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The Glory Of Giving! Paying It Forward In The Modern World

The glory of giving paying it forward in a modern world

It’s said the people who remember you might not remember you for the things you do! But, in fact, they’ll remember you by the way you made them feel. Receiving the glory of giving for most corporations is a huge incentive. Therefore, companies find ways to pay it forward in creative ways. By giving to a charity that they feel is worthy rather than pay more taxes!

You’ll see in this post that gift-giving has become less of a spiritual journey. For corporations, giving is not without expectations. However, the majority of citizens still believe giving is a genuine experience. Corporate culture and private citizens view giving back in two very different ways.

The Glory Of Giving

According to Wikipedia, the definition of Philanthropy is selfless love, for the love of humanity, or good-natured. In the past, philanthropy was set up to benefit society. But we can see through trial and error it doesn’t quite cut it today!

It has deep historical roots and has had it benefits. Yet our world seems to still struggle every day with segregation, slavery, sickness, and poverty.


In 2006, Bono a rockstar and philanthropist shifted his tax affairs from Ireland to the Netherlands. He explained it’s, “just some smart people we have… being sensible about the way we’re taxed.” This well-known supporter of the fight against poverty is just being smart with his money.

But, what we need more of now is more public funds. There is less money for the governments to provide support for those that need it the most.

The tradition of philanthropy has given time and talent and resources back to the needy. Millions of ordinary people have benefited from programs for education, poverty, and religion. But, there is a problem with this kind of giving. It doesn’t solve the root social issues we face today. Does this practice of giving help? Or does it cause an even bigger divide? When Corporations pay it forward they’re only redistributing their wealth. They’re reaping the glory of giving! Yet, the wealthy are often out of touch with what the poor really need!


Philanthropic Influence

The Rockefeller Foundation is one of the largest in American history to receive the glory of giving! Of the 530 million dollars spent 450 million went to medicine. Yet, the American health system still rates #37 of all countries according to the World Health Organization.

In 1936, the Ford Foundation was created. Both the Rockefeller and the Ford Foundation invested heavily in the Green revolution. The green revolution was the birth of the third agriculture revolution! Chemical labs developed chemical fertilizers and agro-chemicals like pesticides.

They say that it’s helped the problem of world hunger. But, according to the Global Food Waste and Loss Initiative, we’re wasting it. 943 billion dollars in food is wasted annually! The chemicals and pesticides used in the meantime are killing the planet. Find out how the green revolution has shaped the world we know today! It has a dark side that’s causing the planet unspeakable damage.

Modern-day philanthropists are just smart people doing smart things with their money. But, what if corporations and individuals just paid their taxes? Currently, there’s a huge gap between the have and the have not. This is because fairness and equality don’t run in a conventional system. The world’s eight richest people have more money than the poorest half of humanity!

The Multi-Billion-Dollar Tax Haven

The typical social order in a caste system. So it’s a world created by those with money to control those that don’t. Another big problem that challenge governments are the allocation of tax money to havens.

According to the International Monetary fund, Multinational corporations shift profits to havens. This creates a global tax loss to the tune of 500 billion dollars a year! To all the multi-billion dollar corporations this is what we have to say today! We don’t need your charity we want your tax dollars!

This example highlights why modern-day philanthropy exists for the wrong reasons.

Joey D. a wealthy socialite worked in the family business his entire life. Regardless, he’d worked hard running long hours. A typical wealthy family with luxury cars, large homes, and investments from the Hamptons to Panama city. Joey D. doesn’t want to pay too many taxes. So he decides instead to donate his money to education. He donates a large sum to the local University. In turn, they name their auditorium after him! Joey D. what a great guy! His reputation is one of generosity and friends, colleagues, and family all admire his contribution. A typical story, it’s the glory of giving.

There are two big problems firstly this generosity only offsets how much tax he pays! Secondly, it also gives him the pleasure of receiving love and admiration from his peers. Self-centered kindness lives because the system allows it too. The world’s foundation was built of bricks and Mortar in a shape like a pyramid. Food, poverty, and lack of education exist because of the unequal distribution of wealth.

Random Acts And Tax

What in the world would have to happen for a systemic change? Why would philanthropy disappear when it reflects love and admiration from others. The good news! Even if philanthropy disappeared tomorrow the government coffers would benefit.

The government’s job is to provide acquisitions for goods and services, Infrastructure investment and research spending. Its the government’s job to create future benefits for humanity. So shouldn’t it be their responsibility to deliver necessary social programs?

This initiative gives a stable and responsible government the means to do better. Not to mention, genuine random acts of kindness will still happen every day! We often find it in our hearts to make it special for someone that deserves it. If billions of people treated their neighbors fairly the world would be better off.

Genuine Gifts

True admiration for gift-givers comes from those that have a story. Quite often it’s a life that had underwent a triumph over tragedy. This experience fuels the motivation to ultimately deliver genuine service. This type of character most people find relatable.

However, when someone gets their motivation out of order morality is easily displaced. Advancing a political agenda, or religious beliefs are antagonists in gift-giving. The road to good character is not who you portray. Seeing accurately and being honest with yourself will lead those with means down the right road. It will give the means to give unconditionally.

When you give someone love, you’re actually giving a piece of yourself. Philanthropy is designed to fix the root cause of the world-wide problems. But, love is what truly solves problems the world faces today! It is more fun to give then it is to get love.

People with the most love for one another find an appreciation for one another. So, it isn’t what you buy or what you do. It is definitely knowing someone that makes love better. So with more money in the government’s coffers and genuine acts of kindness. We will be better off to face the challenges within the current system. Wouldn’t that be something? It would be a miracle to have all of the world’s problems solved.

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These 16 Successful Companies Are Changing The World

corp b

Changing the world will only happen now if we learn to be conscious shoppers… But, it’s not that easy when you can’t tell who is doing what! But I’ll tell you that learning who and what will fill you with purpose. Shopping therapy!

We need to know what companies are trying to make a difference now more than ever. So let’s get started… The Certified B Corporation is a system that identifies a companies efforts to change the world.

Most of us have never heard of this type of certification because you rarely find it in advertising. A certified B Corp is a company that works to make a profit but works with something called B Lab. The B stands for Benefit and B Lab is a nonprofit company!

Changing the world today for tomorrow

Its job is to measure a company’s social and environmental standards. It holds for-profit companies accountable. So these companies must meet rigorous standards to keep their certification. It’s basically like a USDA certification for the business. In a world where there are lots of claims that stretch the truth, it’s nice to know who to support.

Marketers look for the shiniest adjectives that describe their products. The warm and fuzzy phrases bring a welcoming reception which ultimately increases sales. However, the B Corp qualifies companies that want more than profits. They want to do better. These companies are working to be wholesome, safe and properly labeled. They’re working hard at changing the world!

Certification begins with a test that asks a bunch of questions related to a companies impact. It studies the impact on employees, customers, community and the environment. To qualify a company must score a minimum of 80 points. If they’re really good they can score up to 200 points. Once the test is passed a company will then follow up with supporting documents and provide a background check.

There are 3,243 B Corp companies in 71 countries and many are based in Canada and the U.S. So here are the 16 companies that stand out. See how they’re working hard every day at changing the world.

Arbonne

This company is in the top 25 for the largest companies worldwide to become certified. It is working to become transparent and increase its sustainability. It is non-GMO certified and their health products are gluten-free. They’ll recycle their packaging taking it back once its life is over.

Patagonia

This clothing company is also part of the circular community. It has developed a program to reuse previously worn clothing. So far It has donated 100 million dollars to environmental groups. Together they’re trying to help slow climate change. Their mission includes “building the best product, to cause no unnecessary harm, and use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.

Ben and Jerry’s

Ben and Jerry’s ice cream is trying to prevent social injustices in local and international communities. They’re replicating models of economic justice that have proved to be sustainable. Their mission is to make improve the community’s quality of life. They figure it’s just as important as their financial goals. Wow! If you see this company in the Dairy aisle support them by voting with your dollars!

The Body Shop

The Body Shop is a global beauty brand that has been around since the ’70s. This is the first company that pioneered “fair trade” in the cosmetic industry. It’s committed to social issues such as human trafficking, climate change, deforestation, whaling, and animal testing. They’re not just a brand with sweet-smelling products. They have been a long-standing advocate for positive change in the world.

Dr. Bronners

The first time I read Dr. Bronner’s bottle I thought he’s maybe a little crazy. You’ll have to read it to believe it! However, soap products are fantastic! They’re USDA organic, Non-GMO, not tested on animals and fair for life. Fair for Life is a program that certifies the supply chain for fair trade and fair wages.

Vita CoCo

Vita Coco is a New York-based company working with farmers in Brazil, the Philippines, and Indonesia. They know that farming is hard work and harvesting coconuts is no exception. So, they’ve developed educational programs for the community and also invest in their farms. They don’t like to waste the coconut either. Once the coconut water is extracted they use the meat for their coconut oil and the shell as fuel for factories.

Fresh Prep

This local Vancouver B.C. company puts together meal kits for families on the go! They source their ingredients from local farms and store the food in reusable containers. The food is designed by Chefs and this company uses beef raised without any unnecessary antibiotics or hormones. Plus, the fish is caught wild and certified by Ocean Wise.

Fairware

Fairware is a merchandising company that helps companies offer sustainable promotional products for their business. They do the homework to find ethical and sustainable products so busy companies don’t need too. Their clients include Mountain Equipment Co-op, Vega, Patagonia, Natures Path, seventh generation, and UNICEF.

The Etho

Look no further for an all you need an ethical market place. Ethos is an online platform that works with companies with ethical perspectives. For the most part, they offer environmentally friendly products, safe working conditions, and sustainable wages. This platform has also claimed to help 100 million women out of poverty! Amazing! You can shop everything from clothing, home goods and grocery items at Etho’s Marketplace.

Seventh Generation

This company is the leading green household and personal care brand in North America. They use recycled material in their packaging and have reduced their manufacturing process’s carbon footprint. Another great aspect of this company is that all of its products are USDA certified bio-based and not tested on animals. Overall the plastic packaging comes from 100% post-consumer recycled material!

Grove Collaborative

Changing the world comes easy when you buy a subscription with this eCommerce platform. It collaborates with many other ethical companies with the same principles. These companies include Method, Seventh Generation, and Burt’s Bees. As a result, they make sure their products are cruelty-free, made with plants and contain only natural fragrances. They’re constantly looking at ways to reduce the plastic in their packaging. Plus their ethical supply chain and sustainable material set this company apart.


Numi tea

Their teas are beautiful not just because of their taste but also for their ethics! Numi is certified as a fair-trade company with fair labor practices. It’s just crazy that there NEEDS to be a third party organization to determine if people are being paid fairly. They hold themselves accountable for their supply chain and sustainable farming practices. Each tea is Organic and Non-GMO. So it’s easy to see that this company is a worthy Corp B company.

Nada Grocery

This grocer deserves a nod. Hello Brianne! She’s a Marine Biologist that has seen first hand the swirling mass of plastic in our oceans. She knows that much of the waste has come from our very own kitchens. Her goal was to see the reduction in food packaging. So she set up a shop in Vancouver B.C. She’s made waves in the grocery aisle since all of the products offered in her store are zero waste.

Danone

The Danone Canada brand is one of the largest consumer companies in the Corp B lineup! Their priorities include climate change, sourcing sustainable ingredients and improving their packaging. It’s a fine balance between profits and the social/environmental factors we face today. Therefore this brand makes it in the top 4 ethical dairy brands. Support them over the other brands in the dairy aisle.

All Birds

This shoe company holds itself accountable for its carbon footprint! Climate change has overrun our lives and they’ve realized something needs to be done now. So they’re limiting, measuring, offsetting, and reducing their CO2. By doing this they hope that they’ll one day be a player in changing the world. For this reason, they’ve made a goal to become net-zero by 2030. They’ll do this by paying a self-imposed carbon tax!

Pela

This company is awesome so I purchased a phone case from Pela. It’s incredible and I can’t believe how durable a biodegradable item can be! The vision of this company is to create a plastic-free future. They’re working towards building products that encourage a waste-free lifestyle. The sky is the limit and the future looks a little brighter with products like these. Next time you’re looking for a phone case or sunglasses look no further!

Generally speaking, these are some of the companies looking for climate solutions. The companies that we’ve talked about here are good, ethical companies working to make a difference in the world. Support these companies to give the planet a better chance for recovery. Align your wallet with these companies and vote with your dollars. In essence, we can make a difference. Giving them your support offers them a higher competitive advantage over the competition.

It’s time to take a more holistic approach and start inventing new ways to replace synthetic chemicals and materials with natural alternatives. Communities around the world have an opportunity to harvest Planet, People Products. Support small organizations that are working to support these small villages, local artisans and grass root organizations. Do you want to make a difference in someone’s life in a meaningful way? Buy products from small companies working with villagers. These Seagrass market bags are a good way to support the artisans in Vietnam. It’s our pledge to work together to create a more natural, healthy and Eco-friendly planet.

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The Importance Of Brand Support And Your Dollars

The trouble with consumerism is it’s superficial. We’re not really educated on brand support. We’re totally spoiled since we can buy anything, from anywhere, by just a click of a button. The shopping revolution has grown and evolved. Our generation thrives on it. The rise of population, production, and propulsion has interconnected people and products. So, this post is for the shoppers that want to shop consciously too make a difference in the world. Not just consume.

Brand support creates Iconic Brands

If you haven’t heard the name Mondelez International here’s your chance. Why would you want to learn about this company? Maybe because it has some of the most powerful and iconic brands in the world. Or maybe because it helps to know how large corporations are conducting business.

Either way who really has the time to do research on what these companies are up too? Not many people would put the time in when life is busy and time is so precious. I want to make it easier for readers to stop in, read a good post, and take whatever tidbit with you!

Who Is Mondelez International?

Founded in 1923, and formally known as the National Dairy Products Corporation. An entrepreneur named Thomas McInnereny went to the banks for financing his vision. His plan was to consolidate the fragmented ice cream industry. Therefore, he joined his company with Edward Rieck’s dairy company. Together they convinced the banks to invest in a roll-up strategy. In order to monopolize the ice cream industry, they quickly acquired 55 dairy businesses.

Mondelez International is now an American multinational confectionery company. Its sole responsibility has been to feed generations delicious snacks! They’re sweet and salty treats are brands that we’ve all grown up eating. From Oreos to Ritz crackers, they operate making 26 billion dollars a year in 160 countries. We’ve voted with our dollars and have offered this company 100% brand support!

Corporate responsibility

I’ve chosen to highlight this company because they monitor their carbon footprint. According to their website, they’re working to set achievable goals for 2020.

These science-based goals help to limit climate change to less than 2 degrees. Included in this plan is the reduction of CO2 emissions by 15% equalling the amount of 240,000 tonnes a year. They’re not doing this alone. They hired a group of people dedicated to keeping them on track!

CDP Disclosure Insight Action is a non-profit group working with investors, companies, and cities. They understand the need for urgent action to build a sustainable economy. Given that I’m glad to see there’s a third party looking out for the general public. It would be too easy for a company to sugarcoat the truth. Don’t mind the pun!

Furthermore, the short term plan is to reduce packaging by 65,000 tonnes. Plus, the paper sourced will come from recyclable paper found from sustainable sources. Although this may be true they’ve also said they no longer want to support verified non-deforested sources in their packaging.

Deforestation in the Industry

However, they`re part of a pool of 1050 corporations deemed to have a significant impact on forests. In 2018 they did not disclose or remain transparent when it came to the deforestation of forests around the world. In fact, they`ve declined to disclose their impacts in the past three years.

Global forests are losing 5 million hectares a year which is 15 football fields a minute. Companies like Mondolez use commodities such as palm oil that drive the deforestation.

The problem with deforestation is that it if we lose our trees then less CO2 can be absorbed. CDP data shows that 83% of corporate targets regarding deforestation are until 2020. Only 14% of deforestation targets have been extended beyond the year 2020.

Moreover, companies reported 30 billion dollars in losses due to the destruction of forests. Between crop failures, forest fires, and regulatory change it’s all taking a toll on business as usual. It’s crazy to think that the problem, which can be solved, is mostly ignored.

Delivering Results

In spite of, Mondolez has created the Harmony program, which involves 1,700 farmers, 13 Millers, and cooperatives across 6 markets. The program promotes biodiversity, conserves water and cares for the soil. For ten years, the program has reduced the use of pesticides in fields and farmers have planted 1026 Hectares of flowers. The flowers are responsible for maintaining bee populations. They also support 30 species of butterflies.

Below are the brands that Mondolez controls. By purchasing these items you are supporting their programs and policies that offer both positive and negative impacts on the environment. The question is do you think the positives outweigh the negative? If the negatives are too much to take then what will you do to make a change?

  • Belvita Breakfast,
  • Cadbury’s Dairy Milk chocolate,
  • Chips Ahoy cookies,
  • Dentyne Gum
  • Enjoy Life Foods.
  • Halls,
  • Milka,
  • Nabisco Newtons,
  • Nilla,
  • Nutter Butter,
  • Oreo,
  • Premium Ritz Crackers.
  • Sour Patch kids,
  • Stride Gum,
  • Toblerone,
  • Tang,
  • Triscuits, and
  • Wheat Thins.
  • Kraft

Even though, their website paints a rosy picture telling us their story of corporate responsibility. Their efforts, through CPD, show us some kind of transparency. It seems their old ways and habits have been hard to break.

How you can make a change

We have the best chances now to make a large impact. With all the tools and education on the world wide web, we can use it to make a difference. Use my website as a bulletin for your conscious shopping needs because my goal is to make your job easier as a consumer.

A Sustainable economy is a thoughtful process developed and planned to change the world. It must be remembered that we’ve got to take the time out to plan for the future. It could be something as simple as baking your own cookies. Since baking reduces the amount of packaging used, plus it reduces the reliance on palm oil. This is a classic solution instead of offering brand support.

Every one of us has an obligation to make the world better off than we left it. Many people pour themselves into their family, work or volunteer life. But, sustainable lives requires the same thoughtful mindfulness each day. What are you going to do to minimize the impact of your carbon footprint?

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Ice Breaker: How To Start The Best Dinner Conversations

Do you find your dinner conversation is boring? Find out how you can spark the best dinner conversation tonight! This conversation will lead to further life-altering conversations. I guarantee you! A dinner table is a place where important conversations happen. Quality family time is spent here, business deals are made and romance is sparked! It’s important to talk about the things that matter now not later. A busy life gets in the way and we have less time to have long meaningful conversations. But dinner time is supposed to be a time when families and friends reconnect.

What could be more important than having a conversation about Climate Change? When I talk about Climate change to those around me I swear it’s easy to misunderstand what’s happening to our planet. I hear questions like, well what happened in the past? Hasn’t the Earth been this warm before? Thankfully we have scientists that can help answer these questions.

One-third of Canadians need to have this dinner conversation

One-third of Canadians don’t believe that it’s humans or industry which has changed the Climate. According to the Abacus Data Poll, we’re leery because we feel it’s an opportunity for the government to collect money. For example, the Canadian Carbon tax is not very popular. We believe it’s just another reason to tax common people.

The Whistle-Blowers

But, it now seems there’s a big enough change which has sparked Meteorologists to speak up. Many believe Science is not convincing enough. Maybe these people are the whistleblowers to deliver an ice breaker the world needs!. This is another way to begin the conversation in Climate change. After all, if we’re not talking about the problem than we won’t be able to solve it. The big question for these Meteorologists, is when does it stop being a fluke and begin to become a trend?

In fact, there are twenty-six thousand independent references to the fact that the climate is changing. The length and intensity of heatwaves have risen and bird populations have changed migration patterns. A 63-year study observed 96 species of migrant birds. The findings show they’ve altered their arrival and departure dates. They’ve done this to adjust for the increase in temperatures.  Is this the Canary in the coal mine?

We’re free to have opinions but can’t escape the facts

What will it take for everyone around the world to take notice? A good dinner conversation. The problem with the weather is everyone has their own climate bubble. We look out the window take note of the weather. Then decide if we need to wear a coat or a sweater. The seasons and our knowledge of the weather are very localized. We can learn more about weather events on television. However, snapshots of these weather patterns won’t tell the whole story. This brief encounter doesn’t give us the knowledge we need to decide if a change is warranted.

I have outlined the best experiments that deliver the truth about climate change. There is already significant evidence that we are shifting the world’s temperatures. The creation of Green House Gases is pretty much 9th-grade science! If the air inside the Earth continues to heat up than the ground cannot stay cool.

Molecular Reactivity

In 1824 an experiment concluded that the air in the atmosphere has the ability to keep the earth cool or hot. John Tyndall an Irish scientist was the first to discover the experiment and explain air. He used a sensor to measure the temperatures of two sources of heat. Two fires were lit on opposite sides of the tube. He then used gases within the tube to study the reactivity.

He found Nitrogen and Oxygen didn’t change in the presence of heat. However, he found Carbon dioxide and water vapor gas is reactive when exposed to heat. The result of the experiment shows that CO2 traps heat. It’s the ability to absorb and re-emit energy which causes the Green House Effect.

Measuring CO2

Scientists are able to measure the quantities of CO2 in the atmosphere. Infrared imaging can show levels of Carbon dioxide. This image looks like the swirling existence of gas found around the world. They’ve developed a bell curve or keeling curve to study the levels. It suggests we’ve experienced a recent steep incline in CO2.

Moreover, scientists are acquiring data from the Antarctic ice sheet. Their expeditions are drilling deep into the ice bed. They’ve taken years to decipher data. It tells us how much CO2 has been present in our atmosphere for the past 800,000 years. These Ice pockets found in drilled samples have trapped gases. A snapshot in time of what CO2 levels and our climate looked like thousands of years ago!

Below a popular graph is written by one Scientist. He and other climatologists have developed graphs that outline the history of our climate. What you need to know about global warming discusses the matter further. The best dinner conversations should be the center of any good climate change debate.

It’s getting hot in here!

They can also measure the history of temperatures in the lines found on clamshells. The clamshells grow every year and can live up to 500 years. Thus, the study from Bangor University was able to decipher 1000 years of Marine climate. The recorded graph below shows the temperature and Carbon dioxide is similar. It shows the relationship between the rise and fall of CO2 correlates with the rise and fall of temperatures.

Scientists found we’ve released 37.1 billion tonnes of CO2 from fossil fuels in 2018. The CO2 from fossil fuel has a distinct chemical fingerprint in the atmosphere. So Scientists can predict that the majority of the current warming trend is caused by ourselves.

A tree can absorb up to 48 pounds of Carbon Dioxide a year. All of the trees on Earth are currently soaking up a quarter of the CO2 that we release into the air. Without trees, we would be in a worse state than we are now! Trees keep the ground cooler and so do the oceans. Oceans are absorbing heat molecules that dominate the climate. A staggering ninety percent of the heat we’re releasing is being soaked into Oceans. But, this cannot continue. The consequences of heating up the Ocean is catastrophic to Oceanic life.

Time for Change

This dinner conversation is a good ice breaker between family and friends. After all, if we’re not talking about our problems at the dinner table then chances are it won’t come up! Our planet didn’t come with a owners manual and we’re changing the balance of our atmosphere. An experiment like this has never been done in 40 million years! I know we’re clever enough to fix it. It’s the effort by everyone that needs to happen that scares me the most! Can EVERYONE in Canada change their routines, habits, and lives?

The Weather Machine Documentary

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These 4 brands sell the most ethical dairy foods

There are 10% more Canadians concerned about farm animal welfare now than in recent years! The Dairy industry abides by the Canadian food inspection (CFIA) guidelines. However, there are some practices that are questionable. But, thankfully there are Canadian Farms dedicated to raising animals with an ethical Dairy approach. Support these companies looking to make a difference in the Dairy industry.

It’s not ethical Dairy if…

The Dairy food industry accounts for 18.9 Billion dollars of Canada’s annual GDP! It’s 215,000 Dairy workers who have mandatory routines to maximize profits. These routines are also not necessarily there for the welfare of the animal. There are 20,000 Dairy farms treating 1.2 million cows the same way.

For instance, a newborn Calf is separated from its Mother. Why? Because they drink the Mother’s milk supply. Or conversely, so we can drink the milk intended for them! As a Mother, this makes me angry. Everyone knows the separation of Mother and Baby causes major stress. They cry for one another and suffer emotional and physical pain.

Support a better way

At present, there are no governing laws making it mandatory for companies to label animal welfare. Yet, large factories are using marketing terms to hook “health conscience shoppers”.

Such as, natural, grain-fed or vegetarian. These labels do nothing to guarantee the welfare of a cow. Watch out for free-range labels, as well, because the CFIA doesn’t do any inspections.

What can Dairy drinkers do to make a difference? If you buy Organic Milk you’ll guarantee an animal a better life! They’ll have access to quality food, pastures, better indoor air quality, and space.

Most big farm factories treat their animals in tightly confined quarters with antibiotics. These animals are living with death and feces which is why they need it. However, an Organic cow is never treated with more than two rounds of antibiotics.

I’ve listed three companies that are trying to provide ethical dairy options for the consumer. They’re looking for ways to make a difference one way or another.

Ben and Jerrys

Firstly, we have Ben and Jerry’s nondairy ice cream which wins the medal for an ethical ice-cream product! They’ve created it with almonds but have kept their ice creams great tasting!

11 flavors fall into the zone

  • Cherry Garcia
  • Chocolate caramel cluster
  • Coffee caramel fudge
  • Chocolate cookie dough
  • Caramel almond brittle
  • Chocolate fudge brownie

B&J’s supports Fridays for Futures. They also believe that climate change is a big problem. They’ve put their pints of ice-cream on an endangered list due to global warming. Cocoa beans and nuts like almonds, pistachios, pecans, walnuts and coffee production will begin to suffer. Hot weather without cold spells will mark a time when production will decrease and prices for the commodity will increase.

Since 2002 they’ve launched a carbon offset program for their manufacturing facilities. Then in 2007, they created a global warming campaign. B&J’s teamed up with David Mathews to help send a message!

Climate change will change life as we know it! They have a long history in the fight to raise awareness for climate change! This company also strongly believes in fair trade with farmers.

They’ve sourced five major ingredients from farmers that treat people well. Cocoa, Sugar, Vanilla, Coffee, and Bananas all come with a certification of good ethics and great taste.

Activia

Next, Activia yogurt is a brand name you can look for while searching for an ethical dairy product. These flavors below do not contain Genetically Modified Organisms.

  • ACTIVIA Dailies:
  • Acai berry, blueberry
  • Cherry
  • Honey Ginger
  • Lemon Ginger
  • Mango Turmeric
  • Peach
  • Strawberry
  • Vanilla

Activia’s parent company Danone is part of the Certified B Corporation. This organization knows that the world’s problems cannot be solved by governments and nonprofit organizations alone.

The B Corp. “envisions an economy as a force for good.” Their shared core beliefs come from the idea that businesses must be the change the world seeks. 

They run ethical businesses, above all else… including profits. They follow a principle where each company is interdependent upon one another. Thus responsible for one another and future generations.

Oikos

Finally, the Oikos brand is serving up sweet and delicious yogurt and managing to align their goals to an ethical dairy cause. Global warming.

Triple zero boasts zero preservatives, zero artificial sweeteners, and zero fat. There are 14 flavors that don’t contain GMOs.

  • Blueberry
  • Cherry
  • Chocolate
  • Coconut
  • Coffee
  • Mango

Oikos’s also has a new Organic line with both plain and vanilla flavors which also do not contain GMOs.

Danone

Danone the parent company committed to becoming Carbon neutral as of 2050! From farms to facilities they are the first of 100 companies that align their carbon trajectory with the Paris agreement.

Equally important, a nonprofit initiative will govern the science-based target they intend to meet. Not only do they monitor their progress they’ll help them stay on track to reach their goal.

Danone has plans to take responsibility for their packaging by switching their current plastic packaging to Biomass bottles. However, not all biomass plastic degrades. It’s projected that the plastic industry is leaning into bio-based plastics that still won’t biodegrade properly.

The biomass plastic in many cases will only degrade in higher temperatures. So, there won’t be enough heat to make the biomass disappear when it’s dumped into the ocean.

It’s important that we support ethical Dairy companies when we’re shopping. Next time you’re at the grocery store and reach for your favorite Dairy product you’ll know more about the ones too trust.

You’ll know which brands have taken corporate responsibility to the next level. A place where corporate profits don’t rule the board meetings. They’ve taken social causes and animal welfare to the heart of their business.

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2 Amazing Ways Green-Tech Can Change The Future For Children

The nearly seventy-four million children growing up as the next generation want to change. They’re looking for amazing ways green-tech can change the future. Children growing up today have already seen their parents struggle from the “Great Recession”. In fact, they’ve seen how large companies and most importantly Banks can teeter on financial ruin. They’ve witnessed how corruption costs taxpayers dearly and war often plays out on television screens around the globe.

They’re tired of standing by and watching the world destroy their futures…and their children’s future.

Generation Z

Two studies have shown Generation Z is the kind of kid every parent hopes to raise. The first study done by the Annie E. Casey Foundation found overall that the people in this demographic are more conservative. They’re more responsible than Millennials with fewer teen pregnancies, fewer drugs and alcohol problems. Plus they’re more likely to finish high school on time. They are good kids.

This generation has found their voice and wants to be heard. In 2019 the Pew Research Center collected data to find their sentiment and their findings aren’t that surprising. It found seventy percent believe the government must put more effort into solving serious problems facing the world today.

Global Call For Action

The need for government intervention in issues such as climate change, recycling, and pollution has steadily increased through generations. But, this need has reached a fever pitch with the climate crisis we now face today.

In an attempt to get leaders attention schoolchildren have created a group called Friday’s For Futures. By March 2019, 1.6 million kids have taken part in a school strike every Friday in over seven continents. They’re leader Greta Thunberg has asked International Leaders to stop talking about goals and start taking action!

What kind of action are they asking for? The issue of growing greenhouse gas has warmed the atmosphere. Consequently, CO2 has driven temperatures to a breaking point. If it continues on growing this way life will be in peril.

The UN Climate change report states the world has twelve years to change our patterns of consumption!

Batteries

So the world has awakened and have heard their demands are for a real and tangible change.

Inventions are amazing ways Green-Tech can change the future of our children. If we invent we may have a better chance to continue life uninterrupted. But right now, wildfires, droughts, floods, and rising sea levels are disrupting communities and costing billions of dollars.

One of the problems that must be solved is our insatiable need for batteries. In the USA alone, three billion batteries sell annually! Batteries are made up of heavy metals which if not disposed of properly are destined to contaminate the environment. Who throws their batteries away? Yup, I’ve done it!

My son falls into Generation Z he’s 6 years old and can wear out batteries in a matter of hours. We go through over a hundred and fifty dollars each year. Double or triple that number if a household has two or three battery hungry children!

My boy can point out a Toy Store while moving 60 km’s an hour, strapped into a four-point harness. He can barely crane his neck enough to see out the window! Yet, his little internal compass spins if he comes anywhere close to a known toy store.

It would be a very different world if there were no batteries to supply the insatiable hunger for battery operated toys! The nagging appeals for these toys are tiring. It seems to be an unending quest to acquire them and it’s relentless. I’m sure that every parent gives in to the pressure too!

Amazing ways Green-tech can change the future of batteries

One of the most amazing ways Green-tech can change the future is the invention of the supercapacitor. It is a new way to tackle old problems. One person has dedicated her academic life to make the battery industry more efficient and environmentally friendly.

Meghana Bollimpalli is an eighth grader who has invented a solution. She has developed a Supercapacitor using tea leaves and molasses. A supercapacitor is an electronic device. They store massive amounts of electrical energy and also have the potential to give us clean energy!

This invention earned her second place at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair last October. The Science behind the supercapacitor has been around for almost seventy years and is still in its market infancy as it claims only a small niche in comparison to battery sales.

This alternative could see the ability to recharge a single cell up to thirty thousand times without showing signs of aging. This invention is so brilliant for more than one reason!

The demise of batteries

Furthermore, what would happen if one day the raw materials vanish? The supply will begin to dwindle. Consequently, this would cost consumers a fortune to own a single battery!

The Energizer Holding’s Annual Report states,

 “Our business is vulnerable to the availability of raw materials.”

The Energizer company relies on only a few raw materials suppliers and sometimes only one.

” There are concerns about supply disruptions due to shortages in critical materials.”

Energizer is the leading brand for Alkaline batteries sales and it’s an industry-wide issue as raw materials are finite.

Moreover, the volatility in production costs, including raw material prices, will inevitably make the cost of batteries rise. As parents, we have to use another approach for the sake of our wallets and also for the environment. Could the Supercapacitator be the answer to the problem?

The Plastic Revolution

Most people that practice waste reduction do it behind closed doors rarely talked about. The low tech solutions people are using to reduce waste may be the most amazing ways Green-Tech can change the future. But overall the past and present haven’t had a huge emphasis on environmental protection. Was it because there was very little education for the consumer… probably.

I remember someone told me that plastic bags were better for the environment because we didn’t cut down trees to make them! Sigh…

I think we can all agree with the fact that plastic is widely accepted… it’s a huge problem! It’s tossed in the air on land and overseas. In fact, 91% of the world’s plastic is actually NOT recycled. A figure that shines a spotlight on how the world’s waste management system is broken!

A byproduct of the food and drug, automobile, and numerous other industries. Once it’s released to be forgotten nature will have its way. The natural process of degradation slowly breaks down plastic. The result? 700 years of microplastics.

Today we’re seeing the deadly effects of microplastics in the bellies of sea birds, whales, and mammals. What makes us think it will stop there? It actually impacts our children every day! Did you know that according to the University of Newcastle we eat a credit card size amount of microplastics each week? That works out to be one full dinner plate a year!

Amazing ways Green-tech can change the future of plastics

The truth is plastic can only be recycled once or twice in its lifetime. Plastic doesn’t react well when it’s melted. Thus reducing the quality and therefore limiting the effectiveness of recycling itself.

But it’s not all lost for good! We can still try and right a wrong. There is no time like the present it’s now time to discover new ways to deal with plastic. Up until now, Chemists haven’t been able to develop new technology to replace recycling. Recently the Chemists from the University of California have come up with a way to recycle plastic differently. These scientists are looking at plastic on a molecular level.

Plastic is made up of chains of carbon when combined in different ways can make different types of plastic. So instead of melting down the plastic, they’re chopping up the carbon strings. They can do this using a process that uses very little heat. Therefore, it won’t release nasty emissions or thick gooey sludge back into the environment.

Susannah Scott wrote about the new research in the academic news website called the conversation. She described the process as a process that depends on a catalyst which contains a metal that removes a little hydrogen from the polymer chain. The catalyst uses this hydrogen to cut the bonds that hold the carbon chain together. thus breaking them into smaller pieces and turning the plastic into liquid.

At this point, the research is in its infancy but it is hoped that wide-scale production can take shape in the next few years! Plastic is set to grow another 4 billion tonnes! By 2050 the world’s environment will contain 12 billion tonnes of plastic. GROSS. Seeing the success of seed projects like this is what could help save the future of the economy!

When times get tough and we have large global issues such as the pandemic. We can see that if enough people put their heads together and enough people dedicate their lives to common causes. These ideas from the Green tech industry can save the future of the economy. In the meantime, while we’re waiting for a miracle we should do our part. After all, we’re all in this together! There are plenty of ways that you can make a difference.

Time for Change

What can the consumer do now before it’s too late?  Single-use batteries shouldn’t even exist if there is technology out there that allows one to charge them again. We’re continually buying into the single-use products over and over again!

Let’s kick the habit and start using rechargeable batteries until we can buy supercapacitors. Rechargeable batteries currently have a life span of three to five years.

If every family switched they’ll save hundreds of dollars a year and reduce the pressure on companies to keep up with demand thus maintaining a more sustainable future.

There are also plenty of ways to reduce plastic waste! I have come up with four easy habits you can incorporate into your conscious living lifestyle

Have no fear! This generation is shining brightly. The beacon of light we needed to awake the consciousness in the cause to fight environmental disasters. The student researchers at the University of Central Florida have finally created a supercapacitor battery prototype. People like them and Meghana Bollimpalli together will help facilitate the growth of an industry! An industry we hope will benefit the world for generations to come!

Thank you for your support

This year has been a rollercoaster of emotions and the end of a normal way of life. I’ve found it’s actually hard to concentrate when It comes down to sitting down to write. I have a young son and he’s kept me busy with home school and daily entertainment. This new life has pretty much drained my creative energy! However, someone like me used to routines has found beauty in this new way of life.

Writing doesn’t pay the bills. It is actually just a labor of love and most writing happens when everyone has gone to bed. I summon the creative juice that flows from my head to my fingers. Not really knowing what I’m going to write. But knowing that if I don’t write it could be the very last time I have the chance! Life is short and our time is only a short story. Please take the time to go through my website and support a small business. Supporting the Eco shop not only supports a small business but is the beginning of conscious living.

Thank you

Rachel xoxo

See the links below to learn more about this topic:

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These Thirteen Major Foods Are Patented.

We don’t question the integrity of a company’s commercial images, as they flash before us on television. Happy couples and their kids having fun eating and drinking delicious looking food! I mean, who doesn’t enjoy a good chocolate bar, energy drink or a burger now and then? Even though these foods are patented.

We trust food companies to deliver us better-tasting products. Eating them gives our body a euphoria of satisfaction. The feeling woos us into a happy marriage where we’ll overlook the bad and focus on the good. Eating and sleeping are sometimes the best part of my day! However, focusing on eating for taste is not the only thing that should matter.

There are some fundamental problems in our food system and it has landed both consumers and manufacturers in hot water. Furthermore, reading this article you’ll see the ethical dilemma of how food is grown and the circumstances around it. I will discuss the creation of this new technology, by whom and at what cost.


Why it’s important to learn which foods are patented.

Thankfully when we look at the packaging, we don’t see disrupted habitats, acidic rivers, lakes, and dead animals. The truth is there’s not enough quality educated communication between the consumer and manufacturers today. People need more food labeling to help us discern what is what! There are issues in the food industry and we can’t grasp the reality until it’s affected our lives. It’s the invisible enemy that is ravaging the planet and it won’t get better unless labeling procedures change.

During the 1990s the government allowed the creation of a new industry without the mandatory labeling system of its products. Manufacturers that supply grocery stores were not willing to declare a newly engineered product. Mostly, because the product looks exactly like products initially supplied to them by the same farmers. There was no cause for alarm.

However, Genetically Modified Organisms have turned out to be a pretty big deal. Seed manufacturers are propelling the food industry into a private takeover of all major seed stocks and with it, they’re taking over our right to eat unadulterated, affordable food. Genetically modified seeds have been allowed a patent only because their DNA has been modified. Thus, today thirteen major foods are patented.

The new food revolution

The seed company has it’s representatives travel farm to farm to promote their “roundup ready” seed to Farmers across the country. They’ve promised these hard-working folks a chance to implement a technique that reduces stress and workload through the arduous task of protecting their crops.

Farmers use herbicides like Roundup which protect their crops from weeds that rob sunlight, nutrients, and water. These seeds allow them to cover the crops with the herbicide without the worry of killing their actual crop. Once the farmer buys the seeds and before the ink is dry on the contract the farmer gives up his rights. The right since farming began back in 8000 BC to select seeds from their strongest plant.

This time-honored tradition gave Farmers the ability to pick and reuse seeds from their healthiest and strongest plants. This patented seed now enables the company to charge whatever they want every season, ensuring that farmers pay again and again. They’ll go to great lengths ensuring everyone is paying their share.

Buying GMO

There are a couple of scenarios that have happened in the past that threaten the future of food. Firstly, the genes of the seed meet the needs of the Famer, NOT biodiversity. Instead of choosing a seed that has exchanged its genetics through millions of years. Farmers buy seeds tailored for profitability and efficiency in large scale chemical use.

An example of a failure in the system caused by poor genetic biodiversity was during the time of the potato famine. The farmers were not using seeds instead they used potato sections from the parent potato. Farming this way had created clones of their parents and it produced genetically identical plants. The result was famine and suffering and it will happen if companies are messing around with biodiversity. The potential of farmers ending up paying an inflated price for seeds will result in prices rising for consumer and ultimately they’ll go without or pay more for a portion.

Secondly, the food we’re eating is pushing the demand for a seed that has ruined the lives of farmers. There is one particular story of a hard-working family losing everything to fight court battles. An encounter stemming from the accusations of illegally using patented seeds. (Monsanto Canada Inc VS Schmeiser)

A Canadian farmer named Percy Schmeiser learned the consequences of the introduction of (GMO) in the environment are profound. The wind picks up the patented pollen and blows it into the neighbor’s farm. The plants cross-pollinate and the genetic material combines to produce seeds that contain traits from both plants. The farmer continues working using the seeds he selected through generations of farming. Then one day gets a knock on the door… A lawyer arrives asking for the payment of a license fee for using the patented technology. In this case, the farmer refused and Monsanto sued. It’s important to know what the hidden costs of our food can be.

Foods affected by GMO’s

The Marketing industry is blanketing us with glossy covers and promises which make it difficult to make sound ethical choices. Twenty-six years after the creation of this new food industry the government of Canada has only put together a standard guideline for the VOLUNTARY labeling of GMOs.

The food stocks that GMO companies target are Corn, Soy, Rice, Canola, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Peas, Cottonseed, Alfalfa, Zucchini, Yellow Squash, and Papaya.  They’ve covered all of the major ones we love to eat and this is the tricky part! Keep in mind that Genetically modified food is not proven to harm humans. It’s super important to keep in mind why we reach for an Organic alternative it is to support an ethical industry.

Those major foods are patented and these companies below are working to build a better planet. While shopping we should look for companies that are actively trying to create products that support ethical practices worldwide.

Nine Organic food companies locally operated in Vancouver B.C.

  1. Everland
  2. New World
  3. Sweetcane Sugar
  4. Tomato Garden
  5. Left Coast
  6. Nature’s Path
  7. First Choice
  8. Nationwide
  9. Que Pasa Foods
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These 9 Sustainable Tea Companies Contribute To The World The Most!

It’s good to know which sustainable tea company contributes to the world the most. Since Canadians drink nine billion cups of tea a year! Ninety-four percent of tea drinkers use the tea bag method. So, I’ll be talking about Tea companies that support the teabag method rather than the loose teas.

The first tea bag developed in 1908 from a New Yorker named Thomas Sullivan. He was a sales guy that folded samples of tea leaves into bags for restaurants. He found the restaurant staff using the bags for soaking the leaves. They did this to avoid the messiness. He realized then there was a new marketing opportunity.

Now over a hundred years later, the local grocery store has a huge selection. As a newly conscious shopper, I realize how difficult it can be to make a choice. There is just so much to pick from! There are multiple aspects of environmentalism that come up when picking a box of tea.

Teabags contribute to the world’s garbage pandemic

My objective was to find a sustainable tea company that didn’t use “freshness packs” to pack each tea bag. Companies don’t label the presence of additional packaging within the box. So, I decided to go with a product that mentioned the tea bag was biodegradable paper fiber. The sealed boxes don’t offer a way to check first, so after I paid I quickly tore open the box. There cradled inside the tea box were single-use freshness packages!

These packs are not recyclable and have to be thrown away. Therefore, it’s not a sustainable practice and should be avoided. Also, Teabags won’t biodegrade at all! Even if they’re composted. This is because they’re made from a mixture of polypropylene (plastic) and paper fiber. The reason they use plastic is to help strengthen the bag. This prevents it from falling apart. People don`t question the product because it looks and feels like paper. It`s not immediately apparent this is another single-use product.

I’ve compiled a list of popular sustainable tea brands for you. I’ve outlined below their support for social and environmental causes. I’ve chosen the tea brands that have changed the world of tea the most. I will also tell you if this brand uses single-use freshness packs.

Twinings Tea

Twinings tea aims to help half a million people by 2020. They want to drive positive outcomes for farmers. Including women’s rights, housing, working conditions, and decent pay. The Rooibos and Cinnamon tea hold the highest percentage of certified sustainable tea standards. Twining teas use foil sachets and non-biodegradable tea bags.

Choice Teas

Choice tea is a Washington based company. It uses unbleached, natural fiber, staple-free tea bags. Their boxes are 100% recycled paperboard printed with plant-based ink. They contribute to the world and its’s CO2 dilemma by buying renewable energy certificates. This offset 100% of the emissions from the facility’s electricity usage. They’re the first sustainable tea crafters in the United States to produce organic, Fair Trade Certified, and Non-GMO Project Verified teas. 

Celestial Tea

Celestial tea uses non-biodegradable tea bags and does not use foil sachets. This sustainable tea company donates their time and money to a variety of foundations. Their Colorado-based charities focus on human health services and family advocacy. Plus they support the honey bee colonies across the U.S.A.

Tega Tea

Tega Teas use non-biodegradable tea bags and foil sachets. Yes, their online store provides loose-leaf options! This Vancouver B.C. company pays a premium for its ingredients. They believe it’s important to contribute to the world by supporting Fairtrade Certified suppliers. So they pay an additional 50 cents more for every kilogram of fairtrade tea. Those funds also go to supporting Fairtrade Canada and to further grow the Fairtrade Initiative.

Clipper Teas

Clipper Teas originates in the UK and they’ve produced an unbleached, non-GMO, plastic-free teabag! Hooray!! They’ve worked in the fairtrade movement since 1994 and are the world’s largest fairtrade brand.

Tealia Tea

The Tealia Tea Company selects the tea leaves from plantations that follow ethical practices. Their big contribution to the world is to conform to the Rainforest Alliance standards. They offer loose leaf tea packaged in an airtight tin container. But, their tea bags are made with non-biodegradable tea bags.

Stash Tea

The Stash Tea company has worked with the Surfrider Foundation to sponsor a volunteer beach cleanup. They use single-use foil sachets and non-biodegradable tea bags.

Numi Tea

Numi tea company offers a biodegradable teabag with its tea products. Ninety-three percent of their teas are fair trade products. In addition, they’ve helped 10,500 people in farming communities. They’ve given them regular access to clean, safe drinking water. The company`s head office is in Oakland, California. They’ve funded a gardening, arts, and social studies program for low-income K-6 children. They also fund educational opportunities for orphans and war victims in Iraq.

Wize Monkey

Oh, so Wize Monkey! This Biodynamic, farm-direct and farmer-owned tea are pretty special. Their goal to contribute to the world is simple. They want to break the poverty cycle in coffee communities. They do this and work to harvest a sustainable product. It employs 60 Nicaraguan people through the nine-month offseason. With year-round jobs, families can have a steady income. They’ve improved food scarcity and the kids can go to school. Once picked they process the leaves with hydroelectric power. They’re recognized by the world tea awards in 2015. Plus, they wrap these teabag beauties in biodegradable sachets.

The Carbon Footprint

Using loose tea has one-tenth of the carbon footprint than bags of tea. It’s the manufacturing of the string, polypropylene bag itself, sachet, and box that makes the biggest impact on CO2 levels. Tea is grown thousands of miles from Canada and getting it from farm to table makes it a culprit in the environmental issues the world faces today. It’s important that we know that small decisions we make each day can make a large impact.

Since Canadians drink nine billion cups of tea a year. We should know who to support. These are the facts: Firstly, making just one cup of tea at home creates a carbon footprint. It’s between 20 and 340 grams of CO2 per cup. The varying number depends on how much water is used in the boiling. So make sure your kettle is nearly empty. If the tea is made with milk that makes a difference in the CO2 footprint too. Secondly, the little freshness packages inside that box? It’s a single-use product. Furthermore, teabag sachets are not biodegradable or recyclable. The contents inside the bag biodegrade but the bag itself will last in the compost heap for years!

Contribute to the world and make a difference

It’s the small decisions we make in a day that can make a big environmental impact! The decision to find an ethical tea company to support is significant. Especially if your part of the 94% choosing to use teabags. For most North Americans Tea is grown thousands of miles away. Help these small companies continue to make smart and ethical decisions. This is how you can contribute to the world. Help them make the world a better place. Finally, I hope this helps you make an Eco-conscious decision easier. Visiting the tea section in the grocery store has a whole new meaning!

Are you interested in what other companies are contributing to the world? Find out how these grass-root companies are changing business.

For additional information on these Tea Brands see the links below.