I have been critical of Method for not putting their money where their mouth is and for sometimes taking ownership of other’s achievements. I tended to favor 7^th Gen and their transparency policy, mainly by disclosing all their ingredients and being a pioneer of Corporate Social Responsibility under Jeffrey Hollender’s leadership.

In our efforts to promote sustainable practices along with bringing to market safe, potent and natural products, calling on companies that best represent this effort is not always well regarded but I feel it is a as important as singling out the dirty ones.

So it is time to praise Method for stepping up not only for greening their household and personal care product lines, but also for being a leading socially responsible company.

Method: green and sustainable.

Kudos to the skippers, good cops and others for formulating greener and greener products. Kudos to the leadership team for disclosing the ingredients in all of Method product lines. Kudos to the green giants and others for lowering Method’s environmental footprint. And kudos to everyone for building successful partnerships. And that is probably what will set Method apart from their competitors – this and retaining talents – in years to come, which has become an increasingly important success factor in the FMCG space that requires a constant input of creativity. When Clorox and P&G buy a brand to grow their market share or reach, Method seems to have chosen to partner with topnotch experts and suppliers to expand their own. And it seems to add considerable value to the organization as this network of top green and sustainability experts, researchers and scientists are helping them stay on tracks, reach their sustainability goals, lower their environmental footprint and create even better products.

Method: a key member of the B-Corp family

One action is quite telling of the company’s mission and values – and to be honest, triggered this post. Assemblyman Huffman introduced a bill earlier this year that will establish a new form of corporate entity known as Benefit Corporation. There are probably over 100,000 businesses that operate on the principles in the country and California is home to the largest concentration of these companies that measure their performance not just by the money they make but also by their environmental and social impact. If passed, California would be the 5^th state to enact such legislation. There has been tremendous support for it, with many investors, businesses and other professionals rallying to Sacramento to show their support and offer their own testimony, a major factor in convincing committees. One company has answered Erik Trojian’s call every time and to add their voice to hearings both in the Assembly and in the Senate: Method and Ryan Williams’ (Method’s Good Cop) testimony was very compelling in passing the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee yesterday.
In the photo: First row in light grey business suit A. Jared Huffman, far left Erik Trojian, B-Corp Policy Director, last row, third from right Adam Lowry, first from right, Marc Thibault. Click to enlarge.

So my hat off to you all at Method Home and thank you for stepping up and showing you are more than a branding genius.

Summer is coming, you need an anti-mosquito plan. Here is an easy solution using simple ingredients and a 2 quarts plastic bottle:
- 7 oz of hot water
- 1.75 oz of brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon of yeast
Cut the bottle in half. Keep both ends. Mix brown sugar with hot water, let it cool down. Add the liquid into the lower half of the bottle. Add the yeast, no need to mix. Put the upper half with the neck down in the lower half. Wrap the trap with a black sheet, do not cover the top.
Place the trap out of reach of children
Pictures here.

There is one aspect of my job that I love beyond measure is that it gives me the opportunity to meet truly passionate individuals and groups, and let me underline a crucial point here, passionate entrepreneurs are often reasonable and progressive. These are actually three main traits that characterize successful entrepreneurs. The type of entrepreneurs that I have been meeting in the last three years shares this in common: they are very attune with their environment and the impact they have on the economy, society and environment, at any level. They are progressive, triple bottom line focused, social and environmental entrepreneurs, and one thing they will not compromise on is their values and code of ethics. I have discovered over this weekend this applies to organic medical marijuana outdoor growers as well. Continue Reading »

Testifying before the House Interstate and Foreign Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Finance, which is currently considering legislation to control toxic substances, John R. Quarles, EPA Deputy Administrator said: “Existing Federal laws fail to deal evenly and comprehensively with toxic substances problems. While some authority exists to control the production of certain categories of toxic substances, such as pesticides, drugs, and food additives, most existing Federal authorities are designed to prevent harmful exposure only after the substances have been introduced into production.” Continue Reading »

Can businesses focusing on the triple bottom line lead the way in addressing matters as diverse as climate change, social justice, environmental health and financial responsibility? Can they drive much needed policy reform such as climate change, toxic chemicals and consumer financial protection?

As surprising it might sound to some, the answer is yes. Continue Reading »

A November 2009 report by international researchers who are also part of “Global Carbon Project” and published by Nature Geoscience shows an increase in CO2 emissions of 2.0% from 2007, 29% from 2000 and 41% above emissions in 1990. Another report by the International Energy Agency confirmed that China is by far the world largest CO2 emitter ahead of the USA. However, the USA still leads the CO2 emissions per capita ahead of Australia and Canada. These reports have highlighted several frightening trends: Continue Reading »

COP15 (MOP5 – AWG KP10) / AWG LCA8 = <+2 degrees

or

AWG LCA8 + AWG KP10 – (COP15 x MOP5) = 350 ppm CO2

???

Continue Reading »

Greening our lifestyle and activities can be a daunting enterprise, especially when we start with a strong will to go green, little time and a vague idea about what is the problem, what’s causing it and how to fix it. So the idea of providing consumers and businesses some indicators in the form of third-party ratings, labels and certifications about one product and/or organization environmental performance seemed at first a good one. That was until the stakes became to high. Continue Reading »

# Jeffrey Hollender announced Seventh Generation new growth plans: become a $1 Billion dollars corporation in the next 5 years. The Vermont based company hired Chuck Maniscalco, former Pepsi-Co champion and entered into a partnership with CleanWell Company to market (natural) disinfectant-cleaners.

Why does it matter? Continue Reading »

The case for reforming TSCA (Toxic Substance Control Act) has become stronger and stronger year after year. It has never been so evident than in the last three months. The Environmental Working Group’s scientific studies showed we “host” a synthetic chemical cocktail – many of them known to lead to acute and chronic illnesses – a situation that poses a health and safety risk to pregnant women, the development of fetus and children, proving that TSCA does not adequately protect us from toxic chemicals. The Safer Chemicals Healthy Families coalition  – gathering health care professionals, professional organizations, businesses, environmentalists and local officials – in a new report has put an estimate to the cost associated to caring for people affected by illnesses linked to chemical exposure. Continue Reading »

“Climate Colonialism”: a new term that is here to stay. During the climate negotiations in Copenhagen last December, some developing nations claim that the draft agreement would allow people in developed countries to emit twice as much carbon per head than those in poorer countries, who have not caused the rise in emissions. Angelika Navarro, Bolivian Ambassador to the UN “  “We think that 20 per cent of the population have created a crisis for humanity. They have a historic responsibility for more than two thirds of emissions and more than 90 per cent of the increase in temperature. We think there is a climate debt they owe to all humanity and to Mother Earth.”

Is the term here to stay? Most certainly, at least in history.

Have developing nations any chance of succeeding in their demands? No one is stopping them as long as they self-finance their development, which for the poorest nations is almost impossible as they depend too much on the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund which channel funds for investments.

The Clean Development Mechanism fails short of offering a country like Bolivia who emits 1.2 tons of CO2 per capita (compared to US’ 19.1) and has seen its glaciers receding dramatically, a source of investment for developing clean infrastructure (to our knowledge, only 2 projects have been funded through CDM: hydropower and reforestation projects).

Finally, if a country like Bolivia can eventually survive and even adapt to global temperature rising by 2 degrees, it is not the case of many African nations that will face rising temperature of 3.5 degrees causing droughts, famines, flash floods and millions of climate refugees. Island nations will simply disappear, and coral reefs will become extinct by 2025 causing a cataclysm in the food chain.

Sustainability Business Services are booming re: the very lucrative services designed to support – adding some value along the way – our entering into a sustainable society. Is it good or is it bad? Continue Reading »

Not surprisingly Green Age’s 2009 top 3 personalities have made the headlines for the right reasons. The months preceding Copenhagen have brought the spotlights on many individuals and organizations, but no one had been more expected than President Barack Obama. Some have been disappointed by his position, more by the lack of concrete results, and to sum up this year’s climate talk “We do not have the fair, ambitious and legally binding agreement that millions around the world hoped the world leaders gathered in Copenhagen would deliver. They are not done yet, and neither are we.” posts 350.org on their web site. As important this event was, let’s not forget there is a life outside climate change negotiations; organizations and individuals that have made a real difference in advancing the cause of a cleaner and a safer world, conservationists, scientists and activists alike have helped push environmental and health issues one (at least) step further. So without any delays, here is our top 3:

#3: The Climate Change Activists. Copenhagen and environmental talks could not have been the same without them, they are at the heart and soul of the contestation movement, and although they some times have made the headlines for the wrong reasons, it would be silly to ignore their roles in telling the world what was really happening in Copenhagen: tcktcktck, 350.org, avaaz.org, Union of Concerned Scientists and so many more that have rallied millions of people under the banner “A Fair, ambitious and bidding agreement now”. Keep the beat up, people! and so many more that have rallied millions of people under the banner “A Fair, ambitious and bidding agreement now”. Keep the beat up, people!

#2: Ken Cook, without a moment of hesitation is the environmentalist who, in our humble opinion, can contribute the most to environmental and health protective reforms. His non-profit, Environmental Working Group that he started with Richard Wiles in 1993, has raised to become one of the most respected voice in the green community through acute analyses. This year alone, EWG’s work in toxic chemicals in umbilical cord and many children products, school clening supplies, farm subsidies and water pollutions have helped change the conversation and speed the ban of some of the most harmful chemicals. He was also named ultimate green game changer by Huffington Post.

#1: And the winner is … President Barack Obama. We can’t think of anyone who has had more impact on the green and sustainable scene since Al Gore and the release of the Inconvenient Truth in 2006. President Obama did not wait long before pushing green initiatives. Even before taking office, he and his staff met with hundreds of NGOs, green and cleantech professionals. Immediately after moving to the White House, (and we’re going to cite our friends from Grist.com) “he appointed the greenest Cabinet ever, chock-full of top-notch scientists and long-time climate advocates. His administration has made massive green stimulus investments, set EPA moving forward to regulate CO2 and chemical policy reform, pushed green jobs, promoted eco-friendly retrofits, established new fuel-economy rules and efficiency standards, launched national retrofit programs, delayed mining and drilling permits, set new energy standards and goals for all federal departments, created a White House garden and farmers market, and oh so much more”. Unfortunately he has deliver more mountaintop-removal permits than his predecessor – although he plans to make it more constraining; we’re still waiting for him to take a position in regards to GMOs and conventional biofuels; and – but that is not very fair to charge him for this – he has not been able to impose (or convince) the Houses and the world of the necessity to adopt and implement drastic measures to curb the world’s CO2 emissions. But hey, in less than a year, he has done more than the last 3 presidents combined.

Otis Elementary School, Alameda California. Inside the multipurpose building kids have painted on two contiguous walls. The mural represents Alameda (the island city) but it could represent any other city, instead of the San Francisco Bay, it could be any bay or any lake. What’s striking about this mural is the overall theme, what everyone can or should do to keep their surrounding clean and sustainable. How did these kids picture their environment? Green and blue. Continue Reading »

Dear Marc

I just read your post on Copenhagen – where I actually am at the moment – at COP15. I thought I’d inform you about an environmental social media campaign called ‘I do 30’. The campaign encourages people across the world to turn down the temperature on their laundry to 30 degrees in order to save CO2. These days during the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen (COP15) we are letting all of our ‘I do 30’ fans who can’t make it to the conference have a voice of their own. We move around the streets of Copenhagen with a speech bubble, hoping the ‘I do 30’ statements will reach the leaders of the world.