Don’t cut the lawn shorter than two inches.

Keeping it between two and three inches delivers a stronger, deeper root system, which in turn, requires less watering. It also helps keep it alive in the hottest months.

Do use hand-operated tools when you can.

Trim and mow by hand, cutting down your contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Combined, they deliver about 5% of total emissions, and making this swap is an easy solution.

Do design your garden efficiently.

Planning is the key, taking into account the existing environment such as trees, plants, sun, wind and water. The landscape design should ensure water drainage back to the ground’s water table, and  permeable dry-laid materials such pea gravel and flagstone should be inter-planted with other ground covers in your hardscaping. Patios and walkways should be sloped so  water drains into the garden bed.

Don’t underestimate soil – it’s your  best fertilizer

Manmade, chemical fertilizers aren’t either the most cost efficient or eco-friendly. The best source of nutrients for plants is quality soil. And always add a topcoat of mulch, which helps plants retain water longer, and fend off weeds.

Do water less frequently, and do water longer

Plant root systems weaken with frequent watering, and this also wastes water and time. The key is to water less often, but deeper, allowing root systems to become hardier and survive drought.

Do remember to love nature

Organic gardening is actually easier than using chemicals. Simple as that.

Add your tips below!

Image courtesy of transformcompost.com

Unlike energy, we can control our usage of water relatively easily, and seemingly small steps can help our individual impact on water conservation.

Here are 21 tips to get you started on saving this important resource.

Look at Your Dishwasher Settings

Many defaults on dishwashers, surprisingly, aren’t the eco-option. Take a look to see if it is in its “eco” mode. Additionally, shut off the dryer setting and let them air dry, instead.

Since 2003, the Rainforest Alliance has held their coffee cupping event that was modeled after similar ones in the industry. Since then, the Rainforest Alliance Cupping for Quality has provided an opportunity for Rainforest Alliance Certified™ coffees to be evaluated by industry experts. These experts analyze and recognize coffees that further do what their certification promotes, highlighting links between sustainability in farm management  and high quality product. It also provides the coffee producers for feedback on how to improve their product if recommended.

This biannual event takes place at the same time when there are coffee harvest cycles. It occurs once in New York in the spring for Central and South American coffees, then later in December in Long Beach for coffees that hail from Brazil, Peru, East Africa and Indonesia.

The official results of the Rainforest Alliance Cupping from this past December are out! Here are the details given to us from our friends at the Rainforest Alliance.

Sustainable Coffees Recognized for Quality at the Rainforest Alliance Cupping

Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms in Peru and Kenya earned top scores at the Rainforest Alliance’s December Cupping for Quality, held at the Specialty Coffee Association of America Lab in Long Beach, California. The Rainforest Alliance’s biannual cupping events recognize farmers for their hard work in producing high quality sustainable coffee.

A total of 45 coffee samples from eight origins were submitted, including the debut of coffees from the Karatu and Kilimanjaro regions of Tanzania. The highest score — 87.9 points — went to Tunki, a two acre farm located in the Puno region of Peru. Over 95 percent of the samples scored above 80, the threshold for the designation of ‘specialty coffee’ — a clear indication that sustainable farming practices can contribute to the production of high-quality coffee.

“It’s only natural that Rainforest Alliance Certified farms would produce more and better quality coffee,” said Maya Albanese, event hostess and coordinator of the Sustainable Agriculture Division at the Rainforest Alliance. “When you improve workers’ conditions and livelihoods, farms become more productive. When you reduce waste, energy consumption, and agrochemical usage, you increase soil quality and biodiversity, thereby facilitating the production of a better crop.”

Top Ten Scoring Coffees:

Highest Scoring Farms By Country:

To see the full results from the December 2011 Cupping for Quality, please visit:

http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/agriculture/crops/coffee/cupping-quality

A panel of 17 expert cuppers, representing coffee importers, roasters, and retailers large and small in North America, evaluated the profile of the coffees according to aspects such as aroma, acidity, uniformity, and balance.

The samples were roasted and cupped by Rocky Rhodes of International Coffee Consulting, Ted Vautrinot of Kean Roasters, and Andrew Phillips of Rose Park Roasters.

The cupper team included:

• Shawn Hamilton, Lead Cupper & VP of Plant Operations, Java City
• Jeffrey Chean, Groundwork Coffee
• Trish Rothgeb, Wrecking Ball Coffee
• Darrin Daniel, Allegro Coffee Company
• Adam Kline, Atlantic Specialty Coffee / ECOM
• Michael C. Boyd, Boyd’s Coffee Company
• Alexandra Katona, Coffee Quality Institute
• Kika Miramontes, InterAmerican Coffee
• Ian Kluse, Olam Americas
• Patrick Russell, Second Cup
• Fernando Seminario, Sustainable Harvest
• Dane Loraas, Sustainable Harvest
• Stephen Leach, Maranatha Import Export Pty Ltd.
• David Sager, Maranatha Import Export Pty Ltd.

Cupper Steve Leach stated that Rainforest Alliance certification is a “win-win for all partners in the supply chain. The producers get a better price, there’s less risk of quality problems at the exporter/importer level and the roaster is better assured of receiving the quality contracted for. Being involved in a sustainable program helps ensure that we will have continued access to the product our customers expect.”

The Rainforest Alliance Cupping for Quality takes place twice a year to accommodate various coffee harvest cycles around the world. On March 28-30, 2012, a new set of certified coffees from regions including Central and South America will be evaluated during the Spring Cupping event.

To learn more about Rainforest Alliance Certified™ coffee and how certification benefits coffee farming communities, please visit www.sealyourcup.org.

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The Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travelers. From large multinational corporations to small, community-based cooperatives, businesses and consumers worldwide are involved in the Rainforest Alliance’s efforts to bring responsibly produced goods and services to a global marketplace where the demand for sustainability is growing steadily. For more information, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.

For more on the Rainforest Alliance and their coffee ventures, you might want to know that:

• Caribou Coffee set a goal of sourcing 100 percent of the coffee and espresso that is used across all its products and platforms from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms by the end of 2011. (Read more here)
• SealYourCup.org is a website launched by our friends at the Rainforest Alliance. This online resource provides consumers with a window into the world of Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee farms. (Read more here)
• Java City ™ coffee, which is 100 percent Rainforest Alliance Certified™ is offered onboard all American Airlines flights as part of the airline’s inflight beverage service. (Read more here)
• The Rainforest Alliance has an annual gala that recognizes companies and individuals for their combined efforts with the Rainforest Alliance on making sustainable changes and decisions. (Read more here, and read even more here)

According to researchers from the Atmospheric and Environmental Research (AER), the University of Massachusetts, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the harsh winters that are currently evoked in the Northern Hemisphere could be caused by increasing temperatures and melting ice in the Arctic regions creates more snowfall and cold weather in the the later fall months at lower latitudes.

The team found that the strongest cooling trends in the winter were located with in the United States, southern Canada, and most of northern Eurasia. They believe that this is not entirely due in part by the natural variability of the climate system.

Previously, research has not come up with many solutions to extremely harsh, random weather conditions, such as unforeseen snowfall in more tropical areas. Instead, this new research suggests that because there has been a trend of increasingly cold winters over the last twenty years, it could be connected to the warmer temperature in the fall, skewing with what is a normal weather pattern. This causes temperatures to plummet in the winter season.

Through their studies, the team found that when there was a strong warming weather through summery July, August, and September, and then this continued through October and November, it seems to enhance the melting of sea ice in the Arctic.

In turn, this warmer weather, along with the melting of the sea ice, allowed the atmosphere in the Arctic to hold much more moisture. As a result, there is an increase in the possibility of precipitation over southern areas, such as Eurasia. This, then, falls as snow because of the temperatures are below freezing. This is also backed by the fact that over the last two decades, the snowfall has increased in the areas that were studied.

The group of researchers believe that because there is an increase in the snow cover, it affects the Arctic Oscillation. The Arctic Oscillation is an atmospheric pressure pattern that is found in the mid-latitudes to high latitudes, which causes it is remain in the “negative phase”.

This “negative phase” means that there is higher pressure over the Arctic region, which has  pushes cold air into the mid-latitude regions. Among these mid-latitude regions are the United States and northern Canada, which is why the colder winters are observed.

The researchers don’t doubt the facts we already know: the world is getting warmer. And yes, just because of the cold winters, it doesn’t mean that the warmer temperatures aren’t favored. However, they also believe that because there is more snow, this is somehow related. As it continues to get warmer in the fall, the snow will soon turn into rain, which may reduce and eventually eliminate winter cooling altogether.

One of the clearest reasons that there has been no research and activity on this done in the past is that most climate models do not pick up the rends in winter cooling, accounting for the snow cover. This study, then, focusing on the importance of snow cover, has brought this issue forward, which will now improve future accuracy of seasonal forecasts.

The research shows that by using the snow cover as a main focus in the seasonal forecast, it can provide a more accurate forecast overall. The current models fail to do this, and miss one of the most (or, perhaps, the most) important factors that relates to the influence of winter.

The study was published January 13, in the Institute of Physics Publishing’s journal Environmental Research Letters.

Our friends at the Rainforest Alliance have given us all of the details; and we couldn’t be more pleased for the growing coffee company. Last spring, Caribou Coffee set a goal of sourcing 100 percent of the coffee and espresso that is used across all its products and platforms from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms by the end of 2011.

From the Rainforest Alliance:

Caribou Coffee Becomes First Major US Coffeehouse to Achieve 100% Milestone

New York – The Rainforest Alliance is pleased to announce that Caribou Coffee, the country’s second largest coffeehouse, is the first major coffee company in the US to source 100 percent of its coffee and espresso beans from Rainforest Alliance Certified^TM farms.

“Caribou Coffee’s achievement sets a shining example, demonstrating that it is entirely possible for companies to meet their sustainability goals,” said Tensie Whelan, president of the Rainforest Alliance. “We are thrilled that our long-standing relationship with Caribou Coffee has helped to improve the livelihoods of coffee farming communities across the globe, while providing consumers with high quality, sustainable coffee.”

The Rainforest Alliance started working with Caribou Coffee in 2003. Last April, Caribou Coffee set an ambitious goal of sourcing 100 percent of the coffee and espresso used across all its products and platforms from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms by the end of 2011. To meet this objective, Caribou Coffee worked directly with coffee farmers in North and South America, Africa and South East Asia, helping them to understand the social, environmental and economic benefits that result from achieving certification.

“Reaching 100 percent certification is a significant accomplishment for Caribou Coffee,” said Chad Trewick, senior director of coffee and tea at Caribou Coffee. “I’ve seen how communities thrive from working with the Rainforest Alliance, and I’m proud to say that all of our beans come from sustainable, healthy sources.”

Caribou Coffee’s path to sustainability highlights the significant benefits large companies can bring to both farming communities and the environment, even before they reach 100 percent certified content. Companies are permitted to use the green frog seal on products that contain at least 30 percent Rainforest Alliance Certified content, but this fact must be clearly displayed on packaging. Because of the demanding certification standards, which were established by a coalition of grassroots conservation groups known as the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), it takes time for large companies to build and integrate supply into their products. Farmers also often need time to make any changes needed to meet the SAN’s social, economic and environmental standards.

“Allowing companies to use the seal before they have reached 100 percent certification, but have made a commitment to increase to 100 percent as soon as feasible, is a realistic approach that benefits workers, their families and wildlife,” explains Chris Wille, the Rainforest Alliance’s chief of agriculture.

Farms that achieve Rainforest Alliance certification have met the environmental, social and economic standards of the SAN, which cover ecosystem conservation, wildlife protection, water and soil conservation, agrochemical reduction, worker rights and safety, decent housing, legal wages and contracts for workers and access to healthcare and education.

Other major brands are also scaling up their commitments to source tea, coffee and cocoa from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. Lipton®, for example, has made a commitment to source 100 percent of its tea from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms by 2015 and is well on its way to doing so.

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About the Rainforest Alliance

The Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travellers. From large multinational corporations to small, community-based cooperatives, businesses and consumers worldwide are involved in the Rainforest Alliance’s efforts to bring responsibly produced goods and services to a global marketplace where the demand for sustainability is growing steadily. For more information, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.

About Caribou Coffee®

“Founded in 1992, Caribou Coffee Company is one of the leading branded coffee companies in the United States, with a compelling multichannel approach to their customers. Based on the number of coffeehouses, Caribou Coffee is the second largest company-operated premium coffeehouse operator in the United States. As of July 3, 2011, the Company had 554 coffeehouses, including 147 franchised locations, in 20 states, the District of Columbia and nine international markets. The Company’s coffeehouses aspire to be the community place loved by guests who are provided an extraordinary experience that makes their day better.  Caribou Coffee provides the highest quality handcrafted beverages, foods and coffee lifestyle items with a unique blend of expertise, fun and authentic human connection in a comfortable and welcoming coffeehouse environment. In addition, Caribou Coffee’s unique coffees are available within grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, office coffee and foodservice providers, hotels, entertainment venues and e-commerce channels.  Caribou Coffee is a proud recipient of the Rainforest Alliance Corporate Green Globe Award and is committed to operating practices that promote sustainability and environmental protection. For more information, visit www.cariboucoffee.com.”

And because of this, I’ve polled some people around me to see what the details are behind loving snoozing under the stars. What I soon learned is that camping doesn’t just have to be a summer activity. Yes, some people not only like sleeping outside… but also when it’s frigid cold outside.

I just don’t understand.

Regardless, if you do choose to go camp under the stars in the winter months, it’s important to do it right. Ditch the gear that you need for the hot summer weather. Instead, invest in the right stuff for sleeping on the snow.

One thing I will admit: winter does offer a beautiful landscape and a freshness that isn’t available in the heat of summer. So, I suppose if you do it right, you might actually enjoy it.

The key to camping successfully in the cold winter months is not just having the right gear, but having the right knowledge, too. Here are some tips to get you started.

Winterize

If you have a camper or an RV, make sure that you take the time to winterize it. The most important part of this is taking care of the water system. If the water freezes, it can burst your pipes, break seals, and end up costing you a pretty penny to replace and fix all the issues that it has caused. There should be a user manual that came with your model, so be sure to consult it for details. Also double check that the heater is working and the other parts of the vehicle are up to date and running well.

Get a hot water bottle

Although you’ll want to use it for yourself, you’ll also want to use it for your sleeping bag. Before heading to bed, warm your body, blankets, and your sleeping bag with the hot water bottle. By pre-warming it, your body temperature doesn’t have to take hold of the dirty work  and getting cooled down in the process.

Don’t just pick anywhere

When you’re planning on where to go camping in the winter, take into consideration how cold it might be at different locations. Do you want it to be freezing? Extremely cold? Lots of snow? Or just a chill in the air but a little more mild? Make sure you research a bit on the climate before you head there.

Once you pick it, know thy weather

Okay, so you’ve selected and booked up your camping trip, but that doesn’t mean you can stop thinking about the weather. Be sure to stay up-to-date on the weather forecast. You want to be sure to be prepared for all of the possible high temperatures and low temperatures, storm warnings, and any other sudden changes in the weather.

Pack the right clothes

Now, logically you won’t pack like you’re off to the tropics, but that doesn’t mean you can skimp by picking a few of your favourite pieces of clothing. Think in terms of layers and the right materials. Wool, for one, will keep you very warm as a base layer, so opt for that for some options, including on your feet. Look for warm boots, as well as a warm jacket, and bring gloves, a scarf and/or neckwarmer, and a toque. Thermal underwear, or that made of merino wool, will also wick away moisture and keep you warm and cozy. Choose items that are light but can easily be layered, which will help regulate your body temperature.

Pack the right stuff

Not only do you need the right clothes, but you also need all of the right equipment. After all, you want to be comfortable, don’t you? Be sure to select a sleeping bag that is designed specifically for the climate of your camping destination. Anything that isn’t at least the required temperature will leave you, well, feeling pretty darn cold. Other good items include a down air mattress, which will help the cold air that comes from the ground and the snow, and extra fuel for your camp stove.

Don’t forget the firewood

Speaking of camp stoves, staying warm, and well, camping in the winter in general, you want to be sure that you bring plenty of extra firewood, no matter your destination. It can be pretty difficult to find sufficient firewood in the winter time, mostly because it will be either too wet to burn or, possibly, there isn’t much left from the busy time of the summer campers. Firewood is important for cooking and staying warm – two must have when camping – so make sure you have plenty of extra on hand.

Don’t eat salad

Okay, well, who does that when they are camping, anyway? But the key to food here is that cold weather camping requires body warming meals. This means, do away with the snacks and raw foods, and go for something comforting and warm. Have soups and stews made in advanced for reheating in a sealed bag, or bring them in the can. Have a thermos for drinking out of, and stock up on tea bags, coffee, and hot chocolate.

If you’re planning on heading over to Victoria for a getaway, we have to tell you: make a stop at Eagle Wing Tours while you’re there. Although there are other whale watching opportunities in the area, we love this one for their eco-friendliness, making them the top choice for Victoria, BC whale watching and Vancouver Island, BC whale watching.

A Carbon Neutral Company

What makes them eco-friendly is that Eagle Wing Tours is Canada’s first carbon-neutral eco whale watching tour company. Since December of 2009, Eagle Wing tours has taken to an environmental commitment while thriving as a leader of whale watching in Victoria and Vancouver Island.

They understand that the threat of global warming is a serious one; in turn, they have offset one hundred percent of their corporate emissions for the last two years. In 2010 along, they offset 317 gross metric tonnes of greenhouse gases alone!

Making it Happen

To get started on this endeavour, they hired a company named Dcarbon8. Dcarbon8 is a professional third party company that helps reduce a company’s carbon emissions and improve their bottom line. They do this by measuring the carbon footprint of the company, delivering a report, providing the company with strategies and plans, publicly highlighting progress, and help with selecting an offsetter.

Eagle Wing Tours took this with stride, and continues to have their carbon footprint evaluated each year based on the total amount of carbon they produce. They balance this by purchasing carbon offsets from Offsetters, a Vancouver-based company that helps organizations and individuals understand, reduce and offset their climate impact.

The carbon offset investments that Eagle Wing Tours makes are in new technologies which, in turn, are implemented in other businesses that reduce their own green house gas emissions.

And what do you get out of it? A cleaner, fresher environment, the great feeling of supporting a carbon neutral business, and some awesome Vancouver Island whale watching.

Reducing the footprint

Because of this initiative, Eagle Wing Tours effectively reduced their carbon footprint by:

• Reducing emissions with new Mercury Verado 4 stroke engine technology and Volvo Penta D9 diesel engines. Compared to older models that they used, as well as models of other companies, these engines are more fuel efficient, cleaner, and quieter.
• Decreasing the amount of underwater noise with Arneson Twin Disc surface propulsion technology, making it less intrusive for sealife.
• Minimizing wake (waves) with all-new “scarab” and “catamaran” hull designs. This also reduces shore erosion while providing a smoother ride, benefiting both tourists and the environment.

In addition to these changes, Eagle Wing Tours also is the sponsor for many environmental initiatives. These include:

• Educating thousands of people about the Salish Sea and its many inhabitants
• Supporting research on wildlife such as Southern Resident Killer Whales, through the Orca adoption programs
• Supporting local educational programs at the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre, Race Rocks ecological Reserve
• Supporting salmon stream rehabilitation programs, the Pacific Salmon Foundation for long-term improvement of prey for the whales
• Supporting salmon enhancement projects at Jacks Brook Hatchery and Sooke Salmon Interpretive Centre for food supply for the whales

Even further, Eagle Wing Tours continues to improve and work toward helping the environment, both with a low-impact boat design with continual maintenance, simple daily business practices that promote a healthier planet, continued support of local community fundraisers, and a strict adherence to the best whale practices possible.

If you’re looking for a vacation that is the perfect combination of sustainability and fun, definitely check out the crew at Eagle Wing Tours. Whale watching in Victoria, BC, and whale watching in Vancouver Island are must-dos anyway, so you must do them the right way by going with the most eco-friendly option.

According to MedlinePlus, windshield wiper fluid isn’t exactly the safest stuff. “Windshield washer fluid is a brightly colored liquid made of methanol, a poisonous alcohol. Some young children may mistake the fluid for juice, which can lead to accidental poisoning. Even small amounts can cause significant damage.”

Yes, I know you’re (hopefully) not drinking it – but do you really want to be keeping those sorts of chemicals in your garage and car… which eventually leak into the environment?

Windshield wiper fluid contains methanol, also known as methyl alcohol and wood alcohol. This extremely poisonous alcohol can be deadly to a child with just 2 tablespoons… and about 2 to 8 ounces can be deadly for an adult.

It also causes damage to the environment, leaking into the ground and throughout the air to further create pollution. Billions upon billions of gallons of washer fluid end up in the environment every single year.

Methanol also erodes pavement and contributes to the early degradation of the highways and roads, which ends up costing cities and municipalities more money to make the costly repairs.

Lovely stuff, isn’t it?

Luckily, there are some greener, cleaner options out there: ones that get the job done, won’t wreak havoc on your car, are cost-efficient, and safe for yourself and the environment, too.

We’ve done some investigative work to see what’s out there. Although the choices are slim pickings, it’s worth hunting them down, especially in the winter months.

EvergreeN Windshield Washer Fluid is one of them.  It is a 100 percent plant derived alternative to conventional windshield washer fluid. It is also completely environmentally friendly, non toxic and biodegradable. v

EvergreeN is available in both summer and winter formulations. The Summer Formula is safe for the pavement and completely free of methanol and non toxic.

The thing is, the only economical solution that is available to manufacturers to lower the freezing point is, indeed, methanol, but EvergreeN has figured out a way to use just a trace of it. In fact, they claim it is the lowest concentration of methanol in any product on the market, and will not freeze down to negative 15 degrees F. The concentration in the winter formula is so low that is is completely non-flammable, unlike conventional winter windshield wiper fluid.

EvergreeN isn’t the only option, though. Other companies are following suit. Advance Petrochemicals Ltd. makes a methanol-free concentrate compound to remove sap, bird droppings, bugs, and other grime from windshields.

You see, second to the refrigerator, the washing machine and dryer use the most energy in the home. And that isn’t the only ungreen thing about these appliances; most of the laundry cleaners go down into our water systems, too.

Here are our top tips for making the chore of laundry as green as can be:

Get a Front Loader

Front loading washing machines clean clothes more thoroughly and use less water and energy than  most top-loading counterparts. Even further, if they bear that Energy Star logo, they  typically use between 18 and 25 gallons of water per load; compared to the 40-plus gallons used by older machines, that’s significant.

Keep it Cold

No matter what kind of machine you have, using cold water will improve its energy efficiency. About 90 pe cent of the energy used for the washing machine is from heating the water. Check out the Switch To Cold website, which estimates a savings of $50 to $100 a year by switching to washing on cold.

Nix the Irritants

Most conventional laundry soaps contain irritants that bother our bodies and the environment. These phosphates that can cause a negative impact on our ecosystem, and synthetic dyes and fragrances can cause some major problems. However, there are many phosphate and bleach-free products made from biodegradable, plant- and vegetable-based ingredients

Line It Up

An easy energy saving option: don’t use the dryer altogether. Drying on a line saves energy and leaves your clothes smelling with a lovely freshness you can’t get anywhere else.

Or Dry It Right

If you must use the dryer, be sure to keep the lint filter clean. It will increase efficiency and shorten drying time, and reduce the wear and tear on clothes. The best part? It will save loads of energy.

Ditch the Dryer Sheets

Although hanging it to dry is the best option, sometimes the weather isn’t compliant, or a fluffy soft towel is necessary. However, those dryer sheets are full of toxins that leech into our breathing space. A better option? Try making your own with a  moist washcloth sprayed with liquid fabric softener and tossing it into the dryer?

Other Quick Tips

• Instead of washing two small loads, just wash one instead.
• If you only have a few things to wash, and want to wash them because you had a slip in the mud or a problem with some tomato sauce, be sure to set your water level accordingly.
• However, be sure not to overload your water – they need to move freely in order to get clean.
• Cold-water rinse saves energy, even if they were washed in hot water.
• Do all your laundry loads on the same day. If the dryer is hot from another load, or the water is heated from the previous run, it used leftover heat instead of starting from scratch.

They also benefit us because we do not have to rely on pesticides to keep pests at bay–they do it for us.

Make the Space

To create that inviting space, you can have an environment that attracts these wild creatures. Specific shrubs, trees, and flowers attract bees, birds, and butterflies. Logs and stones call for those lizards and other reptiles, as well as bugs. Small ponds create a homestead for toads and frogs.

Attracting Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are beautiful with their bright colours and humming wings. Constantly moving, they have a high metabolism, and need to be constantly eating. They are attracted most to red, nectar-producing flowers, such as honeysuckles, morning glories, petunias, sage, delphiniums, hollyhocks and weigelas. Plant these near your house, in sunny, wind-protected areas, or inside hanging baskets or window boxes.

If you don’t have the garden space, attract hummingbirds using a red bird feeder filled with a commercial or homemade nectar mix. Clean it out once a week.

OT add red dye to the solution, hummingbirds are attracted by the red on the hanger itself.

Attracting Small Mammals

From bunnies to bats, to raccoons to deer, creating habitats is a fun project that varies species to species. Here are a few general rules that apply across the board:

• Use tree-stumps, large, flat rocks, and other elevated areas for feeding stations.
• Free-standing birdbaths and homemade ponds are great for mammals to stay satiated.
• Garden with plants that have nuts, berries, seeds, and fruit, and they’ll especially love the ones that fall to the ground.
• Garden sheds and garages are great for winter hibernation.
• Install an elevated light source to seek out nocturnal mammals.

Attracting Pond Dwellers

Toads, frogs, salamanders, and other pond-loving friends love ponds filled with vegetation such as water lilies, pondweeds, duckweed, cattails, and bladderwort. They also love dry places to sit in the sun, so adding rock piles, tree stumps and rotting logs. An added bonus? Build “toad holes” with partially filled with sand so toads have a burrowing place during the day. Garden lights will allow you to see them all during the evening.

Any other ideas? Share them below!

Biodegradable products are designed to break down quickly and erode into the natural environment. However, a recent study from North Carolina State University’s Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering have shown that they aren’t necessarily better for the environment.

We’ve written before about how natural doesn’t always mean better. Oils in “natural” perfumes can still cause reactions, organic produce isn’t always healthier, and, now, biodegradable doesn’t necessarily mean eco-friendly.

Biodegradable products release a potent greenhouse gas called methane as they break down. The team of researchers, including Morton Barlaz explored what happens when food waste, office paper, newsprint, municipal solid waste overall, and a biodegradable polymer called PHBO were buried in the average American landfill.

After analysis, their research showed that that materials with higher rates of decomposition, such as food waste, emitted more methane into the atmosphere than the other materials.

Since biodegradable products decompose faster, they release more methane.

To solve the problem, these products should be designed to decompose at a slower rate, with technology to remove the landfill methane more efficiently.

The hole, currently located over the South Pole, has always been under scrutiny. Previous work has  found that it is changing atmospheric flow in high latitudes. However, the new research shows that it is influencing circulation from the tropical regions, and therefore, increasing rainfall at low latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere.

The paper, recently published in the April 21st issue of Science, outlines that this it he first time that ozone depletion has been linked to climate change from the South Pole all the way to the equator.

Previous reports did not even mention the ozone hole. This study, on the other hand, shows its large impact; a huge player in climate change. Like a domino effect, it is causing havoc in spite f being so far away.

This study is showing now that it is proving to be a dominant source of the circulation changes. As well, carbon isn’t the only problem.

The ozone layer absorbs most of the sun’s  ultraviolet rays, created mostly from chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) breaking it down. Global CFC production has since almost completely ceased; in turn, so did the depletion.

By using two different climate models to show the ozone hole effect, the team calculated the atmospheric changes in the models produced by creating an ozone hole. Next, they took both of these changes and compared them with the ones observed in the last few decades. They found the connection to the Southern Hemisphere.

This study was funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation to Columbia University.

Read more: S. M. Kang, L. M. Polvani, J. C. Fyfe and M. Sigmond. Impact of Polar Ozone Depletion on Subtropical Precipitation. Science, 21 April 2011 DOI: 10.1126/science.1202131

Golf balls are an eco-hazard, even if it’s not something we readily think about. But every year, hundreds of thousands of golf balls are manufactured, most of which are made from petrochemicals like Surlyn or urethane.

And what happens to them? They often end up in forests and waterways, and lay there for years and years.

However, the answer is as easy as making them from a renewable source. After all, we’ve seen that before. A University of Maine professor and student teamed up to make planet-friendly golf balls from lobster shells.

Professor David Neivandt and golfer/undergrad Alex Caddell developed a ball made from the byproduct of the lobster-canning industry.

Maine Today reported that the research team has discovered a way to produce golf balls using the empty shells of lobster. The best part? It costs just about 19 cents per ball (considering, for you golfers out there, you’re paying upwards of about four dollars already).

The balls take their eco-friendliness a step further – they are biodegradable. Because of this, they are designed and used for the beach and on cruise ships, where you don’t plan on seeing that ball again.

The bonus of these balls are that they are reusing an ingredient that would just be wasted, and that they are biodegradable, too.

The University of Maine has filed a provisional patent for the lobster shell recipe. It can also be used to make other decomposable products, such as planters and surveying stakes.

Image courtesy of The University of Maine

These eight changes really do help our planet. And here’s why:

Switching to reusable bags

You’re at the grocery story check out and they ask you: “paper or plastic?” The correct answer? Neither one. The dangers of plastic bags to our environment is one that we often hear. About 90 billion plastic bags were used in the US just last year… And even though it takes about 12 million barrels of oil to make them, that’s not even the half of it. It takes about four times the energy to make paper bags.

Instead, choose reusable shopping bags. Store one in your purse, a few in your car, and the rest by the front door.

Using a reusable water bottle

We sure love our H2O. But the fact that it takes about 25 bottles of water to produce the plastic for a one-litre bottle doesn’t really help the environment. Terrible. The simple solution to to stop buying bottled water. Purchase a stainless steel or aluminum bottle instead, filling it up at home, in the office, at fountains and where ever you can. If you leave it at home and have to opt for a plastic bottle, choose ones that are numbered 1,2,4 or 5.

Say goodbye to paper towels

Paper towels are handy, sure, but not exactly great for the environment. For cleaning, use microfibre towels–they do a better job and you can easily through them in the washer to use them over and over.

When paper towels are a must, look for “green” or “recycled” varieties. Although these in terms of toilet paper might not be the most pleasant, they’re great for paper towels. If every household in the US used recycled ones instead, almost 550,000 trees would be saved per roll.

Stop washing on hot

Washing machines are powered by about 10 percent to run the motor. So where does the rest come from? Heating that water. The bad news isn’t just your energy supply, but your wallet, too.

Choose to wash on cold water by a simple swap on your washing machine’s temperature setting. If you have very heavy soiled towels, socks, or similar, use warm if you absolutely need to. Most new, high-efficiency washers and driers are designed to work better on cold water, too.

And stop drying altogether

How necessary is it to run that dryer? Not really at all. In fact, dryers are the second largest energy user in the average house (first being the fridge). If it’s necessary (like a large load of socks and underwear, be sure to clean the lint filter and only dry full loads of clothes.

The rest of the time, opt for outdoor drying on a clothesline, or indoor on a clothes rack.

Turn down the heater or air conditioner

Yep, it’s chilly. The answer? Put on another layer and get under a blanket. Similarly, a fan, shorts and a tank-top will keep you pretty darn cool in the heat of summer. Save some money–and some energy–by setting your thermostat a few degrees cooler in the winter and a few degrees warmer in the summer. Better yet, nix the air conditioning altogether.

Run that dishwasher when it’s full

Dishwashers are cost-efficient, especially newer ones. They often use less water than handwashing, and save you a lot of time. For the most part, they use about a third less water than washing the dishes by hand, which can save up to 20 gallons of water a day. Click the heat-dry setting “off”, and let them air-dry until you’re ready to unload.

Recycle and compost

By now, if you haven’t started recycling and composting, we wonder where you’ve been all these years. Most paper, plastic, aluminum, food scraps, and cardboard doesn’t have to go in the trash. If you’re community hasn’t started a program, use the compost in your garden, and contact the city to find out what you can do with your recyclable goods.

A new study by the University of Colorado Boulder’s Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences has found that this impact on the climate is a real possibility.

This carbon lives in permanently frozen ground on its beginning days of thawing in high latitudes from warming temperatures. In turn, it will impact both the climate and the international strategies to reduce fossil fuel emissions. According to CU-Boulder’s Kevin Schaefer, the lead study author,”If we want to hit a target carbon dioxide concentration, then we have to reduce fossil fuel emissions that much lower than previously thought to account for this additional carbon from the permafrost. Otherwise we will end up with a warmer Earth than we want.”

The carbon emissions comes from plant material, primarily their roots trapped and frozen in soil during the last glacial period. Although it ended about 12,000 years ago, it’s stayed frozen for quite some time. And as long as it stays frozen, it’s stable. But once it gets too warm out,  it will start to thaw and decay.

Other studies have, indeed, shown that carbon has begun to leak out of permafrost in Alaska and Siberia. However, this study is the first to make actual estimates of future carbon release from permafrost.

The team tested Arctic simulations with various temperature increases to forecast how much carbon may be released in the next couple of centuries. They estimated that this release may be about 190 billion tons of carbon, most of it in the next 100 years. The team used Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change scenarios and land-surface models for the study.

From these simulations, the team estimated that about 30 to 60 percent of Earth’s permafrost will disappear by 2200.

The  study was published online on February 14 in the scientific journal Tellus. Read the full article from ScienceDaily.

Image courtesy of nationalgeographic.com

From Rainforest Alliance: Rainforest Alliance Launches Sustainable Coffee Website, SealYourCup.org

New York – Coffee drinkers interested in the impact of their morning cup o’ Joe can now visit the website SealYourCup.org, which the Rainforest Alliance launched today. Through videos, slideshows and written accounts from the field, SealYourCup.org provides a window into the lives of farmers, their families and communities, educating consumers about the benefits of buying coffee that features the Rainforest Alliance Certified^TM green frog seal.

More than 400 million cups of coffee are consumed each day in the United States alone, often without a thought about where or how the beans were grown. In fact the world’s coffee is produced in the tropics by more than 25 million people, and most coffee farms are located in areas regarded as high priorities for conservation.

Traditionally cultivated under the shade of the rainforest canopy, a new coffee hybrid was developed in the 1970s to grow in the sun. While sun-grown coffee generates a higher yield, this farming method often leads to deforestation, heavy agrochemical use, soil erosion, land degradation, water pollution and the destruction of wildlife habitat.

The Rainforest Alliance is working to bring coffee back into its natural habitat, restore local ecosystems and protect wildlife habitat. Through Rainforest Alliance certification, farmers learn the importance of protecting their natural resources and are given the financial incentive to do so.

To achieve Rainforest Alliance certification, farms must meet standards for sustainable agriculture that protect the environment and the rights and well-being of workers, their families and communities.  Certified farms conserve biodiversity, prevent deforestation, protect waterways, recycle waste, reduce agrochemical use and provide habitat for wildlife. More than 43,300 coffee farms are Rainforest Alliance Certified, which means that 871,587 acres (352,719 hectares) of farmland are sustainably managed.

In addition to the environmental benefits that result from certified farming, workers operate in safe conditions, earn just wages and have access to clean water, medical care, decent housing and education for their children. Farmers often improve their management and business practices, which can increase crop yields and earnings.

To meet increasing consumer demand for sustainably produced goods, more coffee companies around the world are sourcing their beans from certified farms. Coffee from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms makes up an estimated 1.5 percent of global coffee exports, and it is estimated that over 87,583 metric tons of certified coffee were sold in 2009.

A number of conscientious companies have made significant commitments to increase their purchases of Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee beans, and through their support of the Seal Your Cup campaign, are helping consumers understand how their purchases impact farm communities and the environment.

Coffee drinkers can voice their own commitments to environmentally and socially responsible coffee by connecting with Seal Your Cup on Facebook and Twitter.

To learn more, visit www.SealYourCup.org.

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The Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travelers. From large multinational corporations to small, community-based cooperatives, businesses and consumers worldwide are involved in the Rainforest Alliance’s efforts to bring responsibly produced goods and services to a global marketplace where the demand for sustainability is growing steadily. For more information, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.

Lucky for them, researchers at Teesside University may have a solution to their growing waste problem.

In fact, the research team  could help the United Kingdom to avoid paying £180m if they don’t devise a plan by 2020.

The team received £1.76m to find innovative uses for waste in North East England. Both industrial and household waste will be explored, as well as looking at curbside waste.

The money was funded to the Industrial Symbiosis team within the University’s Clean Environment Management Centre (CLEMANCE). This money will help them reach their target goal of reducing CO₂ by over 250,000 tonnes and preventing 250,000 tonnes of waste going to landfill. It will also help provide assistance to 40 enterprises each year.

The money will allow CLEMANCE to explore new uses for everything from household waste to plastics.

CLEMANCE Senior Practitioner Kirk Bridgewood explained that “the study was prompted by the recent collapse in the market for recycled items, which could potentially give councils a major problem if they are unable to sell the collected materials. In addition, there were stories about materials being stockpiled because no one wanted to buy. We want to find out ways of making sure that does not happen again and we will also be looking at the amount of materials exported to places like China.

“We want to see if there are ways in which materials can be recycled in the North East of England instead. Plastics are a good example. There are companies in this area that could use discarded plastics as raw materials.”

Read more from Teesside University and their ongoing projects and research.

Source

Image courtesy of euinfrastructure.com

Like in the past years, the company encourages folks to visit www.odwalla.com/plantatree to help determine where the new trees will be planted.

From Odwalla

Odwalla_® Expands Plant a Tree Program to All 50 States; Doubles Tree Donations in 2010

Half Moon Bay, Calif., May 24, 2010 ­–– All 50 states will be competing for trees this summer when Odwalla launches its third annual Plant a Tree program. The program is a partnership between Odwalla and America’s State Parks to support the environment and help with important reforestation and planting initiatives.

Beginning May 25, visitors to www.odwalla.com/plantatree can click on one of 50 state park systems where they would like to plant a tree, free of charge. Odwalla will double last year’s donation – which went to the 11 participating states – and plant 200,000 trees through the 2010 program. Tree locations will be determined by website visitor designation.

In addition to the Odwalla website, a portion of the trees will be allocated via codes found in the Park Visitor Welcome Kits at participating State Parks. Fans of Odwalla on Facebook also can create their own virtual Microforest by encouraging others to donate trees via the Plant a Tree program.  Fans will get virtual credit when their friends participate in the Plant a Tree program – helping to spread the word about the program. As more friends designate tree donations from Odwalla, the fan will get a virtual forest planted in their name.

“It was great to see the overwhelming response to the Plant a Tree program in its first two years and we’re delighted to be able to expand its reach to all 50 states in 2010,” said Chris Brandt, Odwalla vice president of marketing. “Odwalla began with a simple vision to make great juice, do good things for the community and build a business with heart. The Plant a Tree program is just one of the many ways we are able to recognize this vision today.”

The website portion of the Odwalla Plant a Tree program runs from May 25, 2010 through August 15, 2010. Codes found in the State Park Visitor Welcome Kits can be redeemed through December 31, 2010. The species of trees donated will vary by region and will be planted in fall 2010 and early 2011.  Odwalla has donated 160,000 trees since the program began in 2008.

About America’s State Parks

America’s State Parks brings together the state park systems of all 50 states representing more than 2,000 parks nationally. Our state parks encompass natural and cultural treasures, and provide recreation opportunities for more than 725 million visits each year. Learn more at www.americasstateparks.com.

Odwalla, Inc., the nation’s leading natural health beverage company, delivers nourishment coast to coast with the Odwalla family of juices, juice drinks, soy beverages and nourishing food bars.  Odwalla has been making juices and innovating in the natural health beverage category for 30 years.  Its nourishing beverages and food bars are available in natural food stores, select supermarkets and specialty outlets throughout the country.

To learn more about Odwalla products and Odwalla’s commitment to the environment, please visit  or call 1.800.ODWALLA. Also follow Odwalla on Facebook (www.facebook.com/odwalla) and Twitter (@Odwalla).

From the Rainforest Alliance:

Leaders in Sustainability Honored at Rainforest Alliance Gala

New York – The Rainforest Alliance, an international nonprofit organization focused on sustainable farming, forestry and tourism, names the 2010 honorees for its annual gala on May 12 at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.  Companies continue to make bold commitments to sustainability, despite an uncertain economic landscape, and these commitments improve livelihoods and conserve biodiversity on the ground.  The annual gala recognizes companies and individuals for their work with the Rainforest Alliance on making sustainable supply chain decisions, or for their longtime support of conservation work.

“Twenty years ago, the Rainforest Alliance had only a handful of companies working with us on their supply chains, and now we have thousands,” said Tensie Whelan, president of the Rainforest Alliance. “The companies and individuals honored during our annual gala are those that show leadership in their efforts to make farms, forests and tourism operations more sustainable so that future generations may also enjoy them.”

The 2010 honorees are:

Sustainable Standard-Setters (recognizing businesses and individuals with strong commitments to sustainability that champion conservation, improve the environment and support local communities):

Pierrick Chouard of Vintage Plantations Chocolates

Columbia Forest Products

Côte d’Or Chocolate

Glenn Jampol and Teresa Osman of Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation & Inn

JD Wetherspoon

Kenya Tea Development Agency

Willamette Valley Vineyards

2010 Gala Co-chairs:

Luigi Lavazza S.p.A.

Suzano Pulp and Paper

The honorees and co-chairs will come together on May 12 with other business leaders and representatives from the Rainforest Alliance for a day-long workshop on marketing sustainability and certification at a location in downtown Manhattan. Following the workshop, they will join other Rainforest Alliance supporters for an awards dinner, dancing and a silent auction at the American Museum of Natural History. Gala proceeds benefit the Rainforest Alliance’s work in sustainable agriculture, forestry and tourism.

Achievements of the 2010 gala honorees:

Pierrick Chouard of Vintage Plantations Chocolates

In the late 1990s, Pierrick Chouard – at the time, manager of a French chocolate company – paid a visit to the Dominican Republic to research local cocoa farms.  It was an eye-opening experience for Chouard, who was unaware of the depth and complexity of the social, environmental and economic challenges facing cocoa farmers in Latin America and the Caribbean.  Following the trip, Chouard developed a class to introduce cocoa farmers to better farming practices and began contemplating launching his own line of sustainably grown specialty chocolate.  Chouard approached the Rainforest Alliance with a generous donation to jump-start a development project in the Dominican Republic and a desire to identify a sustainable source for his new line of chocolate products. Together, we agreed to connect with potential suppliers in Ecuador, where the Rainforest Alliance was already engaged with a number of farmers. By 2004, Vintage Plantations Arriba chocolate had hit the shelves and become the first-ever cocoa product to bear the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ green frog seal. Today, 100 percent of the cocoa used in Vintage’s delicious chocolates comes from farms that protect the environment and the rights and welfare of local communities.

vintageplantations.com

Columbia Forest Products

In the late 1990’s Columbia Forest Products — North America’s leading producer of hardwood plywood and hardwood veneer — identified certification as an opportunity to differentiate its products in the marketplace.  Soon after, it became the first manufacturer of its kind to secure a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)/Rainforest Alliance Chain-of-Custody certificate, and more than a decade later it provides the industry’s most comprehensive line of FSC-certified decorative hardwood panel products. Columbia has incorporated other game-changing practices into its operations, too — for example, eliminating the use of urea formaldehyde from its manufacturing process. According to Columbia, working with the Rainforest Alliance’s SmartWood program “positioned us to make substantial changes in the makeup of our product lines and helped our merchandise to resonate with increasingly sophisticated and environmentally-conscious consumers.”

columbiaforestproducts.com

Côte d’Or Chocolate

Thanks to a momentous commitment and pioneering efforts from Kraft Foods, consumers across Europe and North America are experiencing the delicious taste of sustainably grown cocoa. With Côte d’Or premium line of chocolate products now containing at least 30 percent Rainforest Alliance Certified™ cocoa content, Kraft Foods is demonstrating its meaningful investment in sustainability and responsible agriculture.  It’s a commitment that will continue to deepen: by 2012, all of the cocoa in Kraft Foods Côte d’Or and Marabou chocolate products will be sourced from certified farms. For thousands of West African farmers and their families, this means access to health care, safety equipment and education services.

cotedor.com

Glenn Jampol and Teresa Osman of Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation & Inn

For conservation-conscious tourists and eco-curious coffee lovers, Finca Rosa Blanca is an essential destination. A coffee plantation and inn, it has been awarded a prestigious five green leaves and a perfect 100 percent score from Costa Rica’s Certification for Sustainable Tourism program and Rainforest Alliance certification (plus wide recognition) for sustainable farm management. Finca Rosa Blanca has also

demonstrated a real commitment to the betterment of its local community. For the past 20 years, the inn’s owners have donated five percent of their annual bar and restaurant revenue to community projects, enabling the construction of a new library, dining room and computer center at their local school, developing a community-wide recycling center and providing continuous support to the Children’s Food Bank and Kitchen.

fincarosablanca.com

JD Wetherspoon

With ongoing sustainability initiatives at its 757 pubs and 16 hotels located throughout the UK, JD Wetherspoon has been quietly demonstrating its commitment to ethical business for some time. In 2004, Wetherspoon launched a company-wide recycling initiative and began bringing all of its recycled waste to a national distribution center. In 2009 alone, nearly 5,500 tons of cardboard, used cooking oil, plastic packaging, paper and steel were recycled through the initiative. The company is also working to reduce its energy consumption by 15 percent by the end of 2010 and collaborating with suppliers to minimize packaging. In addition, Wetherspoon has begun adopting responsible sourcing practices and now purchases 100 percent Rainforest Alliance Certified™ coffee for all of its pub locations — a real boon for coffee growing communities, wildlife and the environment.

jdwetherspoon.co.uk

Kenya Tea Development Agency

Producing some 60 percent of Kenya’s tea, the Kenya Tea Development Agency (also known as KTDA) has been working with its farmers to make the case for socially and environmentally responsible agriculture for some time. In 2006, KTDA and one of its main buyers, Unilever — supported by the UK’s Department for International Development — launched a pilot program to demonstrate the value of sustainable agriculture among its small-scale farmers. The project was a resounding success. By the close of 2009, KTDA had achieved Rainforest Alliance certification on more than 38,000 of its smallholder tea farms- a development that has truly benefited the agency, farmers and factory employees. Today, KTDA’s Rainforest Alliance Certified tea is commanding a higher price, workers and farmers have critical safety equipment and employees and farmers now understand the very real value of soil, water and wildlife conservation.

74.63.45.6/cmss4

Willamette Valley Vineyards

If Willamette Valley Vineyards wanted to save $250,000 a year, it could stop using natural cork stoppers and transition to metal screw caps or plastic stoppers. Fortunately, the winemaker understands that that number does not reflect the true cost to the environment, which is why it pays a premium to seal its bottles with cork harvested from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)/Rainforest Alliance Certified forestlands in the Mediterranean. An overriding commitment to social, environmental and economic sustainability is apparent throughout Willamette Valley Vineyards’ business operations. All of the company’s properties have been certified by LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) as well as Salmon-Safe. The vineyard also offers ten cents for every wine bottle returned to its tasting room (regardless of origin), uses recycled paper throughout its facilities and recycles all plastic, aluminum, paper and cardboard.

willamettevalleyvineyards.com

Achievements of the 2010 gala co-chairs:

Luigi Lavazza S.p.A.

One of Italy’s oldest and most popular coffee roasters and sellers, Lavazza strives for quality and innovation while maintaining a respect for tradition. Since 2004, the Rainforest Alliance and Lavazza have collaborated on ¡Tierra!, a project to help small coffee growing communities in Honduras, Peru and Colombia improve their living and working conditions and become more competitive and self-sufficient. Through the initiative, farmers have learned to protect wildlife, waterways and forests by using eco-friendly techniques – for example, controlling pests without the use of dangerous agrochemicals and replacing inefficient coffee mills with modern machinery that conserves water and controls pollution. The project has borne fruit: Since 2005, Rainforest Alliance Certified ¡Tierra! Coffee, a 100 percent premium Arabica blend, has been sold in specialty and retail stores in many countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy. Soon, Lavazza plans to introduce ¡Tierra! to coffee-growing communities in Tanzania, India and Brazil, as well.

lavazza.com/corporate

Suzano Pulp and Paper

Endangered species like the Juçara palm and the Bahia rosewood thrive on Suzano Pulp and Paper’s responsibly managed forestlands in the states of São Paulo, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Maranhão and Piauí. The 86-year-old pulp and paper company – which sells its products in more than 80 countries around the globe – has made environmental stewardship a central part of its business strategy. It’s a commitment that has paid off. One of the ten largest pulp producers in the world, Suzano attributes much of its business success to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)/Rainforest Alliance certification on its well-managed forestlands. With approximately 40 percent of its 597,000 hectares set aside as reserves — and the rest complying with the FSC’s strict standards for social, environmental and economic sustainability — it’s clear that Suzano’s commitment has been profitable for the environment as well as the company’s bottom line.

suzano.com.br

Gala sponsors: Domtar, Gibson Foundation, Gloria Jean’s Coffees, National Geographic Traveler and Nestlé Nespresso SA

BACKGROUND

Established more than 22 years ago, the Rainforest Alliance seeks to conserve biodiversity through its programs in sustainable forestry, agriculture, tourism and climate in over 76 countries worldwide.  Through third-party certification of forests and farm land and training on sustainable tourism practices, the organization helps promote sustainable livelihoods.  It also works with companies of all sizes on improving the sustainability of their supply chains.  During 2009, the organization saw continued growth in the number of companies buying from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms or forests — an increase of 26 percent from the previous year.  In agriculture, the volume of Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee sold in 2009 grew 41 percent from the previous year to 87,583 metric tons. In forestry, the Rainforest Alliance’s SmartWood program certified 22.2 million acres (9 million ha) of forestland, increasing the program’s overall forest management area 18 percent to 145 million acres (59 million ha) worldwide. For its work in tourism, the Rainforest Alliance received a 2009 Travel + Leisure Global Vision Award for upping the ante for sustainability standards in the tourism industry.  The climate initiative has also seen an upsurge in activity, to date validating or verifying 11 forest carbon projects representing 1,897,239 acres (768,113 ha).

The Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travelers. From large multinational corporations to small, community-based cooperatives, businesses and consumers worldwide are involved in the Rainforest Alliance’s efforts to bring responsibly produced goods and services to a global marketplace where the demand for sustainability is growing steadily. For more information, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.

Image courtesy of fincarosablanca.com

So surely, it doesn’t stop there on Earth Day, our one day officially noted to celebrate our planet.

For Earth Day 2010, they are asking their online communities to think about the small actions that they can take to make big changes. Things like remembering to turn your lights off when you leave a room, or purchasing coffee beans that come from farms with environmentally friendly and sustainable practices, are among their suggestions. We at ecoki also suggesting swapping your car for your bicycle, eating  a plant-based meal, and using a reusable water-bottle for your H2O.

They are also asking people to help raise awareness by ‘badging’ themselves green. This means changing their social network profile pictures to a unique Earth Day badge.

Visit the Rainforest Alliance’s website for more information on how to get your own badge, or check out their Facebook page, too.

If you have a blog post dedicated to your Earth Day initiatives, please share it below!