Being Green at Home

In a lot of my posts about sustainability I write about commercial endeavors in the environmental arena. Not something I or any other average joe can hope to achieve right now. At least not without a ton of cash or an advanced degree in engineering or physics.

But this post is about a new web site, Low Impact Living, which promotes simple at home options to lower carbon emissions, reduce global warming, and hopefully improve your way of life. They suggest a variety of products that can help you, from reduced energy appliances to recyled tableware.

Beyond products, they offer a impact calculator which will help you understand what the average home in your area consumes and wastes. And with what you learn, check out the tab Green Projects, an area where they offer eco-friendly advice based on the room your in.

Like anything, there isn't a one size fits all solution, but adopting even one or two suggestions from this site might help you and the enivronment. You might save some green, and the earth will get one more day.

Spend some time surfing around, or check some of the other sites listed in the green links on the right. Do your part.

Organic Cotton: What's the Difference?

Cotton is a soft fiber that grows around the seeds of the plant that shares the same name. It can be spun into a fine thread and processed with other fibers to create a variety of textiles. Crops are grown in tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres.

It has been cultivated by man for well over 7,000 years and has been a driving force in a number of cultures, from India to Mexico, and ultimately due to colonization, Europe. Where, during the Industrial Revolution, a number on inventions built up the textile industry in Great Britain. These inventions were the spinning jenney and frame. England became the center of the cotton trade universe as cotton developed more use throughout the world.

As America began to build itself up, cotton became a crucial export. The southern region of the country blossomed with the success of this agriculture and the crop became known as "King Cotton". I do not want to make light of the individuals whose hard work truly led to this success, but that is not the topic of this post. For more information on the American cotton industry and workers prior to emancipation, please visit here.

Today, it has become "the fabric of our lives" thanks to their marketing campaign. In reality, it is one of the most ubiquitous fabrics and can be found in everything from denim, towels, and dress shirts. In the last few years, with the realization that our resources are finite and that we are having a greater impact on our environment, the term "organic cotton" has become more germane and acceptable.

But isn't all cotton organic? The fabric is derived from plants, and the production of it is actually very efficient as only 10% of the raw material is lost in the processing. However, due to the proliferation of fertilizers and insecticides in modern agriculture and the use of toxic dyes in commercial clothing manufacture, the need for healthier alternatives has become more evident. Cotton also needs a great deal of sunlight and water to sustain during the long growing season. Countries have suffered greatly from solely relying on cotton for its economy due to the lack of enough water. The crop is also very susceptible to insect infestation and disease, which leads to a high amount of pesticide and chemicals to be used. In fact, 25% of worldwide pesticides used annually is for cotton agriculture.

Cotton raised organically have begun to gain marketshare in both land and shelf space as it takes less of a toll on the environment. Organic cotton is raised without the use of the harmful chemicals found in the fertilizers and pesticides. Instead, they rely on natural composts and soil additives, as well as pest controls. Natural predators, such as ladybugs, are relied upon to control the insects that harm the crops.

Currently, strict organic cotton does not have the color palette of standard cotton offerings. The chemicals used in the dyes detracts from the natural growing. It is analgous to building a house out of recycled wood and finishing it by using lead paint. Earthtones, such as reds, browns, greens, and yellows are currently being produced without chemicals. In fact, cotton is being grown on stem in certain pigments and as the clothing is washed it becomes richer and darker.

Initiatives to lead the cotton industry more towards sustainable agriculture have gained more awareness. The Sustainable Cotton Project (SCP) started in 1994 and its goal to advance the market for growers, manufacturers, and consumers to produce and use organic cotton. Their mission goes beyond the cultivation of cotton in a clean way. They promote the fair-trade of cotton goods and awareness for the issues that affect its agriculture.

In closing, the commercial cotton industry will maintain its practices as is until other feasible methods come along which are more cost effective. Organic cotton is building ground, especially as technologies improve and sustainable alternatives are created which cause consumers to convert. More and more corporations are realizing the business benefits of being an environmental steward. As exhibited by the fact that more consumers purchase clothing due to more than the quality of the product. I've mentioned many such companies before: REI, Ibex, Patagonia, and NAU (Investors for now, customers later?) Through the internet, organic products can be easily found, and the more demand generated, the more likely money will be come to the cause.

39 days, 39 runs...

The NAU Revolution?

I'm a little behind in my magazine reading. Two weeks ago I was waiting to get my haircut and reading Outside. (The one with Shaun White's way to close-up grill on the cover. February 2007 for those sticklers for details.)

I knew I needed to pick up a copy because of the article "A Mighty Wind" about the small Danish island of Samso (Happily published online, please read.), but as I read it this evening, I became immersed in NAU, an upstart sustainable clothing company. The name comes from the Maori language and means "come to me" and also implies that the time for a sustainable clothing company has come.

NAU is trying to revolutionize the world of outdoor clothing from the ground up. They have a concept of being completely sustainable, both in product and distribution, minimizing their global footprint, operating their own retail outlets, and designing clothes from fully recycled or natural materials.

The idea behind the company is very exciting and has drawn a number of talented individuals and money into its fold, but it has yet to launch due to hold-ups with capital and materials. Today's outdoor clothing and retail markets are treacherous, as is most business. Now-a-days it seems that it is sink or swim. (But that sounds like another post topic) However, a wind of change is blowing.

As sustainable business becomes more fiscally possible, and even profitable, more people are willing to invest. Beyond that, consumers are becoming more saavy about companies. The product or service isn't the only driver for purchase. The morals, ethics, and social causes are becoming just as valuable. This factor is more evident as new media creates more impact and awareness for the behind the scenes of companies. Mainstream Media is also taking notice of these outside-the-box practices.

Companies such as REI invite its customers to join and become co-op owners and have a say in who runs the company and be aware of their social outreach efforts and environmental causes. Patagonia invests heavily in conservation and social causes. The difference, REI and Patagonia, developed their societal endeavors as secondary to their service/product (Not entirely accurate, but a significant varient to NAU). NAU, prior to even launching, they have pushed their agenda on investors, made their product sustainable, and put together a new business model. (Check here for REI's efforts and here for Patagonia's causes)

I am anxious to see if they succeed and hope that they do. With our natural resources becoming more precious, the time has come for more friendly technology to come to the forefront of the marketplace. In the meantime, here's what their people are thinking (The Thought Kitchen)

As mentioned earlier, their debut line has been held up, but should be unveiled within the next month. Look forward to jackets made from recycled polyester, base layers made from corn. Pricing is market average for outdoor clothing. Check out the preview of their spring line here.

40 days, 40 runs...