Great Tool For Sustainable Sourcing!

Came across this recent post on Triple Pundit. Tools such at the one developed by Sourcemap.org can be tremendously useful in opening dialogue on unsustainable processes as well as moving dialogue forward when sustainability is in need of some pushes forward. Many certifications of sustainability are not all they claim to be and yet, they are the best we have available. We believe that a full process exchange of needs and desires can benefit everyone! They should be strengthened until they improve or until they prove themselves inadequate. Consumers must make the push to move this forward.

Moving Forward!

Our efforts to document sustainable businesses and endeavors is in motion now! We are currently in edit mode and should have some excellent interview segments to share with you. Over the past few weeks we have conducted interviews with three businesses: Licious Organics in Boulder, Colorado and Karma Balm and Interiors Green in Bethlehem, New Hampshire. We are very excited to get this project underway!!

Additionally, there has been extensive video documentation of a build site here in Boulder featuring Artesano Plasterers Ryan Chivers & Phil Metzler. This project also features a living roof installed by Andy Creath of Green Roofs of Colorado. We look forward to conducting interviews with these folks as well down the road.

Visionary Values believes that by sharing inspiring stories of individuals and companies working more in harmony with our environment and supporting sustainability, we can encourage others to do the same. After all, we share this beautiful world and all of our challenges must also be shared!

The Palm Oil Conundrum

Palm oil is ubiquitous. It it almost literally everywhere one looks on the grocery shelves. It is also now becoming a key ingredient in the biofuels marketed globally. Indonesia is the world leader in production of palm oil and Colombia, a rising player, is the leader in Latin America. Even Brazil recently announced plans to develop areas of the Amazon for the production of this highly lucrative commodity. They plan to do so whilst minimizing the risk to the environment. Is that possible?

Suffice it to say, the manner in which palm oil is produced is generally massively destructive. Large tracts of virgin forest are clearcut and burned to make way for the monocropped palm plantations. Biodiversity is eliminated and soils are destroyed. In doing so, communities are often alienated, human rights are violated and localized societal unrest ensues. Corporations take complete control and locals are hired on to work the plantations for poor wages.

What is being done? Certainly not enough and not with sufficient haste.

What can consumers do? Check out the following for more up-to-date information on efforts to increase sustainability in palm oil production and to locate ways to identify sustainably produced palm oil:

http://www.greenpalm.org/
http://www.rspo.org/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/forests/3534204/Palm-oil-round-table-a-farce.html
http://understory.ran.org/2008/05/06/let-the-sleuthing-begin-theproblemwithpalmoilorg-goes-live/

Additionally, take a look at the following blog from a small producer with an eye towards small-scale production:

http://mysarawak2.blogspot.com/2010/07/integrated-oil-palm-farming-in-bintulu.html

Conscious Capitalism Videos

Hey Folks!!

Check out CNNMoney.com for a few videos that focus on conscious capitalism. This one is an interview with 7th Generation CEO Jeffrey Hollender.

Starbucks Shareholders Oppose Expanding Recycling Efforts

In keeping the java spirit of discussion alive why not look at our most capable (yet seemingly least willing to aggressively pursue sustainability measure) purveyor of specialty coffees: Starbucks!

At a recent shareholders meeting, a measure put forth by a minority of shareholders, to increase the company's recycling, was voted down 89% against  to 11% in favor. It seems that they are happy with their efforts to date and do not deem any additional progress necessary. The measure was supported by As You Sow, an organization that has also put forth similar efforts at recycling reform to Pepsico & Coca-Cola.

Clearly, continued activist efforts are needed to move these folks in the right direction.  Quite honestly, as is the case with furthering Fair Trade & Organic purchases by Starbucks, the customers are the only ones who can make a lasting impression!! Why should consumers always look to corporations and governments to tell them what they want or what is best for them?!?

If consumers were more involved in their welfare and not just passive participants in capitalism gone amok, we would not be faced with such catastrophes as the BP Gulf oil disaster!! Let's wake up and make our purchases matter!!

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

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!

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!!

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!

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?

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?

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

Something To B Lieve In

A little over a year ago I came across an organization whose mission was to certify companies that operate under a more stringent set of standards of responsibility. My first thought was that such an endeavor was quite noble and also very much needed. My second thought was more along the lines of let's wait and see if they can pull it off. It turns out that they have!

This non-profit organization called B Lab and their growing list of certified B Corporations (the "b" standing for benefit) have begun to catch the attention of more mainstream business publications like BusinessWeek and the Financial Times.

Their certification is based on meeting their "comprehensive and transparent social and environmental standards." You can review those standards as well as some sample reports on their website: www.bcorporation.net

You know as well as we do that educated consumers are increasingly frustrated by discovering that even their favorite "green" companies have some rather unpleasant skeletons lurking. If the folks at B Lab can offer an effective and trustworthy screening process that can identify the truly visionary companies, then we all benefit.

Ecological Intelligence

A new book by Daniel Goleman that reflects upon the impacts our purchases can have on the environment will soon be available. Old hat you say?! Think again! Goleman is most known for his most famous publication called "Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ." The premise being that self-awareness, self-discipline & empathy are essential ingredients to success and happiness. Add to that that, unlike IQ, emotional intelligence is something anyone can improve upon.

In his newest book, Ecological Intelligence: How Knowing the Hidden Impacts of What We Buy Can Change Everything, Goleman reveals the hidden environmental consequences of what we make and buy, and shows how new market forces can drive the essential changes we all must make to save our planet. Ecological Intelligence draws on cutting-edge research to reveal why "green is a mirage," illuminates inconsistencies in our response to the ecological crisis, and introduces new technologies that reveal with "radical transparency" the eco-impact of products we buy, with the potential to drive consumers to make smarter decisions and companies to reform their business practices.

Paul Hawken says of the book: 

"Ecological Intelligence is a fascinating whodunit revealing the intricate processes that create our material world. Written by the acknowledged master on how to be a truly intelligent human being, Goleman reveals the complex web of impacts everyday products have upon people and habitat and how a new form of intelligence can radically alter consumption patterns from destructive to constructive."

I am currently in the middle of the original Emotional Intelligence book and look forward to seeing Goleman's application of these concepts to correcting our species' poor stewardship of the planet. If you have a chance, give it a read and then post a quick comment/review. We'd love to hear from YOU!!

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay to host Environmental Symposium

A symposium on green innovations is scheduled for Earth Day to kick off University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's new Environmental Management and Business Institute.

The institute was announced in August with the goal of studying environmental issues and developing solutions to problems that recognize the critical interconnections between science, policy and business, and the social contexts within which they occur.

Interim Chancellor David Ward said the institute will help make Northeastern Wisconsin synonymous with sustainability and environmental leadership.

The university was founded 40 years ago with a focus on environmental education.

The Green Innovationsevent on April 22 will include speakers, breakout sessions and an entrepreneur's showcase. Topics will include biomass conversion, renewable energy sources, green business practices and developing human capital for sustainability.

Speakers will include:

 Author Bob Willard, who will talk about the business advantages of corporate sustainability strategies

 Larry Weyers, chairman and chief executive officer of Integrys Energy Group, who will talk about green energy

 Dennis Winters, chief of the Office of Economic Advisors at the state Department of Workforce Development, who will discuss the future work force. He will be the luncheon speaker.

John Stoll, institute co-director and UW-Green Bay faculty member, said the symposium is about informing people that the university is still innovative and environmentally focused.

"It is not just in the past. At no time in history has it been more important that it be in our future," Stoll said.

www.greenbaypressgazette.com