What I have learned during this semester about sustainability
and living a green lifestyle is learning a lot from our readings on Savitz and
doing research and sharing things through my blog. I found that the more I researched
I learned and it helped me improve the way I live and knowing how it can make
it difference not matter how small it is. I felt that if I did one thing to
help the environment that it is still a difference. Not only has this taught me
but also had me become more aware of my habits that needed to change. I realize
that the bigger key to change is becoming aware of what you are doing and this
allowed me to make wiser decisions and questioned what I was doing that was
beneficial to our world and the environment.
I really thought this was such a lovely video. It was such a great video because these children knew without knowing what sustainability is. I just wanted to share with you all something positive and meaningful. Enjoy!
Today I was doing some research on makeup brands that are eco-friendly and organic. When it comes to makeup the packaging is mostly plastic and as we know it’s harmful to our environment, but we also need to take into consideration that makeup has chemicals like parabean and other harmful chemicals that is damaging to the environment and to us. I came across this young lady’s YouTube, Isabel Montes states: “There is currently no zero waste makeup brand.”With many women and young ladies are using makeup on daily basis I hope makeup brands can find a way to become more sustainable. What I found helpful in this video, Isabel Montes shares the different brands that are cruelty free, vegan, organic and eco friendly. It seems like she really had to dig to find some of these brands that are eco-friendly because these are names that are not obvious, so I can see how it can be hard to find brands like that compare to bigger brands like Sephora since they advertise themselves much more compare to these small brands. If you want to find out more about what brands you can use, please click and watch the video. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Edgy Veg shares 20 ways to start your sustainable lifestyle. I thought this would be perfect for myself and others who are doing the sustainability challenge.
It has been a good start so far! I was able to clean out my cupboards and get rid of all the plastic cups and tupperware. I just bought glass tupperware and I am currently using a few glass cups that I have. I have to say that I am pretty please with my progress. Looking forward to doing more.
Greenbiz just held their first GreenFin Summit, which brings about 100 sustainability and Investment professionals together under one roof with the common goal to “assess what it would take to align corporate reporting with investor needs in order to accelerate investments in sustainable and low-carbon solutions.”
This is a big deal and a good start as the people who were in attendance have the finances and power to help bring about serious changes and create many opportunities for sustainable businesses.
Based the article; “Corporate reporting on environmental, social and governance, or ESG, issues has moved from the margins to the mainstream” So what’s next?
Well, while everything is a process, here are a few things that have happened already:
Advocates petitioned the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission mandate standardized disclosure of ESG information by publicly traded companies
Credit raters have tried to incorporate ESG factors into their ratings
European Commission has proposed regulations asking Institutional investors and money managers to demonstrate how their investments align with ESG factors.
S&P Global Ratings, among other credit rating agencies, have signed onto the United Nations-led Principles for Responsible Investment’s ESG In Credit Ratings Initiative, which aims to standardize ESG issues in fixed-income markets.
Now, high ESG ratings are a sign of a well-run and lower risk company which investors like. However, with all the positives that have come in recently there are many road blocks and problems that still exist such as lack of understanding in corporate boards, with no thought being put into the reporting, and time lags with the reporting sometimes a year or two old amongst other issues.
Honestly I’m just happy that these conversations are being had as they were never before. And while change doesn’t happen over night we have to start somewhere, so this give me hope for a more sustainable future!
When it comes to cleaning products for my home I have had some thoughts and concerns that most products utilize plastics in their packaging. I couldn’t help but think when about it when I came across an article that SC Johnson is launching Windex with Vinegar bottles that are recycled plastic that is collected from the world’s oceans.
As the CEO of SC Johnson states: “With over 5 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the ocean, conditions are continuing to get worse and worse.” “That bottle would be made solely from ocean-bound plastic sourced by Plastic Bank from Haiti, the Philippines and Indonesia, with some proceeds used to provide social benefits to people living below the poverty line in those regions.” Honestly, after reading that it made feel better that I can still continue my challenge without thinking that I am still doing things half way.
If you are interested in reading more about it please click on the link below.
Cited:
SC Johnson to launch bottles made entirely from recycled ocean plastics
This Ted Talk was very positive and enlightening. DeAndrea Salvador who is the speaker has been actively looking for solutions to lower energy cost. She has been working for lower income families to help lower their bills helping create a more sustainable and cleaner energy future for us all.
It’s nice to know that that we are also finding ways to make energy affordable for low income families.
After a great workout from the gym, for some reason I want some coffee as I would walk by the coffee shop that was literally two stores away from my gym. I came across this one coffee shop called Think Coffee. The little sign was what grabbed my attention. It said “An estimated 4 billion Starbucks cups end up in landfills each year because they can’t be recycled or composed. All Think Coffee cups are compostable.” As soon as I saw the sign I was happy to know that I found a coffee shop that their cups are compostable. I knew I had go in and find out more about this coffee shop. I went in to order a latte with oat milk and as I paid for my cup of coffee I walked over to where everyone usually waits to pick up their coffee. Literally right In front of that area was this sign that says Social Project Coffee. What I found and what it said was, “Social Project Coffee is coffee that is sourced based on a direct relationship between purchaser and farmer/producer where: 1) the purchaser pays a premium price for coffee, 2) together, the purchaser and farmer/producer use the premium to implement a project development project at origin, 3) the project benefits either the farm workers or a nearby community.”
After learning a little about Think coffee it made me happy that the money I spent will help and give back. Cheers to positive changes!
Sustainability has been a conversation topic that continues to arise around me from of my friends and family. Although I had an idea why my friends chose to transition their lives into living a sustainable life, I did not think that it was something that my boyfriend and I “should” do because at the time we just didn’t see the big picture. What made me realize and learn about it was not just from friends and family but from the course that I am currently taking on sustainability. Sustainable living is something we must do to preserve our planet and of course all our lives. I started to think about the day when I have a child what kind of world and life they would have if I did not start contributing in making positive changes in the world and in my life. So what better way to start by starting now on the challenge. My challenge is:
1. Ditch the Plastic 2. Reduce the amount of water I use daily. 3. Buy or create natural products to clean the house 4. Buy natural beauty products and use less makeup. 5. Recycle all bottles and cans 6. Support companies that are sustainable and that give back to environment or the world.
The reason I chose these six challenges is because I wanted to start by getting into the habit of making this my lifestyle or I should say our lifestyle. I think it’s a good start, and best to start off slow with these first few steps in order to get into the habit since they are things that maybe we are not use to doing. This is our beginning point in making a positive and healthy change.
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