Clear sunny morning; flaming trees scattered near and far.
Every once in awhile I come across something and say to myself, or any one who will listen, "Now there's an oxymoron". Most of them have to do with the green world, so let's just call them eco oxymorons. Many are related to green washing within an advertisement, description, title or label. You know, adding those little key words that makes something appear greener than it is. I think sometimes green washing is a company's way of green wishing, a way to muscle into the market place. The biggest green washing (and abuse) going on today is the use of the word "natural". But that's another blog coming, a rant and rave for sure, so stay tuned.
Back to the eco oxymoron... So below is a list of gathered green oxymorons. Some are short, some are long, some are funny, or serious or stupid. Many simply a play on words. Most importantly, none of which I made up. If you would like to add to the list, please comment with your own eco oxymoron. Here we go:
Clean Coal
Chemical Free
Organic Junk Food
Melted Ice
Melted Glacier
Natural Make-Up
Clean Diesel
Dry Lake
Sustainable Mining
Plastic Glass
Safe Plastic
Monsanto's Crop Protection
Green Golf Course
Level Population Growth
Veggie Meatballs
Safe GMO's
Eco Tourism
Eco Friendly Plastic Bags
Green Shopping Mall
99% Pure
PVC Fitness Ball
Plastic Silverware
Free Water
Green Parking garage
Silver Lining Organic Underwear
Clean Camping
Environmental Road Trip
Forest Management
Non Toxic Bug Killer
Plastic Wood
Healthy Ice Cream
Meatless Meat
Biodegradable Plastic
Artificial Grass
Artificial Snow
Carefree Garden
Safe PVC
Green Cars
Sustainable Development
All Natural Artificial Flavoring
Sustainable Luxury
Green Skyscraper
Safe Pesticides
Greener Hummer
And my all time favorite . . . Safe SIGG.
Showing posts with label sustainable. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sustainable. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A New Green Day for America - Here's Hoping
Cloudy, still, low hanging clouds; cold but not frigid.
Most environmentalists have been counting the days, even hours, waiting for today; the changing of the guard if you will. And we're hoping that this new President will actually guard us.
Guard us from what? Our own selfish selves basically. We, humans that is, have run our environment into the messy ground. For the last one hundred years we have taken, taken , taken with nary a look back over our shoulders. The environment is such a mess that looking back isn't necessary now because it's in front of you (careful, you'll trip), like the big gorilla in the room.
The new administration thankfully dares to use the "s" word, sustainability. They recognize that you can no longer keep using resources without adequately replacing what you have "taken". We can not continue on this current course without certain human destruction. And thank goodness, we have some folks who get this.
Oh come on now, right? Really? It's not so bad... let's review our basic needs:
1 - Water - "the governor of Georgia declared a state of emergency due to water shortages; salmonella contaminated municipal water in Colorado; and eight states ratified the Great Lakes Basin Compact, an agreement designed to ensure that Great Lakes water, nearly 20% of the world's freshwater, won't be shipped beyond those basins -- not even to nearby Minneapolis or Pittsburgh." Overseas: "Global water consumption has roughly doubled since World War II, and yet, according to the United Nations, 1.1 billion people still have no access to a clean, reliable supply. Eighty percent of disease and deaths in developing countries -- more than 2.2 million people a year, including 3,900 children each day -- are caused by diseases associated with unsanitary water. The cost of waterborne diseases and associated lost productivity drains 2% of developing countries' GDP each year." In addition, our waters are polluted with chemicals with known and unknown affects to human health.
2 - Air - World wide air pollution is the worst in human history. Witness China's juggle for the Olympics this past summer. Asthma, that barely existed 50 years ago, is common place. Winter ozone levels , that previously did not exist, are increasing, including the top of Mt. Everest. Great American cities continue to increase their polluted rankings.
3 - Energy - Most of our world energy comes from heavily polluting fossil fuels and nuclear. We've been down this road before, there is no such thing as "clean coal". Just take a look at the recent TVA spill. These are not, I repeat, not long term sustainable options for our very future existence.
4 - Food - Let's start with the basics, there isn't enough of it. Well, at least for millions of people. And maybe too much, for now, for some others. But in the meantime, we are making a mess of it. We have eroded soil, contaminated food supplies - with everything from toxic pesticides to salmonella, and reduced our biodiversity to the point of species extinction(like the banana believe it or not). Genetically modified crops have contaminated our corn to the point, that some scientists say, of no return. There's so much more on this topic, but hopefully you get the picture - this isn't sustainable.
The four basic groups that I just mentioned are pretty special, in fact, they are essential to life. We must make a u-turn in our destructive direction for this path is unsustainable. I believe this new administration under Obama can direct that u-turn with the help of dedicated scientists, enthusiastic environmentalists and eager entrepreneurs. Today is a day of renewal - a new green day for America - here hoping.
Most environmentalists have been counting the days, even hours, waiting for today; the changing of the guard if you will. And we're hoping that this new President will actually guard us.
Guard us from what? Our own selfish selves basically. We, humans that is, have run our environment into the messy ground. For the last one hundred years we have taken, taken , taken with nary a look back over our shoulders. The environment is such a mess that looking back isn't necessary now because it's in front of you (careful, you'll trip), like the big gorilla in the room.
The new administration thankfully dares to use the "s" word, sustainability. They recognize that you can no longer keep using resources without adequately replacing what you have "taken". We can not continue on this current course without certain human destruction. And thank goodness, we have some folks who get this.
Oh come on now, right? Really? It's not so bad... let's review our basic needs:
1 - Water - "the governor of Georgia declared a state of emergency due to water shortages; salmonella contaminated municipal water in Colorado; and eight states ratified the Great Lakes Basin Compact, an agreement designed to ensure that Great Lakes water, nearly 20% of the world's freshwater, won't be shipped beyond those basins -- not even to nearby Minneapolis or Pittsburgh." Overseas: "Global water consumption has roughly doubled since World War II, and yet, according to the United Nations, 1.1 billion people still have no access to a clean, reliable supply. Eighty percent of disease and deaths in developing countries -- more than 2.2 million people a year, including 3,900 children each day -- are caused by diseases associated with unsanitary water. The cost of waterborne diseases and associated lost productivity drains 2% of developing countries' GDP each year." In addition, our waters are polluted with chemicals with known and unknown affects to human health.
2 - Air - World wide air pollution is the worst in human history. Witness China's juggle for the Olympics this past summer. Asthma, that barely existed 50 years ago, is common place. Winter ozone levels , that previously did not exist, are increasing, including the top of Mt. Everest. Great American cities continue to increase their polluted rankings.
3 - Energy - Most of our world energy comes from heavily polluting fossil fuels and nuclear. We've been down this road before, there is no such thing as "clean coal". Just take a look at the recent TVA spill. These are not, I repeat, not long term sustainable options for our very future existence.
4 - Food - Let's start with the basics, there isn't enough of it. Well, at least for millions of people. And maybe too much, for now, for some others. But in the meantime, we are making a mess of it. We have eroded soil, contaminated food supplies - with everything from toxic pesticides to salmonella, and reduced our biodiversity to the point of species extinction(like the banana believe it or not). Genetically modified crops have contaminated our corn to the point, that some scientists say, of no return. There's so much more on this topic, but hopefully you get the picture - this isn't sustainable.
The four basic groups that I just mentioned are pretty special, in fact, they are essential to life. We must make a u-turn in our destructive direction for this path is unsustainable. I believe this new administration under Obama can direct that u-turn with the help of dedicated scientists, enthusiastic environmentalists and eager entrepreneurs. Today is a day of renewal - a new green day for America - here hoping.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Really Green? Consider Triple Footprint
The low spots are filled with marshmallow fog with the peaks clear in the distance.
Triple Footprint - You heard it here first.
The production of "things" in our daily lives have a "cost". You've heard of carbon footprint, and maybe heard of chemical footprint but social footprint might be new to you. These are basically the amount of baggage a product carries with it or makes with regard to carbon required start to finish, chemicals used and contained during production and the human touch required. Considering the Triple Footprint will give you a better understanding of the what's behind the green choices you make.
Products can have a very varied history in terms of how much energy was used in its production and transportation. If something is complicated with lots of parts and metals, then you can see that considering even the energy in mining the materials adds up. A small carbon footprint would be made out of something sustainable and local. You can measure your own carbon impact by one of the many sites available.
Chemical footprint considers two things - the chemicals that are used for the entire production of a product and the final list of ingredients. Chemical footprint also includes the chemicals left behind. Most folks don't realize that paper and fabric production require huge amounts of chemicals. Reading the list of ingredients also gives you an idea of the product's chemical footprint. Remember less is more. Look for simple vegetable based ingredients in products when considering chemical footprint in personal care products.
Social footprint is getting more attention through organizations such as fair trade, but is only a small fraction of consumer products. Social footprint should be considered since the human touch is responsible for everything brought to market. So many faces and stories go behind the making of what we buy and use. It's easy to see the social footprint of some things, but other items, like a light bulb, get complicated. I think everyone would agree that all people deserve fair living wages and healthy, safe working conditions. In this global economy, equalizing working conditions and wages will bring about peaceful exchanges between people and countries for a more secure future.
The green industry has embraced the idea of the triple footprint and uses this to separate itself from green washing or businesses trying half heartedly to jump on the band wagon. Stonyfield Yogurt gets the gold star for working the Triple Footprint to the max. Considering the Triple Footprint is what will bring us towards a sustainable future. Considering the Triple Footprint will help you decide green from really green.
Triple Footprint - You heard it here first.
The production of "things" in our daily lives have a "cost". You've heard of carbon footprint, and maybe heard of chemical footprint but social footprint might be new to you. These are basically the amount of baggage a product carries with it or makes with regard to carbon required start to finish, chemicals used and contained during production and the human touch required. Considering the Triple Footprint will give you a better understanding of the what's behind the green choices you make.
Products can have a very varied history in terms of how much energy was used in its production and transportation. If something is complicated with lots of parts and metals, then you can see that considering even the energy in mining the materials adds up. A small carbon footprint would be made out of something sustainable and local. You can measure your own carbon impact by one of the many sites available.
Chemical footprint considers two things - the chemicals that are used for the entire production of a product and the final list of ingredients. Chemical footprint also includes the chemicals left behind. Most folks don't realize that paper and fabric production require huge amounts of chemicals. Reading the list of ingredients also gives you an idea of the product's chemical footprint. Remember less is more. Look for simple vegetable based ingredients in products when considering chemical footprint in personal care products.
Social footprint is getting more attention through organizations such as fair trade, but is only a small fraction of consumer products. Social footprint should be considered since the human touch is responsible for everything brought to market. So many faces and stories go behind the making of what we buy and use. It's easy to see the social footprint of some things, but other items, like a light bulb, get complicated. I think everyone would agree that all people deserve fair living wages and healthy, safe working conditions. In this global economy, equalizing working conditions and wages will bring about peaceful exchanges between people and countries for a more secure future.
The green industry has embraced the idea of the triple footprint and uses this to separate itself from green washing or businesses trying half heartedly to jump on the band wagon. Stonyfield Yogurt gets the gold star for working the Triple Footprint to the max. Considering the Triple Footprint is what will bring us towards a sustainable future. Considering the Triple Footprint will help you decide green from really green.
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