Viva Verde!

Those who are active in the green community understand the value and payback in their lifestyle choices. They already have one foot in the door, and when asked to communicate why they do the things they do or why they choose one thing over another, they explain their reasoning--the one that has most compelled them. But in that gap of communication, sometimes there is something lost in the mix and the greenie can't communicate their passionin a way such that the listener understands and feels that same element of passion.

That being said, when I first met Greg (Urban Farm) he shared with me that the key to creating change in our future is not in implementing new programs, rather it is in changing the way people think. (Read Ishmael by Daniel Quinn--for sale on our website).

Thats my goal is to change the way people think. How do you do that? Well, I think the right place to begin is by leading by example. People can hear something and process it, but it doesn't have really substance at that level....people need to SEE so they can relate and picture themselves in that element. Leading by example paired with communicating your reasons behind your decisions has massive power and ability and is how I have chosen to create change. I've always said it, we are the catalyst for change....and the key to positive, green future is changing the way people think.

Truth be told, no plastic safe and should be avoided whenever
possible. However, at Your Guide To Green, we recognize that plastic
is an option some people are not willing to give-up and in that case,
we recommend they use a polycarbonate bottle. In all other case,
stainless steel is the safest and longest-lasting alternative.

Polycarbonate bottles are the least porous of any plastics: it is
because of this property along with their high heat-resistance
capacity that slows the rate of leaching compared to other plastics.
It is suspected that Bishphenol A (an endocrine disruptor) leaches at
a slow-rate from polycarbonate products. The same research also
states that children are a more at-risk population than adults.

All that being said, if you are trying to eliminate plastics from your
lifestyle then I would choose stainless steel. Our New Wave Enviro
stainless steel drinking canteens are all Aluminum free which often is
a concern with other stainless steel bottles.

This is quoted from Paul Hawken, author of "Blessed Unrest..." and "The Ecology of Commerce":
On the same note of how to change the world to a different shade of green....
"I believe one of the challenges writers face is how to bring the "language of sustainability" in from the cold. The issues we face on an environmental level arise from science and the challenges we face on a social level are similarly consigned to disciplines that are not mainstream. You can't talk about entropic pollution and cultural deracination on "Oprah," so the task is to create narratives and stories that engage, the draw people in from where they stand and think."

I met a man the other day named Nurul at the Scottsdale Green Building Expo. He shared with me his story and involvement with environmental concerns in his home land of Bangladesh. I was impressed by his passion and affinity for his cause and culture and promised I would promote his worthy cause. To learn more about how Nurul is addressing environmental degradation in Bangladesh, please visit his website www.poribesh.org (poribesh=environment)