executive director of EcoLogo program and vice president of environmental marketing agency TerraChoice, says the hundreds of eco-labels currently available are wreaking havoc by breeding consumer confusion.

Additionally:

A project of Vancouver, B.C.–based startup Big Room Inc., ecolabelling.org was launched in 2008 to respond to a swarm of labels making their way into the marketplace. “We saw that there was a huge move to ‘green’ business and ‘green’ purchasing,” Bowden says. “A lot of claims started being made. … We saw a gap emerging between perceived and actual ‘green.’”

Clearly, there is a great deal of competition to see which label(s) win out. We believe that YOU, the consumer should play the pivotal role in determining which labels remain and which get tossed into the recycle bin. Demand transparency and due diligence in your trusted labelers and support only those which prove they are green through and through!!

Tell us what you would expect to see from an eco-labeler to ensure they are trustworthy!

Eco-Labels - Legitimate or Greenwashing?

The debate over these labels and the legitimacy of their use and claims will continue. What can consumers do to verify adherence to sustainable business practices?

Check out ecolabelling.org for an terrific overview of the vastness of the world of verification!

Their focus is:

1. To gather all ecolabels in the world onto one common platform,

2. To provide standard data and analysis on those ecolabels,

3. To help companies buy and sell ecolabelled products and services.

And here is a businessinsider.com perspective on the proliferation of these labels.

Thoughts? Proposals? Criticisms? Support?

Back In Action!

We have been away from this blogging for a bit now. Sometimes one just needs to step back from technology for a breather!

Here is a link to a blog from some of the Visionary Values family members who recently returned from a wonderfully informative trip to Sumatra. Enjoy!!!

U.K Vegan Logos

You tell us, does this discussion leave you a tad confused? Clearly, there are many intricacies and platforms that are part of devising a labeling system. What to focus on, what to leave out, what is absolutely vital, etc. Sometimes it does seem as though the process gets so complex that it seems to exist solely for those who devise it rather that for those it is meant to inform: the consumer!

We like the basic approach the folks from the new vegan licensing organization have that plans to focus solely on presenting the choice of veganism from a positive perspective. Keep it simple, direct and focused.

What do you think? How do you feel certifications should be devised? Should they take an activist or consumer advocate approach or stand back and use strict measurable parameters or perhaps, a hybrid? How much do you need to or want to know regarding the manufacture of products? Do you want verification of practices all the way down to individual ingredients or just the final product. Let us know!!

Are You Confused?

In reading this article one can quickly see that there are really no hard and fast definitions that folks can simply refer to when discussing issues of green and sustainability. Although the concepts themselves are perhaps not that complicated, they do become muddied when those who are not committed to the fundamentals begin to co-opt the use of those terms without applying them with purity.

For those of us who understand many of these tenets of sustainability, it is important to raise a voice in favor of making these definitions understandable and accessible. It is also important that we make sustainability a mainstream reality, not by making it easier through cutting corners, but by helping people understand that we will not survive and lead healthy lives if we ignore the urgency to change our habits and lifestyles.

Pointing fingers and making accusations will do little to create the needed changes. Remember how well you reacted to being scolded as a child, did you ever truly understand the reasoning behind the person confronting you, or did you merely toe the line and do what you were told? This is not how important lessons are learned, not is it how people become better citizens. It is only when concepts are clearly understood and absorbed into one's identity, that they become available in a real and honest fashion.

Let's begin the dialogue that will enable us to share these important issues that will make life happier and healthier for all!

Sustainability Measurements

We agree with the author of this article that sustainability is a concept that can become ubiquitous and irrelevant unless there are defined parameters for identifying what quantifies and qualifies a product or a company to use that term. In the case of Wal-Mart, the article discusses an effort by the company  to develop a metrics to measure sustainability of packaging, production practices of their suppliers and other environmental impacts. Since Wal-Mart has a huge impact on a wide swath of our consumer and supplier population, this should come as a welcome effort. This will obviously be good for them as well. Who will watch over their claims however? Can consumers access reliable information as to the validity of Wal-Mart's (or anybody's) claims of increased adherence and commitment to real sustainable business?

These types of sustainability scorecards are going to become more common and necessary as conscious consumers battle greenwashing. In the instance of Wal-Mart, it is very doubtful that a truly conscious consumer even shops there (at least not as a regular customer). There will also be more efforts on the part of companies to provide this information to their customers and many will also want to ensure they are buying from companies that are also aligned with those sustainability values. When this becomes more common, we will all benefit. The one major caveat is who or what will oversee these claims?

Visionary Values believes that comprehensive sustainability metrics that cover the triple bottom line of people, planet and profit is the wave of the future. After all, if you could go to one source for baseline data as well as in-depth information on all measurements of sustainability for the companies whose products populate the shelves of your local coop or Whole Foods Market, then you would have the power to determine which companies to support with your paycheck!

Let us know what issues you are concerned about and what you believe can be done to encourage other consumers and companies to make the honest commitment to sustainable business practices.

Demand Change — Reform the USDA’s Organic Program

I ran into this important request on the Cornucopia website regarding getting people involved in reforming the USDA's Organic Program. These folks are leaders in monitoring and reporting on environmental and economic justice for small and family farms.

Please join with Cornucopia in expressing the need for reform of the USDA’s organic program. Click on this link to go to a letter to sign that they will then hand deliver to new USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and President Obama. Please mail and return your signed letter to us at PO Box 126, Cornucopia, WI 54827.

Don't allow our own government to greenwash!!

Who Owns Your Favorite Brands?

Here are a few charts that show the chain of ownership of some of your favorite companies. Are you surprised and/or troubled by what you see? Do you believe that some of these companies have sold out? We'd love to hear your comments!!

Click on the charts to see larger versions!

Whose Carbon Is It? The ABCs of Counting Emissions in Your Supply Chain

Would you like a bit more information on how to begin measuring your business' carbon footprint? Take a look here and get a bit of an overview.

Here is a carbon footprint calculator from The Nature Conservancy.

And another from www.climatecrisis.net.

Putting the green back in greenbacks

It seems as though there are studies and surveys galore these days that are reassuring customers that green is just as popular, if not more so, despite the sinking economy. The most recent one I have come across is from Green Seal and EnviroMedia Social Marketing and is called the 2009 National Green Buying Study.

The study shows that around half of all consumers are still buying as many eco-friendly products as they did before the recession began, and an additional 19 percent are buying more products than before. Just 14 percent have cut back spending on green products. LOHAS consumers are still the most loyal and steady enviro-customers and they drive the market and its growth.

The more mainstream customers are the ones who are still not nearly as green minded in their shopping. These customers are going to need to understand the added value of products that are priced higher than those they normally purchase. If they can see a savings over time, that helps.  "On the one hand, consumers will be more resistant than ever to buy premium-priced products, especially if they are dubious to begin with about a product's green value proposition — that is, whether it really will help address the planet's environmental challenges," says Joel Makower, executive editor of GreenBiz.com and author of Strategies for the Green Economy.

Even though there is much reason to remain ultra aware of greenwashing and that many of these studies may not paint the most complete picture of our actual economic commitment to environmental issues and sustainability, there is enough evidence to show that awareness has increased. 

Our goal at Visionary Values is to deepen this awareness in consumer behavior and trace the commitment all the way to the core of the business practices of companies marketing eco-friendly products. It is clear that we all must make changes in our world views and our consumption is a key piece of this highly integrated process. It is all about accountability after all. Without customer participation in this process, companies will never know just how important it is to be transparent and committed to sustainability. In the end, with enough customer participation and oversight, they won't be able to make money if they don't approach baseline standards, because we won't buy their products!!

More Demand For Organic In 2008!

Recently released results from a survey conducted by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) show that U.S. sales of organic products rose by 17.1% in 2008! The results show that organic food sales grew in 2008 by 15.8% to reach $22.9 billion, while organic non-food sales grew by 39.4% to reach $1.648 billion. Organic food sales now account for around 3.5% of all food product sales in the United States.

This is a particularly remarkable trend given the current downturn in the economy. There is only speculation as to why organic products are seeing these increased sales. Perhaps as organic products become more mainstream they are also being marketed in more mainstream ways like increased use of coupons and more availability in private label lines at supermarkets.

We will only really know just how embedded this trend is in our consumers if double digit increases continue in next year's survey. We encourage you to put your critical lenses on and decide for yourselves just how much confidence you have in these types of reports. What might be missing from their reports that could indicate that the organic market is perhaps not growing? Do you believe that more customers are purchasing organically grown produce?

How about you? Has the economy made you rethink which products you purchase are organic and which you are okay with if they are grown conventionally? Do you believe there is increased value in organic products? Do you think that some of these reports are trustworthy?

Eco Fast Food?!

Organic burger chain, Elevation Burger, announced plans to open eight restaurants in the Philadelphia area and has plans to open up to 40 in seven states and Washington, D.C.

Well of course a movement like this was bound to occur as this country will never give up its quick meal demands! Taking a time tested concept and retrofitting it to eco-friendly standards is certainly a big step in the right direction. Even though the burger and fries concept isn't exactly the heart healthy meal, at least the beef is organic (it doesn't mention the fries though)!

The buildings are to adhere to LEED standards and include bamboo flooring, recycled tires and energy efficient appliances. We applaud these efforts to take a well-known business concept and make it more sustainable. 

Lesson to all: It does not matter what kind of business you have, there are "greening" opportunities everywhere!! There are also many ways businesses can focus on other triple bottom line issues by considering living wages, charitable donation policies, eco-friendly purchasing guidelines, commitment to local communities, and many other avenues for sustainability! 

Being green and sustainable isn't for eco-elitists or ultra liberals hell bent on subverting our economy. No, it is about regaining respect for our environment and for one another and ensuring that we have a future to look forward to. These are actions to integrate into our lives now and not when we are circling the drain!

P.S. If you happen to stop by one of these restaurants, check to see if the rest of the ingredients like the salads and the fries are also organic. It would be a shame if they missed the opportunity to make a full commitment to those standards!

Making Our Decisions Count

A brief article we came across on www.environmentalleader.com, discusses consumer preferences for verification of company claims regarding social and environmental issues.

In research conducted by the National Marketing Institute, results show that 45% of Lohas consumers surveyed look for some sort of proof behind a claim of social or environmental responsibility, while 41% say they like to see third party verification of those claims.

Unfortunately, there is no data on which third-party verifiers consumers trust versus which ones they feel less comfortable believing. The research does indicate that consumers in the study would prefer that these verifiers be non-profits though. Perhaps a concern here is lack of trust of the companies and the government regulators or maybe a belief that a non-profit would have the least biased and most objective measurements.

Clearly, we are missing important pieces of our decision making puzzle. We have much more information available to us to make choices than ever before and yet, that also means there is far more information to sift through. Visionary Values believes that consumers must take control of how these measurements are developed and applied and lay the burden of proof at the feet of those making the claims and hold them to it. As we all move forward in establishing acceptable and trustworthy standards for measuring the adherence of companies to triple bottom line business practices, the opportunity for greenwashing will diminish greatly and eventually disappear.

Let us know what you think about our current options of third party verification. Which ones do you look for?

What's the Carbon Footprint of Your Toilet Paper?

Seems as though U.K.-based retailer Tesco is planning to place a carbon footprint label on its toilet paper and paper towels and eventually all private label products. The proposed Carbon Reduction Label will account for all emissions generated by each stage of the product’s lifecycle; the caveat is that Tesco must reduce emissions or lose the right to use the label.

This effort is part of a collaboration between Tesco and The Carbon Trust, a U.K. government-funded entity that will tap into interest in this type of information that more than 60% of customers surveyed have supported. No details are provided on how they will monitor adherence to the guidelines.

What are you thoughts on this? Would you like more information on the carbon footprint of the companies you support and the products you purchase? Let us know!!

Tragedy to Triumph!

Almost one year ago (May 6th) we reported on this blog that a mid-west town was turning tragedy into opportunity. The town of Greensburg, Kansas decided that a devastating tornado was a golden opportunity to create fundamental eco-friendly initiatives as they began rebuilding their town. Keeping true to their new slogan, Better, Stronger, Greener is not always easy. In support of this new venture, the town plans to establish itself as a center for eco-friendly technologies and manufacturing.

Not only is it the town that is making these changes, but businesses, families and individuals are contributing to the efforts needed to move forward in support of the environmental sustainability initiatives.

We should all applaud efforts such as these because it requires a great deal of commitment and trust in these green concepts to move forward in such a grand fashion. How many of you would find implementing and integrating green initiatives in your company or in your family an easy thing to move forward with? Hopefully we will hear more stories of success coming from Greensburg so that we can all have examples of what is possible for everyone!

Tornado-ravaged town seeks rebirth as 'laboratory for eco-friendly living'

Here is an additional link to a CNN story:

Against the wind

Green Up Mother's Day

Check out some eco-friendly gift options for Mother's Day over at inhabitat.com.

If you are going to plunk down the green for a gift, make certain it comes from businesses that really understand why we honor mothers and express that caring in their ingredients and products!

India's Air Bike Could be a Solution to Pollution

I hope it's quiet too!!

A link to the video:

Wall Street Journal Video

Here is a link to a story on another version (seen in photo):

treehugger

Growing Green Businesses

Here is a good overview on how and why a variety of businesses are turning to greening their operations. I appreciate hearing about the truly wide ranging reasoning these folks are using in adjusting their perspectives and actions. These ideas are not about liberal or conservative perspectives, they are about health and well-being. Thank goodness we are getting beyond the spotted owl narrowness in which many people contextualized the serious environmental issues the world faces. If we all remember that the environment includes us and that we depend upon its efficient and healthy functioning, the choices are clearly roadmapped!

Eco Labels Everywhere!!

I found a recent GreenBiz article that offers an overview on the increased proliferation of eco-labels and third party certification labels that customers must wade through when maneuvering the grocery aisles. An excellent point the author makes is that the value of the label itself is in the eye of the beholder, or end-user.

Most of these labels purport (and many actual accomplish this) to verify and certify adherence to specific behaviors or practices or qualities a company has been successful in integrating. Certifications for fair trade, organic, vegetarian, etc. all fall under this category. 

While we here at Visionary Values applaud the diligence it takes to make these assurances, the fact remains that consumers are not single issues shoppers. Most people are becoming more and more aware that our world is not compartmentalized and our interaction with the environment has a significant impact on environmental health and our well-being. Consumers need to have knowledge of the full context of the impact of their purchases in order to ensure and  further encourage society to embrace and support sustainable business.

We believe that if these standards are left strictly and completely in the hands of the government or corporations themselves, the customer will always be left with an incomplete picture. Consumers must take responsibility for their own well-being and begin to interact with and participate in these processes which define sustainability parameters. Join us at Visionary Values as we move forward in developing important multi-attribute standards by which one can see a fuller picture of a company's commitment to the triple bottom line!

Take a look at the article here: GreenBiz.com

Check out a comprehensive list of eco-labels here: ecolabelling.org

For a few more links look here: www.treehugger.com

When Will We Integrate Earth Day Every Day?

Another Earth Day has come and gone. I am old enough to have seen quite a number of them and I can agree that we have made great strides in improving our lot as consumers as the number of environmentally aware companies and products is pretty impressive! In fact, as reported earlier on this blog, Advertising Age has released data showing the numbers of new products introduced will increase to three times as many as last year!!

How can we separate the hype (greenwashing perhaps?) from the practicality of making integral and real change in our behavior as consumers and as business people? How can we know if our actions and behaviors are having a net beneficial or a net negative impact on our communities and environment?

It is much the same dynamic we go through each year when new year's resolutions are made. Lots of good intentions, but if they are not connected to a truly desired (read commitment) and achievable outcome, most will fail. The problem comes when we do not reflect upon the "failure" to identify what we can learn from those experiences. The only reason to fear failure is when we do not take the tremendous opportunity that is presented to learn valuable lessons.

A brief reflection and review of the Earth Day dynamic was found today in the Independent-Mail article entitled "Going green is good business."

We at Visionary Values humbly request that you review your commitments to sustainable living and make some decisions regarding what is working and what needs more work. We also agree to do the same. We'd love to hear from you regarding these reflections!

Consciously Growing

Here's a really good perspective on how success in business does not mean you must narrow mindedly focus on gross sales. Even if and when you plan to sell your business, you do have a choice to stipulate certain philosophies will be maintained after the sale. Let's face it, when you have raised your "baby" (business) to be an upstanding citizen, respectful of others and of the environment (we are all connected after all), then why wouldn't you want that dynamic to continue?! What options do the small fish have when the big pond beckons?

The White Dog Cafe: A Study of Social Business and Mission-Aligned Exit

Other interesting case studies to review are:

Honest Tea

Burt's Bees

Dagoba Chocolate

What do you think of this trend? Positives? Negatives?

Technology Advances Make Going Green an Easier Decision

It seems that small and medium sized businesses aren't going to let a little recession (depression) hold them back from taking advantage of technology to both save money and resources. Results of a survey released by the online payroll service PayCycle, show concern for the environment is still high.

Take a look at this review of the tech trends and the survey on the bMighty.com site.

What types of enviro-changes would you embrace for your company?

Burgeoning Choice, Easier to Greenwash!

I came across an article today on ecoAmerica that elaborates on an Advertising Age report predicting a three fold increase in the number of "sustainable goods" on the market. Great news for those of us who have been hoping that the interest in and capacity to buy such products would weather the economic downturn. Huge caveat though, who is monitoring the guidelines for the claims of "sustainability" or of the "greenness" of these products? NOBODY!!! The only folks currently fully responsible for these claims are the companies themselves. Do you trust them? Even if you do trust them, what criteria will you use to analyze the product and company sustainability? What criteria are they using?

Clearly, if we, as consumers, are going to commit to applying sustainability criteria to our purchases, we do also need to take some responsibility for ensuring that we aren't just paying a lot more for the same old same old. We at Visionary Values need to and want to hear from you regarding which criteria you feel are most important and which must be included in a detailed and fair analysis of the sustainable practices and greenness of a company and its products. Please leave your comments and we will ensure that our process of putting together a database takes these suggestions to heart.

Here is a link to the article on the consumer trends:

Green-Marketing Revolution Defies Economic Downturn

Another good link: 

Consumer's Want Proof It's Green

Also, check out ecoAmerica's News and Events Blog:

ecoAmerica

Green Business Webcast Series

I found out about these webcasts from a site called triplepundit.

It looks like you will have to register before listening to any of the webcasts.

BrightTalk, a very cool webcast provider, has lined up a great week of green business webcasts for what's being called a "greenweek summit" From their site:

Leaders from all sectors of the business world will converge this week to discuss the best ways to capitalize on the movement toward green and sustainable business practices. Find out how going green can increase profitability and make your business operations more efficient while hearing about the latest and greatest trends from some of the world's most innovative thought leaders.

More than a dozen webcasts are scheduled, and triplepundit will feature four of them on their website starting tomorrow. Their selections will be:

• Peter Williams, IBM Big Green Innovations on Water - 9AM PST April 21
• Mitchell Joachim, of Columbia University on “The Carborexic City” - 10am PST April 22
• Pat Tiernan, Climate Savers Computing on “The IT Power Problem"
• Joel Makower, of Greener World Media in “Save the Buyosphere! Selling Green in the Age of More, More, MORE” - 11AM PST April 24

Business Benefits From Going Green

I ran across an article today in the Seattle Green Business Examiner that indicates there can be some solid bottom line benefit to conducting business with emphasis on values that include environmentally and socially aware practices.

The article states that:

Businesses who choose to follow a “green” path are finding that consumers want not only recyclable, sustainable products, but that they want sustainable, green business values to be reflected in the company philosophy as well. This can often mean a number of practices in a company must shift, including employee relations, investment strategies, packaging, and other corporate philosophies.

Although the main focus of the article is on charitable endeavors, the message is clear: businesses that reflect the values of their customers and that are respectful of the community are more likely to be successful.

Link to article: Green business values

Link to an article entitled: What makes a business green?

Do You Know Who Grows What You Eat?

It looks like buying local is a growing trend in the US. An article today on CNN reports that consumers are increasingly looking for that neighborhood connection in their food. Local farmers' markets are being seen as viable and sensible options for obtaining the freshest produce and dairy. Establishing relationships with the people growing and farming their food gives consumers more comfort than the more distant relationship in a supermarket.

Some terms used to describe the reasoning behind the choice to buy local:

1. Accountability
2. Safety
3. Freshness
4. Healthier
5. Supportive of sustainable farming vs. industrial farming
6. Sensible

Visionary Values supports fully the concept of buying local and supporting your area farms. Doing so helps build community and strengthens the bonds people have with one another and with the earth. Folks who share these ideals tend to be better stewards of our precious resources. So, if you have a local farmers' market, stop by and take a look, ask questions and take something home.

Take a look at the article here: 

Farm fresh movement a growing food trend

Green, Green Whadda Ya Mean?

What gives a company the "right" to call a product green? What are the values that comprise a green identity for a company or even a product? Of course you are all familiar with the concept of greenwashing. Since there clearly are no set standards for what constitutes green, consumers are left to their own devices to make that delineation. What is the key to spreading the word? Education! Listen, instead of waiting for the government or the companies themselves to establish green parameters, we, as consumers, must define the term with our wallets. Purchasing products from companies (and stores) that abide by standards of environmental responsibility, renewable resource use, sustainable production, employee repect, etc. will have the greatest impact possible if applied regularly and also modeled for our children and friends.

We at Visionary Values are working hard to create a reliable and comprehensive set of criteria and measurements to help consumers make educated and conscious decisions regarding the products they purchase and the companies they wish to support through their purchases.

For more information on greenwashing follow this link: Greenwashing Index

Cups of Hope

There is much evidence that the cumulative impact of many small efforts can have profound impacts on helping to both improve the lives of others as well as to help save the environment. In spite of a history of war and subservience, many farmers in Peru have found hope in the production of fair trade coffees produced through cooperative efforts.

After years of instability, these farmers are surviving in spite of a downturn in the global economy. Take a look at this BBC story on their struggles as well as the positive impacts our values of consumption can have on their lives.

Cooperatives in Peru