Haven’t yet heard of the EarthCare Challenge? Aren’t you just a bit curious to see what the six “eco-oblivious” contestants are doing to Green their lifestyles and homes for a chance to win earth-friendly furniture? You are invited to follow the Hickory Springs EarthCare Challange and join in the conversation.
Why is this contest important? These six people represent you. They are expressing the same questions and concerns that I hear every day as a Green designer. Their goals range from small changes to big investments. Some have spouses and family members to consider as they make decisions. Some are looking to reduce their monthly bills. Others are looking to declutter their life. There are even a few that want to learn more so they can lead by example. Whatever your interests and needs are, you can follow what they are doing, what the Green experts are saying, and help decide which contestant wins the challenge.
This contest brings up an interesting item of note. There are many industries battling the tide to keep business as usual so they don’t have to change – they willingly choose to remain eco-oblivious. But, the smartest industries realize that status quo is not good for long-term growth. The furniture industry is starting to respond to consumer demand for healthier products and long-term environmental need.
Hickory Spring, who supports the EarthCare Challenge, manufactures furniture and components used to make furniture and bedding – stuff like springs and foam. They are using a new formula that replaces some of the petroleum in foam with a bio-based derivative to reduce dependence on oil. They also use recycled-content metals to make their springs. While nothing they do yet is 100% Green, they are transparent about the process: They promote their commitment to making positive change and the hard effort it takes to turn a big boat.
Why is all this significant? Hickory Springs also sells products like foam and springs to the automobile and airplane industries – two industries that remain eco-oblivious. Yet, just like the contestants in the EarthCare Challenge, every visible change leads by example.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Outta Control
How well did you manage the Thanksgiving abundance? A friend told me he has become determined to not overeat. Too many of his holidays ended with him feeling sick instead of joyous. His comment made me wonder how many other people had come to this same conclusion. It reminded me of an article I have held onto since November 8. It was written by Kara McGuire for the Star Tribune “Obeisty of our spending and our bodies” http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/yourmoney/69404587.html
John Hanselman, a financial planner, is the metaphor for the story. At the age of 37 he found himself severely overweight and on major medications to offset the negative health effects of obesity. A wake up call from his doctor sounded the alarm about poor behavioral choices and risk of premature death. It made him think about the negative effects of allowing convenience and complacency to override self control. In his own life he saw the effects of too many fast food meals, lack of exercise, and stress. He likened it to the consumers he knows or those he reads about that make irrational decisions about purchasing on credit, buying homes they can’t afford, or investing without due diligence. All around us is an epidemic of obesity and overspending. John’s new attitude became one of sustainability – making informed decisions that will allow him to lose weight in a manner that will promote long-term health.
Reading about John made me want to ask Kara to retitle her article to read “Obesity of our spending and our bodies and environmental consumption.” Just because we have an abundance of resources in this country does not mean we should abandon self control and consume them all until we are sick. It doesn’t feel good and it doesn’t model good behavior for future generations that are counting on us to be good leaders. We already know what happens when you eat too much and over spend without regard for the consequences. Why should over indulgence in environmental consumption lead to any different end result?
Make this holiday season joyful. Indulge in self-control while spending, eating, and leaving footprints on this planet.
John Hanselman, a financial planner, is the metaphor for the story. At the age of 37 he found himself severely overweight and on major medications to offset the negative health effects of obesity. A wake up call from his doctor sounded the alarm about poor behavioral choices and risk of premature death. It made him think about the negative effects of allowing convenience and complacency to override self control. In his own life he saw the effects of too many fast food meals, lack of exercise, and stress. He likened it to the consumers he knows or those he reads about that make irrational decisions about purchasing on credit, buying homes they can’t afford, or investing without due diligence. All around us is an epidemic of obesity and overspending. John’s new attitude became one of sustainability – making informed decisions that will allow him to lose weight in a manner that will promote long-term health.
Reading about John made me want to ask Kara to retitle her article to read “Obesity of our spending and our bodies and environmental consumption.” Just because we have an abundance of resources in this country does not mean we should abandon self control and consume them all until we are sick. It doesn’t feel good and it doesn’t model good behavior for future generations that are counting on us to be good leaders. We already know what happens when you eat too much and over spend without regard for the consequences. Why should over indulgence in environmental consumption lead to any different end result?
Make this holiday season joyful. Indulge in self-control while spending, eating, and leaving footprints on this planet.
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