theslowplanet.com

The international passion to protect our planet from the ravages of pollution and to preserve our natural resources for future generations has become an everyday fact of life. With international support by “green” political parties, consumer organizations, celebrities and politicians, the organic or “green” movement has become a powerful force with an agenda that needs to be addressed by industry, politicians and consumers.Discussions about the environment are taking place by executives in corporate board rooms, between politicians in legislative hearings, and by eco-oriented consumers in supermarkets and department stores.

Can we fully understand the environmental implications related to pollution, climate change, and energy independence without a working knowledge of basic green vocabulary? Can we comprehend the fundamental green and political issues connected to lowering chemical standards on organic agriculture? Can we compare organic to nonorganic products we decide to eat or wear every day? To live organic or green we need to speak and understand the jargon.

Understanding some key green vocabulary and related commentary can help us evaluate alternatives between our planet and personal lifestyles. It enables us to decide how we cast our vote, spend our money or simply how we live. A green vocabulary will clarify the concept of our “carbon footprint” and help us reduce it. The following represents what is best described as a green vocabulary to help eco-oriented consumers make informed decisions.

A Green Vocabulary for Green People

Organic- identifies products made under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. Organic production guidelines are established to use organic materials and practices that improve ecological balance. Organic production incorporates agricultural system components to enhance natural biological systems. Organic Agriculture- is an ecological farming system that promotes natural chemical and biological cycles that improve soil fertility and maintains a balanced and productive farming system. Any products introduced to this system for fertility or pest protection are of natural composition. It eliminates the use of harmful synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, growth stimulants or antibiotics. These essential restrictions can reduce contamination or pollution to our air, water or food supply. Natural Fibers- are “certified” organic fibers derived from organic agriculture such as cotton, bamboo and hemp. Certified Organic Cotton- is derived from organic agriculture. The cotton is grown without artificial pesticides or fertilizers. Conventional cotton farming ranks about fourth in the use of pesticides in the US. Several of the top pesticides used in nonorganic cotton farming are EPA recognized carcinogens. It takes 1/3 of a pound of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers to make one organic T-shirt disregarding the use of any toxic dyes (Organic Trade Association). A typical organic tee shirt is also about the same weight but without these harmful chemicals. Organic cotton is produced using conservation minded or “sustainable” approaches to crop production. Such practices help to retain and promote soil fertility and the natural recycling of soil resources.

Organic Certification is provided by various organizations. The most widely recognized standards are GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) which is the basis for the statement “100% certified organic cotton” used by many green companies.

Fair Labor Practices- are not necessarily restricted to agriculture but generally support fair wages and healthy working conditions. Fair Trade Certification- “…guarantees consumers that strict economic, social and environmental criteria were met in the production and trade of an agricultural product.”(www.transfairusa.org)

Sweatshop-free - describes the absence of manufacturing conditions currently existing in many countries, referred to as “sweatshops”. They are production facilities or factories where goods are produced cheaply by minimizing workers’ salaries, and increasing working hours. Proper environmental health standards are diminished, yet demands for high levels of productivity still remain. These sweatshops may thrive from corporations seeking to increase profits by subcontracting inexpensive labor.

Sustainable- refers to natural products that can be preserved and renewed. It is connected with the term “recycling” when natural products are re-used like rubber (for tires, shoes) or wood (for recycled furniture). They are made from or made into recycled, carbon based products. A good example of preserving our resources is Trees for the Future (www.treesftf.org ), a charitable organization dedicated to replacing and planting trees. Unfortunately, most of our energy production is derived from organic (carbon based) fossil fuels that cannot be recycled (non-renewable) as compared to wind or solar energy. All of this is connected to our lifestyle and our “carbon footprint” discussed next.

Carbon Footprint- is a descriptor of environmental impact. It describes the consumption of carbon based natural resources or the production of carbon by-products like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide or “greenhouse emissions”. It’s about lifestyle and the amount of carbon based resources we consume through transportation, climate control, manufacturing etc. Basically it relates to how much each of us consume in terms of natural resources to meet our needs. In general each of us should be committed to reducing the size of our “footprint” to sustain resources for present and future generations.

Eco-fashion - is a general term describing organic clothing that has addressed the needs of the environment as well as socially responsible working conditions.

Eco-friendly - suggests a product or process than has a reduced impact on the environment.

Low Impact Dyes- refers to dyes used the manufacture of goods that should have minimal impact on the environment. Sometimes the term non-toxic is used here as well.

Green- is a generally positive term referring to the environment, organics or even a green lifestyle to be discussed shortly. Conscientious Clothing describes organic clothing has addressed environmental, ethical and socially responsible standards.It is essentially the same as organic in a general context. Organic may also refer carbon based products, issues or concepts such as carbon footpint, sustainable, fossil fuels, organic agriculture, organic food, organic apparel etc.

The Organic or Green Lifestyle

Organic or Green Lifestyle- refers to living with a strong commitment to the environment. In addition, it addresses compassionate and positive thinking. It means choosing a lifestyle with charitable deeds and social responsibility. Organic living includes compassion for the environment and others. A green lifestyle means being proactive and incorporates spiritual growth leading to ethical thinking.

Social Responsibility- can be defined as accepting responsibility for others and taking action against social injustice. It includes meeting the needs our fellow man through charitable giving. Charitable Giving is compassionate thinking in action. It is defined by charitable deeds including volunteerism and financial support to worthy causes.

In summary, an organic or green lifestyle defines our behavior in support of the environment and our fellow man. It results from accepting social responsibility and demonstrating ethical behavior and a genuine sense of compassion. It requires “spiritual maturity” and positive thinking about yourself, others and the world around you. The result can be a clean, safe environment and a better quality of life for yourself and others.

When it comes to alternative energy, or renewable energy as it’s also known, people tend to have different levels of commitment. Very few of us would take the view that, in the modern world, developing cleaner, greener ways of running our affairs is a bad thing. Yet there is a surprising spectrum of people for whom the philosophy of alternative energy has very different meanings

The spectrum runs all the way from not green to dark green. Let’s work through them:

1. You’re not green at all: For you, the green movement and the ideas around alternative energy don’t really do anything for you. It’s not really for you. You put all your clothes in the dryer iresepective of the weather outside and you use your big thumping SUV at every opportunity. You’re happy to buy a takeaway burger and drop a whole pile of trash into the trashcan without thinking about what happens to it. You want to save money though, especially on utility bills.

2. You’re a light green: You have considered getting your electricity from an ecologically responsible supplier but have not got round to it yet. If the weather is dry then you dry your clothes outdoors. You put all your paper, card, metal and plastic in the recycling bin. However, you haven’t made the switch from car to bike yet. If you could save money on electricity you’d definitely go for it.

3. You’re a mid-green: You just can’t afford the high cost of professionally supplied solar panels and windmill, much as you love to have them. You recycle your packaging but still enjoy a burger with all its associated trash. You’ve sold your gas-guzzler and bought a small town car to save on gas.

4. You’re dark green: You’re strongly committed to the green movement. You holiday at home, you get rid of your dryer years ago, you use a wood burning stove and grow your own vegetables. You recycle your waste water for the garden. You’d love to have solar panels and windmills and sell energy back to the utility, but they’re just too expensive. You got rid of your auto(s) and bought yourself a bicycle.

What’s is the common thread that links them all? They all want to save money. Well, whether you are not green at all or light or dark green, there is some good news waiting for you. It’s possible to save a huge amount on your annual utility bills by fitting a collection of solar panels around your house. I don’t care what shade of green you are, you can save money, you can have the satisfaction of building something worthwhile, you can reduce your carbon footprint and maybe even make a few dollars too, into the bargain. A Do It Yourself Solar panel is one of the easiest ways to slash your electricity bills. So whether you’re a non-green or a dark green it makes sense to take a close look at DIY solar panels and windmills.

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