If you are in or near the Washington DC area, or the East Coast for that matter, come join us at the Green Festival this Saturday and Sunday, October 10th and 11th. The Festival has lots of information on green living, opportunities for green shopping (get your holiday shopping started early!), and food sampling. If you are there, stop by our booth, 646, to say hi!.
DC Green Festival is this weekend! October 5, 2009
Are Companies’ Actions Truly Green, or Simply Green Reactions? September 17, 2009
It is currently all the rage for companies to introduce environmentally friendly products, or change their methods of production to include measures to protect the environment. However, it is obvious that these actions are not done without a motive to increase sales or save money, especially given the current economic situation. This motive explains the copious increase in green marketing. TerraChoice points out that green marketing has tripled between 2006 and 2008.
A problem I see with the current onslaught of green marketing is not that these actions are being used to promote sales or save money, but that for some companies, these actions are merely defensive. In many case, companies choose to make huge strides in acting environmentally friendly when they have been criticized and given negative press for harming the environment. A recent example is Nike and Coca-Cola’s environmentally friendly commitments after being publicly criticized. Nike was 
criticized in a Greenpeace study of hurting the Brazilian cattle in the Amazon. In reaction to this study Slaughtering the Amazon Nike has made strides to make amends, including a possible implementation of a tracing system to ensure that future biome harm doesn’t occur.
That being said, is this issue of defensive green actions truly a problem? Even though the companies’ motives may not be ideal, environmentally friendly actions are still advancing. I believe it is crucial to the health of our environment that companies take charge in helping the environment. Therefore, although it is easy to see companies’ motives as insincere, the work they are doing to green-up their companies should be praised. They are still moving in the right direction, and if it helps their business, it can also help our economy, leading to a win-win for everyone.
Is it Green or Greenwashing? July 2, 2009
Companies are attempting to improve their environmental image, with the onslaught of green advertising, at the quest of pleasing more environmentally conscious consumers. Green marketing has tripled between 2006 and 2008 according to TerraChoice, an environmental marketing firm. Though many companies have made great strides to lessen their environmental impact, others prefer greenwashing or dishonestly portraying products or services as environmentally friendly. TerraChoice has identified seven key attributes or ‘sins’ of greenwashing and reported 98%, of over 2200 products, making green claims had committed one of the seven sins of greenwashing. Beware of these seven sins (though not deadly) they may have you purchasing products with unintended environmental impacts:
- The Sin of the Hidden Trade-Off is when companies make an environmental claim with limited criteria and exclude other important environmental issues. This sin can be seen in products touting energy efficiency but include toxic materials. You can avoid this trade-off by determining whether claims are restricted to one issue and evaluating lifecycle energy consumption, emissions, and materials. You can also look for a meaningful eco-label.
- The Sin of No Proof is an environmental claim that is made without the necessary proof, such as third-party confirmation, to support it. Many products, from food to shampoos, claim they are ‘certified organic’ some without a verifiable certification. To validate claims you can look at the product’s labeling, marketing materials as well as the product’s website.
- The Sin of Vagueness is the use of ambiguous terms that create an environmental claim that can be misleading. The most common violation of this sin is the ‘100% natural’ or ‘all natural’ declaration, this may be true but many naturally occurring chemicals can be toxic (formaldehyde, arsenic and mercury to name a few). First, disregard ambiguous expressions such as ‘natural’, ‘green’ and ‘environmentally friendly’ unless they have supporting evidence. Again, look for meaningful eco-labeling.
- The Sin of Irrelevance is a claim that is unimportant in seeking the environmentally preferable product. For example products claim to be free of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) despite CFCs being banned over 20 years ago. To avoid irrelevant assertions, determine whether or not similar products can make the same claim. If so, this product is no more ‘green’ than the next.
- The Sin of Fibbing is the use of environmental claims that are untrue. An example of this sin lies (and yes pun intended) in products falsely claiming third-party certification such as Energy Star. Claims such as these can be easily verified with the eco certification itself, often with a simple check on their website.
- The Sin of Lesser of Two Evils is a claim that distracts from the overall negative environmental impact of a product. The ‘fuel-efficient’ sports utility vehicle is an example of this sin. You can avoid becoming victim to this sin by simply asking ‘by nature is this product environmentally friendly?’
- The Sin of Worshiping False Labels is a claim that misleads one through words and images portraying third party certification that does not exist. This can be seen with products that have certification seals with words such as ‘eco-safe’ that essentially have no meaning. You can avoid this sin by becoming familiar with reliable eco-labels such as Energy Star, Green Seal, EcoLogo and Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
For more information on greenwashing and eco-labels, check out:
Continuing and emerging trends in environmental technologies June 19, 2009
With the green movement gaining momentum, many environmental technologies have become more wide-spread such as solar power, wind energy, and a host of other innovations that will make human existence more sustainable. Many of the technologies currently offered in the market took years of development and at the time required the assistance of state/federal incentives to make them attractive for consumers. While there is the potential for existing and increasingly popular technologies to improve environmental quality, there are still many other related technologies that are being developed and are noteworthy.
One technology worth keeping track of is the usage of hydrogen fuel cells. Hydrogen fuel cells have been considered a pollution free alternative to fossil fuels through a process that combines hydrogen and oxygen to make water in order to generate electricity. The problem with fuel cells is obtaining the hydrogen. Molecules such as water and alcohol have to be processed to extract hydrogen to feed into a fuel cell. Some of these processes require the using of other energy sources, which then defeat the advantages of this “clean” fuel cell. Most recently, scientists have come up with ways to power laptops and small devices with fuel cells, and some car companies are promising that soon we’ll be seeing cars that emit nothing but clean water.
Another technology is the promise of bioremediation, which uses microbes and plants to clean up contamination. Some examples of bioremediation include the cleanup of nitrates in contaminated water with the help of microbes, and using plants to uptake arsenic from contaminated soil, in a process known as phytoremediation. The US EPA has used it to clean up several sites. Often, native plant species can be used for site cleanup, which are advantageous because in most cases they don’t require pesticides or watering. In other cases, scientists are trying to genetically modify the plants to take up contaminants in their roots and transport it all the way to the leaves for easy harvesting.
A third technology that could offer many advantages is electronic paper (also known as e-paper). One of many possibilities of electronic paper would be the ability to use read a newspaper in the morning and then using the same paper to read a novel later using a flexible display that looks very much like real paper but can be consistently be reused. The display contains many tiny microcapsules filled with particles that carry electric charges bonded to steel foil. Each microcapsule has white and black particles that are associated with either a positive or negative charge. Depending on which charge is applied; the black or white particles surface displaying different patterns.
Keep abreast of the developments of environmental technologies as time will certainly reveal new trends.
The Ecological Mindset and Regenerative Design May 28, 2009
Sustainable business has come to be understood as the greening of one’s operations. Typical strategies involve the purchasing department and facilities managers. We buy recycled paper and offer employee incentives for taking non-car transportation or carpooling. And if we are really committed, we mitigate the carbon of our energy use through a wind-energy offset program. Yet the fundamentals of business stay the same. The use of paper, energy, and plastic is still high, commutes still exist, and product lines and marketing are essentially the same, but with a few green touches. These touches are good. They are spawned from good intentions and truly lessen our environmental impact. And while being less bad is admirable, it is simply not good enough. Being less bad only postpones the breakdown of unsustainable systems for a later date. If we aspire to be green as presently defined, we risk missing the opportunity, and necessity, to be ecological and regenerative.
An ecological mindset forms interdependent relationships with the immediate surrounding world. It understands the limits 
that are in place, but also the opportunities for health and true sustainable enterprise. Businesses need to create strategies in order to be accessible to workers, provide services and products that are for the local community, and develop products from materials that can be infinitely recycled and locally-sourced. It follows that regenerative design creates products and services that actually work to restore ecosystems rather than break them down. These products would be able to be broken down into nutrients to be used in natural or technical cycles, as written in “Cradle to Cradle” by McDonough and Braungart. Soil health would be built, carbon cleaned from the air, and water quality improved all as the result of the product of your business. This revolutionary model makes a clean break from unsustainable business that is normative today.
Federal Stimulus Takes Water Issues Seriously May 1, 2009
Green jobs and energy have been given new life by the stimulus bill. While environmental issues took a backseat at the beginning of the recession, the stimulus spending has reawakened the sense that green jobs can create a sustainable economy and slow the rapid pace of climate change. For a variety of reasons, energy has dominated the conversation, but there are other important environmental provisions in the bill. Principal among these is another, though not nearly as talked about, of the world’s other major resource problem we’re facing: water. The spending portion of the stimulus bill provides for a whole range of problems surrounding water on a regional scale:
- $290 million for watershed and flood prevention activities
- $50 million for watershed rehabilitation
- $1.38 billion for rural water and waste disposal loans and grants
- $1 billion for Bureau of Reclamation Water and Related Resources treatment facilities
These programs, among other water and environmental cleanup measures, are being administered by the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of the Interior, and Department of Agriculture.
The severe weather resulting from climate change, increasing population, demographic shifts, and agricultural stresses are creating problems for water availability (see the 3rd UN World Water Development Report for more info). These problems are manifest in the US too, and this is reflected in stimulus package spending. As one of the most basic of human needs and one of the most dangerous weather threats, it will create jobs to build, staff, and maintain water treatment plants, enact flood prevention measures, and clean up, replant, and landscape for the ecological restoration of watersheds. While these efforts don’t have the commercial appeal of renewable energy, they are nonetheless just as essential for the environment, economy, and long-range viability of our communities.
Federal Stimulus: Creating the New Economy April 23, 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has been hailed as an environmental triumph. Specifically, the stimulus package’s promise is in its potential to create green jobs, principally in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries. And to most environmentalist’s joy, money for two hotly contested environmental issues, nuclear power and clean coal, were dropped from the final bill. Green jobs, in an energy industry which boasts more potential than IT, were going to simultaneously lift us out of an economic recession and fend off climate change. For the past month, however, the economy has shown signs of picking back up without the help of stimulus funds.
In the past month, the stock market has increased and the beginning of first quarter reports has been quite encouraging. A few days ago, Wells Fargo announced a big first quarter profit, an excellent sign from the troubled banking industry. The remainder of first quarter reports will have a big impact on whether investors think the market has bottomed out yet or not. This could very well be a short-term trend or perhaps an authentic road to recovery. At first blush it would seem the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act had started to make changes. However, as NY Times Columnist and Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman explained on NPR, the act was signed six weeks ago so only an insignificant amount of stimulus money is in the economy; the positive outlook is due much more to the Federal Reserve board’s robust interest rate cuts.
It seems that green jobs might not be an economic savior. After all, the current economic crisis was thought by some to be the inevitable result of a fossil-fueled, speculation-based, over-consuming economic system. Terrible as the direct impact of the recession has been on the average American, it could have been a correcting measure for the economy as a whole. Americans were driving less and growing more gardens. But if everything returns to normal, very few results have been gained.
The fact remains, however, that even if the economy can rebound to its old form, its lifespan is limited. And even if the economy recovers without the salvation of green jobs and the clean energy sector, it is difficult to think that the federal government’s investments and the current administration’s priorities will let things go on as normal. Consider the Washington Post’s breakdown of the $48.9 billion spent on energy and water:
- $8 billion in federal loan guarantees for renewable energy systems and electricity transmission
- $18.5 for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs
- $ Other, including modernizing the electricity grid
Additionally, Obama’s climate change stance, energy policy, and the upcoming climate meeting in Copenhagen all set the stage for an unprecedented next couple of years.
We could wish that green jobs will bring our economy back to what it was a year ago, but really we should wish that green jobs create a better economy altogether. The changes that the stimulus package implements must be independent of the current economic model if it is truly to be sustainable. An economy that matures, that experiences growth to a limit, is sustainable. One that uses energy endlessly and is based upon constant growth is not. An economy that builds durable houses for people, not just for a developer’s profits, is itself durable. That is part of the appeal of stimulus funds for creating green jobs – it is based on programs like weatherization for low income homeowners, improved energy efficiency and conservation, and local transit systems. These are programs which can change our economics.
The Triple Win: the Impact of Greening your Organization April 17, 2009
When your organization goes green, you win big. Your top and bottom lines win; you win by increasing your social and societal value; and your environment wins, through the reduction of water waste, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Remember when the press was touting the win-win situation? Well, today it is even better, we are in a win–win-win situation, because the impact of greening affects the triple bottom line – profit, people and the planet.
Winning by Increasing both the Top and Bottom Lines
There are sensible monetary reasons to green, even if you think global warming or climate change are not important. The cost of home energy and water use is a big drain, so reducing them in this tight money time only makes sense. After public scrutiny, corporations such as General Electric, Wal-Mart and Dow made drastic changes to their energy and recycling policies; later those policies remained because those changes ultimately saved them a lot of “green”. Since 3M instituted water and energy efficiencies, they have saved over one billion dollars. Yes, that’s “billion” with a “b”.
Small changes can make a big difference in saving money. By tinkering with its truck engines, Staples has bolstered fuel mileage, lowered maintenance costs and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Fleet efficiency has increased from approximately 8.5 to at least 10 miles per gallon, saving as much as 500,000 gallons of diesel per year due to this one uncomplicated change. With all the new tax incentives and credits, imagine what an investment in hybrid or plug-in vehicles could do for their bottom line or yours! Eco-Coach can help you learn that the incentives there are in your city, county and state, so you can install solar panels or a geo-thermal system, for example.
Going green can also fatten the top line. Grossman Marketing Group, a US$30-million (sales) maker of marketing, decided to spend up to US$4,000 every year to ease the strain on the nation’s energy grid by purchasing renewable-energy “credits” from two California wind farms. Adding 5% to its energy bill didn’t save Grossman money at the time, but it did attract eco-friendly customers like Google and Green Mountain Coffee. Envelope sales — which represent 45% of Grossman’s top line — grew 20% in 2007, which is a pretty good return on a $4,000 investment!
In response to a question about whether it makes financial sense for companies to embrace green initiatives, Jack Welch said, “The bus has left the station,” and that any company that doesn’t recognize this trend simply “doesn’t get it.” And what makes sense for companies makes sense at home also.
Winning by Being Socially Responsible
The responsibility revolution is underway, argues Tim Sanders in “Saving the World at Work: What Companies and Individuals Can Do to Go Beyond Making a Profit to Making a Difference,” published in 2008. He points out that even small actions, whether of compassion or of leading by example, are vitally important for not only a business’s success but also for bettering the world. Both consumers and employers have turned away from price consciousness to demand that companies make a difference to society through their products, manufacturing methods, environmental efforts and community outreach. The new majority of mindful consumers have brought in a new value system, paying as much attention to a company’s environmental and social policies as to its pricing structures. Today, companies that do not transform will not be competitive losing customers who want their money to go toward good causes.
In a recent interview, Rupert Murdoch said that his decision to have his global media empire act on environmental issues was simply good business. The News Corp.’s environmental program would recoup costs many times, by creating efficiencies and because “[t]his program is a huge morale builder.” Ignoring green trends risks losing talented younger employees to companies with philosophies that are more in tune with their own: a third of Americans say that they would rather work for a green company over one that doesn’t promote environmentally friendly practices. It makes a great difference that you buy, invest in and where you work.
Winning by Saving Your Environment
There’s no denying it any more: from climate change to fisheries crashing, the global environment is in crisis. Thanks to former Vice President Gore, the awareness of global environmental challenges has finally gone mainstream and responsible people everywhere are struggling for solutions. The magnitude of the problems can be overwhelming, yet the most exciting fact is that creating a healthy, profitable and sustainable world is possible. However, sustainability requires immediate attention in each workplace because we cannot afford to wait any longer.
Today there is considerable focus on how improved technology can solve those aspects of climate change associated with carbon emissions from fossil fuel sources. Yet by simply using less energy and using it more efficiently, businesses can have a major positive environmental impact. Fossil fuel is at the root of much environmental degradation: the invisible collection of long lasting gases in the atmosphere that is caused by our burning of fossil fuel, is affecting all life on earth, causing everything from floods to fire and droughts.
So it comes down to how we use and produce energy at home and at work. Technology can help, but relying on technology to save us is an expensive and insecure solution. Only by choosing to less energy and using it more efficiently, can businesses and homes have the major environmental impact that results in a triple win: for profit, people and the planet.
Eco-Assessor Certification Training in May! April 10, 2009
Become a Certified Eco-Assessor!
Eco-Coach has partnered with SB NOW, the Sustainable Business Network of Washington to develop a groundbreaking green business certification aimed at office-based and retail businesses. The certification is in Phase II of implementation and has received wide support in the DC Metro Area. There is currently a list of over 80 companies waiting to get certified in the Greater DC area.
As SBNOW’s for-profit partner, we are training and qualifying Eco-Assessors to review businesses and determine what steps they need to take in order to obtain the SB NOW ‘Certifiably Green’ Certification (to learn more about the certification, go to the SB NOW website ).
Course Objectives
This two-day in-person practical training, followed by an on-site shadowing session, will provide you with the experience and tools needed to successfully help clients through the ‘Certifiably Green’ certification process. By determining each client’s baseline and what changes are necessary in order to get certified, eco-assessors will help move businesses further down the path to environmental sustainability. Please note: Spaces are limited. We are only taking applications for 10 eco-assessors for this inaugural group.
During the training you will learn:
- • In-depth information about the Certifiably Green certification and all the certification requirements;
- How to help business clients establish a baseline to determine where they stand in terms of sustainability using proprietary tools;
- To provide short-term and long-term recommendations that help business save money, save energy, and become more sustainable;
- Both quantitative and qualitative aspects of sustainability from green procurement to zero waste;
- About tools, including templates, questionnaires used during an eco-assessment;
- Methods to organizing and communicating change;
- Get access to results and information from participants in the program to date; and
- How to best position your client to obtain the certification as well as take steps towards real sustainability.
All individuals involved in eco-assessments must undergo and pass the training course and receive official certification and be re-certified each year.
Course Certificate
Once you become certified as an Eco-Assessor, you will become part of the network. You will be the first contacted when clients ask us to help them with the eco-assessment for the Certifiably Green certification.
Course Participants
The certification program is open to individuals who have some background in and knowledge of environmental matters and/or who have had experience in a consulting role. Individuals should have strong analytical as well as verbal and written communication skills. The program will be limited to participants in the Washington DC metro area for the time being. Participants must be available to work with Eco-Coach to conduct eco-assessments beginning in mid to late June.
Fees and Registration
We are offering special pricing for this inaugural group:
• Dates: Tuesday and Wednesday, May 26th and 27th , plus a shadowing session at a later date TBD
• Time: 8am to 5:30pm, both days
• Cost: Introductory cost of $1,750
• Location: Washington DC (TBD)
To secure your space in the course, register at www.eco-coach.com. If you have any questions, contact us at info@eco-coach.com.
It Makes Sense to Build Green – Part 4 of 6 (Energy & Atmosphere) January 29, 2009
Creating an energy efficient and clean atmosphere in a building is perhaps the most complex aspect of building green. Reaching optimal energy levels and employing clean and renewable energy systems which in turn reduces ozone depletion and global warming is the overall intent of the energy and atmosphere credits. To achieve points in this category all parties must be on the same page and establish precise energy goals.
In order to be eligible for any points in this section, three prerequisites must be met and they all revolve around planning and management. First, a Commissioning Authority must be assigned to the project to review, plan, and report on the project. It is vital that the owner’s project requirements and the basis of design are followed and commissioned in order to perform and meet expectations. Proper commissioning allows a project to establish minimum energy performance requirements and install adequate refrigerant management systems. Once the prerequisites are set in place you should use your energy baseline and construct optimal energy performance goals for your building.
There are 17 possible points amongst 6 credits in this section. To get points in this section, you must take your baseline building performance rating and increase it by 10.5 percent just to get 1 point, then to earn more points you can add 3.5 percent to the 10.5 percent performance and earn 1 more point per each 3.5 percent increase. You may earn up to 10 points in this section by reaching 42 percent total. (The performance percentages above the baseline will vary depending on the building). Meeting this requirement is essential to greening your building and can drastically cut your energy cost each month. To increase your energy efficiency you should install appropriate HVAC systems, recover your wasted energy, harvest free/renewable/clean energy, and reduce your demand for energy.
Commissioning your building early and thoroughly along with using proper refrigerant management can significantly reduce the environmental impact of your building if you measure and verify your energy use and energy systems over time. It is very important to commit to using renewable energy / green power in your building. Engaging in very available renewable energy sources will not only save you money but will most importantly create a low impact sustainable building and a healthy atmosphere.
Earning points in this category is a must, and working with a third party to meet these low impact requirements can make the task much easier. Consulting is available for energy commissioning and we recommend you use a third party to meet the Energy Star performance standards. More information is provided by the Department of Energy and the USGBC.
