Keep It Green

Grameen Bank

Poverty is a worldwide problem that causes immense suffering - and can sometimes seem overwhelming to solve.  And yet, there are innovative solutions out there - and Grameen is a perfect example. It was exciting to talk with Ritu Chattri, with Grameen America, who shared the history and personal stories of Grameen.  Founded in Bangladesh by Muhammad Yunus in 1976, Grameen provides microcredit to small business owners struggling with poverty. Over 95 percent of the recipients are women, who build up their families and communities while also succeeding as entrepreneurs.  Grameen America brings these successful methods to impoverished neighborhoods in the US, where a small loan of a few hundred dollars can make a big difference for local businesses.  It's no surprise that both Yunus and Grameen Bank won the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for this important work. Intense poverty breeds political instability, violent conflict, and environmental damage.  Grameen's work forges a path out of poverty for women with ideas, spirit and ambition - and in doing so, supports principles of community and sustainability.

Interface

I first learned about Interface when I saw its CEO, Ray Anderson, interviewed in the excellent documentary "The Corporation." He spoke about his conversion from a corporate "plunderer" (his words) to a believer in sustainable, profitable business. I was struck by his honesty about the environmental damage his global carpet company had done in the past, and was inspired by his passion for bringing new solutions to the industry.

So I was thrilled to meet with Jim Hartzfeld, who leads Interface's new consulting arm -- Interface RAISE -- which teaches other businesses how to be more sustainable. Jim was so much fun to talk to.  He's got a great sense of humor and is a wonderful storyteller.

Jim has been involved with Interface's transformation since the beginning -- in the 1990's when the company first started addressing its environmental impact, and Ray Anderson led the way with a new perspective gained from reading from Paul Hawken's book, The Ecology of Commerce.

What I love about the Interface story is that Anderson had a change of heart -- and a change of mind -- about how to do business. He realized the moral imperative to take environmental impact into account when making business decisions, and transformed his company’s entire operation while maintaining its profitability.  He’s a true leader.

OK, so maybe you don't run your own global multi-million dollar company.  What can you do to improve things?

•    Support sustainable businesses. Especially ones that are green to the core -- companies like Interface that are dedicated on a large scale to sustainable business practices and aren't just trying to make a buck on the new green "trend". Co-op America's Green Pages are an excellent starting point to find green businesses. Or try out our Green Maven search widget in the left column to find green products: just type in any search term (e.g. socks) and get the green result (e.g. organic cotton socks).

•    Bring sustainability to whatever business you're in. You can make sure you're reusing and recycling printer paper, or using CFL bulbs instead of incandescent. Or maybe you drive a few blocks to lunch every day, but could actually walk.  Does your company have a bike rack for employees?  They’re easy to install.  There are a lot of simple steps you can take to make your workplace greener. Here are some great tips.

•    Stay inspired and optimistic that positive change can and will happen. Twenty years ago, Ray Anderson never thought that he'd be an expert in sustainable business. He was ready to retire when he was exposed to environmental messages that struck a chord. We are all capable of growth and transformation in unexpected ways - be open to it happening for you and others.

Doctors Without Borders

When you pay any attention to the news these days, it can be a bit disheartening.  There’s so much suffering in so many places.  But then you hear about the inspiring work being done by organizations like Doctors Without Borders.

Doctors Without Borders is one of the leading humanitarian organizations in the world, bringing medical care to areas ravaged by war and natural disasters and where access to medical services would otherwise be non-existent.

I have such great respect for this worldwide group (originally started in France, and still known as Medicines Sans Frontieres, or MSF), that I was thrilled to get to interview Dr. Buddhima Lokuge about his experiences and volunteer efforts.

I’d known that doctors and nurses volunteered their efforts, but was pleased to learn that MSF also looks at the big picture -- exploring the root causes of suffering around the globe and devising short- and long-term solutions.  For instance, Dr. Lokuge and I discussed the difficulty that developing countries have in procuring affordable medicine for diseases such as tuberculosis – an ailment that has been almost entirely eradicated in wealthier nations.

If you are a medical professional, perhaps consider volunteering with the group. You could make such a huge difference bringing your training, talents, compassion and kindness to where they are needed the most.  And if you're not a doctor, there are plenty of other ways to help in the vital work that MSF does. Just visit their site to find out what you can do.

Of course, MSF also serves as even broader inspiration.  Its example can lead us all to consider our own particular skills -- whether in medicine, agriculture, finance, art, literature, construction, technology -- and how we can offer them to people in need in our own neighborhoods or around the world.

NOAA's National Marine Sanctuaries

Sometimes it's easy to forget that being green also means being "blue". Over 75% of the planet is water - and whether we see it every day, make a living from it, or just admire the views from a distance, healthy oceans are integral to our survival.

So, it was exciting that my first interview as Keep It Green's new host was with Lou Cafiero of NOAA's National Marine Sanctuaries. Our oceans are home to a vast array of diverse species, all playing vital roles in our environment. Marine sanctuaries play a large part in protecting that abundance of life.

And there's a lot of work to do. Until I talked with Lou, I had no idea that whales face some very unique dangers - one of which is getting hit by huge shipping vessels. These ships move extremely fast, and if a whale is busy feeding or otherwise distracted, it can get hit and seriously injured or killed.

How to prevent this? Lou shared a hopeful success story about research on whales' migratory routes on the Eastern seaboard - which crossed with major shipping lanes out of Boston. With solid facts in hand, environmentalists were able to work with shippers to change the shipping lanes, so that they would not interfere with the whales' own "highways".

The migration and feeding habits of whales may seem like a distant world that has no impact on our own lives. But, our lives do intersect with ocean life every day, whether we live at the beach or we're landlocked.

Pollution and unsustainable fishing jeopardize marine life. We can do our part to prevent these dangers by taking a few simple steps:
•    Remember that pretty much everything that falls on the ground (or goes down a drain) winds up in our waterways. Start using non-toxic, biodegradable cleaners for your car, your household and your laundry. These cleaners do not use harsh, toxic chemicals - and they work just as well as "traditional" cleaners. Make your own or purchase products from companies such as Seventh Generation or Ecover.
•    No more plastic bags! Aside from winding up in our landfills, these bags also go out to sea, where marine life die from ingesting them. Two tips for going shopping: 1) If you can carry it with two hands, you don't need a bag at all, 2) Bring your own reusable bags. All major grocery stores sell them, including the convenient Chico-bag (you can fold it up and keep it in your purse - I've got about eight of them). Put them where you'll remember them - by your door, in your purse, in your car.
•    If you eat fish or seafood, consult the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sustainable Seafood Guide. It recommends which seafood to buy or avoid, helping consumers to become advocates for environmentally friendly seafood. The guide can be viewed online by region, or downloaded as a wallet-sized reference card. 
By taking a few mindful steps, we can all play a part in protecting and nurturing the abundance of plant and animal life in our oceans.