"Green"... what does that really mean?

We've all heard it on the street: green is the new black!
But, what does that mean?  

What do we know about the term "Green."

Green: is a common place term being liberally applied to the pursuit of environmentally friendly actions with the intention of offsetting a person/companies carbon footprint. When the term "green" is applied to a idea, product, place or an action it can mean a number of different things.

There is: "green certified" which translates usually to a building or product which has been sanctioned by an "authoritative body," (USDA, Green Seal, Energy Star) to fit within standards that currently meet the lowest carbon/energy consumption/generation.

"Going Green" is usually applied to an individual or small business which is actively making efforts to become more eco-conscious in their consumerism and day to day behaviors.  It can be as varied as changing a light bulb, shopping at farmer's markets, or buying carbon offsets.

"Green Initiatives" is much like "going green." The term refers usually to programs which help with environmental awareness, education and research.

Carbon Offset: is a measure of your impact on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide. 

Carbon Neutral: is a company, person, or action either not producing any carbon emissions or, if it does, having been offset elsewhere. 

Biodegradable: Substances which, left alone, break down and are absorbed into the eco-system.

Locavore: someone who makes a conscious effort to shop, travel and eat within their general region of the country. Usually this means staying within a few hundred mile radius of where that person lives. Individuals who measure their purchases in context of "miles traveled" to reach that destination, and choose to shop where products have had less "miles" or "emissions." This practice is most commonly associated with: shopping at "local made" or "U.S. manufactured stores," farmers markets, or eating food which is in season in the area which you are living.

Purchasing Power: The power each person has to make an economic impact though the purchases which he/she buys. The way in which we invest our money speaks volumes to our local and national politicians, our community and enables the businesses we agree with to stay afloat in the market place and branch into expanding markets.

Green Washing: A new and dangerous trend which has emerged in the past five years or so, with the resurgence of popularity of the "green movement." Green washing is when companies or marketing champagnes consciously design logos, ads, products that give the "impression" of being either natural, green certified or eco-friendly.  These campaigns usually have natural or green colors, sport phrases like, "changing the way we live, for a healthier tomorrow," but do not actually say or do positive things for the environment. With the success and attention the green movement has been getting, many companies have maintained old, polluting practices, while re-branding themselves to capitalize on the green movement's success.  


Here are some good labels to check out on products to tell that they are legit:
Energy Star:
USDA Organic:
Sustainable Forestry Initiative:
Fair Trade Certified:
Green Seal:
Leed:

                 

  




Here are a few tips to tell if a product/ad may be "green washing" you: 

• Does the ad never specifically say what the product/company does?  Are there merely suggestive phrasing like: "for tomorrow," "green planet," "revolutionizing," "believing in possibilities." When companies make a move  toward going green, it is usually costly and cumbersome for them to do--- lots of paperwork, standards to meet and laws to comply with. Those companies which are going green advertise it in ways which are legitimate and clear. 

• How is the product presented to the consumer? Is it wrapped twice in plastic in a plastic container with non-recyclable paper printing? Is there a lot of advertising surrounding the package? Does the product say: "Fair Trade Certified" or does it simply have nice type font in neutral colors? Pay attention to what is actually in the package, not the ad campaign. 
• Who caries that product? If it is your local natural health food store, farmer's market or REI, then chances are those businesses which are dedicated to environmental practices have researched the legitimacy of those products. If the product is in your local Wal-mart, maybe not.

For a full guide to Environmental Terms connect to the link below:

 http://www.epa.gov/glossary/

Source: Environmental Protection Agency
Glossary of Green Terms
http://www.unitil.com/green/articles/Primer_Glossary.pdf



What is the purpose of Green Living? How much of an impact can one person/family make?



http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/EcoOptions?storeId=10051&catalogId=10051&langId=-15&display=production_consumption

• If 1 million American's reduced there carbon emissions by 10% we would save 750,000 tons of CO2 a year. 
• 4 billion pounds of electric waste go into landfills each year. Only about 10% of computers/electronics are recycled/reused.
• The average North American throws away 600 times their weight in garbage during their life.
• Only one percent of all the water on Earth is usable. Only two percent is in the poles, the rest is in the oceans
• North America has eight percent of the world’s population, consumes 33 percent of the world’s resources, and produces half of the world’s non-organic garbage.
• If one million planted a tree 1.33 tons of CO2, would be absorbed over the tree's life. 
• 405,000 trees are felled annually required to make American's paper for paying bills

Sources for data above are:
"Global Warming Survival Handbook," David De Rothschild, 2010.
Department of Energy:
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/save_energy.html

Check this out! 700 tips to Green Your Life:

http://www.aboutmyplanet.com/all-green-tips/


A Brief History of the Modern Green Movement in America
A Brief History of the Modern Green Movement in America By HYPERLINK "http://webecoist.com/Sara"Sara in HYPERLINK "http://webecoist.com/category/history-and-trivia/"History & Trivia, HYPERLINK "http://webecoist.com/category/nature-and-ecosystems/"Nature & Ecosystems, HYPERLINK "http://webecoist.com/category/news-and-politics/"News & Politics HYPERLINK "http://webecoist.com/2008/08/17/a-brief-history-of-the-modern-green-movement/" http://webecoist.com/2008/08/17/a-brief-history-of-the-modern-green-movement/