midterm elections

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 2014 midterm election will take place on Tuesday, November 4th.  Historically, midterm elections do not attract as many voters as presidential elections.  However, there are many issues at stake, particularly on the state and local levels, that affect our daily lives, often more than national issues.  Maybe you have decided not to vote in the midterm election, or perhaps, you think you have figured out how you are going to vote.  Here are some observations and final thoughts, which may get you out to the polls or may make you ponder your choices further.

Green issues and sustainability are front and center.

Perhaps the most noticeable thing about these midterm campaigns is the emphasis on green issues and sustainability.  Energy, the environment and climate control are front and center this election cycle.  So this is a special election for proponents of green living and sustainability.  Although supporters of the environment and healthy living have never required the validation by anyone or any organization, including major political parties or elected officials, to “do the right thing” to protect our planet, the fact that these issues now are central in the dialogue on government agenda, indicates a realization of the need to formally address concerns with pollution and depletion of natural resources.  As such, we owe it to ourselves and the planet to get out and vote.

Additionally, it is important to note the cost of indifference at the ballot box.[1]  If you listen carefully, much of the conversation and debate on green issues is coming from special interest groups.  Not all proposals are good for the environment overall.  Some proposed legislation needs to be rejected.  When evaluating these issues, do not rely on commercials– 30-second sound bites that do not tell the whole story.  For instance, in campaigns that promise to cut taxes, one message does not fit all situations.  Some things are worth paying for, namely education, clean water and good roads for starters.

Construction vs. Destruction.

Many people decide not to vote in midterm elections because the political climate often becomes so toxic, complete with name-calling, spreading false information and labeling, that voters become so frustrated with the process, they often disengage.  Consider this instead.  Rather than tuning out, get engaged.  Look carefully at the issues involved.  The important thing to take away from this conversation is that the goal of electing someone for a political office should never be about destruction of any laws or conditions solely for political purposes.  Rather, it should be about building something for the improvement of society.  Beware of messages from politicians that only want to tear down something with nothing better to replace it or those who are so heavily funded by special interest groups that they are unwilling to consider any collaborative efforts to address issues.  For example, why can’t solar, electric and fossil fuel energy coexist with continuing research efforts to improve the efficiency of each type of energy?

Reject the restrictions of labels.

Peel back the labels.  No one political party can totally address the issues at hand.  Rather, collaboration will work better to get the job done.  Identify the issues important to you as a citizen and vote for the candidate that you think will do the best job, regardless of party affiliation.  Also, take a look at any independent candidates.  You may be presently surprised to see people willing to commit to issues when they are not bound by party affiliations.  It is often said that “past behavior is a good predictor of future behavior.”  To that end, rather than listening to what any politician is saying to get elected, it may be best to check that individual’s record.  A great source to review the voting record of any politician can be found here.

Political Parties Crossroads Sign Democrat and Republican

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t let the race be given autommatically to the rich.

Face it.  We live in a time when the often the winners of political races are the ones with the most money.  Everyday we hear about how much money a candidate has in his campaign chest.  These individuals are able to bombard the airwaves with their messages and drown out the underfunded candidates, who often are more suitable people to represent the general population because they are not beholding to special interest groups.  A major step in promoting sustainability and healthy living is to reject this mentality, beginning with the realization that these commercials and advertisements most often lack full and truthful disclosure.  So many large companies tout sustainability but are abysmal failures at it, all in the name of the bottom line.[2]  It is important to research candidates to see who are backing them.  Vote with a conscious and not just along money lines.

Keep state and local initiatives close to heart.

It is safe to say that we all want safe communities, good schools, clean and efficient transportation and green space for recreation and relaxation.  Look to local and state initiatives to achieve these things, often through bond issues at the ballot box.  Whether you or for or against the legalization of marijuana, expect that to show up now or sometime soon at an election.  Perhaps there is a rogue delegate or state senator in your district, recall ballots are the way to get rid of them.

Voting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion.

If you sit down and seriously think about it, there are more reasons to vote than to not vote.  We hope that you will engage the political process and use your vote for change this election, particularly to address the environmental, energy and green issues plaguing our planet.  To do so is to live green, be green.

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[1]  http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2014/09/01/politics-midterm-elections-president-obama-congress-editorials-debates/14942079/
[2]  http://www.businessinsider.com/the-15-worst-companies-for-the-environment-2009-9?op=1

Credit:  lefthander.com

Credit: lefthander.com

Today, August 13th, is International Left-Handers Day, and we here at LGBG would like to salute lefties all over the world.  We feel that focusing on left-handers is congruent with our belief that the most important component of sustainability involves the human factor and investment in people.  As such, spotlighting left-handers helps to raise awareness of the difficulties this group of people face in activities of daily living with the lack of adaptive product design for their use.  Additionally, the attention to the unique needs of lefties fosters greater consideration of the adaptive requirements of lefties by the right-handed majority population.

Read More →

Brazil 2014 World Cup

Brazil 2014 World Cup

With World Cup 2014 at its peak, we would be remiss to omit mentioning the ugly business of “the beautiful game.”  The truth is that The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the international governing body of association football, futsal and beach soccer, has been embroiled in controversy for many years.

Perhaps the greatest complaint about FIFA is its failure at sustainability.  When we think of sustainability, most of us consider natural systems, i.e., the environment, natural resources, energy, etc.  Often, we ignore the key ingredient of sustainability, namely people or the human factor.

Read More →

it ain't easy being green

While “certified green labels” used as a mark of sustainable practices are familiar sites on many of the items we purchase, it is important to note that often these labels are used as marketing tools.  Theoretically, eco-labels were “designed to elevate products with higher environmental protection standards than the government requires for the status quo.” [1]

 

Perhaps a major issue with “certified green labels” is that their profits drive approval.  Over the past few years, we have witnessed an increased market demand for “green” or “sustainable” products.  Any business that promotes a product as green or certifies a product as sustainable potentially stands to make a huge financial gain by maintaining recognition in its industry as a “green” company or by consistently introducing new “sustainable” products into the market.  Additionally, increasing demand for green products creates the untended result of lowering standards for the award of green labels so as to fulfill the demand, thereby saturating the market with suspect products. Read More →

Earth Day 2014

Earth Day 2014

 

Happy Earth Day– let’s celebrate!   This year we here at LGBG applaud the annual global recognition of and celebration of Earth Day, but we hope that you will commit to do one thing to celebrate and protect the Earth everyday.  After all, it is the everyday little things that make a difference.  Of course, most of us are well aware of the usual things we can do– recycle, reduce and reuse.  It is important to keep doing those things.  However, there are many other ways to celebrate and protect the environment. Read More →

Spring garden

Spring garden

Spring has finally arrived, signaling great opportunity to spring forward to a new commitment to sustainability.  It is time to shed the winter doldrums and complacent attitude, clean out our living spaces and our heads and enjoy and get engaged in Nature’s annual rebirth.

We here at LGBG hope that our readers and supporters will commit or recommit to living a green and sustainable life.

The first step to achieving a sustainable lifestyle lies in the adoption of a mindset of sustainability.  We all need to recognize that since the industrial revolution, people in western societies have erroneously held the belief that we could keep using the Earth’s resources for goods and services without concern for the environmental or social impact of these activities.[1]  Now it is important for each of us to understand that we must use the Earth’s natural resources responsibly with the understanding that they are a loan and must be returned to the earth through a circular process that permits life on Earth to continue.  In fact, we should aim to ensure that our life cycles cause no harm to the environment and actually improve it. Read More →

Today, right now at 1657 UTC (12:57 p.m. DST), spring has arrived, ushering in a welcomed opportunity to adopt a life dedicated to sustainability.  I say this because we have had a rough winter here in the United States with torrential downpours, mudslides, snowstorms, tornado strikes and warnings with significant periods of freezing temperatures all over the country.  We know now, more than ever, that we need a game change.  Whether or not we believe in climate change and global warming, maybe if we do something different, we can turn this weather thing around.  Also, we have been secluded at home due to bad weather days so much over the last few months, unable to go to work, school or just to get out to enjoy the outdoors, that our brains need to shift into high gear again.

think spring

This is the perfect time to spring into sustainability.  After all, spring is about rebirth and awakening.  We look forward to the green things growing again– plants, trees, fresh fruits, vegetables and beautiful flowers, etc.  Animals (including us humans) awake from hibernation, take to the outside and enjoy nature.

I have to admit that often the whole notion of living a green and sustainable lifestyle is presented in a way that is burdensome and onerous.  Who really wants to make homemade cleaning supplies and soap? That hardly sounds like fun.  Also, there is so much information out there in terms of “facts” that it is difficult to figure out what sustainability really means or how we can incorporate it into our already over-booked lifestyles.  After all, the human factor of sustainability is important too.  As with any movement, there are extremes that make us shy away from getting involved.

On this first day of spring, we here at LGBG invite you to watch a video by The Natural Step.  This two-minute clip does a remarkable job of explaining sustainability in terms of care instructions, similar to those found on labels  attached to clothing or that accompany the products we purchase.  Think about how we value our prized possessions and carefully follow their care instructions so that they last a long time and maintain their value.  Now imagine how much better the world would be if we adopted a similar approach to its preservation with a few simple but powerful instructions.

stock-vector-children-taking-care-of-planet-earth-65384452

So we wish everyone a very happy first day of spring, and we invite each of you to join us on a journey to sustainability aimed at a life of simple abundance.  To do so is to live green, be green.

Academy Awards.  Credit: blog.livingroomtheaters.com

Academy Awards. Credit: blog.livingroomtheaters.com

Over the past years, the Oscars and sustainability have proven to be an award-winning combination.  On Sunday, people globally will tune in to the 86th Academy Awards presentation to celebrate the best movies over the past year.  It is important to salute the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (The Academy) for its commitment to “green” living.

It does not come as a surprise that the organization would have sustainability as part of its agenda considering that so many of its members are outspoken supporters of the green movement, and they often lend their faces and financial support to environmental, health and social concerns.  The popularity of many of these celebrities, including, but not limited to George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom and Selma Hayak, goes a long way to raise awareness of and garner support for environmental, health and social issues.

The commitment of the Academy to raise awareness of environmental issues and garner support through example also is noteworthy.  This effort begins with the selection of the Dolby Theater, formerly the Kodak Theater, as the venue for the annual event.   With this long-term agreement to be the home of the Oscars, Dolby is committed to environmental sustainability.

Dolby Theater-- Home of the Oscars.  Credit:  www.cnn.com.

Dolby Theater– Home of the Oscars. Credit: www.cnn.com.

Global Green Oscar Week Kickoff

The Academy validated its commitment to sustainability with its annual kickoff by Global Green USA.  This year the celebration was “dedicated to rebuilding communities subject to environmental degradation.”  This organization now is the green event of Oscar week.  It seeks to raise “conscience” about energy conservation, and this year included celebrities speaking about driving to the Oscar celebration in hybrid cars.  This party featured a zero-waste plant-based dinner followed by a live auction that raised more than $20,000 to support its causes.

Red Carpet Green Dress

Second only to the actual awards ceremony, the highlight of Oscar night is the fashion displayed on the red carpet, and here some designers are featuring green dresses.  Perhaps the most notable is Red Carpet Green Dress, who is marking its fifth anniversary for this event.  This organization is the brainchild of Suzy Amis Cameron, wife of James Cameron, who, during press tours for Avatar (a Cameron film), sought to draw attention to the importance of sustainability in the fashion industry.  Mrs. Cameron notes that “[w]hile there are still great strides to be made, it’s important to point out that there are a greater number of sustainable resources available to designers today than there were five years ago.”[1]  This year’s Oscars Red Carpet will feature actress Olga Kurylenko wearing the design by this organization.  Olga’s accessories also are selected with concern for ethical consumerism.  Her limited edition vegan Red Carpet shoes are supplied as a result of a collaboration between PETA and Beyond Skin.

Meanwhile, on the men’s side, Kellan Lutz (Legend of Hercules) will be wearing the first sustainable tuxedo for Red Carpet Green Dress.  This tuxedo was designed by Jomnarn Dul for H Brothers and was constructed from recycled materials.

James and Suzy Amis Cameron.  Credit:  the highlow.com

James and Suzy Amis Cameron. Credit: the highlow.com

Dining with a Conscience

This year’s Governor’s Ball, the official dinner held following the award ceremony, will be created and officiated by Wolfgang Puck (celebrating 20 years in this role).  To the delight of the green movement, the theme will be the transcendent wonder of nature, with a display of lush vertical gardens under the stars that invite guests to mingle and celebrate nature.  The menu includes a prominent focus on vegan dishes.  All of the food will range from one-bite hors d’oeuvres to small-plate entrees.  Once again, these choices are indicative of the Academy’s concern and focus on the need to raise awareness of the environment and sustainability.[2]

The Academy Awards is one of the most popular events globally and is viewed by many people, thereby creating an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about green initiatives and sustainability.  We are proud to present background information on the efforts of the Academy to make a difference in the movement for sustainability.

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Resources for this article:

1. http://redcarpetgreendress.com/home/olga-kurylenko-to-reveal-the-fifth-design-from-suzy-amis-camerons-red-carpet-green-dress-on-the-oscar-carpet.
2. http://fbworld.com/2014/02/24/starring-role-for-master-chef-wolfgang-puck-at-86th-academy-awards-governors-ball.

Today is Valentine’s Day and we hope that each of you will celebrate green.  Many of you reading this post have not finalized your plans for Valentine’s Day celebrations.  Although some people procrastinate in making plans until the actual day, this year is different.  The severe weather occurrences with heavy snow and ice storms over most of the United States for the past week considerably hampered many people’s ability to get out and shop.  A lot of families are still snowed in with no power.  Additionally, gifts that were supposed to be delivered by mail may not come in time for the holiday.

Credit:  www.designbolts.com

Credit: www.designbolts.com

The most important thing to remember is that Valentine’s day is about love, and materialism is not necessary to convey love.  While Valentine’s Day often is criticized as being a man-made holiday, it still is important to us as humans.  As we journey towards sustainable lifestyles, we learn that while investment in the environment is important, it is crucial that we include the investment in human lives as essential to achieving full sustainability.

The History of Valentine’s Day

In reality, this “lovely” holiday evolved from a very violent history.  Valentine’s Day is named after a Roman priest under Emperor Claudius II during the third century.  In this tumultuous era, the Roman Empire was divided into three competing states, with constant threats of invasion by one faction or another.  The survival of the Empire became so threatened that Claudius struggled to maintain war power.  Under the belief that unmarried soldiers fought better than their married counterparts, Claudius banned marriage among young people.  However, the priest Valentine, held high marriage as a God-given sacrament and began officiating these unions in secret.  He eventually was discovered, imprisoned and then beheaded.  Later Valentine was martyred by the Church for giving up his life to perform the sacrament.  Thus, Valentine’s Day is about love– love of God and love for each other.

St-Valentine-Kneeling-In-Supplication.  Credit:  en.wikipedia.org

St-Valentine-Kneeling-In-Supplication. Credit: en.wikipedia.org

Celebrate the spirit of Valentine’s Day.

The true spirit of Valentine’s Day should be reflected in our celebratory choices, and sustainability should be a driving concern in making these choices.  Why buy chocolate candies produced by workers who are underpaid and treated unfairly when we can purchase guaranteed fair trade products?  Why buy cut flowers that wilt and die in a matter of days when we can purchase potted plants and flowers that can be maintained in containers or  transplanted outside to thrive and be enjoyed for years to come?  Why spend long hours working to make money to buy “stuff” that creates clutter, especially when most families are starved for time together?

Emotionally-drained-love-valentines-day-ecards-someecards.  Credit:  someecards.com

Emotionally-drained-love-valentines-day-ecards-someecards. Credit: someecards.com

Green is the way to go.

So as you ponder ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day, please be sure to remember that the day is about love and sustainability.  Celebrate a green Valentine’s Day.  To do so is to live green, be green.

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Resources for this article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/13/valentines-day-bloody-history_n_4768652.html