What do coffee and chocolate have in common besides caffeine, some reputed health benefits and a desirable flavor? They are both popular in developed countries but grown largely in the developing world. Both are derived from what are known as beans, and both are traditionally grown in the shady understory of tropical rainforests, sharing their homes with a plethora of wildlife, from howler monkeys to parrots.
Audubon Coffee, (800)829-1300, www.auduboncoffeeclub.com. Handled by the Rogers Family Company, Audubon-branded coffee is 100 percent organic, shade grown and habitat friendly. Café Canopy, (858)449-4033, www.shade-coffee.com. Offers shade-grown, organic coffees certified by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center’s standards. Café Campesino, (888)532-4728, www.cafecampesino.com. Specializes in organic, Fair Trade coffee directly imported from single locations, as opposed to […]
When you purchase one cup of coffee in a disposable container every day of the week you are contributing 22.75 pounds of waste per year. Is there an alternative?
Some 63 percent of consumers say they will pay a premium for products that demonstrate a positive environmental impact. But the trick for busy consumers often becomes sorting out potential marketing hype from those brands that make a real difference. That’s why coffee certification is such a hot-button issue.
Most consumers don’t give much thought to the recognized allergens, probable carcinogens, hormone disrupters and inadequately tested industrial chemicals in the perfumes, nail polishes and shampoos lining the shelves of U.S. drugstores, department stores and specialty retailers. However, this seemingly well-kept industry secret has been on the radars of consumer and environmental groups, as well as concerned doctors and scientists, for years.
Americans are putting more of the other-other white meat—fish—on the table than ever before. The average person eats 15 pounds per year. That’s probably good news for a country grappling with growing rates of obesity and heart disease. Eating fish has complex environmental consequences, but several organizations help consumers isolate a range of tasty, sustainable options.
Several organizations have issued consumer guidelines for fish you can enjoy with a clear conscience, fish to avoid, and fish that are cause for concern. "Monterey Bay Aquarium. Has detailed info about each fish and how it’s raised or caught, the health of its population, and links to PDFs of studies. www.mbayaq.org/cr/seafoodwatch.asp. "Environmental Defense Oceans […]
For environmentalists interested in socially conscious investing, blogs are becoming a can"t-miss source of opinion, commentary and information. Whether you want to choose stocks, follow the latest environmental invention, file a shareholder resolution or just keep up with environmental news and trends, there is no doubt that blogs are worth tracking. The trick is finding the good ones.
With consumers facing rising gasoline costs and skyrocketing prices for home heating oil this winter, the debate over the short- and long-term future of America’s energy supply rages on. Some observers point out that it’s getting tougher for environmentalists to distinguish among sources of energy that are acceptable and those that should be met with picket lines. This question is being raised with regard to the once universally despised specter of nuclear power, and it’s also being applied to liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facilities.
According to the results of a recently conducted Harris Interactive Poll, nearly three-quarters of American adults agree that protecting the environment is important and standards cannot be too high. Meanwhile, almost half of the 1,200+ respondents surveyed believe the federal government should get more involved in environmental protection. Only one-fifth feel there is too much environmental regulation currently.
