Sustainability as an adjective.

While I have been interested in Corporate Social Responsibility (the s is now sustainability) for some time as a business major. I have recently noticed that sustainability is being used increasingly as an adjective in various business theories and concepts.

From sustainable communication to sustainable marketing, our foray into CSR can be eased through adapting our business practices. While I agree that CSR must become part of the corporate culture and be introduced at every level of the company/organization I am fearful that we minimize the importance of sustainability by attaching it as an adjective and using it as a type of shorthand into real and meaningful change.

EPA People, Prosperity & The Planet on the Mall

I was priviledged to be a part of the UMUC P3 team that presented this past weekend on the mall. Although my teammates and I had been working on the project with our amazing Professor Fu for over a year, it was in fact the first time many of us had met in person. Terri flew in from England, Carrissa from San Antonio and the remainder from points up and down Maryland, Virginia and DC.

UMUC is a global University and national leader in providing higher education for adults using an online environment. Our entire project had been completed through online collaboration with help from UMUC marketing and communication departments and the wonderful Professor McLaughlin.

With the acceptance and funding for Phase 1 of our project, the first ever submitted by UMUC, we have set the bar high. Although we did not receive funding for Phase II, the very fact that a group of adults juggling demanding careers, families and various other personal committments in addition to school work, could compete with traditional fulltime students is something that we should all be truly proud of.

The whole focus of our project was to spark a global conversation on how everyone, regardless of where they live, can make changes in their daily lives, that will positively impact the environment (and we don't just mean recycling!) one of many things I don't think the judges completely got! Data on our website already shows that conversation has begun, so while we are understandably disappointed we did not receive funding for Phase II, our project is already a success and I for one will be taking more time to ask my friends around the world "Hey do you wanna talk?"

Is the Easter Bunny Environmentally Conscious?

While preparing for Easter this past weekend I marvelled at the mountains of plastic eggs and plastic grass in a rainbow of colors, overflowing from the "seasonal aisles" of every major supermarket. The amount of plastic was truly staggering and while many will reuse the eggs and yes even the grass, year after year, I wondered how many more would see their eggs and grass end up in the landfill still decomposing 10 or 20 Easter celebrations from now.

That led me to my question "is the Easter Bunny environmentally conscious ?" At first glance as evidenced above, it would seem absolutely not, however we fail to do him justice by pinning our quest for convenience, lack of imagination and the low cost of a plastic Easter, firmly on his floppy little ears.

The Easter Bunny has always used a basket, made from natural materials such as straw, reeds or cloth to carry his eggs, real ones laid by hens! that he takes great pleasure in hiding so children can enjoy the fresh, pollution free air, while searching and gathering as many eggs as they can. Once found the eggs are stripped of their colored shells, which are placed in a compost bin, and eaten with not an errant candy wrapper in sight.

One wonders if the Easter Bunny would have the will to continue were he forced to make the switch to plastic and exactly how would we explain that to our children?. Thankfully we have a choice and I believe his choice is sustainability and responsibility. The evidence clearly shows that the Easter Bunny is environmentally conscious and next Easter I for one look forward to joining him in saying NO to a plastic Easter and YES to an all natural one.

Think Globally, Act Locally Pathways to the 3 R's Comments & Suggestions

As an online distance learning student at UMUC juggling family, work and school can be an incredible challenge. Getting involved with additional college activities is generally not possible for adult students, whose every minute is already over scheduled. It speaks volumes therefore that the EPA People, Planet and Prosperity grant drew many students and amazing faculty from different backgrounds to develop the " Think Globally, Act Locally, Pathways to the 3 R's" website.

While I personally had never been involved in any environmental endeavour prior to this grant, I learned so much and enjoyed the support of the team in making changes to reduce my carbon footprint and live as sustainably as possible. I hope you will visit our site often and leave inspired to make changes in your own life.

Please use this forum to share not only your comments and suggestions on our site http://www.umuc.edu/gogreen but your own experiences in making your corner of the world a little greener.

Going green can be child's play!

When making changes, large or small, in an effort to reduce our carbon footprint, it may be worth following our children's example. My 9 year old twins have always been a model of ingenuity when reusing items. I mean who knew an apron could double as a headscarf or slippers make great beds for kittens or that almost anything makes terrific scenery for legos! Even when we think that no one could possibly want or use our "stuff" our children remind us that maybe there is someone with the vision to breathe new life into them. Donating is always better than the landfill.

Reducing our consumption may seem daunting but I know from experience that my children can make soap and shampoo last for months. I'm considering nominating them for an award because this kind of dedication at such a young age is truly inspiring. If it saves the planet I can live with a little dirt behind the ears.

Recycling is a natural for children, anything that protects the environment, helps animals and generally makes the world a better place will get kids attention. They are our planet's best defender in the wake of irresponsible grown ups. So when I get weary of washing another piece of trash for the recycling bin (using my dirty dish water of course!) or using cloth napkins instead of paper ones I just need to remind myself if my kids can do it so can I!