"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has." Sure, Margaret Mead's resounding words can apply to just about anything, but let's apply it to something that's putting our future world at peril: global climate change and America's exorbitant carbon emissions. Talk of these pressing issues fill the media and supply the GOP with another issue to incessantly debate. Many companies are providing for a "greener apple" such as Macintosh, DuPont, BP, and Hewlett Packard (who have a great, free printer cartridge recycling program), Goldman Sacks, and MTV. Cuker Design has also embraced environmentally responsible practices and we are ready to announce ourselves as a green company.
We sweated out the summer sans AC, reduced paper use and improved our paperless efficiency via technology. It's small step for humanity, but hopefully more and more companies will adopt more economical ideals that will help sustain our future. Even our Herman Miller "Aeron" desk chairs meet U.S. EPA Procurement Guidelines for Office Furniture and are made with over 66% recycled materials. And, if for some reason, we decide to discard our wonderfully ergonomic Aeron chairs, they are 94% recyclable. Embracing good design, along with sustainable means of doing so, is something we will continue to support.
People contribute to the global climate crisis and so do companies. Taking responsibility for the environment is something you hear about on a daily basis. Well articulated by Hillary Clinton, it has been acknowledged by many that "being an eco-minded citizen goes beyond your daily habits and what you do in your home. It also has to do with how your decisions affect society as a whole. People contribute to global warming with personal actions." On a positive note, we can all do something to neutralize the damage we have already done.
Change starts on micro scale, which means we can all do something to help our planet. For starters, using 100% recycled paper at our design studio is non-negotiable, and proves to be a more environmentally friendly choice.
From lowering global carbon emissions to the benefits of driving more economically manufactured cars, California is on the path to global preservation. Being more conscious about buying decisions is the most beneficial and easiest thing you can do to take action. For starters, wouldn't we all be delighted if we never saw anymore of those poorly designed catalogues or advertisements that fill our home mailboxes? Try unsubscribing yourself from these bulk mailing lists to save some paper and some room in the landfills through a new online service developed by three nonprofit environmental groups called Catalog Choice who are facilitating attempts to help unsubscribe you from all those junk mailing lists.
Online catalogues make so much more sense. If a consumer is interested in catalogue shopping they are likely look it up online too. Over 33% of catalogue orders are processed online according to the Abacus Annual Catalog Industry Trend Report. Online sales in the second quarter of 2007 across all categories (excluding travel) totaled 31.8 billion Dollars and accounted for 20.8% of nationwide retail sales. The Internet is not a small market for e-commerce sales, and companies who are catching on are the ones profiting. As part of our marketing strategies for the companies we work with, we are avidly encouraging our clients to catch on to online catalogues to reduce printed catalogue costs and reduce paper waste.
As of 2007, it is all about online catalogues and e-commerce sites. Not only does online shopping save millions of acres of land from being deforested, it also saves companies the cost of printing a paper mailer catalogue. Online catalogues roughly cut printing and production costs in half. Many of our clients prefer online catalogues because it streamlines the ordering process and improves the whole communication process as well.
Improving efficiency all around is the only way to reverse the trend of over consumption and the inevitable destruction of our planet. Let's not only address the central issues regarding global climate change, let's all do something, starting with where you spend most of your time: work.
Interesting Eco Facts Baseball may never be the same again. Responsible for killing over 25 million ash trees in America is a little Asian beetle, the emerald ash borer. Baseball bats are made from ash trees and the increasingly warm climate could speed up their reproduction and aid the emerald ash borer's invasion; thus wiping out the ash tree and baseball bats as we know them. Buying locally produced food and items is super beneficial. If we were to track the carbon footprint of everything we buy, our trail of consumerism would likely strike you as unfathomable. Your average meal travels about 1,200 miles to reach your dinner plate. Buy local and save on wasted fossil fuel emission used to transport your food. Air pollution does more damage to children's lungs than adults. Pollution also causes asthma and respiratory ailments because the lungs of children are still developing, they breathe at a higher rate than adults, and are outdoors more.
Marketing Green
Going green and green marketing explores of a vexing business and social challenge today: how to successfully use sustainable business practices while remaining part of the competition. "As we understand more about species, we understand more about habitat. As we become more informed about biophysical changes to the planet, we better understand how industrial processes influence the metabolism of the planet." Long time environmental and social activist Paul Hawken realizes the importance of green marketing in the modern day world and how these initiatives are one step in the right direction. We've compiled a few ideas for improved and eco friendly marketing.
Recommended Green Marketing Initiatives Search Engine Marketing E-mail Marketing Web PR Banner Advertising