The United Nations states that “animal agriculture is responsible for eighteen percent of greenhouse gases, a percentage that is larger than the emissions produced by automobiles”. In fact, food travels approximately 1,500 miles from its source to your plate. These statistics are startling but with every passing day, consumers become more and more aware of the affects of unsustainable behaviors. Whether choosing to purchase a reusable water bottle, making the decision to organize a community clean-up day, or even writing your congressman about concerns regarding sustainable practices, every person has the ability to make even the smallest of changes to reduce his or her carbon footprint. Below are a list of simple tips that can be implemented in even the busiest person’s schedule.
When buying bottled water or drinks, try to purchase glass bottles rather than plastic. Glass breaks down, whereas, plastic will sit in a landfill for years to come.
If you are unable to buy your foods locally, then look for imported foods that are fairtrade-certified.
Be wary of products that claim to be organic or natural. Look for the circular USDA certified logo to be sure that your food is truly certified organic.
Try to buy from companies that not only comply with socially responsible operating policies but from those that exceed compliance. Examples would include Starbucks, Ben and Jerry’s, and The Body Shop.
One ton of paper made completely from recycled scrap saves 7000 gallons of water and 17 trees. Buy recycled paper whenever possible!
Animal agriculture is a huge reason for much of the pollution today. Gideon Eshel and Pamela Martin, researchers at the University of Chicago, said that “if an American were to reduce meat consumption by just 20 percent, it would be equivalent to changing their car from a standard sedan to a hybrid model, like the Toyota Prius” (Climate Change, 2008). Try choosing one day a week to go meatless and drastically reduce the waste created by factory farms.
If you live in the Philadelphia region and want to stay up to date on socially responsible and sustainable businesses in the area, visit the Sustainable Business Network’s website to gather more information. http://www.sbnphiladelphia.org/ or follow SRB on twitter (TempleSRB) for daily tips on making responsible decisions both inside and outside of the business community.
