sponsible

Has it been a year already??

2010-02-16T23:15:00.000-08:00

I guess it has—a whole year since I last posted here. Wow, that was some bender!

Actually, in the time I've been away from sponsible I've gotten in involved in other projects that have required as much of my time as sponsible once did. Let me tell you about them...

Physical Edison was an idea I first had about three years ago as I considered alternative energy sources. As a lifelong fitness devotee and someone involved in the industry, exercise is always near the forefront of my mind, so it was natural that my passion for the environment and my interest in fitness would inevitably merge. Physical Edison was the result.

The idea was to convert human energy on a grand scale into electricity. You see, we people expend enormous amounts of energy each day (measured in kilocalories), some of which goes to use; a lot of which is wasted. While converting human energy into electricity is by no means an original idea on my part, doing something substantial with the concept, as in human-powered gyms, was an idea whose time had come.

Along with my business partner Joe, I worked on PE for the better part of two years, along with input from the amazing Ed Begley, Jr., among others. I pitched the idea at consecutive Milken Global Conferences to people like Jerry Brown, Grey Davis, T. Boone Pickens and other movers and shakers. All were intrigued, none wanted to help me get the ball rolling.

The Physical Edison website was beautiful. It was built on a Joomla! framework and included our business plan and lots of supporting data. I was pround of our creation and despite the fact that I couldn't seem to be able to raise the funds to get the project started, hope sprung eternal... until I got hacked.

Last Fall I returned home from work to edit the site but couldn't log in to the back end. Then when I typed the URL into my browser I got a black screen with an ominous digital tune playing and the words "You've been hacked by Black Death" scrolling across the screen and an image of the Turkish flag waving. Great.

Long story short, it was beyond salvaging and so I took my misfortune as a sign that it was time to close the door on the project and open one to another. But that's a story for another post...

We're Baaack...

2009-02-13T01:03:00.000-08:00

It's been a few months, I know. Fact is, after keeping two blogs for the better part of a year, both focused on changing the environment, both literally and figuratively, I saw the election of Barack Obama as a chance for blessed respite.

I, like so many others, could be accused for placing too many hopes and dreams, too many expectations, upon a single man. Certainly Barack Obama is an incalculable improvement over the person he replaced, and yet, he's still just a man, with human frailties and a divided and oftentimes ineffectual Congress.

Still, it's clear that of anyone to serve as President since John F. Kennedy, Barrack Hussein Obama looks to be the guy who can push the kind of agendas that make progressives like me especially proud to be a part of the American fabric.

So as the great Thom Hartmann always says, getting Obama elected was only the beginning. Now it is up to us to push him to greatness. Sponsible. org aims to do just that.

-Shawn

A NEW DAWN

2008-11-06T22:35:00.001-08:00

It's hard at this point to write something that hasn't already been written, express a thought or emotion that hasn't been more eloquently stated by scores of others. Suffice to say that with Barack Obama's win this past Tuesday night the world was forever changed for the better.

In the two days since this magnificently historical event global ebullience is still high. We seem to collectively understand the implications of a man of color rising to fill the top job in America. As a country founded on principle rather than persuasion, we have only recently attempted to truly manifest the potent words of our Declaration of Independence, "All men are created equal." On Tuesday night we finally realized this prophesy.

President-Elect Obama's win was both a valediction to a terrible, terrible period in our history and a coming-out party for one that at long last gives depth of meaning to another famous phrase from the Declaration, "We, the people."

As of Tuesday night a black child could also dream of becoming President, a privilege formerly reserved only for white boys. And thanks to the spirited campaign of Senator Hillary Clinton, now girls, both black and white, can share this lofty reverie.

Internationally, we've pulled ourselves up from the depths to which the Bush administration had sunk us. Whereas we were just recently perceived as callow bullies, insensitive to the global brotherhood the European Union has begun to build, our tarnished image has now been shined as we put our fears and prejudices aside to do the right thing.

In electing Barack Hussein Obama as President of these United States we didn't elect a black man or a man of mixed heritage or a man with a different name or a man whose father was born in Kenya. In electing Senator Obama we chose the best man for the job, because of and in spite of all of these things. It's not so amazing that we picked a black man to be our next President. What is amazing is that we picked the right man to be our next President, and he just so happens to be black. That is true equality.

God Bless America and God Bless our 44th President, Barack Hussein Obama.

Bring International Attention to Malnourished Ethiopian Children

2008-11-06T22:11:00.000-08:00

Sponsored by: UNICEF

The effect of drought and rising food prices in some parts of Ethiopia is headline news, yet few people know the truth of the situation.

Children are the most vulnerable to nutritional deficits and the first to succumb when there is not enough food to go around. The Government of Ethiopia estimates that 75,000 children under the age of five live with severe acute malnutrition. And 25 to 50 percent of children with severe acute malnutrition are likely to die if they don't receive proper treatment.

But there is hope for the children of Ethiopia. UNICEF-supported therapeutic feeding programs have been set up around Ethiopia following the establishment of a national protocol for severe acute malnutrition. This approach has revolutionized the treatment of malnutrition in Ethiopia, leading to a significant drop in mortality rates for malnourished children of all ages.

Bringing international attention to the plight of these children and the benefits of the therapeutic feeding programs can help save lives!

To add your name to the petition to help raise awareness about this terrible situation please go to http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/209965929?z00m=17735456

VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-11-04T09:43:00.001-08:00

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE......... Please.

This is Really Inspiring

2008-11-01T15:08:00.000-07:00

I love these kids!

VOTE

2008-10-29T14:26:00.000-07:00

Hooray for Hartmann!

2008-10-19T21:40:00.000-07:00

On Friday evening I attended a speaking engagement with author/humanitarian/historian/entrepreneur/educator/economist/radio host Thom Hartmann at the San Fernando Valley Democratic Headquarters in Van Nuys, CA.

If you don't know Thom, you need to. Thom is, to me at least, a modern-day version of another significant Thomas – Jefferson – in that he's worldly and erudite yet an everyman. He is a true believer in a "we society" as opposed to a "me society", and yet he has the capacity to be the one to speak out for "we."

On Friday night he waxed philosophical on a number of topics – from Hobbsian vs. Lockean views (he sides more with Locke) on society to a particularly formative night he spent making peace with members of a tribe inside an Iroquois teepee.

He mentioned being especially impressed with the way Barack Obama handled himself during the last debate – how he refused to take the bait McCain put out for him. In spite of the fact that even the cool and collected Hartmann found himself creaming at the TV for Barack to retaliate to the lies, he did in the end see the greater wisdom of Obama's strategy. It is a more peaceful, controlled, self-assured leader we Americans are seeking today. The more McCain played the role of bully, and the more Barack responded with calm rather than anger, the greater his approval rose. In the end, most polls had Obama winning the debate by a huge margin, despite the initial concerns of some, like Hartmann and myself.

Thom admitted to not agreeing 100% with Barack on all the issues, but that the important thing right now is to get him into office, at which time our real work will begin – to push him to become a great reformer in the mold of Lincoln and FDR. He pointed out that neither man started their political careers with great change in mind. Lincoln only decided to give slaves freedom when he saw the divided nation before him. FDR's first act as President was to cut welfare to widows and orphans of WWI soldiers. It was when the People expressed their displeasure, and then their needs, that he began to change into the FDR we appreciate today.

Thom also addressed the (gulp) possibility that the Conservatives steal the election. While he isn't in favor of a Bolshevik-style revolution, he would become actively involved in a nationwide sit-in, a la Gandhi. Let's hope he never has to dirty up his trousers.

I encourage everyone reading this to get to know Thom. He's really a remarkable, inspiring man, and best of all, he can be heard every morning from 9-12 on Air America Radio. Also, check out his site here, where you can buy his many books and even catch podcasts of his show.

Friday marked my third time seeing Thom Hartmann speak live. I look forward to many more.

MC Yogi raps about Barack

2008-10-18T01:18:00.000-07:00

This is really great – great song, great message:

Obama '08 - Vote For Hope from MC Yogi on Vimeo.

Do They Make Cow Mints?

2008-10-14T15:37:00.000-07:00

Here's a "Why didn't I think of that?" story: Researchers in the Netherlands have begun feeding garlic to cows as a means of reducing global carbon emissions.

Cows produce some 17% of the world's carbon output, by way of... um... flatulence, and this neat trick has been shown to reduce their gaseous effluence by 15%. I don't really want to know how the researchers measured the stuff, but there you have it.

Now, to figure a way to get garlic into the diets of a couple of guys at the gym...

Get Positive

2008-10-11T22:27:00.000-07:00

We've written a petition hosted on the Care2 Petition site requesting of Senator John McCain that he stop the negative campaigning . It sets a bad tone and creates a dangerous environment, one that's destructive to the democratic process.

Please sign the petition within the next week and we'll send it off to the McCain campaign. We'll let you know if we get a response.

Petition powered by ThePetitionSite.com

Oops...

2008-10-10T13:04:00.000-07:00

So, just four days into my month of buying only American-made goods I did a little shopping at Trader Joes, a place where I figured I could let my domestic product radar down. My bad. When I got home I came to find that I purchased a little plastic container of cherry tomatoes picked in Mexico.

Damn.

Now, I'm not nearly as upset as I would be if they had been grown in China or Taiwan or a place where we have a massive import to export disparity (in favor of import). In fact, Mexico is an amicable trade partner (except for the drug thing, which is a whole other story) and I suppose in a way, by supporting Mexican farm workers we lower their desire to come here illegally, where they take jobs from American (taxpaying) workers and get abused by a system hostile toward illegals.

Anyway, I'll be more careful from now on. Tasty tomatoes though!

Buy American... Like Me

2008-10-06T21:00:00.001-07:00

I made a decision today, a decision that, if everyone in this country also made, would go a long way towards solving our current financial dilemma. I decided, for the next 30 days, to buy only American-made products. No Sony or Sanyo, no GAP or Nike, no off brands imported from China or Pakistan. If it doesn't say "Made in USA" I ain't buying it.

Unless it's second hand. I decided that I will check out thrift stores as I'm stocking my new apartment because buying second hand means not pulling something new from the production chain, whether it's a foreign or domestic one.

You see, part of the problem that resulted in our economic meltdown – a big part – is the fact that whereas up until the mid-70's we had a trade surplus, the largest in history. Simply put, we produced and sol more than we bought.

But all of that began to shift in the late-70's. We flipped over from having a surplus to a deficit, and we've never looked back. Today it's nearly $800 billion, or 7% of our GDP. That's a lot of buying and very little selling internationally. For a nice fable on the mechanics of how this all came to be check out this Warren Buffet-penned article from 2003: America's Growing Trade Deficit...

The point of this is twofold: For one, by buying foreign we are sinking our own ship. As our deficit grows out of control the dollar is increasingly devalued, inflation rises, people can't afford to pay for the things we import cheaply but sell high.

The second half of this equation is that by buying American we protect the atmosphere on a global scale. When products are produced here they don't have to be shipped halfway around the world, saving tons of carbon (literally) from entering the atmosphere. We are essentially shopping locally, with the whole of the United States counting for "local."

So, I am pledging here and now to buy only U.S. produced goods for the next 30 days, longer if possible. It won't be easy – lots of label reading required – and probably more expensive too. But the goal is a worthy one. If I can ween myself off foreign-made goods maybe others will be inspired to as well, and with an increased demand for Made in the USA stuff local production will increase, jobs created and the environment protected.

Hey, it's worth a shot...

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Some links to help you shop American-made:
http://www.madeinusa.org/
http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/
http://www.madeinusa.com/

http://www.buyamericanmart.com /

Windy State

2008-10-03T13:58:00.000-07:00

We'd like to give props to the entire state of New Jersey today for agreeing to build a huge offshore wind farm in the southern part of the state to Garden State Offshore Energy, a joint venture that includes P.S.E.G. Renewable Generation, a subsidiary of P.S.E.G. Global, a sister company of the state’s largest utility.

The decision, which includes access of up to $19 million in state grants, is part of New Jersey’s Energy Master Plan, which calls for 20 percent of the state’s energy to come from renewable sources by 2020.

The proposal by Garden State Offshore Energy includes installing 96 turbines to produce as much as 346 megawatts of electricity, enough to power about ten thousand houses. The turbines would be arranged in a rectangle about a half-mile long by one-third of a mile wide. The project, which would cost more than $1 billion, would not start producing electricity until 2013.

The turbines would be between 16 and 20 miles off the coast of New Jersey’s Atlantic and Ocean counties, and thus in much deeper water than other proposed projects. Deepwater Wind, which will work with P.S.E.G to build the wind farm, said it can affordably build turbines in 100 feet of water with the same technology used to build oil and gas rigs in the Gulf of Mexico and other locations.

This plan follows ones already approved in Delaware and Rhode Island and hopes are high that New York will soon follow suit. Can Florida be far behind?

For more on this story check out the NY Times article that broke it: Huge Offshore Wind Farm Wins Approval

Trash That Can

2008-09-23T00:53:00.000-07:00

By now we should all be separating our garbage from our recylables from our compostables. So what's the next step in cradle-to-grave ethos? How about compostable garbage cans?

UMBRA has come out with a line of cans they say will degrade under natural conditions – the kind found in composting heaps. It's kind of hard to believe, seeing how sturdy and plasticy they look, but we purchased a tall grey can with a swivel top for the kitchen.

We're going to check into just how they degrade, and as to how organic their materials are. Upon seeing the can in the store however, we were compelled to buy it, if for no other reason than to make a statement with our "disposable" income. For now we can report that the can works up to our standards...

SOLAR ENERGY NOW!

2008-08-13T12:45:00.000-07:00

Just read this compelling, and heartening, piece on Andrew Sullivan's excellent blog. I'm seriously psyched over this one folks!

"This is the nirvana of what we've been talking about for years," said MIT's Daniel Nocera, the Henry Dreyfus Professor of Energy at MIT and senior author of a paper describing the work in the July 31 issue of Science. "Solar power has always been a limited, far-off solution. Now we can seriously think about solar power as unlimited and soon."
Inspired by the photosynthesis performed by plants, Nocera and Matthew Kanan, a
postdoctoral fellow in Nocera's lab, have developed an unprecedented process that will allow the sun's energy to be used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases. Later, the oxygen and hydrogen may be recombined inside a fuel cell, creating carbon-free electricity to power your house or your electric car, day or night. The key component in Nocera and Kanan's new process is a new catalyst that produces oxygen gas from water; another catalyst produces valuable hydrogen gas.

The new catalyst consists of cobalt metal, phosphate and an electrode, placed in water. When electricity -- whether from a photovoltaic cell, a wind turbine or any other source -- runs through the electrode, the cobalt and phosphate form a thin film on the electrode, and oxygen gas is produced.

Combined with another catalyst, such as platinum, that can produce hydrogen gas from water, the system can duplicate the water splitting reaction that occurs during photosynthesis.

The new catalyst works at room temperature, in neutral pH water, and it's easy to set up, Nocera said. "That's why I know this is going to work. It's so easy to implement," he said.

Sponsible Challenge: TAMPA

2008-08-12T13:52:00.000-07:00

Just returned from a weekend jaunt to the Tampa-Clearwater area of Florida and have to say that I was disappointed by a seeming lack of indifference to our environment. Be it at Tampa Int'l Airport, the Tampa Performing Arts Center, or my grandparents' community center, I saw nary a recycling bin. While I'll slap myself on the wrist later for not bringing my SIGG bottle on this trip, I winced several times as I was forced to throw plastic bottles in the trash. C'mon Tampa! Let's get with the program!!

Now, I'm sure southwestern FL is chock full of environmentally conscious types far more frustrated over the situation than I. So, I encourage any of you reading this to contact me. Let's put our heads together and come up with a gameplan for getting your city and its outlying towns on the right track. There's a lot of lush greenery in semi-tropical Florida. What say we make the state even greener, together?

GO SOLAR!

2008-07-02T00:44:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid I was fascinated by the concept of being able to cook food with the sun. My sisters had their EZ Bake oven – I wanted to harness the power of the cosmos!

I remember seeing various solar cookers – from cigarette lighters to big-ass ovens – in the 1970 Whole Earth catalog and feeling envious of those who had the money to actually buy these things. Then I saw instructions for making your own solar cooker. All I needed was cardboard, tinfoil, and something to adhere everything together.

I never got my makeshift oven to work (although I may have inadvertently reflected radio waves to an alien society), but never gave up the thought that, in theory at least, I could cook with the sun.

Fast forward about 30 years and the do-it-yourself bug has struck me again. Wouldn't it be coo, I thought, to finally get that solar cooker cooking? Indeed. Enter instructables.com.

This site has detailed instructions on making an incredible array of cool useful things, including a solar hotdog cooker. Now, I'm not a fan of dogs, but I may have to try to build on eof these things and itch that self-sustaining scratch I've had lo the past three decades. I'll let you know if it works...

Check out the directions here.

BABY STEPS

2008-06-20T21:51:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, in our rush to make big change, we get discouraged when we see that the sum total of our best efforts may not amount to much at all in the grand scheme. Nevertheless, it's important not to lose the faith, for we know not what grand result our tiny action may reap.

Right now I'm working on getting the company I work for (who shall remain nameless) on board with paper recycling. About a year ago I enrolled us in a bottle & can recycling program, simply by googling "recycling los angeles". As it turned out, There was a place within blocks of our office. We received a free corrugated plastic box with a lid for depositing bottles and cans.

Now, here's the cool part: Yes, we now push our plastic, glass and metal recyclables back into the system, rather than a landfill. But maybe the bigger imapact is the response of my fellow employees, many of whom were inspired by my small act, and who have since "confessed" to me about their own recycling deeds. Love it.

Today I lunched into Part II of my personal recycling campaign: Paper. I met with the owner of a recycling company who is willing to come pick up the reams of paper we toss each month, and give us money to do so. That's what I call a win-win-win situation: us-them-Earth.

Let's see what more may come of this. To be continued...

Freecycle!

2008-06-01T00:04:00.000-07:00

Ever find yourself with a bunch of packing boxes you just used for moving and no idea what to do with them? Throwing them in the dumpster would be way wasteful. Recycling them is a hassle. You figure someone could probably use them for a move of their own, but who? And if so, would they even pay you for used boxes?

Enter freecycle.org, a brilliant networking idea that may be in a town near you. The idea behind freecycle is to keep used stuff for which you have no room out of the landfill. By simply posting it on the Yahoo! group in your area you can more than likely find it a home, freeing up space for you and filling a need for another. Usually you can just say that you're leaving a pile of _______ outside, propped up against the big sycamore tree at 6pm, and before you can say "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle," it will magically disappear.

Of course you can also score that ratty old mattress you've been searching for or the 5lb. bag of used coffee grounds for your compost worms. A little give, a little take is not just green- it's good karma.

A CHANCE FOR CHANGE

2008-05-01T16:30:00.000-07:00

This is an amazing story that picks up on the incredible devastation caused by a huge tornado in the town of Greensburg, Kansas last year. It's proof that given the opportunity, people will opt for a greener lifestyle.

Tornado-flattened Kansas town is coming back greener
AP ONLINE

By ROXANA HEGEMAN

GREENSBURG, Kan. - A year after it was practically wiped off the map by a tornado, Greensburg is rising again - and going green, too, with solar panels, wind turbines, tinted windows, water-saving toilets and other energy-efficient technology.

Environmentalists and civic leaders have seized on the disaster as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to re-engineer the town.

"I would never say the tornado happening was a good thing. I would never wish that on anybody," said Kim Alderfer, assistant city manager. "But given the opportunity, we have to do it right - to make it better."

On May 4, 2007, a ferocious F-5 twister blasted Greensburg, killing 11 people in the town of 1,400 and flattening its turn-of-the-last-century brick buildings, Victorians and prairie-style houses. Townspeople found themselves disoriented after most of Greensburg's manmade and natural landmarks were erased or uprooted.

But now the water tower is back, the town's one traffic light has been replaced, and neighborhoods are showing signs of life.

Returning homeowners and businesses are being encouraged to think about such things as energy-saving lights and rainwater collection systems as they rebuild. And the town government has resolved to erect public buildings that meet the stringent LEED Platinum standards for energy-efficient design.

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

2008-04-21T17:58:00.000-07:00

Far more than ever before, the world is in a mood to celebrate the day meant to honor Mother Earth and all she provides us. Tomorrow, April 22nd, 2008, is Earth Day and we here at sponsible mean to celebrate it heartily.

The history of Earth Day spans back to 1962, when then-Wisconsin senator Gaylord Nelson got the idea to set aside a day in which Americans paid heed to the need for environmental conservation. He first pitched his idea to Attorney General Robert Kennedy and then to President John Kennedy, both of whom liked the idea.

It took seven years before a decision to set aside a day for a "nationwide grassroots demonstration on behalf of the environment," said Nelson in an interview years later. It was inspired by the Vietnam War and Civil Rights rallies he had seen all around him during the turbulent 60's.

Finally, on April 22nd, 1970 the first Earth Day was held. 20 millions people rallied behind the cause, at schools, at community events, in Washington – not because Nelson was able to organize a multi-million dollar campaign, but because people cared enough about the Earth to organize themselves.

Gaylord Nelson passed away in 2005 but his spirit is brighter than ever as we celebrate this, the 39th installment of Earth Day.

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EARTH DAY TIPS
We've numerated a few things we hope our readers will do this Earth Day, if no other, if for no other reason, then to honor Senator Nelson's amazing work.

1. BOTTLE YOUR TOILET – By this we mean fill a plastic water bottle with water and place it into your toilet's tank. The volume will displace the same amount of water every time you flush, saving hundreds and even thousands of gallons of water per year (depending on how many toilets and how many people you have in your home).

2. STEM THE FLOW – Next time you brush your teeth simply turn off the faucet as you do your brushing. Most of us let the water run throughout the process. You can save between a quart and a gallon of water each brushing by doing this.

3. DON'T BUY ANYTHING – We're serious! For one day, don't buy a thing. Save your money. Save the eco-cost of producing the thing you purchased to replace it on the store shelf. Even food - Make your meals tonight so you don't have to order out tomorrow. See how it feels to not have to open your wallet for a day. Feels pretty good, no? Why not make a habit of it??

4. RECYCLE (Really!) – Sure, we all know to recycle by now, but how many of us do it with everything we dispose of? How many times are you out, drinking from a plastic water bottle, and you finish it in the middle of a walk where there are no recycling containers? Do you carry the bottle to the next one you can find, or simply toss it in the nearest trash can? C'mon, an empty bottle isn't that heavy...

5. WALK IT – Need to make a trip to the post office down the street? Leave the keys in your pocket and hoof it this time. Maybe you're at work and the post office a a couple of miles too far to walk. Why not shoot an email to your co-workers asking if anyone needs stamps while you're there? You could save them a trip, which is a nice thing to do in and of itself, and it saves on auto emissions.
6. GET CREATIVE – Use that ownderful mass of grey matter in your skull to figure out new, creative ways you can help protect this home of ours. It can be fun and fulfilling to happen upon a creative solution that no one else has realized before. Just make sure to let us know about it so we can spread the word and give you the credit you're due.

NICE MUG...

2008-04-07T23:40:00.000-07:00

Last week we noticed the stacks of styrofoam cups in our office lunchroom and decided to do something about them.

Styrofoam, or polystyrene, is one of the least biodegradeable materials known to man (we're talking upwards of 100,000 years to degrade) and very few companies have the facilities for recycling it yet. Also, polystyrene will leach chemicals into the hot liquids with which it comes into contact. That includes coffee and tea.

In other words... Styrofoam - Huhh! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!

Yet it's one thing to attempt to badger people into giving up their styrofoam habit yet another entirely to actually get them off it. So we gave them a little incentive. A trip to our local 99¢ store later and we had purchased ten porcelain mugs for $9.99 and left them in the kitchen with a note: "TAKE US!" A company wide email followed with our free offer and our intentions.

Happily, the feedback was positive. The mugs went fast and the emails of appreciation and support flooded in shortly thereafter. If each of those ten new mug owners have now been dissuaded from using two Styrofoam cups each day, five times per week, that equals a reduction of 5000 cups per year! Now, imagine if one sponsible soul in every company across the nation followed suit. We'd be talking over 200 million Styrofoam cups saved from going into landfills, rivers and oceans. Here's to hoping a few of you reading this consider joining us in our quest to clean up this place. Let us know if you do and how you did. We'll pick one respondent to receive a shiny new sponsible mug!

By the way, an interesting dissertation on the comparative environmental impacts of Styrofoam cups vs. ceramic mugs can be found at Ask Pablo.

YES, WE CAN!

2008-03-31T17:36:00.000-07:00

Al Gore is back – not that he went anywhere – in the news with yet another environmental initiative that picks up where "An Inconvenient Truth" left off.

Whereas "Truth" presented a rather bleak picture of the future with little in the way of a blueprint for change, the "We Campaign" is an action-oriented plan backed by $300 million raised in large part by The Alliance for Climate Protection -- a nonprofit, nonpartisan effort founded by Nobel laureate and former Vice President Al Gore.

"We" is a three-year advocacy campaign calling for the U.S. to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. It will combine advertising, online organizing and partnerships with grass-roots groups to educate the public about global warming and urge solutions from elected officials.

Reaching across political lines, Gore has enlisted the help of people like Pat Robertson and Newt Gingrich in fighting global warming.

To join the We movement log on to http://www.wecansolveit.org/ and register your email. Then explore the site for tons of ways in ic you can get involved in taking stewardship of your planet.

EARTH HOUR TONIGHT!

2008-03-31T16:48:00.000-07:00

What started as a nationwide initiative throughout Australia last year is now a worldwide phenomenon, and it's happening tonight.

Dubbed "Earth Hour," the goal is to make a significant impact on CO2 output, if just for one hour. Already, Europe has seen significant dips in power usage and greenhouse gas production (2% in London!) as a result of the Earth Hour initiative.

In 5 minutes (or as soon as you're done reading this), the East Coast of the U.S. should starting shutting down their power-hungry equipment and keep it off until 9pm. We here on the West Coast have three hours to go.

Okay, that's it for this post. To everyone in my home state of New York: Shut down and unplug... now!

Just Recycle...

2008-03-30T10:32:00.000-07:00

2...6...4...7... No, this isn't a quarterback's call before the snap. It's a few of the seven different classifications assigned to plastics to describe their composition.

The numbers, bordered a chasing arrow symbol, can be found on an inconspicuous spot on most every piece of plastic packaging and some merchandise you find. Numbered 1 through 7, they represent the wide variety of plastic formulations that comprise consumer packaging and indicate to recyclers the process to be used for melting them back down into plastic soup.

The numbers reveal something else too – the toxicity of the packaging that will invariably come into contact with your skin, as well as with things you will touch, apply and even ingest.

Following is a list of the seven categories of plastic, along with their relative danger to you. No matter the number, however, be sure to put your plastics in recycling bins. Even if your local recycler doesn't currently take a specific number, if they receive enough of it, they're apt to change their ways.

Poly(ethylene terephthalate): Soda bottles, water bottles, vinegar bottles, medicine containers, backing for photography film.
About a billion pounds of phthlates per year are produced worldwide.

That new car smell that's especially pungent after the car has been sitting in the sun for a few hours, is partly the pungent odor of phthalates volatilizing from a hot plastic dashboard. In the evening's cool they then condense out of the inside air of the car to form an oily coating on the inside of the windshield.

Phthalates have been linked to the in utero demasculinizing of male embyos. However, in the grand scheme, Poly's are on the safer side of plastics.

High-density Polyethylene: Containers for: laundry/dish detergent, fabric softeners, bleach, milk, shampoo, conditioner, motor oil. Newer bullet proof vests, various toys.

Polyethylene has recently been discovered in milk sold in plastic containers. Get yours (organic, of course) in cardboard. Again, not quite as toxic as some of its cousins.

Poly(vinyl cloride): Pipes, shower curtains, meat wraps, cooking oil bottles, baby bottle nipples, shrink wrap, clear medical tubing, vinyl dashboards and seat covers, coffee containers.

PVC becomes chemically active when heated. We strongly recommend not heating food in any kind of plastic container, but especially those made with PVC. PVC incineration leads to the emission of dioxins, a known carcinogen.

Low-density Polyethylene: Wrapping films, grocery bags, sandwich bags.

As with PVC, Low-density Polyethylene degrades when heated, especially over about 120º. However, at room temperature it's relatively safe.

Polypropylene: Tupperware®, syrup bottles, yogurt tubs, diapers, outdoor carpet.

This is one of the safer numbers on the scale, acceptable for use in baby bottles.

Polystyrene: Coffee cups, disposable cutlery and cups (clear and colored), bakery shells, meat trays, "cheap" hubcaps, packing peanuts, styrofoam insulation.

According to the EPA, short-term styrene exposure at levels above the Maximum Contaminant Level (used to set drinking-water standards) can cause nervous-system effects such as loss of concentration, weakness, and nausea. Long-term exposure can cause liver and nerve damage and cancer.

Products labeled as "other" are made of any combination of 1-6 or another, less commonly used plastic, including polycarbonates.

The effects of low-dose Bisphenol-A (BPA) exposure on laboratory animals found significant effects, including alterations to brain chemistry and structure, behavior, the immune system, and male and female reproductive systems.

Green Eggs and Bunnies

2008-03-23T01:00:00.000-07:00

So we find ourselves giving in to the consumer tradition of buying the kids egg-shaped, foil-wrapped confections and cocoa bunnies for Easter. Try explaining to a 5-year-old that you're abiding by a principle that will benefit his and future generations when he's looking quizzically at the organic grapes in his basket where jellybeans should be.

However, we did decide that we could impart a smidgen of sponsibility to our Easter celebration by looking not to the treats, but the filler, specifically that most hallowed of all holiday padding – Easter grass.

Rather than opt for a bag of that shredded neon green plastic foil we decided to get creative while keeping our commitment to finding unique ways to honor our planet. A stack of magazines reserved for recycling did the trick.

Rifling through the pubs we pulled out colorful pages (advertising for the most part) and ran them through the paper shredder. In about five minutes we had enough colorful confetti to fill three baskets. All told we shredded only around 30 pages. Of course they'll still make their way to recycling, only in the form of a bunch of slivery strips.

BTW- the baskets themselves, while purchased, were chosen with multifunctionality in mind. After Easter they'll become repositories for toiletries in the kids' bathroom. Of the three R's we managed to reuse and recycle and, by not going overboard with the sweets this year, reduce as well.

Happy Easter everyone! Don't forget to compost your egg shells...

Troubled Water

2008-03-08T20:31:00.000-08:00

This past Thursday night we had the chance to be a part of an amazing educational experience courtesy of LA Green Drinks. Thanks to the efforts of LA Green Drinks organizer Barent Roth and the good folks at Living Green, host of Culver City's monthly event, members of the research vessel Alguita were on hand to discuss their recent voyage and its amazing findings.

Anna Cummins and Marcus Eriksen, along with four colleagues, spent four weeks this past January and February sailing the Pacific Ocean, and more specifically, the northeast portion of a giant gyre that inhabits it. A gyre is a huge, swirling area of ocean created by clashing currents. There are nine gyres around the world with the one they researched called the North Pacific Gyre.

While gyres are an important ecological phenomena that circulate water, and with it food, between coasts and throughout oceans, they also form vast traps for human debris, specifically plastic.

Collecting plastic samples from the North Pacific Gyre, the crew was dismayed to find that the polluted area has grown to twice the area of the United States and is expanding at a mind-boggling rate. Currently it's estimated that the gyre contains 3.5 million tons of plastic, half of it floating on the surface and half sitting on the ocean floor.

The couple (who actually became engaged on the deck of the Alguita while at sea) presented samples of their findings, ranging from soda bottles to fishing line to an action figure arm, all coming from a variety of Pacific coastal regions including California, Alaska and Japan.

Unfortunately, Eriksen noted, there's nothing that can be done to remove the expansive plastic soup. Instead our focus must be on enacting legislation to stop more plastic from going into the sea. China is already banning the use of plastic bags and similar bans are beginning to take effect here in the U.S.

Eriksen is working to raise awareness of our collective need to limit our plastic consumption by sailing a raft made from used plastic bottles from Long Beach, California to Hilo, Hawaii this May. We'll be sure to keep you updated on his remarkable voyage and help spread the message of the crew of the Alguita.

Where the buffalo roam... for now.

2008-03-05T23:33:00.000-08:00

We felt that the following message from our friends at Earthjustice was so important that we decided to bring it to you here on sponsible. Please take a moment to read on, and then click the link to sign the petition:

There are few animals that evoke the majesty and heritage of the American wilderness more than the Bison (commonly known as the Buffalo). Yet some of our country's last remaining wild bison are being trapped and killed as they migrate from the safety of Yellowstone in search of food during the harsh winter months. What's worse is that this brutal treatment is based on an outdated justification. The government spends hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars each year to capture and slaughter Yellowstone bison in the Horse Butte peninsula (just outside the western boundaries of the park). This slaughter is motivated by a perceived need to protect cattle from bison-borne disease.

The problem is that there aren't any cattle grazing in the peninsula; in 2002 cattle grazing on public lands was stopped by a court order and the remaining private land in the area has been purchased by new owners who have declared the property open to bison. Earthjustice, the Buffalo Field Campaign, and local landowners are calling for a halt to the buffalo slaughter and the initiation of a new environmental impact study that takes into account the current circumstances in the area and removes the justification for the killings. We need your help to encourage the U.S. Park and Forest services stop the senseless killing of the bison.

Please take action to let the government know that you want this tragedy to end.

-Earthjustice Because the earth needs a good lawyer

Crowne Achievement

2008-02-29T12:44:00.000-08:00

Until recently hotels have represented the pinnacle of wastefulness in our disposable culture. It seems almost to be a right of the traveler to indulge in excesses on the road that he'd not even consider at home. After all, you're paying for everything from housekeeping to mini soap bars when you're handed your key card at the front desk, so why not get your money's worth? An extra towel to dry your feet here, a lotion sample gone missing there – hey, you're on vacation, live it up.

However, if we choose not to leave our sponsible mindset at the front door of our abode when departing for points known, we can still get the pampered experience and keep our conscience intact. Leaving behind the toiletry samples we'll probably never use is one way. Staying at a Crowne Plaza hotel is another.

Crowne Plaza, like a number of other hotel chains these days, is taking sponsibility for its carbon footprint by taking part in Conserving For TomorrowSM, an environmental program developed exclusively for InterContinental® Hotels Group, of which Crowne Plaza is a member. Over half of the entire InterContinental Hotels Group properties are participating in the Conserving For Tomorrow Linens and Towels Re-Use Program.

As it's explained on Project Planet's website, "Conserving For Tomorrow revolves around asking guests to use their bed linens and towels more than once. When guests participate and re-use their sheets and towels, hotels save money in reduced water, energy, labor, detergent; and sheet/towel replacement costs.

"Environmentally, Conserving For Tomorrow makes a large impact, saving 6000 gallons of water monthly and 40 gallons of detergent monthly (based on average-sized 100 room hotel.)"

Thanks to Crowne Plaza and other hotel members of the InterContinenal Group, all of us with a shared sense of sponisbility can sleep a little easier at night, especially when away from home.

COnscious Clothing

2008-02-24T22:49:00.001-08:00

By now everyone knows that U2 lead singer Bono is a socially conscious juggernaut, acting as a voice for various organizations over the years, from 46664 to ALAFA to Amnesty International. His latest fight is against poverty and disease the world over, particularly on the African continent. To this end he helped organize ONE.

What most people don't realize however, is that his wife, Ali Hewson, is equally dedicated to change and is a partner in ONE along with her husband. In addition the pair, along with New York clothing designer Rogan Gregory, has created Edun, a clothing company aimed at creating beautiful clothes using ethical conditions and to help create long-term sustainable employment in the developing world, particularly sub-Saharan Africa.

The collection includes denim, organic graphic tees, fleece tops, sweaters, knit and woven tops, blouses, dresses and casual jackets. The color palette pulls from the various shades of nature at night, from dusk through dawn.

Items are fairly pricey, but the proceeds go to supporting sustainability and fair trade as well as earth-friendly practices. Frankly, we'd rather spend our clothing budget on products that make a difference over those that make business executives wealthy.

Not for the Birds

2008-02-22T15:28:00.001-08:00

Here at sponsible we believe in supporting not just the environment, but those businesses that choose to support it as well, sometimes even in the face of more economically viable business practices.

A few days back we highlighted Akasha, the new Earth-friendly restaurant in the L.A. town of Culver City. Today we thought we'd hop a plane to the right coast and give props to what may well be the most sustainable restaurant in the whole of Manhattan.

Birdbath, Neighborhood Green Bakery is actually more than simply a sustainable restaurant; it's a model of sustainability that sets standards by which all businesses should be measured.

Created by the owners of The City Bakery, a Los Angeles and, more recently New York, franchise, Birdbath is nothing short of an inspiration to the eco set. The walls are made of wheat, the countertops, recycled paper. They rely on wind power as their sole source of energy. Their floor is reclaimed wood. And on and on and on.

Needless to say, all of the ingredients that go into their muffins, breads and pasteries are organic, not to mention locally grown and farmed. The delivery men ride rickshaws. The staff wears linen, hemp and vintage. Just incredible.

While we can't personally vouch for the food, there's little doubt it's as good as are it's creators' practices. We're planning a trip to our hometown of NYC soon and will be sure to stop by the West Village for a taste test. We'll be sure to take lots of pictures and take a big bite for all of our readers.

Simple Pleasure

2008-02-19T21:37:00.000-08:00

For many of us a good pair of shoes is one of life's great pleasures. To be cushioned in stylish comfort as we go about our workaday lives is a desire that's launched a thousand footwear companies - at least.

Looking beyond only our creature comforts, however, we now have the chance to walk stylishly, comfortably and environmentally all at the same time, thanks to Simple Shoes.

A division of the Santa Barbara-based company Deckers Outdoor Corp. (who also owns UGG and Teva), Simple Shoes makes footwear that not only looks cool and is built for comfort, but every pair they produce is made with sustainability in mind. Soles made from used tires, uppers of hemp, recycled PET (soda bottle) laces, are just a few of the materials that go into their very green line.

As if their products' green cred isn't enough, Deckers itself is more than up to snuff when it comes to sustainability, having been chosen the City of Santa Barbara's "Recycler of the Year." They even post things on their site like the success of their company carpooling program and when employees decide to bike rather than drive to the office. Bravo!

We encourage sponsible readers to consider purchasing a pair of Simple Shoes, not just for the comfort, the style or even the sustainability issue, but to help a support a company that is practicing what it preaches and may well serve as inspiration to others.

Good Eats

2008-02-17T21:05:00.000-08:00

Culver City is fast becoming one of Southern California's hippest, most environmentally progressive communities and thanks to the opening of Akasha Restaurant, it's just gained a bit more cred on both fronts.

Last night I had the pleasure of dining at the brand new Culver City hotspot and left with both my tastebuds and conscience well sated. Former home of the old school Italian eatery San Gennaro, Akasha is the brainchild of chef Akasha Richardson, whose own green-tinged conscience is reflected in every aspect of the restaurant's being, right down to the recycled plastic aprons worn by the waitstaff.

In addition to the aprons, employees are outfitted with organic cotton shirts and black Levi's jeans. Even the menus themselves are covered in recycled particleboard- the kind those old, brown clipboards were made from.

As for the restaurant, the interior features an entirely green buildout, with walls covered in reclaimed siding from an old barn. The banquet seats are lined in hemp fabric and the chairs in organic leather. I'm probably leaving out a good deal more recycled and reclaimed materials, but there was only so much info I could absorb, courtesy of manager Sophie and waitress Brynn, before my mind zeroed in on the vittles before me.

As for the menu, every item is organic and sustainably farmed and all ingredient purchased according to fair trade standards. And delicious, at least my meal and that of my buddy Greg. I had the quinoa and lentils topped with slices of organic chicken. Exotic, hearty, subtle and very satisfying. Greg had the salmon and was equally pleased. We started with the cannelli bean hummus with seasoned pita, which disappeared faster than it probably should have in polite company.

Here's to wishing Akasha a long and fruitful (organic fruit, of course) tenure as a SoCal hotspot for good times, good food and a good, green initiative.

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For today's video, we focus on organic farming and ponder the question of whether it can sustain us...

Green Hearts

2008-02-14T12:18:00.000-08:00

If you're like us you may be running around today, grabbing last minute gifts for your Honey, overwhelmed by the sudden realization that your procrastination could lead to relationship annihilation. As you're wracking your brain for ideas we'd like to make a suggestion, a sponsible suggestion.

This Valentine's Day, why not show your love for your sweetie with a gift that won't just save your relationship, but quite possibly the world too? Satisfy her sweet tooth as well as your sense of sponsibility by bhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifuying her a box of rainforest-grown chocolates?

Both Whole Foods and Vitamin Shoppe carry Endangered Species Chocolate Co. bars in a variety of flavors and intensities. We've tasted them and can vouch for their taste as well as their sustainability.

While flowers are a traditional Valentine's Day gift, why not buy her a living plant instead? Plants continue to draw CO2 from the air and emit oxygen long after cut flowers have wilted. Plus, they'll serve as an everpresent reminder of your love for her.

Finally, take your best girl out tonight for a meal that's not just delicious, but earth-friendly. Cities across the country now host a variety of organic, vegan and vegetarian restaurants, all of which engage in fair trade and sustainable practices. And because such restaurants are just outside mainstream appeal, you should have a good shot at getting a reservation for this evening, assuming you call right... now.

Biofuel a Bust?

2008-02-10T16:36:00.000-08:00

While we and a number of others have been championing biofuels as a potential savior from our oil dependency, recent news suggests we may need to look elsewhere for the next big energy resource.

The current issue of the esteemed journal Science features two studies , both of which conclude that the environmental cost of producing biofuel is higher even than that of producing conventional forms of energy. The revelation in the studies is that while previously only the relative carbon excess from burning bio and fossil fuels had been compared, the impact caused by clearing swaths of land to grow the crops has been calculated as well. The final conclusion was that the reduction in emissions from using biofuels would be outweighed 93 times by the negative impact of the land clearing required to grow biofuel crops.

On green forums around the web a sea change has occurred within the two days since the NY Times article announcing the news was released. Whereas a month ago the biofuel bandwagon was filled to capacity, it's now towing a very light load, which certainly saves on fuel, bio or otherwise.

Of course, while the growing of crops specifically for biofuel may no longer be a desirable fuel option, biofuel shouldn't be totally counted out yet. Using waste vegetable oil to fuel diesel cars is still a great way to save on fossil fuel and make use of something that otherwise would have gone to waste. Also, a system of extracting oil from algae is being developed by companies like GreenFuels Technology Corporation of Cambridge, Massachussetts. Not only does the algae produce an oil that can run a car, but the algae itself actually absorbs CO2, much like a plant.

The efforts of people like Veggie Van owner Josh Tickell is also invaluable in that it sparks interest in renewable, sustainable energy and inevitably begins new conversations revolving around curing us of our fossil fuel fixation.

The real tragedy in the release of this study would be if a single person threw up their hands with the thought that alternative energy is a pipe dream. In the end it may not be biofuel, at least not the vegetable kind, but it will certainly grow from the same spirit that brought us vegifuels.

SPONSIBLE CHALLENGE #4: HONDA

2008-02-07T16:40:00.000-08:00

For anyone following this blog over the past two months, you'll remember how I found myself in a position to either buy or lease a car as the lease on my 2004 Honda Civic was expiring. I had recently attended a screening of Josh Tickell's "Fields of Fuel" and was gung ho to get an auto that ran on biodiesel.

In the end, I opted to lease a new Honda C Hybrid. While in theory the idea of owning a cool early-80's Mercedes converted to run on vegetable oil was appealing, the reality was that I didn't have nearly the time to get and convert the stuff to get back and forth between the San Fernando Valley and Santa Monica every day. Plus, I figure that by leasing a hybrid I would be increasing demand for clean-fuel technology as well as keeping my car's environmental impact low.

While I don't regret having gone the hybrid route, I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't have opted for the wildly popular Toyota Prius instead.

While my Civic is a great car–roomy, modern, comfortable and pretty–it's been very disappointing for its gas mileage. although it's window sticker advertises 40/city and 45/highway, mine is averaging 35.0 mpg (I have a digital mpg readout on the dashboard) and that's primarily by way of highway driving. While I didn't expect to average 42.5 mpg, I fully believed I'd be hovering in the 40 mpg range. This, in contrast from Prius drivers, who rave about the car's over-45 mpg true efficiency rate (it advertises a 51mpg average).

When I spoke with the dealer who leased me the car and told him of my disappointment he assured me that it would take "around 15,000 miles" before the car "adjusted" to my personal driving style and would then suddenly jump up in fuel efficiency. I don't believe it.

So, our fourth Sponsible Challenge goes out to Honda USA for their deceptive claim in which they purport to be greener than they actually are. Sponsible.org is going to be sending Honda a challenge in two parts:

To take sponsibility for their false claims and,
To either publish the car's true gas mileage moving forward, or make the adjustments necessary to get the Civic Hybrid to meet their claims.

As always, we'll be sure to let you know as soon as we receive any kind of response to our challenge. Here's to hoping Honda takes full sponsibility for their claims and their cars.

-Shawn

GOOD Stuff

2008-02-06T23:26:00.000-08:00

If you haven't already, check out GOOD magazine, available at most newsstands. Matching irreverant humor with a strong impetus for social responsibility, GOOD is everything we'd aspire to be if we were in print.

Their design is modern, stories compelling and insights deep. We especially like how they state their environmental impact right on their cover and donate 100% of their subscription sales to the non-profit of your choosing. Just incredible.

In other words, get GOOD.

VOTE

2008-02-04T15:08:00.000-08:00

No punny headline required here. the message of today's blog is simple: If you're in one of the 24 states contesting for Presidential nominees tomorrow we at sponsible urge you to please, please, please (as the late James Brown would have said) get to your local polling place and do your civic duty.

Our democracy works best when it is engaged by as large a percentage of our populace as possible. That's the nature of a democracy. In recent years our government has unilaterally decided to make us their servants when, in fact, they are supposed to be ours. Even the President. We hired him to work for we, the people.

So please take accountability, sponsibility if you will, for what should be considered not just a privilege, but an obligation for every person of voting age. This Tuesday go out and vote, for yourself, and for future generations.

While we're on the topic of elections we'd like to take the opportunity to make an endorsement, for Barack Obama, to be the Democratic Party's candidate and next President of the United States of America.

While we did initially come out in support of John Edwards for his strong views on healthcare, poverty, campaign finance reform, opposition to nuclear energy and pro-environment stance, Obama wasn't far behind in our minds.

While the Illinois Senator may not share Edwards' conviction on some of our favorite issues, he is sincerely committed to others. The League of Conservation Voters gave him a score of 96 as opposed to Hillary Clinton's 90.

We also appreciate the fact that Mr. Obama grew up as a "minority" and so has seen firsthand the inequities that exist in our nation to this day. He has a unique perspective and a keen mind. He also is the most charismatic leader we've seen since John Kennedy. That charisma can go a long way towards getting bi-partisanship when it comes time to propose policy.

Please enjoy Voting Day tomorrow. We certainly will.

Parks Permit

2008-02-02T18:32:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks back we directed a SPONSIBLE CHALLENGE at California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for "his" proposal to close 48 state parks to help save some money in the face of a staggering $38 billion deficit.

Over the past week we decided to find out the details of the proposal that has become the center of so much controversy. To that end we contacted Kris Lannin Liang, Deputy Director Public Affairs, Department of Parks & Recreation to ask her how and why the proposal came to pass.

To our surprise we learned that it was not, contrary to media reports, the Governor who ordered the closing of the parks, but the Park Directors', and that it was actually a stopgap measure that would prevent a much more widespread crisis. Had all the parks been kept open the entire parks system would have degraded so badly that they would have lost visitors for the forseeable future.

Liang's suggestion to rehabilitate the state's parks program? To reform the budget and get the parks off the General Fund and into their own. She said that collectively they're actively pursuing ways in which they can create public private partnerships as a way of bringing in extra revenue.

We're pleased to learn that Governor Schwarzenegger, who we recently awarded as the most sponsible political figure of 2007, hasn't turned his back on California's greatest resource– it's natural beauty. Unfortunately the mass media loves to inform by way of generalities and sensationalism. It makes us wonder how many other stories we read each day are presented only as half truths.

Green Sun

2008-02-01T23:44:00.000-08:00

Despite being an inveterate health nut, I do have a soft spot for a crunchy snack that you won't find in Whole Foods or Trader Joe's nor at the Farmer's Market. Still, of all the mainstream chips found in the supermarket's snack aisle, Sun Chips qualify as one of the healthier options, due in large part to their whole grains (as opposed to the heavily processed flours used in most) and consequently their 2 grams of fiber per serving. And the taste just can't be beat, for all three of the flavors.

But after taking a closer look at the packaging while grabbing a handful of the Harvest Cheddar flavor tonight I noticed the green energy credit logo in the lower right corner of the bag. As it turns out, Frito-Lay, Inc. purchases green energy credits to offset 100% of the electricity used during the production of the tasty treats. Very cool.

I then went to the Sun Chips site and learned that they're installing a bank of solar panels that will generate 75% of the energy needed to produce the chips. Even cooler. Then I read that they sponsor the Komen Race for a Cure to fight breast cancer. They promote volunteerism and provide contact info for getting involved with this worthy cause. Super cool.

For me at least, it's now more of a no-brainer than ever– when I'm feeling peckish I follow the Sun... Chips.

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Here's a bit of info about the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Walk:

Clean Green

2008-01-31T16:20:00.000-08:00

Periodically we challenge companies to jump on board the green train by highlighting areas in which they could make eco-improvements. Today we give plaudits to one that needed no such challenge to not just operate greenly, but spread their initiative around the world. Indeed, Seventh Generation is the very definition of sponsible.

Known largely for their cleaning and paper products, Seventh Generation, produces a growing variety of household items ranging from household scenters to chlorine-free diapers, all made of recyclable and/or sustainable materials and with fair labor practices. Their name is actually taken from an ancient Iroquois saying:, "In our every deliberation we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations," which is clearly a philosophy to which they adhere assiduously.

Seventh Generation's site is as much a call to greener ways and a resource for green living as it is a place to promote their products. Thanks to this purpose-driven stance they've gained a loyal following of customers who are as loyal for the quality of product (and it is all good stuff) as for the quality of the people running the company.

Seventh Generation products are available most everywhere, from Target to your local supermarket chain, so you can shop sponsibly with ease. And their prices are competitive with those of companies who have yet to embrace sustainable living practices. Give them a try– your home and soul will love them!

Ideal Site

2008-01-30T23:05:00.000-08:00

Every now and then we stumble upon a site we wish we had created. Such was the case today when we came upon Ideal Bite, the brainchild of Heather Stephenson and Jennifer Boulden, who first met at a downtown NYC bar where they struck up a conversation about their shared desire to save the world.

The site delivers very daily simple tips anyone can follow to make a substantial impact with minimal sweat. Ideal Bite has an unapologetically feminine bent, yet most of the information within is non-gender specific.

For example, opting for A/C rather than rolled-down windows when cooling your car at speeds over 45. The wind resistance caused by air pushing through the car's interior actually reduces fuel economy more than do open windows.

Or how about simply using recycled aluminum foil rather than wax paper or plastic wrap for food storage. It's the only one of the three wrap options that's readily available as a recycled product and can go right back into the recycling bin.

Ideal Bite describes their philosophy as being "light green," a term that defines a level of eco-consciousness that's about making small manageable changes rather than applecart-upsetting ones.

A sponsible congratulations to Heather and Jennifer and everyone working on Ideal Bite. We should all be so light green!

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Check out Ideal Bite on the Today Show:

Track Meat

2008-01-29T23:45:00.000-08:00

Recently the NY Times published a terrific piece that illustrates and calculates such figures and leaves the reader with a single, untenable conclusion: We must curtail our consumption of meat if we truly want to make an impact on the health of our this globe.

In "Rethinking the Meat-Guzzler" Mark Bittman cites both the environmental impact of meat-processing facilities and of the animals themselves, not to mention that of their food sources, with staggering statistics. To wit:

• An estimated 30 percent of the earth’s ice-free land is directly or indirectly involved in livestock production.
• If Americans were to reduce meat consumption by just 20 percent it would be as if we all switched from a standard sedan — a Camry, say — to the ultra-efficient Prius
• 2.2 pounds of beef is responsible for the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the average European car every 155 miles, and burns enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for nearly 20 days.
• Though some 800 million people on the planet now suffer from hunger or malnutrition, the majority of corn and soy grown in the world feeds cattle, pigs and chickens
• Americans are downing close to 200 pounds of meat, poultry and fish per capita per year (dairy and eggs are separate, and hardly insignificant), an increase of 50 pounds per person from 50 years ago.
• U.S. livestock produces about 3 tons of manure for each American.

Sobering statistics all – enough to give one pause and make them wonder how important a meat-packed diet really is to them.

Is vegetarianism the answer? To some. We are, however, omnivores at tooth, if not at heart, and as such need not feel guilt about the occasional meat craving. Yet it wouldn't hurt us or our planet to reevaluate our dietary habits and modify according to a larger sense of what's right and wrong for both our bodies and Earth.

Tofu, anyone?

New Car-ish Thing on the Block

2008-01-28T23:52:00.000-08:00

Less than two year after the release of "Who Killed The Electric Car?", a film that marked a low point in our progress toward automobiles which run on alternative fuels, electric cars have improbably become all the rage once again.

Due out near the end of this year is the concept car-looking Aptera. The brainchild of founder Steve Fambro, the car is five years in the making, and apparently worth every hour of those five years.

The Aptera is a three-wheel, two-seat marvel of engineering that, in an initial test run, got over 230 miles to the gallon! The car is also built for safety, exceeding industry standards in rollover and crash tests. It's not exactly the fleetest of cars (top speed of 85mph) nor the peppiest (0-60 in 10 sec), but then, you're not buying the auto to set land speed records, are you?

Aptera is available in two models: a plug-in electric hybrid model ($29, 900) and an all-electric model ($26, 900). Individuals and organizations can reserve an Aptera today for $500 at the website. Our Civic Hybrid lease is up the end of 2010 and if the Aptera is available for lease by then we're pretty sure we're going to spring for one.

Land Ahoy!

2008-01-26T23:51:00.000-08:00

Ever wanted to be a real estate owner but never had the funds to do so? Have you envied all those wheeler-dealer tycoons with their sprawling estates and resort islands? If so, listen up, and pull out your debit card, no matter how meager the checking account supporting it.

Land for a Cause is an organization that sells parcels of land currently under their ownership that they're willing to part with so long as buyers agree to preserve and protect it. Prices for the plots start at a meager $99, and that's for full ownership- title, deed and all. However while the plots advertised average a few acres apiece, the portions of those plots up for sale can be measured in feet.

For example, a 2.5 acre lot in the Navajo country of Arizona has been subdivided into thousands, each one coming in at around four meters square. That's about 6.5 feet x 6.5 feet. Not exactly the kind of place you'd plan a family trip. But it is yours for life (your own, not the Earth's). So that's pretty cool, and should ensure that it never falls into the hands of mall developers.

Land for a Cause also donates 10% of their profits to various charities and make it evident through their blog that they're serious about protecting the Earth, not exploiting it. Consider any purchase you make to be an act of stewardship rather than a chance to become the next Trump, not that you had any intentions anyway...

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VIDEO OF THE DAY

Bono discusses fighting poverty and the climate crisis with his usual candor.

Good Stuff

2008-01-25T15:34:00.000-08:00

The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard examines the multitude of products that surround us in our modern lives and follows their route through sale, use and disposal. It reveals how this stuff affects communities both at home and abroad, not to mention the planet itself.

At a jaunty 20 minutes, The Story of Stuff is as much a call to action as it is an education in productions streams. In fact, DVD's are available through the website, perfect for schools or for hosting your own sustainable party, information on which is also provided on the site.

If you're not inspired to become just a bit more sustainable in your buying habits after watching this filmette, you just ain't human...

Define a word, save a life...

2008-01-23T19:42:00.000-08:00

Today we were forwarded one of the coolest sites we've come across yet. It's simple, fun and effective, not to mention thoroughly addictive.

FreeRice.com, a sister site to Poverty.com, combines global altruism with a voc to help save the world, one wordabulary test at a time. The premise is simple as can be: Choose the correct definition out of four choices and 20 grains of rice are purchased to support the United Nations World Food Program. So who pays for the rice?

The rice is paid for by whose names are at the bottom of the vocabulary screen. Each time you define a word correctly a new banner appears. So the advertisers are paying for each click on their ad page, which is going directly to the WFP. And you're getting progressively smarter to boot. Could there be a more ingenious site? We don't think so.

The Magic of Baking Soda!

2008-01-22T20:54:00.000-08:00

Ever hear about how baking soda has a million and one uses, from the pedantic to the miraculous? Well, leave it to Reader's Digest to compile them all – several dozen – for your pleasure.

As it turns out, baking soda is very green, despite being white. From cleaner to deodorizer to meat tenderizer, baking soda can be used in place of a number of more ecologically costly products.

Here are some of our favorite uses for baking soda:

Get yellow stains off piano keys

That old upright may still play great, but those yellowed keys definitely hit a sour note. Remove age stains on your ivories by mixing a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart (1 liter) warm water. Apply to each key with a dampened cloth (you can place a thin piece of card-board between the keys to avoid seepage). Wipe again with a cloth dampened with plain water, and then buff dry with a clean cloth. (You can also clean piano keys with lemon juice and salt.)

Remove musty odor from books

If those books you just took out of storage emerge with a musty smell, place each one in a brown paper bag with 2 tablespoons baking soda. No need to shake the bag, just tie it up and let it sit in a dry environment for about one week. When you open the bag, shake any remaining powder off the books, and the smell should be gone.

Use as antiperspirant

Looking for an effective, all-natural deodorant? Try applying a small amount -- about a teaspoon's worth -- of baking soda with a powder puff under each arm. You won't smell like a flower or some exotic spice. But then, you won't smell like anything from the opposite extreme, either.

Use as plant food

Give your flowering, alkaline-loving plants, such as clematis, delphiniums, and dianthus, an occasional shower in a mild solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda in 2 quarts (2 liters) water. They'll show their appreciation with fuller, healthier blooms.

Keep bugs away from pets' dishes

Placing a border of baking soda around your pet's food bowls will keep away six-legged intruders. And it won't harm your pet if he happens to lap up a little (though most pets aren't likely to savor soda's bitter taste).

For the full list of uses check out Reader's Digest's site.

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Here's an example of baking soda's effectiveness as a cleaner in action:

Care 2 Shop?

2008-01-21T13:48:00.000-08:00

With the$800 tax rebate the President is granting us this year we're being encouraged to get out and shop – put money back into the economy in hopes that it will spur an economic revival and forestall imminent recession, at least until a Dem gets into office and take the heat.

If you do decide to follow his advice and spend your windfall, as opposed to, say, reducing your own personal debt, getting that leak in the roof repaired or donating it to a charity, you can still come out smelling sponsible all over.

Care2.org is a global network of people who, like us, are out to change the planet for the better. The site is incredibly comprehensive and offers sponsiblists of varying persuasion the chance to get their cause on.

Over at their store you'll find a ton of cool, green products on which you can spend your tax rebate. The irony of making a conscious purchase with your money is that you'll be doing exactly as the prez recommends, only instead of your dollars trickling down into the pockets of his corporate cronies they'll be going towards preservation interests. Perfect!

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Dennis Kucinich welcomes you to Care2.org:

Hannah California

2008-01-20T22:27:00.000-08:00

Sure, Daryl Hannah is known for an acting career that includes such films as Splash, Wall Street, Crazy People and the Kill Bill series. Did you know, however, that the Santa Monica-based star is also an environmentalist of the first order? 'Tis true.

In fact, Ms. Hannah has her own site, dhlovelife.com, where she espouses her environmentally progressive views, educates and even sells some really cool green products. Coolest of all is her own biodiesel-converted 1983 Chevy El Camino, which is currently up on ebay (as of this writing the price is at $9500).

On the video page there's some amazing footage of Daryl in Rwanda, communing with local villagers and Mountain Gorillas. In the "Know Dummy" section there's a compelling piece about the U.S. Energy Dept's plan to turn Yucca Mountain into a nuclear waste depository, and in her "Good News" section she has an article on the discovery of a new hummingbird in Colombia.

Daryl's range of interests is broad and her passion and commitment strong. Who would have thought a decade ago that the name "Daryl Hannah" might some day become better known in the world of activism than in acting.

Greener Gadgets

2008-01-19T20:20:00.000-08:00

Cars have gone green. Clothes have gone green. Supermarkets are turning green, as are restaurants and even gas stations. So what's the next frontier to take on a verdant hue? Judging by the exhibitor list at NYC's upcoming Greener Gadgets Conference, we'll say electronics.

Electronics have long been one of the least green areas of the typical households. Foreign manufacturing, toxin-filled batteries and screens and lots of plastic equal a large carbon footprint.

Which is exactly why green design firm Marc Alt & Partners and Inhabitat decided to promote February 1st's event. Companies like HP, Nokia, SONY and Philips will be presenting their initial stabs at greener home electronics. There will also be seminars and speeches and a general exchange of information and inspiration, which to our minds is the most valuable resource of all.

The conference will take place at the McGraw-Hill Conference Center, which is at 1221 Avenue of the Americas in midtown Manhattan on February 1st. For more info on the event and how to register to attend go to greenergadgets.com

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Meet Inhabitat:

Charge Up Your Hybrid!

2008-01-18T22:51:00.000-08:00

Apparently the U.S. government likes to talk the talk when it comes to ending our "addiction to oil" but not actually interested in getting us into a 12-step program. Case in point: We've recently learned that the Japanese version of Toyota's Prius is a plug-in hybrid, running primarily on electricity. So efficient is the car that it can get well over 100 mpg!

Even more amazing is the fact that this uber-green auto could be shipped in situ to the U.S., but isn't. Instead the plug-in charging system is removed, the better to continue our ongoing addiction.

Hymotion, a Toronto-based company, has figured out a way to reinstall the Prius' plug-in system, bringing it back to the fuel-sparing beauty it was always meant to be. They employ something they call Battery Range Extender Modules (BREMs) to convert Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) into Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHEV), which seem to be a logical step on the path to full-fledged plug-in electric cars (a road we've already been down, BTW).

While oftentimes we blame industry for so many of the woes in this world of ours, in this case a company is doing its part to make it better. Kudos to Hymotion from sponsible! Now, to convince them to adapt the technology to the Civic...

Priorities

2008-01-17T22:27:00.000-08:00

Sponsible is about making the world a better place. The World, and all that includes. Human rights, education, healthcare, war eradication, animal protection and of course, the environment. As we try to learn about, and advocate for the myriad sub-interests within each of these groups, however, we find ourselves running the risk of spreading ourselves too thin, and ultimately diluting our message. You an only cry wolf so many times about so many wolves before people will stop listening to your pleas.

So the question arises- Should we prioritize and if so, how? From where should we remove our attention and to where focus it? Tough choice that, it would seem, no one should have to make.

I've long said, "It doesn't matter to which charity you give, so long as you give to charity," and while I still stick to the belief that on the whole it is better to give than not, I now clarify my edict by adding, "But while you are giving, why not get the most bang for your buck?" In other words, all charities are good. Some are just gooder than others.

We heard someone make a strong argument for making the environment our #1 cause. Fact is, if our ozone layer is depleted and our polar ice caps melted, nothing else matters. We won't have to worry about human rights abuses or healthcare costs or much of anything else. Our main concern by that point will be whether the weatherstripping on our houseboats can withstand 120º temperatures.

We tend to agree with this view on the whole, which is why, you may have noticed, the majority of our posts concern environmental matters. Certainly we want to protect gorillas, end the genocide in Darfur and pressure our leaders to bring nationalized healthcare to the U.S. But global warming is essentially ground zero when it comes to worldwide concerns. It's first level of stones in a pyramid. If it breaks down, the entire pyramid crumbles.

Moving forward we are going to continue with our call to get involved to positively impact the world. We will continue to weigh in on issues covering a broad range of concerns. However, we will also pay special attention to the needs of our planet and the ways in which we can take care of it, so that it will allow us the freedom to take care of ourselves. In the end it's about synergy, for sponsible as well as for Earth.

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VIDEO OF THE DAY

BuildingGreenTV.com brings us directions for making chicken marsala in a solar oven. Yum!

A Site that MATTERS

2008-01-16T17:29:00.000-08:00

Have you checked out matternetwork.com yet? If not it's worth a look. With a tagline of "News and ideas for a sustainable world," Matter Network is like the NY Times of conscious online publishing. While the Times pulls together articles written by different wire sources and writer, Matter Network gathers the best online writing concerning sustainability issues and craft it together to make a diverse online publication.

Sections include "At Home," "At Work," "Energy," "Environment, "Money," "Transportation" and "Travel." They also have daily blogs covering a broad range of sustainability-related topics. The writing is quality and the topics diverse. We're a fan. Check 'em out.

Here's a great travel article, posted by the Gaiam Community: 5 Places to Go Before They're Gone.

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VIDEO OF THE DAY

Speaking of things that matter, take a look at the trailer for the amazing film "Who Killed the Electric Car?" Better yet, get yourself a copy of the film and be prepared to scratch your head for 90 minutes as you wonder not just who killed the electric car, but why.

SPONSIBLE CHALLENGE #3

2008-01-15T15:26:00.000-08:00

Looks like we may have placed our foot squarely in our mouth. Last month we presented sponsible's year-end award winners and taking home the glory in the category of political leader was California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. We cited the Governor for his very active role in pushing an environmentally-friendly initiative not just through his state but the world. Could his recently acquired greenness be a rouse though? In the wake of his recently proposed legislation it would seem so.

Last week Schwarzenegger proposed closing 48 California state parks to help shore up money to balanced the state's woefully top-heavy budget. It's one measure in a group that also contains the cuts to schools statewise and early release for certain prisoners.

We understand that the Governor is in an unenviable position. With an expected fiscal deficit of $3.3 by this June he's got a huge hole to fill if he doesn't want to suffer the same fate as his predecessor, Gray Davis. But to our way of thinking education and natural beauty are two domains that should never be compromised to save a buck.

So our third SPONSIBLE CHALLENGE is to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Mr. Governor, we challenge you to rethink your budget cuts. Consider the intrinsic value of both education and our state parks. Challenge yourself to find other areas where spending can be reduced, think about tightening up the illegal immigrant loopholes that cost the state over $10 billion per year. Consider business taxes (yes, taxes!), but please leave our kids and trees alone.

We'll be issuing a formal challenge to the Governor and publishing his response, if any, right here.

The following link lists the 48 parks to be closed: http://www.sacbee.com/114/story/628440.html

Plug it in, Plug it in...

2008-01-14T08:35:00.000-08:00

We were excited enough about Chevy's plans for the Volt, a cool hybrid (runs on electricity, gasoline, E85 or biodiesel.) vehicle scheduled for a 2010 release, but now are totally stoked over Toyota's announced plans to release a plug-in electric car the same year.

Toyota, the world's #1 auto manufacturer (and now America's #2- selling car), is often at the forefront of auto innovation, so we're a bit surprised that they were beaten to the plug-in punch by, ahem, an American car company. However, the auto giant's entrance into the electric market will spark competition among all the world's car manufacturers to outdo one another, ultimately creating a surplus of affordable, efficient electric cars. The future of driving has just gotten a whole lot greener.

The other day we were driving down San Vicente when we came upon the brightest, cleanest-looking gas station we've ever seen. Looking at the pricing sign we noticed that not only did they sell the usual three grades of unleaded fuel, but also B99 biodiesel and ethanol!

KUDOS

The station is called "Conserv" and is the brainchild of Kristopher Moller, who sold off a chain of traditional stations in favor of starting up a new, eco-conscious one. Conserv's website looks more lik that of an activist organization's, with links for "Community" and "Conservation Tips."

Kudos to Kristopher and everyone behind Conserv. Here's to hoping they overtake EXXON/MOBIL one day!

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VIDEO OF THE DAY

Cars.com takes a look at the Chevy Volt concept car at this past year's Detroit Auto Show:

Cereal (Waste) Killers

2008-01-13T18:16:00.000-08:00

Ever consider how much packaging is wasted on 12 ounces of cereal? There's the box, of course, and then the inner bag, there to ensure freshness. Two types of packaging and a whole lot of processing for some pops, crispies or flakes.

Being the cereal fans that we are, we've become ever more cognizant of the waste inherent in purchasing a box of cereal, and as such our breakfasts just haven't been as satisfying.

Recently we purchased a 32 oz. bag of Nature's Path Multigrain Oatbran Flakes and immediately cereal regained its status as a favorite food. Sold in what Nature's Path refers to as a "Eco Pac," the 32 oz. bag contains nearly 3x as much cereal as the typical box, but uses 2/3rds fewer resources to produce. At $7.99, the flakes cost considerably less than your typical bran flakes, plus they're 100% organic.

Kudos to Nature's Path for creating a healthy food that's not just good for you but for the Earth as well. Oh, and Multigrain Bran Flakes are really tasty to boot!

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VIDEO OF THE DAY

Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers video for their song "Beautiful Mother Nature."

GREEN DRINKS

2008-01-11T16:50:00.000-08:00

No, we're not talking about one of those bottles of superfoods you see at Whole Foods or Trader Joe's (although they are quite tasty...). Green Drinks is a gathering of eco-conscious people at various bars and restaurants around the world, usually held on a weekly basis.

At last count Green Drinks parties were being held in over 300 cities worldwide and the NYC holiday version a few weeks ago drew over 900 people and the attention of CNN. If your city hosts Green Drinks make it a point to stop by one evening and hobnob with likeminded folk. If it doesn't, why not be the one to inaugurate it there? All it requires is a bit of initiative and a few greenies like yourself to get started.

Here in Los Angeles, Green Drinks rotates between four locations: Culver City (1st Thursday of the month), Hermosa Beach (2nd), Silver Lake (3rd) and Studio City (4th). Sponsible.org is going to make it a regular habit of attending at least one Green Drinks per month and updating sponsible readers on some of the ideas exchanged during these fun, inspiring events.

Here's recent NBC News segment on NYC's version of Green Drinks:

CAN YOUR PAINT

2008-01-10T22:58:00.000-08:00

In our quest to become ever greener we sometimes find ourselves caught between conscience and convenience. Some things, like bottles and cans, are easy to recycle, with drop-off points everywhere. Others, like house paint, pose a bit more of a challenge.

Whereas before you may not have known in the past what to do with excess paint, now you will. That's because we're providing you with a handy reference guide for disposing of unused paint:

Storing Leftover Paint
When you are ready to store paint:
1. Clean any dried or moist paint from the threads of the can and lid.
2. Cover the opening of the can with plastic wrap or wax paper for oil-based paints. The wrap seals the can and makes it easier to remove the film that forms after it has been sitting around for a while.
3. Fit the lid securely on the can and gently tap it with a hammer until it is completely sealed.
4. Turn the paint can upside down. The paint will naturally form a skin to help seal the paint and keep it fresh.
5. Paint is flammable. Store in a climate-controlled area away from heat sources. Cans exposed to extreme heat can expand causing the paint to leak. Also, keep water-based paint from freezing. Water-based paint can survive a couple of freeze-thaws, but the paint will degrade until it is ruined.

Disposing Of Water-Based Paint
Liquid paint should not be taken to a landfill or poured down a sink. Use the following method when disposing of water-based paints:

1. Fill a paper bag or box with kitty litter, sand, or saw dust.
2. Pour the remaining paint over the absorbent material.
3. Allow to dry completely in a well-ventilated area away from children, pets, and direct heat.
4. Dispose of the solid in the regular trash.
5. For paint residue in the can, remove the lid and allow to dry completely. Remove the skin and dispose of it in the regular trash. Leave the label on the can and recycle if a program is available in your area.

Disposing of Oil-based Paint and Solvents
Oil-based paint and solvents, including mineral spirits, are considered hazardous waste materials. Special precautions and steps must be taken for proper disposal. Never dispose of liquid oil-based paint or solvents in the regular trash or pour them down the sink. Some communities have special hazardous waste collection programs for liquid paint. Check your local regulations to ensure proper handling. You can also visit paint.org for more information.

Of course, the best medicine is always preventive. Next time you find yourself with a paint job try as accurately as possible to estimate tje amount of paint you'll need. Buying a gallon when a quart will do is an expensive, wasteful and environmentally expensive mistake. Also, try putting your excess paints on craigslist.org. You may find that your refuse is someone else's home beautification project.

And the next time you do buy paint, consider getting it from these guys.

Rainforesty Day

2008-01-09T13:41:00.000-08:00

By now we should all know how vital rainforests are to our existence and how they are being decimated at a shockingly fast rate (see below). However, as easy as it is to grow despondent over the continual loss of our planet's crown jewels, all is not lost. There are a number of ways in which we can have a positive impact on the world's rainforests.

A number of organizations exist whose mission it is to save the forests, by way of advocacy and education, not to mention actually buying plots of land. There's another option that is equally effective, and can also be quite tasty to boot.

Most supermarkets, be they Trader Joe's or Vons, now carry lines of rainforest-derived chocolates. The cacao plant is indiginous to South America's rainforests and the chocolate made from native trees is particularly rich. By purchasing these treats you are making an impact in two ways: 1. a portion of the proceeds from sales usually goes to one of the rainforest organizations and, 2. a business that supports sustainable practices is promoted. This one is key, as thriving business based on the maintenance, not destruction, of the forests, is the most compelling argument you could make to a farmer who needs to support his family.

Check out our list of rainforest chocolates and treat your tastebuds, and your conscience, to an Earth-friendly treat!

***Endangered Species Chocolate Co.***

***Yachana Gourmet***

***Rainforest Cacao Chocolate***

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A few rainforest facts, courtesy of rain-tree.com:

We are losing Earth's greatest biological treasures just as we are beginning to appreciate their true value. Rainforests once covered 14% of the earth's land surface; now they cover a mere 6% and experts estimate that the last remaining rainforests could be consumed in less than 40 years.

One and one-half acres of rainforest are lost every second with tragic consequences for both developing and industrial countries.

Rainforests are being destroyed because the value of rainforest land is perceived as only the value of its timber by short-sighted governments, multi-national logging companies, and land owners.

Nearly half of the world's species of plants, animals and microorganisms will be destroyed or severely threatened over the next quarter century due to rainforest deforestation.

Experts estimates that we are losing 137 plant, animal and insect species every single day due to rainforest deforestation. That equates to 50,000 species a year. As the rainforest species disappear, so do many possible cures for life-threatening diseases. Currently, 121 prescription drugs sold worldwide come from plant-derived sources. While 25% of Western pharmaceuticals are derived from rainforest ingredients, less that 1% of these tropical trees and plants have been tested by scientists.

Most rainforests are cleared by chainsaws, bulldozers and fires for its timber value and then are followed by farming and ranching operations, even by world giants like Mitsubishi Corporation, Georgia Pacific, Texaco and Unocal.

There were an estimated ten million Indians living in the Amazonian Rainforest five centuries ago. Today there are less than 200,000.

In Brazil alone, European colonists have destroyed more than 90 indigenous tribes since the 1900's. With them have gone centuries of accumulated knowledge of the medicinal value of rainforest species. As their homelands continue to be destroyed by deforestation, rainforest peoples are also disappearing.

Most medicine men and shamans remaining in the Rainforests today are 70 years old or more. Each time a rainforest medicine man dies, it is as if a library has burned down.

When a medicine man dies without passing his arts on to the next generation, the tribe and the world loses thousands of years of irreplaceable knowledge about medicinal plants.

Eco-Chic Consumerism

2008-01-08T22:15:00.000-08:00

Take a stroll through your local mall and try for just a moment to elevate yourself from the state of somnambulance into which you typically enter (assuming you’re even a mall shopper at all).

Now, with your new perspective take a look around and notice how much stuff is surrounding you – stuff that is produced using countless resources, manpower and time. Now consider how much stuff will be thrown away to make room for the new stuff. Think of all the clothes that are tossed in the trash to accommodate this year’s model and how this year’s will soon meet the same fate.

Yet, so long as we continue along with our national fetish to always own the newest, be it clothing, TV’s or sunglasses, more and more stuff will continually be produced, requiring evermore resources, manpower and time – time that could be used more… productively.
So, how can you, as a fashion-savvy, ultrahip, semi-consumer serve the Earth while serving your consumer tendencies? Ever hear the eco-phrase "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle?" It's the middle word that can pull us through this particular quandary.

Thrift shops, garage sales and antique shows can be a goldmine to the savvy shopper for all manner of goods from wearables to collectibles. Walk around NYC's lower east side and you'll find some of the hippest style mavens in the world. Ask them where they got their duds and the response will more often be "Goodwill" than it will "Hugo Boss."

Garage sales are a great place to find toys. As any parent can tell you, kids outgrow their toys almost as quickly as they do their shoes. Consequently garage sales can yield you in-demand toys with little road wear for bargain basement prices.

Who needs Pottery Barn when you've got a place like the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Southern California, Brimfield in Massachusetts or Renningers in Pennsylvania? You can get home good ranging in style from Victorian to country to modern and everything in between at a decent antique show. And the best part is, you don't have to pay for shipping.

Being environmentally conscious doesn't always mean wearing hemp and using organic dental floss. It can also mean something as simple as rethinking an old system. You don't have to buy new to get yourself a new look.

SWITCHGAS- Key to Alternative Fuel?

2008-01-07T18:33:00.000-08:00

This interesting news just hit the wire today. Debate had revolved around the fastgrowing plant switchgrass could be processed efficiently as a biofuel. It seems evidence shows that it can...

Switchgrass shows promise for ethanol production: study

CHICAGO (AFP) — A large-scale trial of switchgrass suggests that the crop may be a more viable plant source of biofuel than previously thought, according to a study released Monday.

A five year trial of the native North American prairie grass on farmland in the Midwestern United States revealed that the crop produces 540 percent more renewable energy than energy consumed in its production.

Previous estimates, based on small scale research plots, suggested the grass would yield a net energy production of about 343 percent. Net energy production is considered an important measure of sustainability.

"When you go to the farm scale, results are better than predicted," said Kenneth Vogel, a research geneticist with the US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service based at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.

"There is a lot of potential to make further improvements," he added. "The plants used in this trial were developed for pasture and conservation. We're now breeding plants specifically to be used as energy crops."

Global biofuel production has tripled from 4.8 billion gallons in 2000 to about 16 billion in 2007, but still accounts for less than three percent of the global transportation fuel supply, according to US Department of Agriculture figures, as quoted in Amber Waves, a USDA publication.

Concerns about energy security, climate change and soaring oil prices drove policymakers and scientists to develop alternative energy sources that would allow them to break their dependence on foreign oil.

The unprecedented run-up in oil prices in the past six years has kept the pressure on, but rising demand for biofuels, among other things, has led to higher prices for some of the commodities that are currently used to make biofuel - such as corn and vegetable oils.

In the case of corn, it is thought that competing food and feed demands on grain supplies and prices will eventually limit expansion of grain-ethanol capacity, so researchers have begun to explore alternative plant sources for second-generation or cellulosic biofuels.

Switchgrass like some other fast-growing, high-fibre grasses and wood by-products is rich in cellulose, a material that can be readily converted into sugar and fermented to make ethanol.

It is thought that cellulosic biofuels made from perennial plants such as switchgrass will require fewer agricultural inputs than annual crops such as corn, and will offer better yields, lowering the price of bio-ethanol.

Scientists are also hopeful that they can deliver better yields and efficiencies through improvements in crop management and by breeding strains of switchgrass better suited to be converted to ethanol.

In the paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers reported that newer breeds of switchgrass have yields 20-30 percent higher than earlier strains.

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THAT'S MY BAG, BABY!!!

2008-01-06T23:40:00.000-08:00

Almost overnight, it seems, every supermarket and lots of non-super ones have come out with their own reusable shopping bags. Bully for them! We credit Trader Joe's with being the first (whether they actually were or not) but are grateful for every chain that has adopted this great green initiative.

Now that carrying your own bag to the store has become the "in" thing, you'll find yourself with myriad choices in your bag style, size and material. Below we've compiled links to sites where you can purchase some pretty funky carry-alls. Of course if paying $15 for something in which to carry a $3.99 box of Ring Dings seems a bit ostentatious you can always just grab one of the offerings at the checkout of your local supermarket. At a buck or two they'll do the job just as well, if not as stylishly.

• Reusable Bags
You'll find anything and everything to do with reusable bags right here. Lots of choices and a broad price range, from a $4.95 plain organic cotton tote to the Heavy Duty XL Hemp Tote. Our fav on this is site is the Basura Bag, which is made from juice bags collected from the streets in the Phillippines.

• um, random
This site of quirky items featured a few quirky canvas bags. Our favorite has a gorilla face illustration on one side. There's also a cool Asian-inspired catfish bag. You can look funky fresh while saving the earth, all at the same time! Not a bad thing at all.

• 1 Bag at a Time
Schoolteacher and company founder Lisa Foster created this company after a trip to Australia in 2005 ingrained in her the importance of reusability, something already firmly ingrained in the Aussie culture. She's actually the supplier of Ralph's, the supermarket giant, bags.

• Envirosax Mono Bags
These bags are tres chic and, at $34.95 per, tres expensive. These bags have been mentioned in magazines ranging from OPRAH to ELLE to METROPOLIS, so you know when you buy one that you'll be very haute, not to mention green.

• BAGGU
We like these a lot. Designed by a mother/daughter team these are made of nylon, which means they're lightweight yet strong, easily cleaned and portable (they come with their own 5"x5" pouch. 4 colors to choose from.

• ECOBAGS
Another in the category of haute bagging. They specialize in mesh bags that were featured on OPRAH a couple of times, and so have a very large following. All their bags have a summery Hamptonseque feel to them.

SPONSIBLE CHALLENGE #2

2008-01-04T23:42:00.001-08:00

Periodically we like to challenge corporations to step up to the plate and do the right thing. Whether it's putting an end to overseas sweatshops or simply not doublebagging at checkout, we see a chance for positive change where others see business as usual. This time however, we would like to challenge you, the sponsible reader.

With 2008 still fresh as new fallen snow we figure it's a great time to start the year off on the right foot. Our request to you is to get in the habit of doing one good deed a week. We're not even asking for a daily commitment out of you here, just once a week. By "good deed" we mean any of a variety of things. Here are a few examples:

• Stop and talk with a homeless person/buy them a meal
• Volunteer at an elder community
• Go out of your way to make sure that plastic bottle gets recycled rather than dumped
• Buy CFL bulbs or better yet, LED's
• Power down your computer and turn off your lights when not in use
• Adopt an animal
• Make a donation to a charity
• Ask a waiter or waitress how they're doing and really mean it
• Praise a child on a good job
• Drop clothes and home items off at your local thrift shop
• Volunteer at a soup kitchen
• Recycle your companies used batteries- collect them in a container in the copy room
• Call an elderly relative and just listen
• Plant a tree
• Work with your local elementary school to plant dozens of trees
• Go for a run without headphones
• Love yourself

As you may have noticed, good deeds don't only apply to others. They can be done to yourself, to flora and fauna as well. The point is, the more we treat ourselves, our neighbors and our earth with love and respect the better our world will be, simply by default.

Let us know how you got sponsible and we'll publish your efforts right here, to help inspire others to follow your lead. Consider this challenge a group effort.

JOHN EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT

2008-01-03T12:04:00.000-08:00

Let us first say that we will throw our support behind whoever ends up the Democratic nominee running for the presidency.

It is clear that the Democrats, en masse, take global warming more seriously than do the Republicans. Likewise, they are for the concept of a "We" society, as Michael Moore so eloquently put it in Sicko, as opposed to a me society. That means greater federal government assistance for those in need here in the U.S.

The Democrats also roundly support an assault weapons ban, stringent background checks for potential handgun owners, withdrawal from Iraq, legalization of and support for embryonic stem cell research and an overhaul of both our healthcare and educational systems.

One frontrunning Democratic candidate, however, is strongly opposed to campaign financing, a practice that is all but synonymous with malfeasance, and that candidate is John Edwards.

Edwards is the only Democrat besides Dennis Kucinich who has made the abolition of corporate financing of political campaigns a key issue of his run at the presidency. It can't be overstated how destructive corporate financing can be to our very Democracy. It has surely influenced the current state of not just our nation, but the entire world.

Could George W. Bush have even had the chance to co-opt the presidency twice if not for the network of corporate cronies, from lobbyists to local elected officials, who used their considerable influence to control the voting scenarios in states like Ohio and Florida? And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

We also applaud Edwards' strong stand against on nuclear power as an energy source. With so many options out there, why must we choose the only one whose byproduct is a poison? Sure, containment of the waste water is improving, but nothing is guaranteed free from breaking. Oil tankers are evidence of this.

W do admire Barack Obama for his eloquence and clear empathies for the common man. Our concerns with him are the number of ties to corporate interests he seems to have and the fact that he doesn't come off as decisive on certain issues, particularly military involvement in Iraq. Our concerns with Hillary are similar, particularly in her strong ties to corporate America.

You can see a detailed account of where our candidate, John Edwards, stands in relation to all his major opponents at 2Decide.com. Also, check out John Edwards' website, JohnEdwards.com.

Whomever you decide to vote for we implore of you to just get out and vote. It is both a right and a privilege and as much a civic duty as is paying taxes.

PICK A PREZ

2008-01-02T16:26:00.000-08:00

It seems as if the presidential candidates have been campaigning since early last year for an election that's still 11 months away. Maybe that's because they have. But with the primaries and caucuses upon us the time is nigh to start seriously considering to whom we will give our precious vote.

Here at sponsible, environmental concerns, along with human rights, healthcare, education, foreign relations and employment issues, are high on our priority list when it comes to picking a candidate. The environment is after all our lifeblood, and without it we wouldn't be voting at all.

Grist and AlternativeEnergy.com have teamed up to present us with a comprehensive survey of all the leading presidential contenders' positions on the environment. Interestingly, the viewpoints of the candidates within the two major parties don't vary so much as do the party positions themselves. Almost to a man (and woman), the Democrats show a relatively strong stance on issues such as raising CAFE standards and supporting alternative energy projects while the Republican candidates show less commitment in these areas.

We encourage you to read through the entire list and do your research on a variety of issues before handing your vote to a candidate. Maybe even more importantly, we ask that you exercise your right to vote, in both the primaries and the general election, and that means on the various proposals that will share space on your ballot with the candidates. The 60% rate of voter turnout that we usually see in presidential elections is far too low, especially now, when so much is at stake.

Tomorrow sponsible will be making its endorsement for the next President of the United States of America. We'll give you a hint as to who it may be for now though: Our candidate is not a member of the Republican Party. Big surprise, huh?

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VIDEO OF THE DAY

John Edwards and Bill Maher talk the North Pole and ethanol.

BE A CYBERHERO

2008-01-01T23:15:00.000-08:00

2008 is a day old and what have you done? That is, besides wake up late and clean up the champagne glasses and confetti? While we don't expect you to have taken much in the way of sponsible action after a night of noisemakers and Ryan Seacrest, we do have a simple way you can do good from the comfort of your own Barcalounger, and it won't cost you anything more than a press of a finger.

By now you've probably been on a few of the sites that plant a tree or save a parcel of rainforest each time they're accessed. Maybe you experienced a sense of satisfaction after clicking on such a site but promptly forgot about the URL. Well, now's your chance to get that warm, fuzzy feeling all over again.

Ecologyfund.com keeps a database of such eco-friendly sites. You can hit links of up to ten of them every day to plant trees, preserve land, and even save the atmosphere.

Thanks to Ecologyfund you've got the chance to make it a happy new year for a host of flora and fauna, not to mention that part of you that gets warm and fuzzy after you've done a good thing.

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VIDEO OF THE DAY

Musician Vlad, with the help of one of those cool new ZAP! Xebra electric trucks and the students of the Academy of Arts and Ethics in Santa Rosa CA, plants a tree.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2007-12-31T20:36:00.000-08:00

May your new year's eve be memorable and 2008 bring you peace, love and joy.

Sincerely,
Us@sponsible.org

O CHRISTMAS TREE BLUES

2007-12-29T23:17:00.000-08:00

So Christmas has come and gone and you're faced with your annual dilemma–when to take down the tree and what to do with it. While we can't help you with the first half of your problem we can give you sponsible choices for the second.

The National Christmas Tree Association (Yes, there really is one) can provide you not just with myriad facts and figures relating to Christmas trees and the "treecycling" of them (see below), but a simple resource for finding a tree recycling service in your area.

Just enter your zip code in this nifty search engine, courtesy of earth911.org and let the tree continue to give its gifts long after its life and the Christmas season have ended.

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>>>RECYCLE YOUR TREE NOW<<<

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Treecycling

Treecycling is the act of recycling your Christmas trees so that they can be turned into compost or mulch. These trees contain valuable nutrients that can be used in other capacities. Before we learn more about the benefits of treecycling, here are some fun facts about Christmas trees:

There are approximately 30-35 million real Christmas trees sold in North America every year.
Approximately 175,000 real Christmas trees are sold via e-commerce or catalog and shipped mail-order.
North-American real Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states and Canada. Eighty-five percent of artificial trees are manufactured in China.
Real Christmas trees are a renewable, recyclable resource. Artificial trees contain non-biodegradable plastics.
For every real Christmas tree harvested, up to three seedlings are planted in its place the following spring.
There are about 500,000 acres in production for growing Christmas trees. Each acre provides the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people.
There are about 21,000 Christmas Tree growers in North America, and over 100,000 people employed full or part-time in the industry.
It can take as many as 15 years to grow a tree of average retail sale height (six feet), but the average growing time is seven years.
The top Christmas tree producing states are Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Washington.
The top selling Christmas trees are: balsam fir, Douglas-fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine, and white pine.

Christmas Tree Recycling Facts

In a national survey, 93 percent of consumers who used a real Christmas tree recycled theirs in some type of community program.

Christmas trees are recycled for five main types of large-scale uses for post-harvest trees. These are:

Chipping (chippings are used for various things from mulch to hiking trails)
Beachfront erosion prevention
Lake and river shoreline stabilization
Fish habitat
River delta sedimentation management

Today around 98 percent of real Christmas trees are grown on farms throughout all 50 states and Canada. Real trees are a renewable, recyclable resource, and real trees are planted to be harvested just as corn and/or pumpkins are cultivated for a harvest.

For each real Christmas tree harvested, up to three new seedlings are planted in its place, depending on farm size and current field rotation. Young trees in their rapid growth years have a high rate of photosynthesis and thus produce more oxygen than older trees.

This year, over 60 million new seedlings were planted by Christmas tree farmers all over North America.

Source:
National Christmas Tree Association

HEY YOU! GET SPONSIBLE!

2007-12-29T22:46:00.000-08:00

By now you probably get the idea behind sponsible. It's about taking action while others sit on their hands. Sponsible people take every opportunity they can to inform, inspire and make positive change. Whether it's at a grocery store, in the office, or in our homes we're always poised to see solutions where others see problems; make change where stasis rules.

As we enter the last day of 2007 and roll into a bright new year we'd like to ask you to consider making one of your resolutions (along with getting to the gym and sticking with your diet) a sponsible one. What do we mean? Glad you asked. Here are a few examples:

1. I will speak up
Say, you're chowing down at your local Denny's (this is hypothetical, remember) and the waitress drops you a stack of 10 napkins with your meal. Even if you don't use nine of the napkins odds are they'll end up in the trash. Immediately hand nine back to her and let her know your fondness for trees. Hit her with a stat like, "If everyone in the United States used an average of one fewer napkin per day, we'd save a stack of napkins as big as the Empire State Building from going into landfills." Everyone loves stats like that.

2. I will lead with my actions
You're in the office kitchen one Monday morning, heating up your Hot Pocket (hypothetical...) when you notice the stack of plastic soda bottles bulging over the top of the garbage bin. Chagrined over the thought of the growing mountain of recyclables that will never be recycled, you remember that your company has no such policy in place.

You head back to your cubicle and Google "plastic bottle recycling" and find a recycler just blocks from your office. They send you a free bin, signs and stickers and by the end of the week your office has a recycling program.

3. I will directly affect the lives of those in need
You're going into your local supermarket when you see a donation container on the counter. The proprietor tells you that the family of one of the clerks lost their home in a fire. He, his wife and two young daughters are living with family, trying to pick up the pieces on a grocer's salary.

The container is halfway filled with change, a few singles and a lone five dollar bill. You had plans to spend about $100 in groceries that day. Instead you get by with $50, stop by the mall and get a couple of toys and a $30 mall gift card, which you bring back to the supermarket the next day.

4. I will extend myself
You know that senior center the next town over? Did you know it's full of interesting people with fascinating stories who rarely get the chance to share them? Stop by one Saturday morning and makes someone's week, not to mention your own.

5. I will be heard
Let us know how you get sponsible. Share your ideas with the world so that your good intentions have the chance to multiply over and again, by way of fellow sponsible readers. Being sponsible means being heard, seen and felt. Don't let 2008 go by without letting someone know, in some way, that you truly care.

Happy New Year!

Terra Firms

2007-12-28T22:35:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder just how big is your carbon footprint? Actually, let's back it up a step: Ever wonder what a carbon footprint is? No? Regardless, the term "Carbon footprint" refers to the amount of CO2 you release into the atmosphere throughout your life, not including breathing of course. What this does include is travel, both auto and air, electricity, fuel, and even things like clothing and food. The UK site Carbonfootprint.com illustrates a breakdown of a typical person's carbon footprint in a simple pie chart.

Now that you know what a carbon footprint is, it's time to find out just how big is yours. In this instance, bigger is definitely not better. To find how much carbon you're responsible for emitting into the atmosphere each year you can go to Terrapass.com, or for any Brits reading this, stick with Carbonfootprint.com.

Once you know the size of your carbon footprint you can assuage your guilty eco-conscience and help some worthy causes by offsetting it. Both sites provide an ingenious solution for effectively neutralizing your impact, by selling something called carbon offsets. And much like Sweden, your neutrality will make you the envy of neighboring countries, or at least your eco-conscious neighbors.

We recently purchased a year of carbon offsets for only $29.95 to neutralize the environmental impact of our new Honda Civic Hybrid through Terrapass. In addition to paying down our carbon debt we also get a neat sticker that will signify our car as being carbon neutral. As if having a hybrid wasn't cool enough!

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Places to offset your carbon footprint:

Terrapass.com
Carbonfootprint.com
Begreennow.com
Standard Carbon
DriveNeutral.org
e-BlueHorizons
Carbonfund.org - nonprofit
AtmosClear Climate Club
Plant-a-tree-today.org

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Ed Begley Jr. explains the concepts of carbon footprint and buying carbon offsets:

SPONSIBLE AWARDS VII

2007-12-26T23:06:00.000-08:00

2007 Sponsible Award - Political Leader

Winner: Arnold Schwarzenegger

Lately the man with the reputation as being the greenest of the United States' 50 governors has come under attack. Despite having proposed such initiatives as a $95 million state grant to support green research, an aggressive green house gas reduction plan and an impassioned address before the U.N. this past September in which he warned of the dangers of global warming, his critics still wail.

Pointing to his fuel-hungry NetJets and fleet of Hummers (which he recently had converted to run on hydrogen fuel cells), they shout that he doesn't practice what he preaches. Here's our take: Governor Schwarzenegger has the energy of three governors and travels accordingly. He also manages to get a proportional amount of work done. We at sponsible realize that saving the planet doesn't have to equate extremism nor should it. Being sponsible means making sound choices for the greater good. If the use of a private jet allows Governor Schwarzenegger time to better carry out his vast agenda then the potential excess of greenhouse gases could well be offset by the legislation he negotiates at his destinations.

More important, we feel, is the fact that Governor Schwarzenegger is essentially the first American political leader to take Al Gore's message and turn it into a major platform. He has boldly stepped up to the plate and taken a swing at the former President-Elect's (elected by the people, that is) pitch. Others have since stepped into the batter's box, and all should be commended.

Those same critics may argue that the California Governor is posturing as an environmentalist for political gain. remember, however, how very new the green phenomenon is, on both our cultural and political landscapes. Just two years ago it was barely on the radar – not very sexy at all. Now it's headline news every day of the week. Governor Schwarzenegger jumped on the bandwagon being pulled by Gore, David Suzuki and others in a very public way, putting his reputation and standing within his party on the line, before green was the "It" color.

Even if we were to play cynic and agree that the Governor is promoting green initiatives for purely political purposes, the fact is, with the exception of Gore, no one has had a more profound impact on the American public's perception of the burgeoning green movement. For that alone Governor Schwarzenegger deserves this award.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

2007-12-24T22:09:00.000-08:00

We at SPONSIBLE.ORG would like to wish everyone the happiest of holidays. In this season of giving, please remember to give not just to loved ones, but to those in need as well.

Sincerely,
us@sponsible.org

2007 SPONSIBLE AWARDS VI

2007-12-24T17:37:00.000-08:00

2007 Sponsible Award - Corporate Leader

Winner: John Mackey (Whole Foods)

Each time we walk into a Whole Foods we find not just a broad array of healthy, sustainable foods and products, but inspiration. At every turn the store shows its commitment to the environment and fair trade practices with bins for nearly every category of recyclable, reusable shopping bags and a wealth of info on all things sponsible at the information booth.

Since starting a little health-food store he called "Safer Way" in a garage in Austin, Texas in 1978 Whole Foods' founder and CEO John Mackey has watched it grow into the largest natural and organic market chain in the world, while holding to its original vision the whole way. Whole Foods' motto of Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet is not just their own guiding principle but inspiration for retailers across the U.S. The demand for sustainable farming practices and organic products has sparked a revolution in the food industry with natural and organic products now being seen in all major supermarket chains.

Mackey's vision doesn't stop within the walls of his 265 stores throughout North America and the U.K. however. The Animal Compassion Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life of farm animals and the Whole Planet Foundation's mission is to create economic partnerships with the poor in those developing-world communities that supply Whole Foods stores with product.

In addition, individual stores hold 5% Days (or CommUnity Giving Days), donating 5% of that day's net sales to a local or regional non-profit or educational organization.

Sponsible.org would like to congratulate John Mackey and Whole Foods for their holistic vision for their company as it relates to the rest of the world. We hope more corporations follow their lead.

2007 SPONSIBLE AWARDS V

2007-12-23T21:35:00.000-08:00

2007 Sponsible Award - Animal Protection
Winner: Jeff Corwin

You may know Jeff Corwin as the jovial host and executive producer of The Jeff Corwin Experience and Corwin's Quest, two of Animal Planet's more popular programs. Yet while he provides a good dose of intelligent entertainment for millions of viewers each week, he's also a pioneering conservationist, using television to inspire those same viewers to join his cause. And his cause is to protect animals, period.

Much like the late Steve Irwin, Corwin makes good use of his oversized personality to draw his audience in to subject matter with which they otherwise have no exposure. As Irwin's specialty was crocodiles, Irwin's is also cold-blooded animals – snakes in particular. Through his engaging style of education, which often includes a healthy smattering of movie lines, impressions and funny voices, he defuses the creepiest of crawlies and ultimately gains them countless human allies.

Outside of his own programs Corwin has spread the word of animal protection via pop culture magazines, including People (in which he was named one of its"50 Most Beautiful People" in 2002) and Entertainment Weekly. He's also appeared on the Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS Morning Show, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Access Hollywood, Extra and Oprah, and in October 2003, Jeff made a guest appearance as himself on the popular television series CSI: Miami.

There are countless heroes in the world of animal protection, all deserving of recognition an support. We congratulate Jeff Corwin on his successful efforts to present his love for wildlife before a mainstream audience, work whose fruits will continue to ripen for years to come.

2007 SPONSIBLE AWARDS IV

2007-12-22T22:02:00.000-08:00

And now, education...

2007 Sponsible Award - Education
Winner: Rafe Esquith

Rafe Esquith is one of those teacher you read about. Literally. He's been profiled in newspapers like the NY Times and Washington Post, magazines such as TIME and on radio and TV. And for good reason. The elementary school teacher's passion for teaching has resulted in extraordinary academic success for his students, 92% of whom come from low-income households in L.A.'s inner city.

As a fifth grade teacher at Hobart Boulevard Elementary School, the second-largest elementary school in the U.S., Esquith has rewritten the book on teaching, also literally, with There Are No Shortcuts and Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire. His teaching honors include the 1992 Disney National Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award, a Sigma Beta Delta Fellowship from Johns Hopkins University, Oprah Winfrey’s $100,000 Use Your Life Award, Parents Magazine’s As You Grow Award, National Medal of Arts, and Esquith was made an honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth.

Thanks to his motivational techniques, Esquith's students consistently score in the top 5% to 10% of the country in standardized tests. Many of them voluntarily come to class as early as 6:30am, more than two hours before the official start of the school day. Most of his students come from immigrant Central American and Korean families and are learning English as a second language. They volunteer to come early, work through recess and stay as late as 5:30 pm, also coming to class during vacations and holidays.

We congratulate Rafe Esquith on his excellence. So many teachers, when faced with extraordinary challenges, throw up their hands and continue forging ahead under less than ideal circumstances, hoping for the best. Rafe has decided to forge ahead as well, but while accepting nothing less than the best from his students, and getting it.

You can support teachers like Rafe by letting them and their immediate supervisors and district administrators know that you appreciate their work. A letter or, better yet, an in-person message to your child's favorite teachers and those to whom they are accountable can support their efforts by way of raises and/or commendations – the kinds of things that will encourage teachers like Rafe Esquith to continue inspiring our children to be their best.

2007 SPONSIBLE AWARDS III

2007-12-21T17:57:00.000-08:00

Today we continue our year-end awards with an achiever in human rights...

2007 Sponsible Award - Human Rights
Winner: Asma Jahangir

Asma Jahangir is the chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and is the United Nations special rapporteur on freedom of religion. She was among the first people rounded up in the state of emergency declared by General Pervez Musharraf.

Jahangir has a long record of human rights activism, inherited by her father, who was an activist himself and paid the price by way of repeated visits to Pakistani prisons. It was while working with lawyers to release her father at the age of 18 that Jahangir found her calling.

In 1980, Jahangir and her sister, Hina Jilani, got together with few fellow activists and lawyers and formed the first law firm established by women in Pakistan. She began taking now-President Musharraf to task back in 2000 with in an article for Dawn, published October 2, 2000 titled "Whither are We!” in which she demands that the government of General Musharraf work to improve the record of human rights domestically.

On Nov. 3, upon imposing a state of emergency, President-General Pervez Musharaf suspended the constitution, dismissed the Chief Justice, censored the media, and arrested opposition leaders and lawyers, including Jahangir. She was released two weeks later, but not before issuing a string statement on her blog on November 8th:

… The Musharaf government has declared martial law to settle scores with lawyers and judges. While the terrorists remain on the loose and continue to occupy more space in Pakistan, senior lawyers are being tortured ...

Jahangir continues to remain a thorn in Musharaf's side, and as an ever more visible public figure, is helping bring the world's attention to the human rights abuses going on within her nation, always at her own physical peril.

Help support human rights causes in Pakistan by logging onto Amnesty International's Pakistan page and around the world by going to Amnesty.org.

2007 SPONSIBLE AWARDS II

2007-12-20T21:50:00.000-08:00

In continuing with our gala 2007 Sponsible Awards online festival, we would now like to present you with our second winner – this time in Environmental Concerns.

2007 Sponsible Award - Environmental Concerns
Winner: DAVID SUZUKI

While the folks over in Sweden decided to co-award their 2007 Peace Prize to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Al Gore, we decided to go with a slightly lower-profile, yet equally sponsible, individual whose tireless campaign on behalf of Mother Earth has spanned the better part of four decades.

Dr. David Suzuki is a scholar very much in the vein of the late Stephen Jay Gould, popularizing sometimes esoteric scientific concepts by explaining them to his audience in layman's language with the flair of a performer. He's educated his native Canada and the world as to the dangers of irresponsible industrialization to the planet, most notably in the 1979 CBC series The Nature of Things, which brought widespread attention to his causes.

Dr. Suzuki has long been a voice in the call for self-imposed caps on carbon emissions worldwide and his David Suzuki offices themselves have a carbon-neutral footprint. This year, he made a cross-country tour in a diesel bus, speaking to Canadians about climate change and urging compliance with the Kyoto Accord.

His "David Suzuki's Nature Challenge"and "David Suzuki's Nature Challenge for Kids" suggest simple steps people can take to protect nature and improve their quality of life.

Sponsible.org salutes Dr. David Suzuki on his invaluable mission and we urge you to check out http://davidsuzuki.org to learn simple ways in which you can reduce your own carbon footprint and help create action on an even larger scale.

2007 SPONSIBLE AWARDS

2007-12-20T02:35:00.000-08:00

As we enter the second-to-last week of 2007 we thought it would be a good time to present our 2007 Sponsible Awards. The awards are broken into eight categories: Housing, Environment, Human Rights, Education, Healthcare, Animal Protection, Corporate Leader and Political Leader. Over the course of the next week and a half we'll present you profiles on the winners in each category with links to help these sponsible individuals further their causes.

While we have chosen winners we are by no means discounting the incredible work done by countless others in each of these areas. In fact, we fully appreciate that our awards by no means should be considered anything close to definitive. What we hope it does do however, is shine new light on the initiatives championed by our winners.

Sponsible Award - Housing
Winner: BRAD PITT

We watched helplessly as Hurricane Katrina choked the life out of New Orleans' ninth ward. We donated money and even time to help the nearly one million people left homeless by the unusually fierce storm. And of course we grew increasingly frustrated as the government fumbled and bumbled its responsibility to its citizens in need.

One person, however, decided he'd had enough of the gloomy news and took action. As if defining "sponsibility" itself, Brad Pitt commissioned 13 architecture firms to held rebuild the ninth ward.

His project, called Make It Right, aims to build 150 affordable, environmentally sound houses over the next two years. He's teamed with green design expert William McDonough, L.A. architecture firm Graft, and Cherokee, an investment firm based in Raleigh, N.C., that specializes in sustainable redevelopment with John Williams, a New Orleans-based architect, directing the project.

Kudos to the entire Make It Right team and especially to Mr. Pitt for having the vision to be a cause for good, rather than waiting for others to.

BABY STEP

2007-12-18T15:06:00.000-08:00

Well, it's better than nothing we suppose, but the new fuel efficiency bill that just passed through Congress is so meager in its scope that the president isn't even expected to veto it. It states that auto makers would need to adhere to a 35 mpg rating for all automobiles by 2030. It's amazing how small positive advances must be to get through all divisions of our legislature, but another mild boost to a 40 mpg standard followed by another 5 mpg raise in a few more years could start to make a real difference.

It seems we're more a nation of baby steps than "giant leaps" these days.There's also a nice ethanol provision built into the bill, but it too is very modest. However, by l etting your congresspeople know that you support raising CAFE standards and funding biofuel research you, as an individual, can make an impact on the future of our nation's fuel consumption habits.

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ENERGY BILL HEADS TO WHITE HOUSE
Measure Tightens Rules on Auto Fuel Economy

Associated Press
December 18, 2007 2:08 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- Congress by a wide margin approved the first increase in automobile fuel economy in 32 years Tuesday, and President Bush has signaled he will accept the mandates on the auto industry.

The energy bill, boosting mileage by 40% to 35 miles per gallon, passed the House 314-100 and now goes to the White House, following the Senate's approved last week.

In a dramatic shift to spur increased demand for nonfossil fuels, the bill also requires a sixfold increase in ethanol use to 36 billion gallons a year by 2022, a boon to farmers. And it requires new energy efficiency standards for an array of appliances, lighting and commercial and government buildings.

"This is a choice between yesterday and tomorrow" on energy policy, declared House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.), who was closely involved in crafting the legislation. "It's groundbreaking in what it will do."

While some GOP lawmakers criticized the bill for failing to address the need for more domestic oil and natural gas production, 95 GOP lawmakers joined Democrats in support of the bill.

"This legislation is a historic turning point in energy policy," said Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland because it will cut demand for foreign oil and promote nonfossil fuels that will cut greenhouse gases linked to global warming.

It increases energy efficiency "from light bulbs to light trucks," said Rep. John Dingell (D., Mich.), a longtime protector of the auto industry who was key to a compromise on vehicle efficiency increases.

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VIDEO OF THE DAY

Rep. Edward J. Markey, chairman of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming and chief advocate of a higher national fuel economy average for cars and SUVs, speaks on the historic energy bill passed by the House and sent to the president on 12/18/07.

DUDE... I GOT A HYBRID!

2007-12-17T21:54:00.000-08:00

After a week of deliberating in the case of veggie fuel vs. hybrid I've made a decision and the result is a brand new 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid. Let it be known that this was not a decision entered into lightly. Furrowed brow and gnawed pencils were the order of the day for a good many minutes each day as I weighed the cost, convenience and of course, environmental benefits of the two options. It was a whisper-close decision in the end, but I chose the Civic and after driving it home from the dealership have not second-guessed myself once.

The choice wasn't so much between a veggie car and the Civic as it was between a particular 1983 red Mercedes Benz 300 series for sale on ebay that had been professionally converted to run on anything from diesel to biodiesel to vegetable oil to used crank case grease. When I was a kid the Mercedes, with it's cool hood ornament, represented the ultimate in driving to me, so there was an strong emotional tie to the notion that I could actually own a Mercedes, and for under $4000 no less. However it is yet a dream deferred. Maybe next year...

Four-Part Decision
I used an arbitrary four-part decision process in weighing my options. The first was cost. This was tied into my existing Civic lease. By upgrading through Honda I could get the company to absorb the remaining six months of my lease (which was over $1000), ignore the dings and scrapes (which would have been noticed and charged for had I not re-leased) and since the car was closing in on 48,000 for my extended four-year lease, I avoided paying overage charges of 15¢ per mile. While the Benz in question wound up going for only $3400, I could add at least the $1000 in unpaid lease fees for my Honda to it plus body damage expenses.

Environmental impact was another factor. The Mercedes got, according to its owner, in the upper-20's to 30mpg. The Honda is listed at 40 city/45 hwy. Yet while a review of hybrid and biofuel message boards left me somewhat inconclusive, I decided that if I were to primarily fuel the Mercedes with veggie oil it would be by far the cleaner option. If I used biodiesel maybe a bit better, and if I resorted to diesel, which I probably would part of the time since stations with biodiesel are few in L.A., then the Civic would be a greener choice.

Which leads to third factor - convenience. In speaking with the guy who converted the Benz I learned that processing used restaurant grease (a likely source of veggie fuel for me) was no simple process. First, you have to proposition restaurants, hoping a few will agree to give you their used grease on a regular basis. Probably not much of a problem, but there's a time expenditure there - stopping by Arby's or Szechuan Surprise weekly in search of veggie oil.

Once you get the oil home (in several 5-gallon containers), you pour the stuff into a 55-gallon drum, where you let it sit for a few days. After the oil settles you pump it through a filter into another 55-gallon drum. This then becomes your car's fuel. Since I rent an apartment I don't have the space for one, let alone two, 55-gallon drums, plus a pump and replacement filters.

At this point the Civic started to move way out in front of the green Benz. It was only Factor #4 that made it a horse race down the stretch.

It should be no secret to anyone that most of America's foreign policy decisions, and many domestic ones, revolve around our oil lust. We have let ourselves become inextricably tied up in one war overseas and are on the verge of another, all in the name of fossil fuel. And with all of the money we're pouring into the OPEC nations we're actually funding many of those who swear themselves to be our enemies. It's a twisted system of which we are fully responsible.

Biofuel presents a brilliant way in which we can not only eliminate our dependence on the Middle East, but create an entirely new export. Plus, a flourishing biofuel industry would bolster our farmers, essentially returning the power that is currently with OPEC nations, back to America's working class. And with clean-burning veggie fuel we'll lower greenhouse emissions to boot.

LESS IS MORE
In the end, after carefully weighing all factors in the balance I decided to go with the Civic, just barely, based on a single factor: time. I've committed myself to doing as much as I can to help make the world a better place. While driving a veggie-fuel car would certainly contribute to this goal, the requirements would impact significantly on my time, be it stopping at restaurants, filtering my fuel, finding a place to store the drums, or even driving out of my way to a biofuel station. While I could lessen my own carbon footprint with a biodiesel, I would become less able to carry out my work in reaching large numbers of people. In the end it became a numbers game. Less time spent maintaining my ride means more time available to save the world.

And the fact is, the Honda Civic Hybrid is a Near-Zero emissions vehicle. While it's not a perfect solution to either our environmental or geopolitical issues, it's a good step in the right direction. And it is a pretty slick-looking machine, if I do say so myself.

So while I've said "Yes" to hybrid, I by no means am saying "No" to biofuel. It is in my future, of that I'm sure, and the very near future at that.

-Shawn Perine

GIVE A LITTLE BIT

2007-12-16T20:55:00.000-08:00

How can you give more by giving less? How can you put a smile on someone's face and help save the world at the same time? How can you give from the heart, not just to your intended recipients, but to to recipients you may never meet as well?

This year, instead of shopping 'til you drop, consider making a donation to the charity of your giftee's choice. By making a pledge to a reputable charity in the name of a loved one you do so many things, none of which involve parking lot musical chairs or 1-hour sales. And your gift of an adoption, tree planting or research funding is a one-size-fits-all proposition. No need for exchanges or refunds, and like Aunt Fran's preternaturally sweet iced cake, a donation won't rot your teeth or upset your stomach.

Donations, particularly the online kind, can also be a lifesaver, not just for a child in Somalia or a seal pup in the Antarctic. They can save your hide as well since they can be purchased literally minutes before Old Saint Nick cleans the inside of your chimney with his XXXL red felt suit.

We've listed a few of our favorite charities below, but this is a mere drop in the bucket. We suggest giving to one with whom your recipient would find a connection. If they're a surfer, then the Surfrider Foundation might do the trick. If they're a Chicago Bears fan then the National Wildlife Federation or Chi Town's A Safe Haven could work. Get creative and have fun with it. There are tons of great options covering myriad causes.

Now that you've figured out what gifts to get everyone this year, the only thing left to do is to figure out an excuse to avoid Aunt Fran's cake this year.

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SPONSIBLE CHARITIES

• UNICEF- The United Nations Children's Fund works for children's rights, their survival, development and protection
• World Wildlife Fund- The WWF's ultimate goal is to build a future where people live in harmony with nature
• The Orangutan Conservancy- Working to forestall the total extinction of this severly endangered species
• Conservation International- S to protect Earth's biodiversity "hotspots," high-biodiversity wilderness areas as well as important marine regions around the globe
• Global Green USA- Aimed at stemming global climate change, eliminating weapons of mass destruction and providing clean, safe drinking water
• Doctors Without Borders- An independent international medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural or man-made disasters, or exclusion from health care in more than 70 countries
• Save the Manatees- Working to protect Florida's gentle sea cow from propellers and pollution
• Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS- DIFFA pairs the design industry with a disease that has claimed many of its members with the hope of finding a cure
• American Cancer Society- Working toward a cure for the deadliest disease in the world
• American Civil Liberties Union- Protects America's freedom to life, and liberty and from warrantless wiretapping
• The Humane Society of the United States- Protects not just dogs and cats from abuse and abandonment, but monkeys and rabbits from inhumane testing practices
• African Wildlife Federation- Fighting to save numerous species of African wildlife from the ravages of human encroachment

A WORLD OF GIFTS

2007-12-15T18:37:00.000-08:00

Today we attended the Eco Gift Expo at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. Cool. Very, very cool, both literally and figuratively.

As you would suspect by the name, the expo featured products and service from 150 eco-conscious companies and was sponsored by Whole Foods and the Los Angeles Times. The selection of items, from eco-friendly and educational toys to green fashion, cosmetics, home and cleaning products was both broad and inspiring. To speak with so many people who went out on a limb and started their companies because "it was the right thing to do" ended up leaving us with not just a great shopping experience, but a motivating one as well. How often can you say that after leaving a chain store?

Some of our favorite product lines include Lucky Earth Waterless Car Wash, Journey Light Inc., Clean George and Kopali Organics. And we loved the action campaign, Save A Snowman. This novel concept involves the building and naming of a snowman which can be "adopted" by a schoolchild. Through their adoption they learn about the processes that go to work in the melting of them. Brilliant stuff.

The fest continues tomorrow, Sunday the 16th, from 9 to 5. If you're in the SoCal region we strongly recommend you pay a visit and spend a little green to get a little green.

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VIDEO OF THE DAY

ALTERED OCEANS is a five-part series on the crisis facing our oceans. It's produced by the Los Angeles Times and is available for viewing in its entirety at latimes.com. Kudos to the L.A. Times, known as a rather conservative paper, for bringing this imminent crisis to light.

GIVE FOOD FOR A CHANGE

2007-12-14T09:43:00.000-08:00

Having lived in both NYC and L.A., the U.S. cities with the largest homeless populations (L.A. was ranked first in a 2005 survey with over 90k while NY was a distant second with 48k), we have born witness to the tragedy of homelessness firsthand and can assure you that it's not a pretty thing.

But while the homeless problem in the U.S. is an easy one to identify, it's not quite as easy to solve. The government seems largely unwilling to take comprehensive action in the matter, which often times leaves the fate of our homeless men, women and children in the hands of private charities and citizens.

For individuals living in metropolitan areas the matter often boils down to a choice: To Give or Not to Give?

Plenty of "authorities" on the matter will tell you not to give the homeless your spare change – that you'll only "encourage" them to continue their ways. Others will tell you that it's the responsibility of the state or the federal government to handle the "problem." Still others contend that all homeless people are essentially addicts and as such will only buy crack or liquor with your donation.

GET SPONSIBLE!

While we agree that handouts are by no means a solution to a problem as big as homelessness (although we strongly disagree with the propaganda), it's simply inhumane to ignore a person in need who happens to be lying on the sidewalk at your feet.

Our suggestion is to give in two ways. First, find a charity dedicated to protecting the homeless and, more importantly, helping them get off the street and into a job. One of our favorites is The Doe Fund, which has done remarkable work in helping homeless NYC men find employment and regain their self respect.

Secondly, consider giving sustenance rather than spare change. When you buy food and drink for a person you never have to wonder how your money is being spent, and you're assured of giving them something they need. Plus, the smile you'll get in return is well worth whatever you spent at the grocer.

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VIDEO OF THE DAY

Here's a nice clip showing why Ready, Willing & Able, the Doe Fund's initiative, is one solution to the homeless problem that should be embraced throughout the nation.

Biodiesel vs. Hybrid? Ummm...

2007-12-13T18:49:00.000-08:00

We're currently in the market for a new car. The extended, 4-year lease on our 2004 Honda Civic (a fuel-conscious if not wildly green auto) is almost up. So the choice right now comes down to two: Either a diesel car into which we'll put biodiesel, or a new Civic Hybrid.

We took the 2008 Civic out for a test drive today and were impressed. It's a sturdy, solid car that has a significantly greater luxury car-feel than our 2004 model. It's also got an automatic transmission (as opposed to our stick) and is a 4-door, which is standard on the new Civic Hybrids. The window sticker lists the MPG as 40 city and 45 highway, respectable numbers if slightly below those of the Toyota Prius.

What impressed us the most was the sound - or lack thereof - of the engine. When the thing kicked into electric mode, which it does when idling, it was virtually silent. You could hardly tell the car was running at all!

We made it clear to our Honda sales representative that our main intention is to simply turn in our old car and pick up a used diesel. After seeing Josh Tickell's amazing documentary Fields of Fuel just a week ago the biodiesel option is first and foremost in our minds. However, the test drive did open us up to a new possibility, one in which we have the option of supporting a fairly progressive-minded company (Honda) in the growth of their modest support of the green movement.

To be continued...

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LINK OF THE DAY
GreenStyleMag.com

Green Style Mag is a blog that's in the process of growing into a website. Their message is simple: Go green while keeping your sense of style. We like.

GREEN TRAVELS

2007-12-12T15:12:00.000-08:00

We all travel; some of us for vacation, some for work, some as part of a multi-nation tour with a multi-platinum band. Regardless, whenever we find ourselves staying at a hotel (or motel, as is usually the case for us) the temptation is strong to abandon the rules we've established for our home life.

Running faucets, strewn towels, A/C left blasting all day and night are just some of the indulgences we allow ourselves while on the road. Yet waste is waste is waste, no matter where we may be, even at the Grand Hyatt. So we've compiled a quick list of painless ways in which you can help protect the environment while living out of a suitcase. Happy travels! Oh, and if you should stay at a Motel 6, please tell Tom Bodett not to leave the light on for you.

7 TIPS FOR GREEN GUESTS

1. Don't put down the towel mat You know that big, thick mat they leave draped over the tub? It's nice and all for keeping your feet dry when you exit the shower, but it doesn't do anything a smaller hand towel or even a washcloth can't. If you can survive without foot fabric, better still. And make sure to leave the mat neatly folded on the edge of the tub where you found it so housekeeping won't be compelled to replace it.

2. Use only the hand towel(s) you need Don't use them all for the novelty of using a clean hand towel every time you wash up (as novel as that is).

3. Reuse your bath towel You probably don't wash your bath towels after every use when you're home...

4. One bar only Most hotels provided separate sink and tub bars of soap. No need to open both when a quick transfer between porcelain basins will suffice.

5. Refrain from using ALL of the glasses and mugs in the room.

6. Put... the lotion... down! Do you really need all those sample sizes of conditioner? Leave the tea bags, coffee pouches and sweetener packets too, unless you're really ga-ga for Mini Moo creamers, of course.

7. Lights out And the TV and turn down the A/C or heat when you leave the room for long periods. Again, think of how you would leave your house in the morning. The hotel bedbugs don't need the thermostat set to 72º (although they do prefer it).

Of course it's easy to not consider conservation when you're on the road, and especially when on vacation. But the compromises are pretty small compared to the benefit. And that warm, fuzzy feeling you'll get knowing you were sponsible, even while living it up at the Duluth Holiday Inn (where there happen to be NO bedbugs we hear) will make your stay that much more rewarding. Really.

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LINK OF THE DAY
TransfairUSA.org

Fair trade is a term used to cover a lot of aspects of commerce, all of them grounded in practices that are equitable and just for all. Sustainability and respect for worker's rights are just two principles behind fair trade companies. Fair Trade Certified™ certifies companies who adhere to these practices. Their site highlights many companies that practice Fair Trade, including Starbucks, Peet's Coffee and Ben & Jerry's. Apparently fair trade can be delicious too.

10 WAYS TO GREEN YOUR OFFICE

2007-12-11T17:37:00.000-08:00

Option #1: Reuse your styrofoam cup throughout the day, or even week.

Better Option #1: Don't use styrofoam cups at all - they’re very ecologically costly.

Option #2: Rinse and Reuse plastic utensils when possible.

Better Option #2: Keep silverware handy. There's also a great travel organic bamboo utensil set that we've ordered here: GRASSROOTSSTORE

Option #3: Don't throw out the blank sheets or mistakes that come out of the printer. Either reprint on them or save them for note taking.

Option #4: Instead of throwing paper in the garbage when you're finished, please put it in those white boxes you have (if you don't, there are some in the copy room). I'm in the process of finding a paper recycling plant and will personally make sure everything gets recycled.

Option #5: Recycle used batteries. Mark a container for used batteries and notify everyone of where you're putting it.To find a place near you that recycles batteries (and other things) check out Earth911.org.

Option #6: Consider the lowly paper towel. Next time you dry your hands, try taking one sheet at a time rather than maybe grabbing a bunch.

Option #7: Turn off your monitor at the end of the day. All monitors have a power button on the front. By hitting it before we go home we can save electricity, which is ecologically expensive to produce.

Option #8: Turn off power strips at the end of the day. Of course if you leave your computer in sleep mode you won’t want to. Instead, consider unplugging chargers and the like- things that aren’t even on. Such devices are energy “vampires,” sucking power even when asleep!

Option #9: Bag it. By bringing your own lunch rather than going out for it you save money on food, ensure you’re eating healthy, save on eco-expensive food prep resources (or prepackaged resources) and save gas. It’s a bit of a hassle, but a win-win-win-win situation.

Option #10: Sometimes, of course, getting outside is both necessary and desirable. If your destination is within a mile, consider going for a stroll. You get that exercise you can never seem to squeeze into the day and you save the earth from extra fossil fuel residue.

There are plenty more ways to conserve we haven’t mentioned here, but we're sure you’ll notice them in your own daily office doings. If we each we pick our three favorite ideas from this list (or your own list) and apply them, collectively we can go a long way towards leaving this earth a better place than the way we found it.

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LINK OF THE DAY
Earth911.org

They call themselves "The Nation's Premier Environmental Resource." And that's no lie...

HAPPY HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

2007-12-10T19:53:00.000-08:00

Each December 10th the world celebrates Human Rights Day, a day in which we recognize places where human rights are tromped, as well as celebrate the blessings of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Today's is of extra significance in that it marks the 60th anniversary of the U.N. General Assembly's adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

When we say "we recognize" however, we aren't referring to us here in the U.S. A quick Google search done on Human Rights Day, 2007 of "Human Rights Day" news stories brought up a first page of 29 specific article links with not a single one a product of CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, Fox, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Sun, etc, etc. In fact, not one North American corporate news organization came through with a news story until page 5, where the Orlando Sentinel, a Tribune-owned paper, pulls through with an articled titled, Today is Human Rights Day, penned by Kris Hey.

Voice of America, however, does save Western Civilization from total ignominy with a couple of first page articles, and a host of International and European news agencies pay tribute to this important milestone as well.

GET SPONSIBLE!
There are a few different tacts you can take to show your sense of sponsibility when it comes to human rights issues. One is to donate to one of several human rights watchdog groups out there. Human Rights Watch is a comprehensive one with a global reach.

You can also let your local newspapers and news stations that human rights is an issue that matters to you. Call or email them. Don't be shy. They exist for the benefit of their readers and if their readers aren't pleased with the way news is being reported then its their job to speak up. Speaking up is a theme you'll see repeated over and over here. Better start carrying some throat lozenges with you...

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VIDEO OF THE DAY

Here's Jim Carrey speaking eloquently on human rights violations in Burma:

60 Cheers for 60 Minutes

2007-12-09T22:09:00.000-08:00

Kudos to CBS' 60 Minutes and Anderson Cooper for taking a trip to the Congo to report on the status of the Mountain Gorilla, which is critically endangered. While fewer than 700 of these incredible animals remain, poaching and encroachment on their habitat by farmers and diamond miners is keeping them on the critically endangered list. On top of this, tragic warring between the Tutsi and Hutu tribes is decimating their close subspecies, the lowland gorilla. Some estimates forecast the total extinction of the mountain gorilla by 2050 if meaningful steps aren't taken today to save their meager population. Here's a clip from the episode:

GET SPONSIBLE!

Next to chimpanzees, gorillas are our closest living relatives in the animal kingdom, genetically speaking. With somewhere in the neighborhood of 700 remaining in the world (and none at all in zoos), this entire subspecies (one of two, along with the lowland gorilla) could easily disappear from the earth with a single tragedy.

Take action now by giving generously to one of several excellent conservation organizations set up to protect gorillas. Our favorites include the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and the African Wildlife Foundation as well a the Africa Conservation Fund and The Gorilla Foundation.
Saving these gentle animals is a top priority on our list. The gas tank is on empty and we're running on fumes. Let's help fill the tank up (biodiesel of course) and pull the mountain gorilla back from the precipice of extinction.

SPONSIBLE CHALLENGE #1

2007-12-08T11:16:00.000-08:00

Here at SPONSIBLE we practice what we preach. If we didn't this whole blog wouldn't make much sense really. So here's what we're gonna do:

Periodically we will be issuing something called the SPONSIBLE CHALLENGE. Whenever we see something that we believe needs to be changed for the betterment of the world, we'll come up with a simple, practical solution to the problem. Then we'll present the solution to whomever it may be who's responsible for the situation, be it a corporation, a politician or a private organization and notify them that we will be following up within 30 days to see whether they've taken steps to improve the matter. If they have we will award them with a Sponsible Seal of Approval, which they can display proudly for all to see. Or they don't have to do anything with it at all. But our hope is to set a standard of excellence that a business would be proud to reach. It's all about doing good and getting noticed for your efforts, basically.

THREE FEET OF RECEIPT

Our first sponsible challenge is issued to CVS/Pharmacy and has to do with a wasteful practice. On a recent visit to the Woodland Hills, CA location of this chain we purchased three items and in return were issued a receipt that spans an incredible and incredibly wasteful 37-3/4"! The actual sales portion of the receipt was only 7" long (still seemingly excessive), which means we received over 30" in coupons that we won't use.

This is prime example of target marketing at its most wasteful. And even the targeting is off base, as we have no need for Huggies or acne medication, two of the five coupons.

THE SPONSIBLE CHALLENGE

We propose that CVS/Pharmacy adopt a system of distributing customer-specific coupons that is both less expensive for them and less wasteful of paper, not to mention more accurate than that which they currently have in place.

Include a code at the bottom of the receipt that the customer can enter into the CVS website, one which will bring up a comprehensive list of online coupons, sorted by proximity to the items they purchased earlier. Then the customer will have the option of printing out the exact coupons they want, or not printing any at all. Our bet is that the majority of customers will not take advantage of this option, but that it will not affect the number of stops they make at a CVS/Pharmacy in the slightest. However, for the coupon hounds out there, this will provide an option to save on exactly the products they need.

We'll place a call to CVS/Pharmacy corporate, followed by a draft of proposal and follow that up with another call. We'll keep sponsible readers posted as to our transactions. Should CVS express interest in eliminating the three feet of receipt for their customers we'll award them the SPONSIBLE SEAL OF APPROVAL and include the in our SPONSIBLE HALL OF FAME, which will be accessible over on the clumn to the right.

Here's to working with CVS/Pharmacy. We're counting on their sense of sponsibility.

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LINK OF THE DAY
Witness.org

Their mission statement: WITNESS uses video and online technologies to open the eyes of the world to human rights violations. We empower people to transform personal stories of abuse into powerful tools for justice, promoting public engagement and policy change.

Hear, hear!!!

Here's a preview...

"Let's get real here..."

2007-12-07T10:37:00.001-08:00

First, the news:
The U.S. Senate rejected a plan Thursday (12/7/07) to curb carbon dioxide emissions from industrial smokestacks as a source of global warming. It was the chamber's first vote in more than six years on the controversial issue of climate change.

The 55-43 vote against the measure co-sponsored by Sens. John McCain, a Republican, and Joe Lieberman, a Democrat, capped a two-day debate that the two senators described as the opening shot in what they acknowledged will be a lengthy effort to get Congress to address global warming.

Their bill would have required industrial plants — but not motor vehicles — to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to 2000 levels by 2010. The Bush administration said the bill would seriously harm the U.S. economy.

"Let's get real here: this is a very minimal proposal that should be a first step," McCain told the Senate, showing pictures of Arctic Sea ice loss and melting at Glacier National Park. "But we have to start somewhere. We will be back, because these pictures will continue to get worse and won't improve until we begin to address this issue."

Airport bathroom philander Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho) was one who voted against this modest proposal, saying there was no need to introduce a "massive new regulatory process" for industrial carbon dioxide because, "It is not a pollutant. It does not represent a direct threat to public health."

Apparently Senator Craig has been too busy battling his inner demons to take notice of the fact that the effects of CO2 on the atmosphere are now far, far beyond debate.

However, in the interest of fairness, good senator, we will provide you with a 10-second primer explaining why excessive CO2 in the atmosphere is a bad thing: CO2 is one of a group of gases known as "greenhouse gases". These greenhouse gases reside in the troposphere, a layer of the atmosphere 10-15 km thick and trap the sun's energy, providing us warmth. Too much greenhouse gas and our ice caps melt, oceans absorb the poisons, plants and animals die of thirst and hunger, and we need to move our sunblock up a notch.

Now Senator Craig may be unethical and duplicitous and corrupt, but he's no dummy. Notice his phrasing. He says that CO2 is not a pollutant, and in a sense he's not lying (unlike, one might assume, in the case of his bathroom stall alibi). CO2 in itself is not necessarily a "pollutant" – it's a gas that helps comprise a healthy balance of compounds in our ecosystem. Of course this is assuming it, like everything else is within a reasonable balance. But when one piece of the puzzle is too large for the space where it's meant to fit, the puzzle can't be completed, and in the case of Earth, an incomplete puzzle equals disaster.

And so while CO2 itself is a compound with no value, good or bad, in a technical sense, excessive amounts of it in our atmosphere (like 280 ppm in 1850 to 364 ppm in 1998, due mostly to industrial waste and auto exhaust) poses an imminent danger.

Just to put an even finer point on our case, this, from the May 22, 2007 issue of ITWire: "Carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere is likely to reach the first climate change danger level by 2028 and if emissions growth continues at the present rate, the point of no return will be reached with dire consequences by by 2046, according to new scientific research published at the National Academy of Sciences."

GET SPONSIBLE!

So, since being sponsible is about taking straightforward action to effect positive change, here's our suggestion...

Get on the horn with your senators- today! They all have toll free numbers and are staffed with people who will take your call. If your senator voted for the bill, let them hear your appreciation. Your support actually does go a long way. You know how good you feel when a co-worker, family member or friend says "Bully for you!" Well, your senators are no different. Show them your support often and they will support you on the Senate floor.

As for those senators who voted against this bill, let them know your pissedoffedness. Don't give them a free pass. Use strong (not profane) language in explaining how they will lose your vote if they don't reconsider theirs on the issue of global warming. Without your votes they're out of a job. Don't ever forget that.

We've provided a link to the directory of senators, state-by-state, HERE.

Don't know how your Senator voted? Then just ask! Senators' votes are a matter of public record so if you can't find it they (or their assistants) will tell you. Then either thank them or rip them a new a-hole.

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LINK OF THE DAY

ThomHartmann.com

If you don't know Thom Hartmann, you should. Thom's AIR AMERICA radio show can be heard weekdays from 9am to noon on the west coast and noon to 3pm in the east. He's an author, a psychotherapist, a renowned specialist in ADHD, a historian, an advocate for the environment, a pilot, a former ad exec and a hell of a decent, thoughtful human being. We had the chance to meet Thom twice - at an advance screening of Leonardo DiCaprio's excellent film The 11th Hour, in which he's featured, and at a recent book signing on his tour for Cracking the Code.

Unlike many of his Air America cohorts, Thom never resorts to vituperative attacks or sarcastic commentary. He simply presents well-reasoned facts while always showing the utmost respect for his guests, be they philosophical opponents or simpaticos.

Give Thom a listen and pick up one of his excellent books. Then sign up for his forum and let him know, as you would your Senator, your feelings.

Here's Thom giving a bit of a history lesson...

Are you SPONSIBLE?

2007-12-06T20:41:00.000-08:00

If you're a person of modest integrity (and we know you are, right?) then odds are you're a responsible person. You take accountability for your own actions without having to be called onto the carpet.

"Yup. That was me. I'm the one who snatched up that last slice of gouda. Sorry. My bad."

Good on you for that. Unfortunately it seems you're an increasingly rare breed in this age of "gotcha" politics, when so few public figures are willingly taking responsibility for their actions. More like they have to first be caught in the act and then maybe, maybe they'll own up. Or not.

"I just happen to take a wide stance in bathroom stalls..."

Regardless, you are one of the good ones. You have proven yourself time and again to be responsible. Thanks again for that.

Now we'd like to make a request of you. Most reading this will not honor our request, and that's okay. What we're asking for requires a special breed of person – one who has consistently stepped up to the plate and who is now ready to hit the walk-off homer and win one for the team. (Baseball makes for such great metaphors, don't it?) We are looking for those who are up to a challenge of worldwide proportions. That's big.

So yes, we know that you're responsible. Now however a new question begs: Are you sponsible, and moreover, are you willing to be?

click image to view larger

From this point on we will take a broad leap and assume that because you've chosen to stick with us after learning the meaning of our little neologism that you are indeed up to our challenge. Now, we obviously have no way to hold you answerable or accountable for being sponsible and fact is, we have no desire to be. You see, the thing about sponsibility is that, much like responsibility, it's something that's all on you. No one can make you sponsible any more than they can make you responsible.

Okay, enough semantics. Let's get to the thrust of this term we've just christened. The main idea here is that we want to motivate you to get out there and take sponsibility for things you see that you believe need a-changin', whether they're your business or not. See, as we mentioned earlier, it's somewhat easy to take responsibility for the cheese. It's a whole 'nother kettle of fish, however, to go out and take sponsibility for your office's wasting of resources, for the homeless guy who asks you for change every morning while you're on your way to said office, or for the decimation of the mountain gorilla population. Responsibility takes courage. Sponsibility takes courage, initiative and a big heart.

And while responsibility is mostly a passive thing, sponsibility is about taking action – getting out there and doing sh*t. A lot of us (that includes us) can be accused of having been passive on occasion, even when that whiny little voice inside tells us to get up and do something. And that's okay, for then. But this is now.

This is the time when we become conscious of ourselves and how we fit within our world and how we relate to others, and we're not just talking to people but to bears and frogs and coelocanths and to redwoods and orchids and even to Lake Eerie and the Grand Tetons.

So here is our challenge: Make a pledge – no standing required – to join us in being sponsible from this day forward. We've already vowed to do so and the fruits of our labor will be updated right here over the coming months and years. We're more than happy to steer this ship. All that we ask is that you climb on board and help swab the deck and peel the potatoes (on shifts, of course).

This ain't no disco. This ain't no foolin' around. This is a new dawning. This is the era of sponsibility. Welcome. Trust us, it's going to be a fun ride.

Now step outside your cubicle and ask your neighbor, "Are you sponsible?" If they don't know the answer then it's your duty as a citizen of this planet of ours to tell them lovingly, gently, but in no uncertain terms...

GET SPONSIBLE!

_________________________________________________________

LINK OF THE DAY
FieldsofFuel.com

We had the chance to attend a screening of Josh Tickell's amazing doc, Fields of Fuel. It tells of his one-man crusade to educate America as to the benefits of switching from fossil fuel to biodiesel. His case is compelling. From cleaner air to better fuel efficiency and lower costs to an ending of our dependency on OPEC nations to an empowerment of our farmers and scientists.

Fields of Fuel will play the 2008 Sundance Film Festival but is still a work in progress as of this writing. Please feel free to donate generously to Josh's labor of love so he can get the word out to an even broader audience. We did.

Here's a preview...

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