The Whole Green Blog

Greenwashing

Jerry — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:57:27 +0000

Green products are a big deal and getting bigger, but how big can they get and still be green? While more companies are starting to talk the talk, very few are actually doing the walk. Greenwashing, the practice of misleading consumers about the environmental benefits of a particular product or service, is a growing problem.

So how do you know what’s fact or fiction when it comes to green claims? You can start with this recent Boston Globe article that discusses how some companies are exploiting the green market by greenwashing their products. The Six Sins of Greenwashing site will familiarize you with common methods used by companies that are less than forthcoming about what they’re trying to sell you. Finally, you can heighten your green awareness in the marketplace by checking out the Greenwashing Index, a forum that evaluates the greenness of various marketing campaigns.

If you know of other sources for verifying green claims, or if you have questions or concerns about greenwashing in general, please share them with us.

—Jerry, Whole Foods Market Team Member

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Factory Farming

Jerry — Mon, 12 May 2008 21:35:39 +0000

The votes are in and the loser is: Factory Farming. In a strongly-worded report released on April 29, experts concluded that factory farming is bad for the environment, human health, the economy and, of course, farm animals.

Check out this Washington Post article for details, as well as this Successful Farming article that includes a link to the full report (PDF format), then weigh in with your opinion on this critical green issue.

—Jerry, Whole Foods Market Team Member

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If Kids Ruled the World

paige — Thu, 08 May 2008 17:19:03 +0000

Proud papa Jim sent us this “If Kids Ruled the World” video saying, “The kids (and parents) at my son’s preschool are so happy that you are eliminating disposable plastic shopping bags that they all got together and made a professional looking video about the subject. The video was shot at the local Whole Foods (in Los Altos, CA) with store permission and it end up winning second place at the local Earth Day film festival.” Hmmm…think any child labor laws are being violated here?

—Paige Brady, Whole Foods Market Team Member

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The Best Green Sites?

Jerry — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:39:06 +0000

Time magazine online has published a list of their favorite websites, including 15 green sites, listed here. Check out the list and let us know which site is your favorite and whether they missed any that you think deserve notice.

–Jerry, Whole Foods Market Team Member

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The Biofuel Debate

Jerry — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:54:40 +0000

About 3 weeks ago, we referenced a report by Time Magazine concerning the controversy surrounding biofuels. In today’s New York Times, columnist Roger Cohen says the alarm over biofuels is hogwash. Check out his column and let us know what you think about this debate.

–Jerry, Whole Foods Market Team Member

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Why Bother?

Jerry — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 18:37:12 +0000

For a reality check on climate change, read Why Bother?, an important article by Michael Pollan that appeared in the New York Times Magazine on April 20th. It goes straight to the heart of the climate change problem, addressing the attitudes that need to change before effective action can be taken and offering one way for individuals to participate in a solution. When you’ve absorbed Mr. Pollan’s information, come back and share your thoughts on it with the Whole Green Blog community.

–Jerry, Whole Foods Market Team Member

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Slow Down and Green Up

Jerry — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:22:05 +0000

Coinciding happily with Earth Day, this coming week is Downshifting Week. Downshifting is about slowing down the pace of your life, changing your attitude about stuff and, of course, being more green.

Consuming less is a main tenet of being green, as detailed in this article by Laura Sevier in the EcologistOnline. Some Downshifters encourage radical lifestyle changes, but even a modest reduction in your daily pace can enable you to reassess your life and purpose: where you’ve been, where you are, where you want to go and how you want to get there.

So slow down, smell those proverbial roses, then check out the links and let us know what you think about Downshifting. Maybe you’ve already Downshifted. If so, share your experience with the rest of us in the comment section in the lower right hand corner of this post.

Wishing everyone a happy and productive Earth Day.

— Jerry, Whole Foods Market Team Member

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Green Spring Cleaning

Jerry — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:02:28 +0000

Since this is Earth Month, and it happens to be spring, why not combine the two by doing your spring cleaning the green way. How do you clean yourself and your house without using harsh chemicals? Send us your tips for green cleaning or tell us about your favorite commercial green cleaning products.

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We can solve it.

Jerry — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:06:37 +0000

The Alliance for Climate Protection — a nonprofit, nonpartisan effort founded by Nobel laureate and former Vice President Al Gore — has launched the We Campaign, an effort to halt global warming. Please go to the We Campaign site to learn more and speak up for solutions. Together, we can solve it.

–Jerry, Whole Foods Market Team Member

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Algae as a fuel source?

Jerry — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:16:00 +0000

Alternative fuels such as ethanol seem to be causing more problems than they solve. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were fuels that could be produced anywhere and didn’t compete with food crops for land? Algae could be one. Check out this report from ENN and let us know what you think.

—Jerry, Whole Foods Market Team Member

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