Category — About Eco Conscious Coaching

The media during 2009 is mainly focusing on gloomy news about the economy, the failing financial systems and the initiatives the US government and other governments around the world are starting to get back to more prosperous times. While the election of Barrack Obama has brought a lot of hope for change to the world, many people are wondering how these changes are actually going to materialize for them.

Whenever there is a moment in time where we have the opportunity to reorder things, make a fresh start, apply lots of money to a cause, and fundamentally change our approaches, it is important to identify the most important areas. One of these areas is the requirement to change our behavior towards the environment we live in.

The US government plans to use a significant portion of its stimulus funds to create “green jobs” and begin a path away form the dependence from foreign oil. A carbon trading system has been proposed, in which corporation with the need to emit significant amounts of carbon emissions can buy credits from other organizations that actually reduce the carbon footprint compared to an established average. This is supposed to encourage companies and industry in general to look for clean energy sources to support their product and service creation.

These are measures on a large scale that will help the United States to hopefully move from being one of the single largest polluters of this planet to a responsible member of the green revolution we need to avoid a complete collapse of our environment. In a recent article Simon U. Ford asks if it is enough for individuals to donate to environmental causes. He is challenging his readers to contemplate if making a financial contribution to a seemingly good cause is enough to help the environment. The full article, titled “How can we help the Earth?” can be found at:

http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=613848537#/note.php?note_id=131352405290&id=613848537&index=1

Simon speaks about his good fortune in business, his success, leading to a point in his life where he has the freedom to decide what he wants to do with his wealth. That leads him to state:

“To me, just joining a cause, signing a petition, donating some money doesn’t quite cut it. You see, those are just blind contributions where you cannot see the outcome of your efforts, as such. Somehow, I wish we could collectively do more as a group – rather than doing our little bits individually.”

For many people it is very clear that we need change in this world. To achieve this change we need new leadership that is willing to see the bigger picture and solve the problems of the planet together, rather than gaining power by waging wars. The question becomes: How can we as individuals participate in this revolution?

One way is by providing money to those organizations that have identified one part of the big puzzle that is the Green Revolution. As Simon Ford says, we have to be careful that we don’t just satisfy our guilt by giving some money to worthwhile causes.

What guilt, you ask? The guilt of driving more than we needed to; the guilt of using materials we know to be hard to recycle,; the guilt to spend money on things we really don’t need when we could spend it on things that would help us all live a better life, the guilt of having sinned in one way or another.

Normally when we need to correct a mistake or error, it hurts. Giving money is a relatively painless way of compensation. Regarding the Green Revolution, Thomas Friedman in his most recent book titled “Hot, Flat, and Crowded”, proclaims that a revolution is only a real revolution when it hurts and causes pain. Anybody who likes to learn more about Friedman’s arguments can check out a great lecture he recently gave using this link: http://tinyurl.com/green-revolution

If joining a cause, signing a petition, and donating some money doesn’t quite cut it, what are we really to do? I believe we need to first learn and than educate others to achieve a new level of awareness and behavior.

For a Green Revolution to occur, we need to be the ones who know what it takes in every part of our lives to make a difference. Our daily actions should be guided by the questions: “Does this action hurt or help the earth?” When we decide to donate money, join a cause or get involved, the questions should be: “Does this action hurt or help the earth?” When we vote for a new initiative, the question needs to be “Does this vote hurt or help the earth?”

As always when changing a behavior, the goal is achieved when it becomes second nature; when we don’t need to label things to be “green”, or “organic”, or “natural”, or environmentally friendly” anymore. We will know that we made a difference when we have educated everyone we can touch to a point that any action or involvement not supportive of the earth feels wrong, ill-headed and stupid.

Individuals and groups alone will not be able to do all this work of change by themselves. Those in power who have the money, the ability to change the laws and rules, and support all initiatives that are actually good for the earth need to be willing to do their part.

History has taught us once in recent history that a revolution can occur successfully without one shot being fired. That happened in front of most of our eyes when the Berlin Wall came down and the people of Eastern Germany streamed across the borders to rejoin their brothers and sisters in the West. A people had successfully rejected a system and all its rules, organizations, parties, and systems and elected to change the world. Within a few months the Soviet Union fell and the old fight between the Democracies of the Western World and the Communism of the East ceased to exists.

A revolution by the people is possible when individuals form groups and decide that they demand a better life in a better environment supported by better environmental and economic conditions. Every person counts in such an effort, even if it feels like it’s a proposition of David-vs-Goliath.

In the long run, the right ideas to safe the world will prevail. Those of us who can do more than joining a cause, signing a petition, and donating some money, it will be fulfilling to do what they can to help us all reach the level of awareness we need to create a better world. For everybody else, it is of utmost importance to get involved and be open to change.

The willingness to change is the first step to a successful green Revolution that leads to a world where we all know what we need to do to contribute our part to guarantee clean water, clean air, clean fuels, and a prosperous future for all of us. As we get involved, each in our own way and to the level we can afford, we will become part of a larger movement that can revolutionize the planet.

Donella Meadows once wrote about the situation we find ourselves in when it comes to evading catastrophe: “We have exactly enough time, starting now.” To me that is a clear encouragement to join causes, sign petitions, donate money, and if you can, do all the other great things we need to do to have a peaceful but powerful Green Revolution – Now!

Axel Meierhoefer
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Since we have started focusing our work more and more on the integration of environmentally relevant aspects of personal development and self improvement, I have been looking for stories of success and applications we can all use to become more eco-conscious.

Recent writings pointed towards transportation solutions as well as management and leadership aspects of eco-consciousness. As in any cause based effort, it is important to get the word out, develop an image and a reputation, and provide value to the followers. In additions I want to gather ideas that will actually help us to build the community of eco-pioneers.

Instead of killing trees by creating flyers, postcards, newspaper ads, or anything like this, I have decided to use social networks and the advise of marketing gurus like Glen Crosier to help me establish a following around our cause.

One of these social networks is Facebook. It is one of the fastest growing online communities, especially since it made the decision to move form a college student forum to an open community, inviting people from all walks of life and all kinds of businesses.

While updating my own entries and profile and commenting on other friends writings, stories, and comments, I received a message from my Facebook Friend Krista English. 

She lives in Santa Barbara, just as I do, and we had been trying to meet and find an opportunity to get to know each other for some time. When Krista saw the new orientation of my company towards eco-consciousness and combining modern approaches to management, leadership and self-growth with the green revolution, Krista took action and made me aware of a gem in our proverbial backyard.

If you like to read or learn a little more about Krista, use this link and read her amazing story of perseverance, hope and success. http://www.shaklee.net/restoringyourdreams/aboutme

The Gem Krista made me aware of is the Shaklee Corporation. She wrote to me:

“Shaklee Corp. is a true eco-pioneer — Founded in 1956 with the philosophy of living in harmony with nature, Shaklee is committed to developing products to improve the health of people and the planet. In 1960, Shaklee introduced Basic-H Concentrated Organic Cleaner, one of the first nontoxic, biodegradable cleaners. I love being a part of a company that has been helping people go green long before it became a fad to do so! You should check out our other environmental achievements too!”

Shaklee philosophies

And so I did. What I found was pretty amazing and worth writing about.

Krista described it this way:
It’s truly astonishing how visionary this company is. In 2000, Shaklee became the first company in the world to obtain Climate Neutral certification and totally offset its C02 emissions, resulting in a net zero impact on the environment. In 2006, Shaklee became the first consumer products company to offset 100% of C02 emissions through the EPA Climate Leader’s program, and uses 100% Green Power. 

Environment

Shaklee chooses to run its business with a net zero impact on the earth - these decisions were made many years ago, knowing it might not be good for business, but that it was the right thing to do. Now they empower people everywhere to make a difference, one home at a time, even planting 5 trees per customer in the Gold Ambassador program.” 

When you search a little more and look a little deeper, you find a company that is very successful without having any stores, or regular distribution channels, and that works in a networked way, awarding commissions to those who go around and spread the word about the products and use them regularly. It’s probably not as fast a process as the marketing campaigns for the Apple Ipod, but it has created a sustainable business winning awards left and right, and making its members proud of their affiliation with the company. 

Here is what Shaklee says about dreams:

“At some time in most people’s lives, the idealism of youth gives way to the reality of bills, and they find themselves hitting the snooze button over and over on Monday morning.

Dreams

We think most people are snoozing when they are dreaming.

We believe it’s every person’s innate right to be prosperous, regardless of education, class, ethnicity, gender, or location. We believe it’s every person’s innate right to live the life they have imagined.”

Winning awards and planting trees is one thing. Working in a climate neutral way is pretty amazing. The real manifestation that you are fully immersed in your philosophy can be found in the physical monuments an organization created for itself.

And again, Shaklee delivers:

“The Corporation world headquarters in Pleasanton, California, is much more than the center of operations. It’s a physical tribute to what Shaklee believes in.

Success

It was designed by world-renowned architect, Gensler, to make a people-friendly, earth-friendly space that reflects Shaklee’s commitment to Living in Harmony with Nature®. No matter where you are in the building, you can see sky, trees, hills and fields. Advanced architectural design brings the beauty of outdoors inside with natural light, natural materials, and natural colors.”

Not only that, but it is build from renewable sources and applying the most modern methods of eco-consciousness and environmentally and energy-saving building technologies.

Overall, it’s a Gem right here in my back yard and they are always open for people to join them, as distributors as well as customers. I am not writing this as an endorsement. I have not worked for them or ever used one of their products. 

Eco-consciousness

I am writing this to bring an example of successful eco-conscious behavior to my readers. Shaklee has been at this since 1956. As Krista said, they have seen the need for eco-consciousness long before most others. That gives them a huge advantage in experience and we can all learn from them. Take a look and learn how the eco-conscious company of the future looks like, smells like, operates, and presents itself. Their website is www.shaklee.com.

Thanks Krista for pointing out such a good example of what can be done when the right mind set and the right people come together for a common cause and follow their dream with patience, positive energy, and the goal to help each other and everybody else they touch.
Let me know what you think and send me your comments.

Axel Meierhoefer

Eco-consciousness is finding new friends all the time. In my local paper I found the article by Steve Sinovic today. When you wonder what you can do as a city dweller or a person who doesn’t have to drive very far or very fast or justw ants to save some money of commuting costs, you might want to consider. One charge of these new vehicles is less than 10 cents and gets you at least 20 miles through town before recharging is needed.  Steve writes:

“The increased prevalence of scooters on Santa Barbara’s streets is hard to miss. An ever-growing number of residents, many attempting to cut costs and gas emissions in a volatile year for fuel prices and the economy, have traded four wheels for two. It’s a trend particularly evident in the city’s downtown core and around the University of California Santa Barbara campus.

Recently, a new business joined the pack of purveyors of electric- and gas-powered scooters and bicycles. The company, ElectriCruise, has the franchise for Santa Barbara and Ventura counties to sell eGO vehicles, which are manufactured in Boston.

eGo Electric Scooter

Owner Mr. Pacifico, who has backed the venture with his own savings, said he first clapped eyes on the scooters at an electric car show at Cal State in San Luis Obispo. “My wife and I were quite enamored with its simplicity and functionality,” said Mr. Pacifico. He met the other franchise operator up north — there are seven in California — who encouraged him to launch his own enterprise.

“I interviewed them (eGO) on the phone, set up an account to acquire inventory and away we went,” said Mr. Pacifico, who declined to reveal what the franchise fee is and the costs to purchase the vehicles.

Mr. Pacifico

The vehicles, which come in three models, are built to get one person around town. They have a range of up to 25 miles per charge, which makes them perfect for a town like Santa Barbara that’s only 19 square miles.

The scooters sold by Mr. Pacifico have several attractions: it’s legal to ride them on bicycle paths; you can park them at the bike rack; and they produce no emissions. Depending on the model, the vehicles cost from $1,500 to $1,900.

The bike is an anodized aluminum structure, with rigid back frame, an electric motor that produces the equivalent of 2 horsepower, disc brakes up front and caliper brakes in the rear, and weigh, with lead batteries, about 130 pounds. An extended battery kit (in a bag sitting on the floorboards) pushes the bike’s range an extra 20 miles. An extension cord, which can be carried with the bike, lets riders recharge at their destinations before returning home. All three bikes perform the same, he said, since they are built on the same chassis. The two higher-end models have directional signals and a few other bells and whistles.

Extended range battery pack

They’ve certainly have found ardent supporters in Jody Thomas and Bryan Reinhard, two Santa Barbarans who each bought a scooter from ElectriCruise.

A supervisor at the Montecito branch library, Ms. Thomas said she considered several transportation options other than her car before deciding on the eGO. “I didn’t want anything gas powered. Nor did I want to have to pedal each day on a regular bike and arrive at working needing a shower,” said Ms. Thomas, who hops on the “peppy” vehicle each day for her commute from the west side of town, taking mostly bike paths to work. Depending on the elevation, she can zip along between 18-24 miles per hour. “It’s all along the ocean in the morning. It’s a beautiful commute.”

She figures she spends “literally pennies a day” to power the vehicle. Overall, she’s racking up 75 miles a week, including grocery trips, thanks to a collapsible basket.

Mr. Reinhard, a stockbroker, was thinking of purchasing a hybrid electric car, but saw the advertisement for the scooter. “I walked down there, liked it, bought one and drove it home.” Since he started doing most of his commuting on the eGO three months ago, he’s had the brakes adjusted a few times. “Vince doesn’t charge me for the service,” said Mr. Reinhard. “I don’t know what a gallon of gas costs anymore.”

Silver Scooter

This is just one example what you can do to reduce your emissions footprint, have fun, and save money, all at the same time. If you know of any similar stories, elt me know.

Axel Meierhoefer