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COVID-19 Exposes Supply Chain Vulnerabilities that Cause Food Insecurity

April 25, 2020 Add Comment Edit

The cornavirus pandemic has highlighted supply chain weaknesses that are causing food shortages. As explained in an FAO report, the global pandemic is threatening supply lines leading to concerns about food insecurity. "A protracted pandemic crisis could quickly put a strain on the food supply chains, a complex web of interactions involving farmers, agricultural inputs, processing plants, shipping, retailers and more," the report said. In a March paper the U.N. Committee on World Food Security (CFS) warned that Covid-19 will cause heightened instability in global food supply. The pandemic also prompted the Food and Land Use Coalition to issue a call to action for world leaders over what they describe as a humanitarian crisis requiring urgent coordinated action.

Food shortages are already apparent around the world and according to Business Insider, food retailers may experience food shortages for 18 months or more. Food that comes from large industrial farms are especially vulnerable. The megabarns in which livestock and poultry are produced are breeding grounds for disease. Social distancing is not an option for farm workers or those that work in food processing facilities. Disease rapidly spreads in such workplaces and when these workers get sick the supply chain breaks down.

However, our current situation affords insight into the mechanics of supply chain disruptions. COVID-19 is far from over and it is certainly not the last pandemic we will face. We also know that climate change will be far more disruptive to supply chains. A warming planet interferes with food production by decreasing the fertility of soils, reducing the number of pollinators and increasing extreme weather events including droughts and floods.

As explained by Seckin Ozkul, a supply chain management expert at the University of South Florida, these disruptions help us to identify vulnerabilities. "We had seen regional, we had seen national disasters and destruction, but we had never seen a full global [disruption] at the same time — everyone shot down at the same time," Ozkul said. "So now we want to look at this so that the next time it happens we can be better prepared and we can actually take the necessary precautions so we don't see the impact as much as we see it now."

Using the lessons gleaned from this pandemic we can redesign our supply chains in ways that mitigate against the risks of disruption. One of the most important things we can do is create sustainable supply chains. To help reduce the risks associated with factory farms we can diversify the procurement of our foods so that we are not overly dependent on any one source.

Related
Building Resilience to Supply Chain Disruptions due to Climate Change
Supply Chain Sustainability Guidance and Standards
Sustainable Procurement: Environmental Social and Economic Supply Chain Considerations
How to Craft Value Out of Sustainability Focused Supply Chains
The Sustainable Supply Chain Imperative
The Supply Chain of CO2 Emissions (White Paper)
Digging In: The Nuts and Bolts of Supply Chain Sustainability (White Paper)
Sustainable Supply Chains are Profitable

Get Ready for Supply Chain Sustainability Guidance and Standards

August 23, 2016 Add Comment Edit

Sustainability is a large and expanding trend and procurement has been a major part of this trend. Efforts to adopt more sustainable supply chains have been around for years. We now have ample information to confidently make the claim that businesses practicing sustainability are leading the way forward. Procurement and supply chains are key components of sustainability.

However, a lack of standardization and guidance have made this transition difficult for some. That is rapidly changing as we have seen more guidance and now forthcoming standardization.

President Obama has launched a major initiative to reduce greenhouse gases with an executive order related to the federal government's supply chain.

As revealed in an Environmental Leader article, public sector procurement accounts for around 12 percent of GDP and 29 percent of government expenditure in OECD member countries.

ISO standards, specifically ISO 20400, Sustainable procurement – Guidance will be published in 2017.

"ISO says because sustainable procurement is a key aspect of social responsibility, ISO 20400 will complement ISO 26000, Guidance on social responsibility, by enabling organizations to contribute to sustainable development efforts by minimizing their impact on the environment, tackling human rights issues and contributing to society and the economy."

The nonprofit Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council is also developing a Sustainable Purchasing Benchmarking System consistent with the ISO 20400. Sustainable Purchasing Council provides guidance on incorporating sustainability in procurement decisions.

In 2015 SPLC released its Guidance for Leadership in Sustainable Purchasing v1.0. This guidance has been field tested in a pilot program by a number of organizations including Lockheed Martin and Office Depot. SPLC will provide third party recognition for their procurement efforts.

The SPLC has previously released five principles for sustainability leadership which includes environmental, social and economic impacts of purchasing. The SPLC also released guidelines for suppliers of products and services.

Related
Obama Signs Executive Order to Reduce GHGs in the Federal Government and Across their Supply Chain
Sustainable Procurement: Environmental Social and Economic Supply Chain Considerations
How to Craft Value Out of Sustainability Focused Supply Chains
Supply Chain Advocacy to Advance Renewable Energy: The Story of E.ON
Winners of the 2013 Green Supply Chain Awards
Sustainable Supply Chain Transparency: Strategic Analysis and Best Practices
The Sustainable Supply Chain Imperative

Twitter Buying Trends: Black Friday and Cyber Monday

November 28, 2014 Add Comment Edit

Holiday shopping is increasingly being influenced by social media platforms like Twitter, this is particularly true of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. As indicated in a 2013 poll, those who use Twitter spend more and use the portal as a strategy resource that informs their buying decisions.

According to a DB5 survey of 1,000 US adults 7 out of 10 of our users will rely on Twitter to enhance their Black Friday and Cyber Monday experiences. A total of 85 percent of Twitter users shop on Black Friday and 81 percent shop on Cyber Monday. Unsurprisingly, Twitter uses are bigger online shoppers than non-Twitter users. While 54 percent of all adults plan to shop on both Black Friday and Cyber Monday days, that number jumps to 68 percent among Twitter users.

Twitter users not only buy online, they are well informed and they do their research. Sixty percent of users say that Twitter plays an important role in their Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping. One survey respondent shared, "Twitter is invaluable for planning my strategic attack: for [finding out] about deals, where friends were shopping and whether the lines were too long."

Twitter users craft a shopping strategy ahead of other shoppers. Eighty percent of Twitter users start to plan for Black Friday at least one week in advance this is eleven points higher than the percentage of preparation exhibited by average shoppers which is 69 percent. For Cyber Monday, 72 percent of Twitter shoppers plan at least a week in advance.

Fifty-six percent say Twitter is one of the first places they go to research products. These shoppers also expect to hear about products and special promotions from brands. In fact, 78 percent say if they saw a Tweet for a sale at a nearby retailer they’d visit the store on Black Friday.

Eighty two percent of Twitter users cite cost saving as the reason they use the platform for shopping on Black Friday. Even more importantly Twitter is perceived as an enjoyable social experience. Fifty-nine percent of Twitter users say they shop Black Friday to "have fun" and 39 percent say it’s a tradition with loved ones.

Seventy percent of Twitter users say they wait in Black Friday lines at stores compared to 61 percent of all Black Friday shoppers.

Eighty percent of Twitter users indicated that they want to save money on Cyber Monday but they also value the ease and convenience of shopping online. The survey revealed that 57 percent of Twitter users appreciate avoiding the crowds and not leaving the comfort of the house or office on Cyber Monday.

Thirty eight percent of Twitter users get online at midnight on #CyberMonday while thirtyfour percent shop between midnight and 6 am to access popular products and special promotions.

Smartphones are a critical tool in Twitter users shopping arsenal. Eighty-seven percent of of Twitter users say they will rely on their smartphones during Black Friday. That is 21 points more than non-twitter users (66 percent). The phones of Twitter users continue to be used as a mobile strategy device. Twenty-two percent of Twitter users continue to check their phones while in line on Black Friday and fifty-four percent stay in touch with family and friends who are shopping, fifty-seven percent. Fifty-seven percent use their phones to find out about different sales and forty-nine percent check prices. Forty one percent use their phones to make purchases while only 22 percent of non-twitter users do so.

Twitter users spend more than other shoppers on both Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Only a third of Twitter users strictly stick to their shopping lists on both days. Twitter users spend 19 percent more than the average Black Friday shopper and 14 percent more than Cyber Monday shoppers. For people who shop on both days the The average spend for Twitter users was $700 more than non-Twitter users.

The top items purchased online are electronics and clothes. They visit an average of 4.6 stores on Black Friday. They also share what they score on Twitter: 18 percent tweet photos of purchases and 23 percent tweet about great deals they got.

For real time insight into the marketing and purchasing mayhem on Twitter follow the hashtags #BlackFriday and #CyberMonday

Related
Black Friday Purchasing Behaviors: Shop Local and Recession
Online Shopping: Cyber Monday vs. Black Friday
Online Shopping is Greener than In-Store Shopping
Online Holiday Season Spending
Let the Consumer Buying Frenzy Begin
Thanksgiving Shopping: Consumption and the Earth's Carrying Capacity
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Infographic - Thanksgiving Shopping Tips
Video: Retail Shopping from a Sustainability Standpoint
Video: Sustainable Shopping

Webinar - Valuing Natural Capital Assets in the Supply Chain

April 07, 2014 Add Comment Edit

This Webinar will take place on Thursday, April 10th 2014, 9:00am - 10:00am PDT/12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT/ 6:00pm - 7:00pm Paris- Brussels Online Meeting.

The 21st century has seen the rise of a globally connected community and with it comes additional layers of what will need to be measured and managed for all companies to succeed. Business leaders will still focus on the basics of profit, revenue and market share, but also required is broader visibility into how natural capital assets are consumed in the supply chain to build brand and manage risk.

Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) is the process of placing a financial value on the natural capital (water, air, soil, forests, etc) consumed by a company’s business operations and considering natural resources as an essential business asset. By placing a dollar value on these assets, the cost of consuming natural resources and negative impacts can be better accounted for.

The future of the built environment and the economy depend on how we manage the diverse set of resources (natural capital) that make up all the goods and services we rely on. A large part of a company’s impact on natural capital occurs in the supply chain. Currently companies have varying degrees of visibility into their first tier suppliers but lack a comprehensive view of the natural capital assets supporting the possible tens of thousands of suppliers behind each component for every first tier supplier.

The purpose of valuing natural capital in the supply chain allows for a more whole-istic approach to make smarter, greener decisions, when it really matters. More importantly, beyond valuing natural capital, it is essential to develop tools and strategies to effectively manage the related risks and opportunities of consuming such resources throughout the value chain.

This discussion will provide an introduction to the concept of Natural Capital Accounting and address some of the following questions:

Which natural capital assets does the business impact most?
Where are these dependencies hidden within the supply chain? In which countries are these dependencies and degradation most likely taking place? What is the company’s strategy to mitigate impact and protect availability of these critical natural assets? What commodities will have greater price fluctuation? How do companies make informed decisions about which materials and suppliers to focus on first? Which materials offer the greatest potential return to the environment?

Speakers

Clinton Moloney, PwC, Managing Director
Andrew Deitz, Climate Earth, VP

Event - Responsible Sourcing Summit 2014

January 19, 2014 Add Comment Edit

A Green Christmas and a Sustainable State of Mind

December 23, 2013 Add Comment Edit

The holiday season is here and many of us are making more responsible choices, however, while personal actions are critical, this time of year is also a wonderful opportunity to green our consciousnesses. While we all must strive to reduce our energy consumption and eliminate the waste we produce, there is a psychological dimension to environmental stewardship that may not be so obvious.

People who are interested in being more environmentally and socially responsible do a host of things at Christmas time and throughout the year.

Decorations

When it comes to decorations, they use natural materials like organic cotton and sustainable wood. They avoid plastic containing PVC and toxic chemicals like phthalates, as well as decorations that contain lead and mercury.

Gift Wrapping

They are recycling their wrapping paper or using newspapers, old tin boxes, cloth, and brown paper. Their gifts are tied with string or wire instead of disposable ribbon. They use natural adornments for gifts like evergreen branches, pine cones and cinnamon sticks. Perhaps they even give gifts that do not require wrapping paper at all.

Cards

They are giving out electronic cards instead of paper cards or if they do give paper cards they make sure it is 100 percent recycled.

Lights

They are using lead-free low energy LED lights that conform to RoHS standards and they put them on a timer so that they are not on any longer than they have to be. They are not trying to win awards for lighting displays that consume enough energy to power a small village.

Christmas Trees

They are responsibly sourcing their Christmas tree. If they use a fake tree it is made from polyethylene (PE) plastic. If they are buying a real tree it is a living tree that can be transplanted outside or it is responsibly farmed and when they are done with it they are using it for mulch rather than throwing it into a landfill.

Candles

They avoid candles that have synthetic fragrances and petroleum-based products, which emit toluene, benzene and alkenes. They use candles that are made with safe alternatives like beeswax and soy.

Gifts

They are looking for more responsible gift options. When giving electronics they make sure it is from environmentally concerned companies with a take-back program. They avoid toxic toys, and they try to choose those that are made from natural sources like sustainable wood and organic cotton. They buy responsibly produced non-toxic clothing and they avoid toxic personal care products.

Food

They are choosing healthy antibiotic free organic foods, like humanely farmed, organic chicken and turkey and they are minimizing waste by never making more than they will consume. They may even buy from responsible independent poultry farmers.

While it is entirely laudable that we should be mindful of our choices when it comes to decorations, gift wrapping, cards, lights, Christmas trees, candles, gifts and food, we should also be acutely aware of how our state of mind contributes to or detracts from the world we are trying to create.

In addition to all we do, Christmas is a great time to engender hope for the future. People do not respond to negativity and only a positive attitude can induce the changes we need to see. We must replace well warranted pessimism with the faithful belief that we can change our current environmentally destructive trajectory.

Christmas is also good time to ask ourselves how we foster family traditions that communicate the value of the natural world to our loved ones and especially to the children in our lives. An important part of this involves cultivating a deep and abiding gratitude for nature.

The best part of the holidays comes from being with family and close friends. The love that we feel for those that we care about should be the guiding force informing our attitude, not just at Christmas but throughout the year.

We must inhabit the change we seek, not only through our actions, but in our thinking and in our efforts to share the notion of environmental stewardship with others. We need to acknowledge and communicate the fact that this planet is not ours to abuse, we merely borrow it from future generations.

May we renew our commitment to act with the planet in mind this Christmas, but let us also strive for a sustainable state of mind that informs our actions all throughout the year.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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December 21, 2013 Add Comment Edit

Video - How Sustainable is your Christmas?

December 21, 2013 Add Comment Edit

Electronic Receipts are Convenient and Save Trees

December 13, 2013 Add Comment Edit

Instead of printing out a paper receipt, many stores you now give you the option of sending your receipt by email instead. This is both convenient for consumers and it saves a precious resource. Around ten million trees are cut down each year to make receipts in the US. Trees both provide oxygen and sequester CO2.

In addition to being better for the environment it also is a great way to organize your records. They can be kept in a separate folder for future reference. This is ideal in the event that you need to return an item or for filing tax returns.

Apple was one of the first stores to provide this option in 2005. Then other retailers started offering this service including Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Nordstrom, Anthropologie, Patagonia, Sears, Kmart and Whole Foods Market.

New retail payment technology has leveled the playing field and enabled smaller retailers to get in on the act. Now stores of all sizes are able to provide e-receipts.

In addition to being convenient for consumers, there is also value for retailers as these e-receipts can also be a valuable new communications and marketing channel.

E-receipts are sure to follow the popularity online statements and bills from utilities, banks, credit card issuers and other service providers.

The trend towards e-receipts will only increase as more transactions take place virtually with the help of cell phone wallet technology, a phenomenon that is already very popular in places like Japan.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Green Market Oracle's Gift Guide: A Summary of More Responsible Gifts

December 13, 2013 Add Comment Edit

Are you someone with a green conscience looking for a last minute gift idea? Look no further than the Green Market Oracle's summary of green gift ideas that are sure to please everyone on your holiday list. These gifts are not only more environmentally responsible they also communicate something about your own ecological attitudes.

Here is a quick review of 18 gift recommendations as well as a dozen catalogs each full of green gift ideas.

1. Green Gifts that Help Animals and the Planet

Some of the best gifts we can give take the form of donations that help to protect animals and their habitats. Two of the most prominent organizations are the NRDC and the WWF. The NRDC and WWF are two of nature's leading champions. By donating to the NRDC or the WWF you can help them protect the natural world. Two other organizations that have been included in this list of animal conservation organizations are Orangutan Outreach and the Born Free Foundation. Here is a summary of some of the most earth-friendly gifts on the planet:

NRDC

Revive a Rainforest: Plant a tree in Costa Rica, $15.00

Ocean Protector: Revive our oceans, $25.00

Butterfly Beauty: Create a monarch sanctuary, $25.00

Den Defender: Protect polar bears and their cubs, $35.00

Leader of the Pack: Adopt a wolf in Yellowstone, $25.00

Cozy Cats: Protect North America's big cats, $50.00

All gifts are tax-deductible and every NRDC Green Gift comes with a beautiful print or e-card that will be sent to the person receiving the gift. You can write a personal message and choose exactly when it is sent. Each Green Gift provides much-needed funds that allow NRDC to protect our environment, wildlife, and wildlands. For more information click here.

WWF

Panda: Give a Panda Room to Grow $100.00

Tiger: Give a Tiger a Fighting Chance $100.00

Polar Bear: Help a Polar Bear Keep Cool $100.00

Walrus: Help a Walrus Keep Its Toothy Smile $75.00

When you symbolically adopt a species at risk, you’re giving an extraordinary gift while supporting WWF’s conservation efforts. All WWF gifts come with a tax receipt. For more information click here.

Orangutan Outreach

Adopt an orangutan and help save these creatures and their habitat. For more information click here.

Born Free Foundation

Born Free helps hundreds of thousands of animals worldwide including lions, elephants, gorillas, tigers, wolves, bears, dolphins and many others. For more information click here.

2. Greeen Gifts for Kids

This section of the Green Market Oracle's Green Gift Guide is intended for for kids and parents who prefer greener play products. Here are a number of gift ideas that are both fun and eco-friendly:

KidsCraft Playhouses: An amazing gift idea that fosters creativity with well-designed, eco-friendly, and durable cardboard structures. No need for tape or glue to build these structure. Two options, The Shuttle Imagination, $69.95, and The Creation Cottage, $59.95, both of which are made from 100 percent recycled materials that are made here in the US. KidsCraft, a new and rising company, believes strongly in providing families with environmentally-friendly products. Additionally, the Atlanta based business contributes to charitable organizations and values the significance of sustainability. Their dedicated responsibility led them to partner with Trees for the Future Foundation, a program that plants one tree for every KidsCraft product sold. For more information about the playhouses, and other KidsCraft products, click here.

The Magic School Bus Solar Energy to the Rescue: This award winning educational eco-friendly activity kit is made by The Young Scientists Club and it teaches young children about the incredible power of solar energy. With the help of the Magic School Bus driver, Ms. Frizzle, kits can learn how to collect real carbon dioxide, recreate global warming in a bottle, and use a solar panel to spin a fan, among the kit’s many activities. At just $19.99, this green children’s kit, is both enlightening and affordable. With simple and well written directions, the Magic School Bus Solar Energy to the Rescue kit is also easy enough for older children to comprehend and use while on their own. The Young Scientist Club was started by a mother of five, who as a Harvard trained biologist, wanted to expose her own children and others to the incredible world of science. For more information about the science kits or about other products made by The Young Scientist Club, click here.

Haba’s Arranging Game, Corner to Corner: This Eco-friendly toy was developed for little ones three and older. It is comprised of a set of small wooden tiles help to provide endless opportunities for your child to create a variety of fun and exciting patterns. The 62 colorful pieces included, help to spark creativity and imagination growth. Haba toys and games are now available in more than 1,000 stores across the United States. Arranging Game, Corner to Corner retails for $36. For further information about Haba’s green toys and other products, click here.

3. Ethical and Sustainable Candles

Here is a collection of 3 ethically made, sustainable pillar candles (Vetiver, Lavender and Bergamot). These candles are made with renewable, biodegradable materials, natural vegetable wax, cotton wick and 100 percent pure essential oils extracted without chemicals or pesticides. The company behind the candles is LITE+CYCLE, they seek to blend form, function, utility, beauty and responsibility. They approache everything with a sense of purpose, sustainability and ethics while never compromising on design and quality. The idea is a conscious, and aesthetic approach to living, and the things that add comfort to our lives.

Bergamot: Citrus bergamia An effervescent citrus providing! an uplifting and enlivening aroma to brighten any atmosphere.! Cultivated in Italy without pesticides or chemical fertilizers our bergamot oil!is cold-pressed for aromatherapy that is safe for you and the earth. LITE+CYCLE -

Lavender: Lavandula officinalis + Lavandula angustifolia A balanced lavender providing a tranquil and clarifying aroma to enable calm and complete peace.!Cultivated in France without pesticides or chemical fertilizers our lavender oils!are steam distilled for aromatherapy that is safe for you and the earth.

Vetiver: Vetiveria zizanoides A deep and warm earth aroma to root and ground the mind encouraging harmony. Cultivated in Haiti without pesticides or chemical fertilizers our vetiver oil is steam distilled for aromatherapy that is safe for you and the earth.

LITE+CYCLE Pillar Candles are available in two sizes that burn for 40 hrs ($36) and 85 hrs ($68). For more information click here.

4. Green Gift Catalogs

This section of the Green Market Oracle's guide contains a number of catalogs each with a wide assortment of greener gifts. Check out each one of these twelve catalogs chock-full of eco-focused products and services.

Ethiquette: A database of over 600 responsible products and services. For more information click here.

Grassroots Environmental Products: This site offers a wide array of green products. For more information click here.

Green America's Holiday Green Gift Guide: Features great deals on green products. For more information click here.

GreenDeals: Green products and services. For more information click here.

GreenPages: The nation's leading directory of green products and services, featuring thousands of businesses nationwide. For more information click here.

Inhabitat: The well known green living site also has a green gift catalogue. For more information click here.

NRDC: An extensive catalog of holiday gifts. For more information click here.

Save Green Money: A wide assortment of Green Gifts. For more information click here.

Shop Organic: Eco Friendly Gifts that are organic, green and natural For more information click here.

The Daily Green: Another green site that has compiled a list of more than 100 green gift ideas for the home and garden, for women, men and kids, and special selections of radical recycled materials, volunteer opportunities, charity giving etc. For more information click here.

TreeHugger: This well known site also offers a green gift guide. For more information click here.

WWF: The World Wildlife Fund has a wide variety of colourful, high quality toys and games are a fun way for kids to learn about nature and animals – and a great tool for teaching about the importance of conservation. For more information click here.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Event - Halton Halton Environmental Network (HEN) Holiday Social & Enviro Guide Release

December 08, 2013 Add Comment Edit

Halton Environmental Network (HEN) Holiday Social and 2014 Enviro Guide Release will take place on Thursday December 12, 2013, at Queen Elizabeth Park Community & Cultural Centre in Oakville Ontario. The gathering will start at 5 pm in the multi-purpose room, C-094, near the front entrance. It's also the launch of HEN's 10th anniversary year! They will be sharing some holiday enviro tips and doing a re-gift exchange! Bring a new unwanted gift you've received, leave it on our table, and take one you want. (Participation is optional.) They will donate any leftover gifts to a local charity. If you haven't seen their new office yet, they will be happy to take you on a tour. All are welcome. Light refreshments provided.

The Halton Environmental Network (HEN) is an incorporated non-profit organization operating in the Region of Halton (Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton, and Oakville). HEN's members are 45 non-profit environmental groups operating in Halton. HEN shares information and resources with member groups, other non-profit organizations, businesses, governments, and the public.

For more information go to their website or

Contact Name: Lisa Seiler
Phone: 905-815-6185
E-mail: info@haltonenvironment.ca

For directions and to RSVP click here.

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Green Tuesday: The Best of Thanksgiving Consumerism Strives to be Both Sustainable and Profitable

December 03, 2013 Add Comment Edit

In 2011 Green America launched Green Tuesday to promote sustainable products and services during the period of rampant holiday consumerism. Green Tuesday is celebrated on the Tuesday after the Thanksgiving weekend, it is designed to inspire consumers to make "thoughtful, purposeful, eco-minded choices." Green Tuesday has a lot of competition from other sustainability initiatives including those associated with Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. The day is also being claimed by another event called "Giving Tuesday," which encourages Americans to donate to charity.

Green Tuesday is vying for a slice of the $5 trillion annual US retail market. According to the National Retail Federation about $600 billion of that consumer spending will occur between Thanksgiving and the end of the year.

Despite the competition from other consumer days, Green Tuesday is gaining ground. Since its launch in 2011 Green America's GreenDeals.org has acquired hundreds of thousands of green members and it has featured hundreds of deals from green businesses.

“Green Deals makes it possible to give great gifts for the holidays, while also giving back to the planet. Many consumers who are turned off by shopping at big-box stores during the holiday season will welcome this opportunity to participate in a way that is in line with their values, and save money at the same time,” says Green America Corporate Responsibility Director, Todd Larsen.

While helping to reduce the impact on the planet is laudable it is also salable. When it launched Green Tuesday in 2011, Green America published some research which supports the profit making potential of green focused consumer goods and services:

80% of consumers are likely to switch brands, similar in price and quality, to one that supports a cause. (See Cone 2010 Cause Evolution Study)
54% of shoppers say they consider elements of sustainability, such as sourcing, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, product use and disposal, as they select products and stores. (GMA/Deloitte Green Shopper Study, 2009)
In 2009, 47% of consumers said they bought products from a socially or environmentally responsible company. Going into 2010, 76% of all consumers said they expected to purchase more from environmentally responsible companies. (Tiller, 2009)
92% of mothers want to buy a product supporting a cause. They are also more likely to switch brands and have purchased more cause-related products in the past year than any other demographic. (Cone 2010 Cause Evolution Study)
88% of women say they like brands that “allow me to do something good.” (“Women, Power & Money: The Shift to the Female-Driven Economy,” Fleishman-Hillard/Harrison Group, 2010)
76% of Millennials want brands to be ecologically conscious. (Generate Insight, 2009).

Green Tuesday is an important day to raise awareness about more responsible consumerism. The growth of green consumers is a necessary part of addressing the environmental crisis we face and changing our current trajectory.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Cyber Monday 2013: The Ongoing Growth of a More Eco-friendly Way to Shop

December 02, 2013 Add Comment Edit

The term for online shopping on the Monday following Thanksgiving is known as Cyber Monday. Each year a growing number of people are going online to do their holiday shopping. Since the term was coined by the National Retail Foundation's Shop.org in 2005, Cyber Monday spending has more than tripled. By avoiding a trip to the mall, shoppers cut down on their environmental impacts including emissions associated with car travel.

According to a report by GigaOm, Black Friday is 50 times more carbon intensive than Cyber Monday shopping. While the report is imperfect, it shows how driving cars to the mall en masse is not an eco-friendly way to shop.

One suggestions to reduce the footprint (and cost) of online shopping is to avoid overnight shipping (air freight). According to The Daily Green ground transportation is better than rush delivery. Ground shipping is six times more energy efficient than air. Not only do airplanes release more greenhouse gases (GHGs) than terrestrial vehicles, they release these GHGs higher in the atmosphere, which has a greater adverse impact on global warming than gases emitted at ground level. Data from the Center for Energy Climate Solutions shows that even when using overnight shipping, the carbon impact of buying online is a fraction of driving to a mall or store.

As reported in a Washington Post article, in 2005 Cyber Monday sales were $484 million, according to digital research agency comScore, by 2012 they had more than tripled to $1.465 billion -- making last Cyber Monday the heaviest online spending day in history. In an attempt to encourage more digital purchasing some retailers are now celebrating "Cyber Week." This Cyber Monday could be the biggest on record -- comScore is predicting $2 billion in online sales from computers and mobile devices.

With an estimated spend of $12 billion Thanksgiving day sales are up 3.2 percent over last year according to Shoppertrak Research. On Black Friday sales at brick and mortar retail outlets were actually down 13.2 percent compared to last year's sales. according to Shoppertrak. IBM reports that online sales using mobile devices like tablets and phones are up 40 percent on Black Friday this year compared to 2012. Overall online purchases using a mobile phone represent 17 percent of sales which is up 55 percent over last year.

A USA Today article, citing data from E-commerce firm ChannelAdvisor, reports that online shopping is on the increase. Sales on eBay.com jumped 35% through noon EST on Black Friday, compared to the same holiday last year. Client sales on Amazon.com rose 25 percent in the same period.

A record $1 billion was spent online on Thanksgiving day, according to Adobe Systems, which analyzed 180 million visits to more than 1,000 U.S. retail websites. "The internet is now the number one destination for shopping," said Brent Schoenbaum, a partner in consulting giant Deloitte.

There are a number of good deals to be had for online shoppers this year. Some entrepreneurial shoppers buy items at a reduced rate on Black Friday then resell them on Cyber Monday at sites like eBay.com.

Online shopping at this time of year is not only a great way to avoid the crowds, it is also a relatively less environmentally destructive way to make your purchases. On Cyber Monday and everyday consider buying less and always assess the environmental footprint of the items you buy.

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Video - Small Business Saturday Contributes to Sustainability

November 30, 2013 Add Comment Edit

Small Business Saturday has been around for three years and in that time people are increasingly seeing the value of shopping at mom and pops instead of the big boxes. As explained in a Treehugger article,

"[T]he best tool for greening our lives is Urbanity- building communities that you can get around in without a car. Where you can get what you need within walking or biking distance. That's where small businesses come in to play. They are local, they support the community, and they make our main streets come alive."

As explained in a West Michigan study:

"When West Michigan consumers choose a locally owned business over a non-local alternative, $73 of every $100 spent stays in the community. By contrast, only $43 of every $100 spent at a non-locally owned business remains in the community. There are so many reasons for that; the buildings are often locally owned instead of by some distant big developer; the real estate and sales taxes stay in the community; the wages paid to staff are often higher; the staff are local too and spend their money in the community."

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Waste is an Unfortunate Thanksgiving Tradition

November 29, 2013 1 Comment Edit

The holiday season represents a high point for retailers and a low point for the environment. There are two major things we can do to help minimize our impacts. The first is to be more mindful of purchasing behaviors and second is to do a better job of managing our waste. Waste is one of the biggest problems associated with the holidays. Waste is highly detrimental to the environment and according to the EPA, 32 million tons of plastic waste are generated yearly, 14 million tons of which are used in packaging. During the period from Thanksgiving to the New Year, Americans generate 25 percent more waste than average. This includes

• 125,000 tons of plastic packaging
• 744 million holiday cards
• 8,000 tons of wrapping paper (which according to Treehugger is the equivalent of 50,000 trees).

The Thanksgiving feast is a notorious celebration of gluttony. Apart from the fact that this contributes to the epidemic of obesity in the country it also generates additional waste. During this feast.46 million turkeys will be consumed (20 percent of the yearly total) and the average American will consume 4,500 calories. Sadly much of the food consumed during this period will end up rotting in landfills.

A total of five million tons of food will be wasted between Thanksgiving and the end of 2013. Worldwide, some 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted annually, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. In the US, 33 percent of food is thrown away as a result of over-buying and misinterpretation of expiration and sell-by dates. In the developing world, an equal amount of food is lost because of poor infrastructure, pests, and disease.

The amount of food wasted in the U.S. each year totals some US$165 billion—and more than US$40 billion of that waste comes from households, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Recently, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon issued the Zero Hunger Challenge, aimed to reduce all food loss and waste. Moon called for nations to correct the inequity of food waste in a world plagued by hunger. "By reducing food waste, we can save money and resources, minimize environmental impacts and, most importantly, move towards a world where everyone has enough to eat,” he urged. Making enough food rather than too much food is a good place to start.

When it comes to giving gifts, an experience rather than a thing is almost always waste free. When you do receive material gifts make sure you recycle, this especially applies to plastic items which do not properly biodegrade. Wrapping paper and gift bags can either be recycled or reused.

The best way to reduce waste is not to make it in the first place, this includes little or no packaging and wrapping. The next best way is through responsible waste disposal which is primarily about recycling and re purposing.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Black Friday Purchasing Behaviors: Shopping Locally and Learning from the Great Recession of 2008

November 29, 2013 Add Comment Edit

What can the environmentally conscious consumer do to be a more responsible shopper? One obvious thing we can do to help offset environmental impacts is to buy local. We may also benefit from reflecting on the implications of the economic meltdown of 2008. Black Friday is a fascinating conflagration of consumerism kicking off a spending frenzy worth more than $59 billion in 2012, which was up from $52.5 billion in 2011. To capitalize on this orgy of consumerism, retail outlets are opening earlier every year. This year many big box stores opened their doors on the Thursday prior to Black Friday. Just five years after the start of the Great Recession, consumers are battling each other in retail outlets to save a few dollars. This may be a good time of year to remember what happened in 2008 and why.

Shopping locally reduces the distances traveled by consumers and locally owned businesses tend to make more local purchases, requiring less commercial transportation. Shopping in town centers translates to less urban sprawl, habitat loss and pollution.

In addition to supporting the retail establishments closest to us, we can also learn an important lesson from the Great Recession of 2008.

Deregulation allowed for rampant greed in financial markets. This led to the development of a number of highly sophisticated financial offerings including collateralized debt obligations or CDOs. These instruments packaged oversold mortgage debt to give the impression of a good investment. Many institutions did make money at first, but it was a bubble that was destined to burst. When it did collapse it brought down the global economy with it.

Short sighted consumerism is in some respects analogous to the events that led to the Great Recession. Responsible purchasing is like responsible investing. Our purchases can be reviewed in the same way that assess any investment. A good purchase, like a good investment involves understanding the associated impacts, both short and long term.

Before you make a purchase consider the implications for the environment, for the people and for society.

We are seeing record stock valuations, improving employment numbers and better housing statistics. However, we should not be blinded by an improving economic picture. When making purchases, just like making sound investments we would be wise to consider products and services that are good for the triple bottom line of people, planet and profits.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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