by Shawn Skinner

Despite the surge in sustainability interest in recent years, trips to large chain stores quickly reveal that many still value convenience over environmentalism.  Many large department and grocery stores often have green and organic products separated in small sections in their stores—demonstrating that green products still are just a consumer niche.  Additionally, there are stores that only sell sustainable and organic products, but again, this is just a specialty niche.  According to Lori Tripoli in the June issue of the magazine, Sustainability: The Journal of Record, “A large chunk of the population isn’t necessarily attracted to green products, doesn’t want to be confronted with green-product propaganda, and is uninterested in paying a premium for a product that might do more for the environment while doing a little less for the consumer.”  One of the top Fortune 500 companies, Procter & Gamble (P&G), has recognized this dilemma and responded to it by beginning to sell environmentally friendly products to the mainstream.

Upon visiting P&G’s U.S. website, one is immediately confronted with the corporation’s vision for environmental sustainability, “that includes powering out plants with 100% renewable energy, ensuring zero manufacturing or consumer waste goes to landfill, and all products are made from 100% renewable or recycled materials.”  Additionally, there is a link for “Sustainability” prominently displayed.  Here the focus of the company’s sustainability efforts is, “…improvements that matter, to make the most meaningful impact we can.”  

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by Beth Gray

This past December, more than 120 Heads of State and Government traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark to participate in the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15).  The Conference, lasting for close to two weeks, was intended to be the launching point for a comprehensive worldwide agreement on how to most effectively combat climate change.  Even with the best of intentions, however, few who attended the Conference have expressed much satisfaction with the progress made and eventual outcome of the meeting.

The proceedings were plagued with administrative and logistical difficulties and contentious moments between some of the world’s biggest carbon emitters.  For example, as estimated by one attendee, some 45,000 people attended the Conference – great turn out except that Copenhagen’s Bella Center where the event was held can only accommodate 15,000.  Aside from the obviously cramped quarters into which Heads of state, their delegates, journalists, representatives from NGOs, and others were overcrowded, even greater difficulties hindered the progress of the discussions.  Read the rest of this entry »