I know many people (including myself) think the United Nations recognized “world’s worst humanitarian crisis” occurring in Darfur is far greater than their contributions. We’ve all seen the devastation featured on the nightly news, newspaper articles and television commercials. And wanted to do something but didn’t know where to start. Well, Relief Beads, a grassroots campaign, is giving us an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of more than 2.5 million refugees that were tragically separated from their families because of genocide , violence and disease.
They are selling handcrafted, original bracelets made from sand in Ghana, Africa to further support the humanitarian efforts of Relief International, an independent, non-profit organization providing necessary medical care, counseling and educational courses to thousands of women and children in Darfur. Relief International’s programs are essential to the recovery of this war-torn country.
What is a card or wrap trap? A waste of resources that eventually cost more than money! Most people spend special occasion and holiday funds on ultimate trash when they buy conventional cards, gift wrapping paper and ribbon. Such items are rarely recycled and cause an excessive landfill burden, especially during December.
Perhaps you’ve noticed gift and holiday supplies proudly claiming recycled, post-consumer, chlorine-free, or tree-free? Sounds nice, but are you confused? Most consumers are when trying to decipher it all. Frustrations peak when claims are misleading.
Many mainstream brands with savvy designers are releasing environmentally conscious organic lines for fall. Displayed above from left to right:
More than two decades ago, rock star Sting, and his wife, Trudie Styler, created The Rainforest Foundation and over the last 20 years it has expanded and diversified. There is the New York-based Rainforest Foundation Fund, backed by Sting, which provides funding for three branches - Rainforest Foundation US, Rainforest Foundation Norway, Rainforest Foundation UK (together they directly support projects in more than 20 countries that protect tropical rainforests and the people that live there)…
Every year an area of rainforest the size of England and Wales is cut down. This leaves local people homeless, drives animals and plants to extinction and releases more CO2 emissions (which cause climate change), than all of the world’s planes, trains and automobiles. Tropical deforestation is an issue that affects us all. ~The Rainforest Foundation
Supermodel and mom Cindy Crawford is reducing the number of plastic water bottles that end up in landfills.
Cindy teamed up with PUR Water Filtration Systems, and designed a limited edition reusable water bottle bearing the slogan “Thirsty for Change“, with all proceeds going to help decrease water related diseases in developing countries. She aims to teach America about water consumption, and by doing so, hopes to impact the world…
Check out the new Eco Fashion World site. EFW knows, “just like the first industrial revolution started in the fashion industry, so will the second that leads us to sustainability.” —Cradle to Cradle, Michael Braungart and William McDonough. EFW realizes that we are all linked, from “New York to New Delhi, Paris to Pakistan, Brazil to Bangladesh, Vancouver to Vietnam, by the very strings of our garments.”
The Eco Fashion World glossary is an exemplary resource! Take a look. The site is filled with inspiring green styles, expert advice and brilliant budding blogs.“Get the scoop on sustainable style, browse our unique and quickly expanding eco fashion guide and get inspired by the true visionaries in our magazine.” Shown here on the cover is a Lelia Hafzi gown design.
Mottainai is a line of menswear that embraces organic denims, all natural vegetable dyes, korozo nut buttons, organic Italian cotton shirting fabrics, organic cotton knits, and small-scale production in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
The monsoon season may not considered to be the ideal time to travel in India but if you are looking for a green spa retreat amidst the chirping of birds around a large lake then try the Coconut Lagoon. Situated on the banks of Lake Vembanad, the largest lake in Kerala, this unique health resort offers ayurveda, yoga, and kalaripayattu (ancient martial arts) in old world Kerala style living. It provides the perfect retreat from fifth gear living and its [...]
I am simply smitten with the cute organic cotton blouses from the Velvet Leaf ~ a sustainable clothing company.
Velvet Leaf defines sustainability as:
The ability to provide for the needs of the world’s current population without damaging the ability of future generations to provide for themselves. When a process is sustainable, it can be carried out over and over without negative environmental effects.
Ladies, we all know that a new, chic outfit is not complete without an accessory. It doesn’t matter if you are getting ready for a time out with friends or a day at the office; it’s a must-have! In this three-part series, we’ll focus on eco-friendly bracelets, necklaces and earrings which help to minimize any size carbon footprint as well as compliment your look.
Original Good, a new product line by World of Good, Inc, shows us a new way to appreciate the nature all around us with handcrafted jewelry made from shells, glass, wood and real bone beads. After looking at different sites about the art of jewelry making, I was happy to find out that animals are not being hunted for their bones but rather a by-product of the environment. Whew!
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