The environment is under assault in many ways, but one of the worst is the attacks on the planet at the federal level. The president of the U.S. opposes measures to stop climate change. The head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is rolling back laws that protect clean air and water and limit our exposure to toxic chemicals. The head of the Interior Department, whose job it is to safeguard public lands, is looking for national monuments whose status he can revoke, and is considering turning over our national parks to private companies to run for their personal gain. You could not accuse the Trump Administration of being a sustainability leader in any stretch of the imagination.

That’s why it is heartening to see many corporations stepping up to embrace sustainability as an operating principle. James Andrews of KDA Incorporated explains in this guest op ed article why he urges his corporate clients to adopt sustainable practices: not only because it is the right thing to do but because they’ll be more successful leaders if they do.

“Protecting the planet has become more important than ever, and that’s as true for corporations as it is for the environment at large. Indeed, sustainability must form an essential part of any company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) polices. The public demands it, and a company’s profits will be strengthened because of it.

You can get a better idea of whether you, and your management team, have the required skills, by having a leadership assessment carried out. This can give you a base on which to build your success with sustainability. But first, let’s consider the many benefits of operating sustainably.

Why is sustainability important?

The simplest answer to this question is because the human race cannot continue to live on this planet without it.

Let’s just look at one example: energy.

The worldwide supply of fossil fuels is depleting, and global warming is an ever-increasing concern.

These may sound like distant issues that have little to do with your business; but in fact, energy and climate change affect every aspect of your ability to operate: the cost and delivery of the materials you buy, the impact higher energy prices have on your bottom line, even the ability to operate if a climate change-related extreme weather event occurs.

The fact is that being a good leader means that you need to be able to see this bigger picture. You can see it in two ways.

The first is by acknowledging that protecting the environment is a priority that must be addressed.

The second is by acknowledging that you have a responsibility to do your part by operating your business sustainably.

How to succeed as a leader promoting sustainability

The most important step you need to take as a business leader is embrace sustainability. You need to educate yourself about it, and believe in what you are doing.

Here are some tips to help you achieve that success:

Start with the basics. Do you recycle effectively? Are all electronic devices switched off at the end of the day? Do you have a sustainable business travel programme?

Learn about what others have done. Read case studies and use advice and techniques.

Keep well informed about developments in your industry that advance sustainability as well as achieve operational goals, and make sure your plans reflect latest opportunities to use energy and resources wisely while minimizing waste.

Lead by example. If you constantly drink bottled water, instead of using the water fountains provided, you are not setting a good example. Do not just talk about sustainability, act in a way that supports it.

Give your employees access to the advice and support they need in order to ensure that all of their work activities support sustainability.

As a leader who sees outside your own business, you must recognize how important sustainability is as a global issue.

Remember that a business which operates sustainability is increasingly what your customers and clients are clamoring for.

If you want to expand your customer base and increase sales and profits, operating sustainably is the key.”

NOTE: Guest opinions by thought leaders who support our work help us bring you different and new perspectives that help you live the greener life you want. Our editorial decisions remain our own. Thanks.

The post If You Become a Successful Sustainability Leader, Business Success Will Follow appeared first on Big Green Purse.

You’ve probably heard about something called a LEED Certified Home, but do you actually know what it is? LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a program sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council. It encourages construction of buildings and, increasingly homes, that use energy as efficiently as possible and meet other environmental standards as well.

“As a general contractor, I’ve spent years in the construction of commercial and residential buildings. You name it, and I’ve built it (or at least something like it), and I can tell you this: most structures—from the materials, to the overall design, to the location itself—just aren’t all that “green.”

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be this way. And with the help of LEED, increasingly, it’s not.

What is LEED?

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It’s actually a rating system created by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) that offers a standard against which green design can be measured. It does this by assigning a rating to any building reviewed.

The LEED rating is based upon factors such as:

* the sustainability of the construction site

* the renewability of construction materials

* water efficiency

* waste production, and

* indoor environmental concerns, like air quality and the availability of natural light.

 When all of the pertinent data have been compiled and considered, LEED assigns the building in question points in the different categories. Buildings receive a rating based on their overall score.  Those that rate spectacularly well in every category and earn a total of 80 points or more receive a platinum certificate. 60–79 points earn a gold certificate, 50–59 a silver certificate, and 40–49 total points a basic certification. Anything below 40 gets no certification at all.

Benefits of LEED

Most LEED homes come with built-in home automation technology that allows homeowners to save energy, water, and money by learning a homeowner’s habits and adjusting to those. Companies like Nest and others have led the way with groundbreaking home automation technology like programmable “learning” thermostats that can save us consumers money on our energy bills.

Builders and designers who adhere to sustainable practices and receive a high level of LEED certification benefit, too. Not only do they improve their own public image by demonstrating their commitment to the environment, but they’re also able to reap certain monetary rewards. Especially for those building large buildings or office or residential complexes, LEED certification can increase property values and decrease energy, water, and waste costs. Additionally, certain government programs offer rewards for buildings that are LEED certified. Overall, LEED is creating a climate in which eco-friendly design and green materials are gaining an advantage. 

Additional Value if You Own a Leed Certified Home

Given enough time, LEED should be terrific both for the world you live in and your pocketbook. In addition to saving energy, LEED certification of privately owned homes has been known to increase residential property values. Of course, the effect that it has on the value will vary from area to area, but even in locations where the demand for green housing isn’t particularly high, potential buyers will still be impressed by reduced utility costs associated with LEED construction practices.

Finding and Financing a LEED Certified Home

If you’re in the market, how can you find a LEED certified home? Your real estate agent or certain online sites such as Listedgreen.com might help you locate potential properties. Still, because they’re relatively new, existing LEED certified homes may be a bit hard to come by.

The good news is that building your own LEED certified home isn’t nearly as expensive as you might assume. For an additional 1 to 7% of construction costs, you’ll be able to create a platinum certified house from the ground up. Of course, you also have the option of renovating your existing home to make it more LEED compliant. This may be a bit more difficult for certain homeowners, given that some factors may not be alterable (location comes to mind), but there are nonetheless many ways you can upgrade your home if you’re willing to undertake a renovation. 

As a general contractor I’ve seen all sorts of buildings go up, but it’s only been during the last few years that people have really begun to take notice of the environmental and economic benefits these structures offer. The LEED certification program is a good way to judge just how “green” a building is. If you’re willing to invest a bit of extra time and money in the short term, you can get that same reassurance for your own property, and reap the benefits for many years to come.”

 David Glenn taps his 30 years of experience owning his own home-building business to review promising new technologies that offer consumers the opportunity to save energy and money and live greener lives. Connect with him on Twitter @davidglenn97.

The post Follow the LEED: Breaking Down the Pros and Cons of a LEED Certified Home appeared first on Big Green Purse.

How can the world’s two consumer “superpowers”- the U.S. and China – work together to reduce the impact that consumption has on us and our world?

That was the topic a capacity crowd addressed on March 22 at the U.S. – China Greener Consumption Forum. The event, held at the World Bank in Washington, D.C. and co-sponsored by Big Green Purse and the International Fund for China’s Environment, pulled together scientists, consumer advocates, public policy advocates, and green entrepreneurs to share ideas about strategies to inspire manufacturers to create greener goods — and get consumers to buy them.

HIGHLIGHTS:

The Forum focused primarily on women because women spend 85 cents of every dollar in the  marketplace – and we’re not just buying cheese doodles and diapers. As I say here on CCTV, the national television network of China, we buy more clothes. More food.  More cosmetics and personal care products than men. We also buy more electronics, more home furnishings, almost as many tools, just as many cars. Women are spending billions of dollars, day in and day out, year in and year out.

But even with all that clout, we won’t be able to use this power of the purse effectively until we achieve true gender equity
worldwide, points that both Ban Li, Deputy Counsel of the Shaanxi Women’s Federation, and Liane Shalatek, Associate Director of the Heinrich Boll Foundation North America, made very powerfully.

 Christine Robertson of Earth Day Network facilitated a provocative panel on the impacts consumption has on our health and the health of the planet. Sarah Vogel of Environmental Defense Fund was peppered with questions after her presentation on the way the toxic chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) affects the reproductive systems of men and women alike.

Ping He of the International Fund for China’s Environment, the co-sponsor with Big Green Purse of the Forum, moderated the session on barriers to sustainable consumption and solutions that help surmount them. Meaningful eco-labels and standards can make a big difference, pointed out Arthur Weissman, President and CEO of Green Seal, especially when those standards are set by an indendent third party (like Green Seal is) whose primary interest is not in selling products, but in helping manufacturers become more sustainable over time.

LISA JACKSON, Former EPA Administrator

 Lisa Jackson’s luncheon keynote address was the highlight of the day for many people. As a mom, scientist, and long-time public servant, Lisa has a unique appreciation for the impact consumption has on us as individuals and on society as a whole. She spoke movingly about being the first African-American to serve as head of the EPA and how important it is to bring women as well as people of color and low-income populations into the conversations we’re having about pollution and climate change.

Lisa noted that her favorite law is the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act because it empowers people to protect themselves wherever they live. She is also proud of technology EPA has shared with the city of Shanghai to help monitor air pollution there.

Lisa agreed that the way we use both the purse and the pocketbook can inspire manufacturers to reduce pollution and energy consumption.

AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS

In the afternoon, one set of workshops focused on specific campaigns that have been particularly succeessful in reducing consumption. Peggy Neu explained the extraordinary success Meatless Monday has had in inspiring consumers to cut back the amount of meat they eat at least one day every week. Mary Murphy of the Center for a New American Dream explained her work to promote a sharing economy. “The biggest obstacle to sharing is trust,” she said. The more we can build communities of trust, the more sharing will occur.

Meanwhile, Julia Cohen of the Plastic Pollution Coalition moderated a provocative session on how to reduce plastic and re-utilize waste. Stephanie Tobor of Green Apple Supply described her work providing plastic-free alternatives to municipalities and businesses, and Kate Judson of the Washington DC Department of the Environment explained how the region’s plastic bag fee of five cents per bag has helped reduce the use of plastic bags by over 60%. Youlin Zhou of the Heilongjian Province Center for Agricultural Science and Technology describe her work to convert corn waste into animal feed.

At the same time, a third workshop was focusing on strategies to promote energy efficiency and clean energy. Moderated by Nora Maccoby of IFCE, the panel featured Peter Banwell, Product Marketing Director for ENERGY STAR, Gina Mathias of Eco-Beco, a company that offers energy audits for homes and businesses, and Hua Yan, of the Qinghe Spring Biomass Energy Company.

After a short break, a final set of workshops addressed home renovation, food and drink, and cosmetics and personal care products. While the earlier workshops focused on public education campaigns and behavior change, these workshops gave green entrepreneurs a chance to shine. They included Cheryl Newman, the VP for Honest Tea, describing how her company has gone from a dorm-room idea to a product distributed in over 300,000 outlets in the U.S., to Charis Smith of MOMs Organic Market, which sells only organic produce, and to Paul Ward, whose company Advanced Energy Growing, LLC is teaching hydroponic lettuce growing to both American and Chinese farmers. On the cosmetics front, Ashley Prange of Au Naturale Organic Cosmetics and Sarah Damelio of Skincando Body Products took the audience through the trials and tribulations of getting a new natural product off the ground, while Steve Ma, founder of Live Green, offered his insights on building a green consumer movement in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

WRAP-UP

In the final plenary session of the day, Forum attendees took the microphone to offer their suggestions for possible next steps. Ideas ranged from creating a dialogue on Facebook to promoting more information and expertise exchanges. The focus was not on “if” there would be another Forum, but “when” and where. In the days ahead, we’ll be brainstorming ideas for the next steps we could take to help the U.S. and China go from consumer superpower to sustainability superpower. Have any thoughts? Please let us know.

SEE MORE ON TWITTER

If you want to see more play-by-play reports of the Forum, follow our Twitter stream at #USChinaGreenForum.

GREEN SISTERHOOD NETWORK

The Green Sisterhood Network was the Forum’s outstanding media partner, generating blog posts in the network and covering the Forum live (Anna Hackman, a co-founder with Karen Lee of the Network, is seen here taking notes and Tweeting live at the Forum).

You can read Karen’s recap here and a post on the Green Sisterhood Network here.

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5 Reasons to Care about the US-China Greener Consumption Forum

The post US-China Greener Consumption Forum Lays Groundwork for Future Projects Together appeared first on Big Green Purse.

“Thank you for your collaboration, for the wonderful work you’re doing, [and] for your contribution to  communications and the eternal values you’re successfully conveying to other people,” said the Forum’s Media Manager Helen Brandt . “We highly appreciate your work.”

(You can see more Big Green Purse honors here.)

The post Big Green Purse receives “Image of the Future” Award at Davos Communication Forum appeared first on Big Green Purse.

WHO – Among those who dropped by were Bill Pullman (left, with me), the “president” in the blockbuster film “Independence Day” and Elle Fanning, the charming nine-year-old who stars with Pullman in “Phoebe in Wonderland,” which premiered at Sundance.

Tim Daly of the hit TV show “Private Practice” also stopped in, saying that he and his family live a very “eco” lifestyle in New England. And Rachel Smith (right), Miss USA 2007, couldn’t have been more enthusiastic about the idea of using her own “big green purse.”

Meanwhile, Jeremy Glazer of the Oscar-winning “Letters from Iwo Jima,” plus rapper “Dr. Oz,” various tv personalities, and the manager of the band Alice Cooper (!) mingled with stars from the movie “2 Fast 2 Furious” – not an eco-flick, but that didn’t stop the guys from proclaiming their enthusiasm for all things earth-friendly.

  Jimmy Jean-Louis (left), the “Haitian” on “Heroes,” said hello, too. Like the others, he happily took a copy of the Big Green Purse booklet we’re handing out as a prelude to the publication of the entire book in February.

WHAT – Everyone who visited our suite graciously agreed to participate in our Sustainable Hands of Fame project: after dipping their palms in non-toxic, no-VOC Olympic paint (green, of course), they stamped their handprint on a beautiful Marmoleum floor tile (made by Forbo, Inc.) that’s crafted from recyclable, bio-based materials. The tiles will be auctioned on EBay, with profits going to charities like Alaska Wilderness League and World Peace One. Anyone needing a break took a breather on the beautiful furniture made from reclaimed teak by Groovy Stuff.

As Hollywood Reporter TV cameras filmed the rappers jamming in front of the Sustainability Suite sign-in, I talked with producers about including more eco-tips in their upcoming productions. No promises yet – but these indie filmmakers couldn’t have been more receptive to the idea of “going green.”

The post Celebs Leave Their Mark on “Sustainable Hands of Fame” at Sundance Film Festival appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Given the thousands of green products being introduced these days, and the vague marketing claims being used to sell them, you don’t want to blow your budget just to keep up with the newest “eco,” “herbal,” or “biodegradable” fad – especially if the claim turns out to be more greenwashing than green.

On the other hand, genuinely earth-friendly products do help minimize your environmental impact. Every organic cotton T-shirt you buy, for instance, helps reduce the use of toxic agricultural chemicals, protecting the air and water. Moreover, the same tee waves like a bright green flag in front of conventional cotton producers, reminding them that your money is filling their organic competitors’ coffers — and giving them an incentive to switch to organic practices if they haven’t already done so.

The challenge is in knowing how to avoid the “greenwash” so you can promote more green. A few clear principles, excerpted from the upcoming Big Green Purse: Use Your Spending Power to Create a Cleaner, Greener World, will help you identify an ecobargain from a rip-off, while getting manufacturers to transition as quickly as possible to the most earth-friendly practices available.

THE BIG GREEN PURSE SHOPPING PRINCIPLES

1) Buy less.
2) Read the label.
3) Support sustainable standards.
4) Look for third-party verification.
5) Choose fewer ingredients.
6) Pick less packaging.
7) Buy local.

1.  Buy less. This should be a “no brainer.” Consumerism – buying what we don’t need, over and over again – drives unnecessary manufacturing that fuels climate change, pollutes the air and water, and destroys the places in Nature we love. Remember “reduce, reuse, recycle”? It still makes sense. Plus, when you’re not buying, you’re not getting fooled by dubious marketing claims. If you don’t trust the source, don’t buy it.

   2.  Read the label. We read food labels to avoid trans fats, sugar, salt and carbohydrates. We can read product labels to avoid greenwashing words like “natural” and “planet friendly” that aren’t backed up by standards or third-party verification (see below). When it comes to cleansers and other household  goods, avoid products labeled “caution,” “warning,”, “danger,” and “poison,” all of which indicate the item is hazardous to you and the environment.

3.  Support sustainable standards. An increasing number of companies are proving they’re green by manufacturing according to sustainable standards that govern the product’s “life cycle,” beginning with the raw materials and ending with its disposal or re-use. The SMART standard, for example, covers flooring, lighting, building materials, and other consumer products.

  4.  Look for third-party verification. In the absence of universal sustainable standards, if a company says its product is good for the earth, your first question should be, “Who else says so?” Reliable eco claims are backed up by an independent institution or nonprofit organization that has investigated the manufacturer’s claim so you don’t have to. Look for labels from groups like Forest Stewardship Council, Energy Star and the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Organic.

5.  Choose fewer ingredients. A long list of ingredients often indicates the presence of questionable chemicals that may be harmful to you or the environment. This is especially true for personal care products, food, and cleansers. Simplify what you buy.

6.  Pick less packaging. Regardless of the marketing claims a product makes, you can make an immediate impact by buying goods that come wrapped as simply as possible. For starters, buy in bulk, choose concentrates, and pick products in containers you can easily recycle (hint: glass and cans are more easily recycled than plastic). Carting home your packages in your own bags helps reduce packaging, too.

7.  Buy local.  Avoid the higher energy costs involved in transporting goods long distances. Supporting local farmers and businesses also increases the likelihood that U.S. environmental and health laws and regulations will be followed.

Bottom Line: Ignore boasts that a product is eco-chic, earth-safe, or planet-neutral. Stick to the principles above to ensure that your Big Green Purse has the kind of big green impact that will make a difference both in the marketplace and on the environment.

The post Big Green Purse Principles Can Help You Make the Right Eco-Choices appeared first on Big Green Purse.