Accelerating Change – We Can’t Do It Alone

Posted by Pamela Passman

Corporate Vice President, Global Corporate Affairs, Microsoft 

Last Thursday we hosted our first citizenship “Accelerator Summit,” a day of open discussion on our corporate citizenship efforts. The conversation was based on how technology and partnerships can accelerate change on social and economic issues.  The event included a variety of different sessions related to workforce development, education, environment, online safety, and the role of technology in the non-profit community. It was attended by government and nongovernmental partners, academics, journalists and bloggers.

Events like this provide us with the opportunity to shine a light on the big problems we are working with others to try to solve.  We have learned that partnership must be at the very center of our efforts.  We don’t have all the answers and we are always learning.  We learn from the feedback we receive, we learn from working with partners and we learn from how people are using our products and services – often in ways we never imagined.

See the full blog on Microsoft on the Issues

Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

Baby Steps in Living Green

Today, escalating conversations on topics such as climate change, carbon legislation, energy independence, and growing consumer eco awareness generate forward eco movement for some but simultaneously create confusion and skepticism for others.   As a sustainability consultant working with businesses and individuals, I encourage our clients to lead by example. 

 As Nelson Mandela said, “And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”   Promoting a sustainable lifestyle can take all forms and shapes.  What is important is that each person finds the unique value in sustainability and its application in their life. Embracing and demonstrated living of environmental choices inspires others.

 A common question in our sustainability consulting practice is, “Where to begin?”  For individuals seeking to live a sustainable lifestyle and lead by example, a personal sustainability plan is one place to begin.   The basic premise of a personal sustainability program is reducing your carbon footprint; lighten the load on the planet as well as be good to yourself, others, and your community.  As a green living consultant, I explain the mindset behind a personal sustainability program: 

 •    Follow that path that is most inspiring to you.
•    It all starts with awareness, then shifts in choices and behavior changes.
•    Small changes add up.
•    Daily habits and those we do regularly have the most impact.
•    Reward your successes.
•    New changes become the new habit.
•    Momentum brings visibility to previously inaccessible ideas and behaviors.
•    There is ease in taking more eco action.
•    Inspire by living the example.

  
Each of us has a role to play.  What is it that you specifically care about?  Is it the natural beauty in your neighborhood?  The campsite you visit each year?   Spotting wildlife?  Maybe it’s that first breath of fresh air as you step outside to go to work each day.

 Connect with that, and take eco action to support that.  Explore the habits and areas of your life that you can take eco action to support the environment that you love.  Your actions are inspirational to others calling them forth to find the value, the eco actions for them to support the environment that they love.

Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

Decorate the Eco Friendly Way

Looking to liven-up a living space?  Redecorate or move into a new space?  Whatever the reason, those living a sustainable lifestyle will be looking to eco friendly options to change things up.

 The last 10 years has seen a dramatic increase in eco awareness with a significant growth in knowledge of the general public.  This momentous shift has resulted in a better understanding of the impacts of personal choices.  Those living a sustainable lifestyle are leveraging financial power to support sustainable businesses – even when it comes to decorating.  

 As a green living consultant, I explain, there are plenty of ways to express your creativity and sustainably.   Begin planning your decorating project by keeping these sustainability concepts in mind:

 •    Research before you buy. 
•    Know your eco-labels. 
•    Buy local and organic and sustainable when possible.
•    Consider buying Fair Trade. 
•    Consider the source when you make a purchase.
•    Consider buying “Pre-Owned” goods.
•    Consider the packaging of the item
•    Consider the eventual disposal or reuse of the item.

 As eco awareness has grown, more retailers and manufacturers have added eco-friendly products to their offerings.   With your plan in hand, take eco action by purchasing sustainable home furnishings.  Following are resources offered in our personal sustainability programs: 
 

• Vivaterra  
• Gaiam 
• 2Modern
• Public Design
• Design within Reach
• Etsy
• Greener Lifestyles
• Lifekind
• Branchhome
• Natura

 
Finally, put a finishing touch by adding plants to compliment your surroundings as well as improve indoor air quality.   In living a sustainable lifestyle, decorating your home with sustainably made products is not only good for you, but it’s also good for the environment.  Your support in purchasing of eco friendly products exercises a financial vote in expanding eco awareness into the mainstream.  It also encourages companies to incorporate the environmental principals that these companies demonstrate.

Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

Rising to the Plastic Challenge

As eco awareness continues to expand and the availability of alternative options continues to increase and gain support, individuals and businesses seek ways to assess the sustainable aspects of various products.  One recent result is the development of plastic ratings, like the new Plastics Scorecard.  This scorecard, like other measures, will be a rating system for not only product manufactures to aspire to but a quick reference guide for consumers to make informed choices.

A similar pursuit is the International Resin Identification Coding system, which assigns an internationally accepted number from 1-7 to all plastics (resins).  The number can be found on the bottom of plastic containers.  This new scorecard will be another measure to increase eco awareness.

For manufacturing, plastic ratings are creating an immediate need for business sustainability improvements.  According to Clean Production Action‘s Research Director, Mark Rossi, “The Scorecard is essentially a decision-making tool aimed at improving the design of plastic products.”

Aimed at helping manufacturers, purchasers and government agencies, this product transparency will hopefully move consumers away from the most hazardous types of plastics and switch to more-preferable options.  Plastics will be given a grade of A+ to F rating based on their environmental and social impacts.  This evaluation will take into account the full lifecycle of the product, from production to disposal.

•    Which materials were used in the development of the product?
•    Which manufacturing processes were used in the production of the product?
•    Does the product contain materials that could be detrimental to health?
•    Does the product contain materials that could be detrimental to the environment?
•    Is the product recyclable?

From the viewpoint of our business sustainability consulting, we believe that growing eco awareness and resulting pressure will dictate that best of the best products and services will continuously rise to the top.  The key, like most improvement pursuits, will be engagement to reduce the production and use of undesirable plastics.

At Taiga Company, we encourage our personal consulting clients to be as much a part of the change as the business world.  By increasing personal eco awareness and taking proactive steps to make changes in your daily life, individuals can create sustainable development in the market.  Become aware of your plastic alternatives and drive change through informed choices.

Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

Your Fabulous Green Wedding Starts with Eco-friendly Invitations

Your wedding announcement and invitations set the tone for your environmentally friendly wedding celebration. They not only share the good news of your marriage celebration with your loved ones, but give insight into your style and personality. Here are some terrific ways to minimize the environmental impact of your wedding starting with the invitations.

 

• Get your invitations out early. By giving plenty of notice, you won’t need to print Save the Date cards. (Bonus: This saves you a step in the process thereby making the planning easier too.)

• Keep your invitations minimal. By directing guests to a wedding website for more information, you can cut down on the amount of paper. (Bonus: You a save money on postage keeping the size and thickness of the envelope down.)

• Have guests RSVP online as opposed to sending response cards. If that isn’t an option, provide response post cards rather than cards and envelopes. (Bonus: You also save money on printing and postage.)

• Print invitations on eco-friendly papers. There are terrific 100% recycled and tree-free options available. (Bonus: Many eco-friendly papers are beautiful and unique.)

• Be creative in repurposing extra materials. For example, unused ribbon purchased for the invitations can be used to tie napkins. (Bonus: Using the same materials will help create a cohesive style.)

 

Tips provided by Meghan Connolly Haupt, founder of C5 company. C5 is a leader in sustainable custom engagement and wedding rings. Visit their website to learn more about Green Weddings.

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Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily