Akhila Vijayaraghavan's blogshttp://www.justmeans.com/editorials/ethicalconsumption/6.htmlFri, 25 May 2012 00:44:48 GMThttp://www.justmeans.com en hourly 1http://www.justmeans.com/Calculating-the-Footprint-of-a-Wedding/48767.htmlFri, 29 Apr 2011 12:48:11 GMTAkhila Vijayaraghavan There have been many speculations about the carbon footprint of the royal wedding. Whilst it was considerably more low-key than Prince Charles' wedding, it did rake up quiet a high emissions number.According toThe Telegraph, the wedding is set to generate more than6,765 tonsof carbon dioxide equivalents. That is 10 times the amount of greenhouse gases the Buckingham Palace produces for in a whole year and 1,230 times the annual emissions of the average UK household.However with Prince Charles' k Read Full Article ]]> There have been many speculations about the carbon footprint of the royal wedding. Whilst it was considerably more low-key than Prince Charles' wedding, it did rake up quiet a high emissions number.According toThe Telegraph, the wedding is set to generate more than6,765 tonsof carbon dioxide equivalents. That is 10 times the amount of greenhouse gases the Buckingham Palace produces for in a whole year and 1,230 times the annual emissions of the average UK household.However with Prince Charles' known environmental credentials, every effort has been taken to lower the impact of the wedding. The menu is sourced from sustainable, local, organic food and ingredients. Even the cake features free-range eggs. The royal couple have also chosen seasonal flowers and asked guests to plant trees or make a donation to Earthwatch, one of the 26 charities benefiting from the royal wedding gift fund, that focuses on environmental issues. Although guests received paper instead of virtual invitations, Clarence House ensured all documents from the event will be printed on recycled paper while Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood will be used in the building of the media stands.Catherine Middleton's dress is made largely with British textiles, using traditional handicraft and her wedding band ismade out of Welsh gold instead of conflict ridden minerals which further symbolizes the thought put into thisoccasion. There are also plans to recycle materialsin the aftermath of the big day. Veolia Environmental Services, Westminster City Council's waste management contractor, have said they expect to collect approximately 140 tonnes of waste, much of which will be recycled.With the month of June coming up, traditionally the high point of the wedding calendar many happy couples are in the midst of wedding planning. There are many things you can keep in mind to reduce the environmental impact of your wedding including thinking about venue, invitations, number of guests, flowers, registering for presents, dresses, jewellery, food and drink served. There are several resources like the Green Bride Guide that recommends tips for making a wedding more eco-friendly. It also talks about offsetting emissions as well as recommending environmentally friendly honeymoon spots. Just like any other celebration, it is important to consider environmental impacts of your happy day. It is quite obvious that the bigger the wedding, the larger the impact but with a lot of careful thought, even large weddings can have a lower carbon footprint.Picture Credit: BBC News ]]>http://www.justmeans.com/CSR-Increasing-in-Profile-in-Dubai/48722.htmlWed, 27 Apr 2011 11:19:51 GMTAkhila Vijayaraghavan The recent CSR newsreels put the Middle-East and especially Dubai in the spotlight. According to a recent survey, 70% of respondentsin UAE believed that CSR helps capture new markets and market share while 90% said credible CSR programmes can enable companies to build a solid reputation. Over 80% thought that CSR can attract new customers and foster innovation. The annual CSR Middle East Survey was conducted by Sustainability Advisory Group (SAG) and is in its second year. There is a large incre Read Full Article ]]> The recent CSR newsreels put the Middle-East and especially Dubai in the spotlight. According to a recent survey, 70% of respondentsin UAE believed that CSR helps capture new markets and market share while 90% said credible CSR programmes can enable companies to build a solid reputation. Over 80% thought that CSR can attract new customers and foster innovation. The annual CSR Middle East Survey was conducted by Sustainability Advisory Group (SAG) and is in its second year. There is a large increase in the number of firms which say that CSR is not just a government agenda, but an internal one, which will ensure the long term success of their business, said Maria Sillanpaa, founding director of SAG and speaker at the eighth CSR Summit that opened on April 24. "We are clearly witnessing a shift in attitudes towards CSR in the region. This maturing attitude is evident in businesses' perception of the government's role regarding CSR," Sillanpaa added. Following hot on the heels of this, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Center for Responsible Business (CRB) held the fourth Dubai Dialoguefocusingon Responsible Recovery. The event attracted over 300 attendees comprising of top management, senior advisors, government officials, academics and sustainability/CSR professionals from all sectors in theUAE. The conference examined the subject of responsible recovery post global economic crisis and how companies can profit and prosper by adopting sustainable practices. The conference also highlighted innovative new ways of implementing CSR/Sustainability in companies. The Dubai Chamber created the Centre for Responsible Business in 2004.Since then CRB haslaunched a variety of programs and training courses aimed to provide knowledge, resources and value added services to stakeholders and to raise awareness of corporate responsibility and good governance.During 2007 and 2008, the CRB launched products that would raise awareness including a new look newsletter, the CSR Al Youm. They also provide regular trainings on the tenets of CSR with leading international partners such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). According to Mallen Baker, Founding Director of Business Respect, who attended the conference, "The Dubai Dialogue addresses some key issues for how business commitment to sustainability can emerge intact from the financial crisis. There are a lot of events on corporate social responsibility being held across the world - this one by Dubai Chamber CRB is one of the few that tackles the big questions which are going to be essential for business in the immediate future."Photo: Dubai Coastline]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Earth-Day-Round-Up--A-Billion-Acts-of-Green/48598.htmlFri, 22 Apr 2011 08:23:40 GMTAkhila Vijayaraghavan Earth Day was introduced on this same day in 1970. It is estimated that around20 million Americans attended rallies around the country and helped clean up their local communities back then. The movement is now in its 41st year and has never been more important. Many of the issues that people were talking about back then are still pertinent now. This movement prompted the passage of groundbreaking laws such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act. According to TheEarth Da Read Full Article ]]> Earth Day was introduced on this same day in 1970. It is estimated that around20 million Americans attended rallies around the country and helped clean up their local communities back then. The movement is now in its 41st year and has never been more important. Many of the issues that people were talking about back then are still pertinent now. This movement prompted the passage of groundbreaking laws such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act. According to TheEarth Day Networkmore than 1 billion people participate annually in Earth Day activities, making it the largest civic observance in the world. The Earth Day Network works with over 22,000 partners in 192 countries to spread its green message.This year the theme is A Billion Acts of Green and the goal is to generate a billion acts of environmental service and advocacy before the global Earth Summit 2012 in Rio. You can submit your act of green atact.earthday.org. In the nineties, Earth Day was the forum used to launch recycling into the mainstream. Since then the focus has shifted to climate change and on the industrial side there has been tremendous progress made. In 2003, the number of companies voluntarily reporting their carbon footprint throughthe Carbon Disclosure Projectwas 235. In 2010, this number had risen to to 3,050 companies. This means that not only are consumers demanding changes but it also means that companies arerealizingthat is makes business sense to invest in carbon reduction .World over Earth Day is being celebrated by people talking about their 'acts of green'. "Millions of people doing small, individual acts can add up to real change," said Chad Chitwood, a spokesman for the umbrella group coordinating efforts. The Billion Acts of Green effort has already reached 100 million green pledges from people around the globe. The pledges are recorded on a message board and separated into categories from transportation to energy to advocacy. There are many things that can be done in view of Earth Day that you can add to the Acts of Green effort or not. The Nature Conservancy has been encouraging people to spend Earth Day outdoors which is great idea because it neatly coincides with spring time. The UK for example, has had a bumper crop of bluebells. Winter has finally lifted in many parts of the US so the weather is finally right to spend outside. Bonding with Nature automatically increases awareness and respect for the natural world. This makes it so easy to see what is out there to preserve, protect and worth fighting for. Happy Earth Day everybody!Photo Credit: Earth Day 2011 Google Doodle]]>http://www.justmeans.com/CSR-Disasters--BP-Spill--A-Year-On/48568.htmlThu, 21 Apr 2011 02:41:43 GMTAkhila Vijayaraghavan One of the biggest environmental disasters happened around this time last year. The BP oil spill has leftundeniable impressions on how we view oil drilling and non-renewable sources of energy. This has had a knock-on effect on CSR, PR and marketing. The BP spill is possibly the most high-profile CSR/PR disaster of recent times.It is true that BP has had a questionable safety record, but the spill could have happened to any of the companies operating a deep sea rig. It is the nature of the busine Read Full Article ]]> One of the biggest environmental disasters happened around this time last year. The BP oil spill has leftundeniable impressions on how we view oil drilling and non-renewable sources of energy. This has had a knock-on effect on CSR, PR and marketing. The BP spill is possibly the most high-profile CSR/PR disaster of recent times.It is true that BP has had a questionable safety record, but the spill could have happened to any of the companies operating a deep sea rig. It is the nature of the business and demand for oil has made it profitable for oil companies to take these risks. Of course BP has accepted blame, but it has resulted in PR disasters for the company that has ultimately reflected on its CSR profile as well.A year after the spill BP is still gunning to get back into oil drilling the Gulf of Mexico, this time with higher safety standards. There are still questions about what these standards might be. Residents in the area has reported various health problems.Of the 954 residents in seven coastal communities, almost half said they had experienced health problems like coughing, skin and eye irritation, or headaches that are consistent with common symptoms of chemical exposure. Those who have been affected by the disaster are still waiting for payments. Meanwhile, theAssociated Pressreported recently, that BP just gave another $30 million to Florida to help entice tourists onto its beaches this summer.The aftermath of the spill is still being felt especially on the marine life in the region which in turn affects many livelihoods in the area.Hundreds of very endangered Kemp's Ridley sea turtles have been washing ashore and dead dolphins are showing up at10 times the normal rate. Right after the spill,over 6,000 birds, 600 sea turtles and 160 dolphins were killed. Traces of oil have been found in the larvae of blue crabs and researchers have found carcinogens in the water. These carcinogens have alsopercolatedthrough the food chain affecting Gulf shrimp and fish which have been shown to contain toxic hydrocarbons. More than 20% of the endangered bluefin tuna spawnwere killed in the spill.Despite the clean-up efforts, theoil spill has damaged fragile coral reefs and dispersants being absorbed by zoo plankton and fish. Theeffectsof the spill in the marshes and coastal areas will still be felt for years to come. A year on, there are still reports of tar balls being washed ashore which no one can verify because BP does not give reporters access to the beach. A year on and the biggest CSR disaster is that BP still has not issued any reports with real transparency regarding their clean-up efforts, compensation and concerns of safety in their operations.Photo credit:ideumvia Flickr/CC BY-SA]]>http://www.justmeans.com/The-Lowdown-on-the-Brazilian-Blowout/48449.htmlFri, 15 Apr 2011 13:23:01 GMTAkhila Vijayaraghavan Reports of formaldehyde in the Brazilian Blowout finally reached the tipping point when theUS Department of Health and Laborissued a health alert to hair salon owners and employees who have been exposed to formaldehyde, even though the hair straightening product was marketed as formaldehyde-free. The alert was issued following investigations by theOccupational Safety and Health AdministrationinOregonandCaliforniaas well as Connecticut Department of Public Health.OSHA says their alert is merely a Read Full Article ]]> Reports of formaldehyde in the Brazilian Blowout finally reached the tipping point when theUS Department of Health and Laborissued a health alert to hair salon owners and employees who have been exposed to formaldehyde, even though the hair straightening product was marketed as formaldehyde-free. The alert was issued following investigations by theOccupational Safety and Health AdministrationinOregonandCaliforniaas well as Connecticut Department of Public Health.OSHA says their alert is merely a recommendation on how workers can protect themselves and will continue investigating the matter with the FDA and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.The Brazilian Blowout is a hair-straightening treatment that was first introduced in Brazil in 2005. It is a method of temporarily straightening hair using a mixture of keratin and other chemicals with a flat iron. In North America and Europe it is available in several brands and the process often contains varying levels of formaldehyde. The EPA classifies formaldehyde as a probable carcinogen. It is not only harmful to the customers who opt for the treatment but it also affects the stylists.Formaldehydeis easily absorbed by the body when inhaled, ingested, or comes into contact with the skin and eyes. Exposure to formaldehyde can lead to death, blindness, eye and skin irritation or burns, respiratory problems, headaches, gastrointestinal problems, and cancer.It is also known to cause birth defects. When used in the Brazilian Blowout, where it getsaerosolized, it facilitates easy inhalation into the lungs and contact with skin.Canadian authorities issued a warning about possible health hazards of formaldehyde. France has pulled products with high levels of formaldehyde. In Oregon, the occupational health agency tested 100 samples and found many labeled "formaldehyde free" had more than the 0.1% of the chemical allowed in U.S. products.Brazilian Blowout continues to maintain that their products are 100% safe, contain no harsh chemicals, and are formaldehyde-free. They have released their ownMaterial Safety Data Sheet(MSDS) outlining the safety of the Brazilian Blowout Solution. Despite its safety claims, Brazilian Blowout refuses to release their product's ingredient list, as required by law, on the basis that a patent is pending on their formulation and their product's ingredients are privileged and confidential company information. Despite providing no evidence to support such claims, Brazilian Blowout continues to aggressively market their products as 100% safe and formaldehyde free.Many stylists report that regular use of formaldehyde treatments cause hair to fall out. The price of beauty is indeed steep but it need not be foolish.Photo Credit: Brazilian Blowout ]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Aviation-CSR--On-a-Wing-and-a-Prayer/48402.htmlWed, 13 Apr 2011 10:08:28 GMTAkhila Vijayaraghavan During the past month, the Indian civil aviation industry has been embroiled in shocking revelations about the levels of mismanagement when it comes to hiring pilots. There have been several near misses and pilots from pretty much every major airline have been arrested for falsifying their records.India's directorate general of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which is responsible for pilot examinations and granting licences, has announced it will look into the credentials of 4,000 commercial airline pilo Read Full Article ]]> During the past month, the Indian civil aviation industry has been embroiled in shocking revelations about the levels of mismanagement when it comes to hiring pilots. There have been several near misses and pilots from pretty much every major airline have been arrested for falsifying their records.India's directorate general of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which is responsible for pilot examinations and granting licences, has announced it will look into the credentials of 4,000 commercial airline pilots even as more arrests are expected. Since the scandal broke out in March, at least 15 pilots have been arrested and/or are under scrutiny. What does this say about CSR in one of India's fastest growing sectors?It's said less than one-thirds of the pilots have been screened so far and nine commanders and three co-pilots have been found to be fakes and caught by the police, while some more have so far evaded arrest.Flying schools are also in on this racket with the state-run school in Jaipur, Rajasthan being identified as the biggest culprit. While one needs to fly 200 hours to become eligible for a commercial pilot licence (CPL), some schools make them fly for barely 50 hours and give the logbook entry for the required number.So far, investigators have found that all sorts of documents have been forged - from marksheets for high school exams for Maths and Physics, to certificates for flying hours, where flying instructors collude with candidates. While the flying club saves money, students sail through faster to the next round.Even in examinations conducted by the DGCA, students who failed forged their marksheets and submitted these to the aviation body which did not corroborate the marks against its own records.While the DGCA says that there are going to be tough crackdowns on their 'illegal' pilots, it is fair to say that many passengers have already been piloted by one them. The onus is on both the government as well as the airlines themselves to ensure that pilots are properly qualified. TheCivil Aviation Ministry today issued a statement to say that there was "no need to panic." Airlines themselves have no independent way of detecting a fake pilot license. There are 51.5 million annual domestic air passengers in India which these carriers are accountable to and in the face of this scandal, severe proactive measures need to be taken. Surprisinglyin spite of these issues there has not been any major aviation accidents in the recent past. Until this mess clears up, let us hope that this record still holds good.Photo Credit: CNN-IBN ]]>http://www.justmeans.com/CSR-Push--HUL--P-amp-amp-G-in-India/48287.htmlFri, 08 Apr 2011 10:38:06 GMTAkhila Vijayaraghavan Hindustan Unilever, the Indian arm of Unilever and Procter & Gamble both FMCG giants are embarking on new CSR programmes in India.Project Shakthi The latest initiative by HUL reflects the low discretionary spending rates of its rural shoppers. With Project Shakti which HUL launched in 2000, it aims to work with female entrepreneurs. The scheme is based on a network of self-help groups and empowers female entrepreneurs to distribute HUL products like soap and shampoo. They are backed by in-depth Read Full Article ]]> Hindustan Unilever, the Indian arm of Unilever and Procter & Gamble both FMCG giants are embarking on new CSR programmes in India.Project Shakthi The latest initiative by HUL reflects the low discretionary spending rates of its rural shoppers. With Project Shakti which HUL launched in 2000, it aims to work with female entrepreneurs. The scheme is based on a network of self-help groups and empowers female entrepreneurs to distribute HUL products like soap and shampoo. They are backed by in-depth training and loans. Unilever has allied itself with the State Bank of India on a microfinance drive in Maharashtra and Karanataka. The pilot phase has seen 12 of theShakti Ammas who sell Unilever's goods act as providers of basic banking services, and 1,000 accounts have been established thus far.According to the company, 20% of households from the test regions have signed up, and nearly 80% of participants are women, generally seeking an "accessible" way to enter the category."The objective is to bring about financial inclusion in rural areas," Hemant Bakshi, HUL's executive director, sales and customer development. The ultimate intention is to roll out this offering across India in the next 12 months, utilising some of the 43,000 existing Shakti Ammas.ShikshaP&G has aimed at education for its CSR initiative. It ins effort called Shiksha, they are leveraging upon a tie-up with partners like Child Rights and You as well as Round Table India. Under this banner, a percentage of profits generated by brands likeTide, Ariel and Vicks are to be donated to secure better schooling for children. According to P&G India's marketing manager, "Shiksha is not just an initiative, but a passion that we as an organisation strongly believe in." According to him, they are helping to build the future of India through education. They aim to build 20 schools this year and another 20 in the coming year.In order to stimulate awareness and interest in the most recent campaign, Procter & Gamble has enlisted well-known Bollywood actress Rani Mukherji as an ambassador for Shiksha."The way India is growing, I don't think, without education, we can see a very bright future. So if we want a bright future for our country, I think education is foremost," she said. Whilst both programs have their merits, it is obvious that the HUL campaign has a strong sales angle and the P&G campaign has a strong marketing angle. It is also interesting to note that the statements released came from the heads of these departments respectively. Does this mean that the Indian operations do not have an in-house CSR representative? I wonder what that says about integrating sustainability into the core of their business which both conglomerates claim that they do.This very basic disparity shows to some extent that some multi-nationals operating out of India do not take a lead in paving the way for how CSR is perceived in India. This in turn is bound to lead to some doubts about the credibility of their operations.Photo Credit: P&G's Shakthi initiative logo]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Earth-Hour---quot-60-Minutes-of-Darkness-to-See-the-Light-quot-/47729.htmlFri, 25 Mar 2011 14:27:19 GMTAkhila Vijayaraghavan A quick Google for Earth Hour produces nearly 7000 hits in the news section alone, so why am I adding to the deluge? Earth Hour is probably WWF's most successful campaign. Like most successful campaigns it has become a movement in its own right. Many businesses want to associate themselves with Earth Hour. City councils are eager 'to switch off' for an hour. It has garnered scores of celebrity support.It has even prompted UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to say,"Let us join together to celebrate Read Full Article ]]> A quick Google for Earth Hour produces nearly 7000 hits in the news section alone, so why am I adding to the deluge? Earth Hour is probably WWF's most successful campaign. Like most successful campaigns it has become a movement in its own right. Many businesses want to associate themselves with Earth Hour. City councils are eager 'to switch off' for an hour. It has garnered scores of celebrity support.It has even prompted UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to say,"Let us join together to celebrate this shared quest to protect the planet and ensure human well-being. Let us use 60 minutes of darkness to help the world see the light." It has gather political support from UK Prime Minister David Cameron, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos. Hundreds of millions of people in 133 countries and territories across the globe are expected to switch off their lights at 8:30pm local time tomorrow, Saturday 26 March. In a series of video messages posted to YouTube, world leaders have pledged their support for the world's largest voluntary environmental action. People will be holding al fresco gigs in candle-light. Every guy with a guitar will be singing 'Heal the World' for that one hour of glorious darkness. Then we all go home... There will still be places in the world plunged in darkness because there simply isn't enoughresourcesto generate electricity whilst in another part of it, there will still be an obscene waste of it. Regular 'load-shedding' in India means power outages that last up to three hours a day that not only affect business productivity but also affect the study timetables of millions of children. The country is in the midst of final examinations for school leaving and summer is fast approaching - lack of electricity means lack of sleep or not enough revision time.Whilst in Las Vegas both Lady Gaga and Britney Spears are said to light up the already lit up Strip.Earth Hour is great as it affirms that people can come together for the common good. It makes you feel like you're doing something worthwhile with your time. But seriously, an hour? The Earth needs more than hour of serious, consolidated effort to mitigate current levels of damage and even then, we don't know. Not to be a total party-pooper, but Earth Hour on some level encourages mass hypocrisy. It makes people believe that environmental consciousness is something you can pen into your social calendar. The time for raising awareness is well past us. It is time now, for action. It is time for the greatest kind of courage to fight what is possibly a losing battle.So today I wish for every hour to be Earth Hour, every day to be Earth Day. Find me a campaign that encourages that. Because really, it shouldn't be any other way.Photo Credit: Earth Hour Poster. WWF ]]>http://www.justmeans.com/The-Giving-Pledge--India-CSR-With-Buffett-and-Gates/47692.htmlFri, 25 Mar 2011 08:45:53 GMTAkhila Vijayaraghavan Two of the biggest business and andphilanthropicleaders are currently in India to promote CSR. Both Bill Gates and Warren Buffet were in Delhi to urge Indian industrialists to join theirphilanthropicefforts.Buffett and Gates held breakfast and lunch meetings with the leader of Indian industry today. This included Adi Godrej of Godrej Industries and Max Group chairman Analjit Singh to discuss with them the scope of philanthropy."The Giving Pledge" campaign started by the duo in the US last year i Read Full Article ]]> Two of the biggest business and andphilanthropicleaders are currently in India to promote CSR. Both Bill Gates and Warren Buffet were in Delhi to urge Indian industrialists to join theirphilanthropicefforts.Buffett and Gates held breakfast and lunch meetings with the leader of Indian industry today. This included Adi Godrej of Godrej Industries and Max Group chairman Analjit Singh to discuss with them the scope of philanthropy."The Giving Pledge" campaign started by the duo in the US last year is aimed at wealthy business leaders and is a request for them to invest inphilanthropic causes aimed at social development. So far, 59 wealthy US citizens have taken the pledge. According to Buffett, a number of people in the US are opening up to the idea that once they have what they need, any surplus could be put to use for the betterment of others.India is growing at about 9% a year and has 55 billionaires with an average net worth of $4.5 billion, according to Forbes magazine. This makes the the third-largest pool of billionaires after the US and China. On the other hand, nearly 42% of Indians live on less than $1.50a day, according to the World Bank. There is a lot of scope therefore, to fix this imbalance in wealth distribution."We have met 70 people last evening and we see a lot of enthusiasm in Indian corporates about philanthropy. I am quite optimistic that these families will do extraordinary things with the good fortune they have received," Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said at a press meet held after consultations with Indian corporates on the need to donate liberally for social causes. "It's clear there's some great thinking going on about philanthropy. India has historically produced some of the most important philanthropists the world has known. I'm certain it will continue to do so again," said Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and chairman of Microsoft Corp.G.M. Rao, chairman of the GMR Group pledged $340 million towards education and vocational training for the underprivileged on Wednesday as part of the campaign. "Today's gathering of India's leaders has been an excellent opportunity for us to discuss the part we can all play in contributing to equitable and sustainable development of India," said Azim Premji, chairman of Wipro Ltd.Premji himself heads the Azim Premji Foundation that serves as the CSR arm for Wipro. Last year he set aside shares worth about $1.95 billion towards funding education for the poor. He is also against any legislation that would make CSR mandatory."I am not for making corporate social responsibility mandatory," Premji said at the press meet. "When it is mandatory, there can be a lot of abuse that can take place as there is no clear guideline on what is CSR and what is brand promotion." The Chairman of the Piramal Group also opined that CSR need not mandatory. "Most people today are living better lives than what their forefathers did. So, I think we should encourage philanthropy but I don't think it should be mandatory," he said. Regardless of whether it is mandatory or not, CSR orphilanthropyany effort to re-balance wealth distribution is an excellent move with vast socio-economic payoffs. ]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Seafood-Watch-Launches-Android-App-to-Boost-Sustainable-Seafood-Consumption/47608.htmlThu, 24 Mar 2011 14:47:00 GMTAkhila Vijayaraghavan The Monterey Bay guide to sustainable seafood is a great resource to figure out the most sustainable seafood species to eat. However it is still a pocket-guide and like most things, you tend not to have it on you when you most need it. No worries anymore because in addition to an iPhone app that was launched last year, the Seafood Watch guide is now available for Android users.So imagine you are eating out and are unsure whether menu choices are sustainable or not. Or you are at the supermarket Read Full Article ]]> The Monterey Bay guide to sustainable seafood is a great resource to figure out the most sustainable seafood species to eat. However it is still a pocket-guide and like most things, you tend not to have it on you when you most need it. No worries anymore because in addition to an iPhone app that was launched last year, the Seafood Watch guide is now available for Android users.So imagine you are eating out and are unsure whether menu choices are sustainable or not. Or you are at the supermarket and you don't know what to buy. Using this application on your phone, you can have all the information about sustainable seafood right with you.The application allows users to search by fish or seafood name to see whether it is ranked as a "best choice," "good alternative," or "avoid" depending on how sustainably caught or farmed it is. It even contains different names for the fish. If you are eating sushi, you can also put in the Japanese names for what you fancy to get information on where it comes from and how it is farmed or fished. This list also includes includes information for the various kinds of tuna and what to avoid.The latest addition to the app is Project FishMap which is a "crowdsourced effort to help people find ocean-friendly seafood, no matter where they live." People can tag restaurants and markets across the United States when they find ocean-friendly seafood. This is an easy way to search for sustainable sushi bars or seafood restaurants near you. You can also share your knowledge of sustainable seafood restaurants and markets to increase the database. "With Project FishMap, anyone who buys sustainable seafood can now share their discoveries via the Android app," says Sheila Bowman, senior outreach manager for the Seafood Watch program.The Seafood Watch guide has changed the way that people think about sustainable seafood. It has become a very useful tool in making the right choice. Like other mobile phone apps aimed towards ethical consumption, this app also can make waves with many people.Since Project FishMap was added to the popular iPhone app in December 2010, more than 1,200 individuals have logged over 2,100 seafood recommendations from over 400 cities. The Seafood Watch app is also available free for the iPhone and iPod Touch, and has been downloaded over 585,000 times since its debut in 2009. So here's to hoping for the same kind of success for their Android app as well. Photo:Project FishMap iPhone App]]>http://www.justmeans.com/CSR-Initiatives-Focusing-on-Water-Stewardship/47595.htmlThu, 24 Mar 2011 13:25:07 GMTAkhila Vijayaraghavan World Water Day has come and gone but there are several companies that have made water stewardship one of the cornerstones of their CSR initiatives. Teva and Nestle launched their CSR initiative tied to clean water on World Water Day.In their 'Pair for a Foot' campaign, for ever pair of Teva shoes or sandals sold this year, the brand will help protectone linear foot of global waterways through donations to clean water nonprofits, including Ocean Conservancy and Waterkeeper Alliance. Through this Read Full Article ]]> World Water Day has come and gone but there are several companies that have made water stewardship one of the cornerstones of their CSR initiatives. Teva and Nestle launched their CSR initiative tied to clean water on World Water Day.In their 'Pair for a Foot' campaign, for ever pair of Teva shoes or sandals sold this year, the brand will help protectone linear foot of global waterways through donations to clean water nonprofits, including Ocean Conservancy and Waterkeeper Alliance. Through this they anticipate to help preserve 4.3 million feet of waterways.Nestle meanwhile, launched its Corporate Citizenship Report and it features the company's efforts and longterm goals in water conservation. Some of Nestle's water efforts include partnering with local communities and stakeholders to support up to two watershed improvement projects per year. They also advocate for federal standards on public disclosure on source, quality, and process reporting for bottled water.As part of their CSR efforts Levi's Strauss has partnered with water.org and has committed $250,000 tofund programs that collectively will provide at least 52.8 million gallons (200 million liters) to safe water projects. Water.org'sprogramsfocuses on clean water and sanitation initiatives in South Asia, Latin America and Africa which are regions that could definitely use a boost.Many other companies are taking the leap forward in water conservation. Even entertainment company Cirque du Soleilinstalled a seven layer filtration system for their O show in Las Vegas in 2009. They also are involved in the One Drop Foundation as part of their CSR initiative, they use a ground breaking method of using theater and arts to educate people inCentral American about watershed management and water conservation practices.International beverage companies like Pepsico and Coca-Cola are also doing their bit towards water conservation. Both companies have launched eco-friendly bottles made of plant-based material which radically cuts down on the use of petrochemicals. Initial reports suggest that this new packaging technology also has a tremendous water saving. Pepsico has previously been involved in the"positive water balance" initiative in India. Through a combination of direct seeding initiatives, the company replenished nearly six billion liters of water across the country, exceeding the total intake of approximately five billion liters of water by its manufacturing facilities. As part of their CSR initiatives, even Intel is involved in water stewardship. They have focused efforts over the past decade to continuously improve water efficiency, investing over $100 million which today results in savings of ~3 billion gallons of water each year. Water harvesting is something simple that every company can do and it has become a major CSR focus. Some companies are even using open source technologies like Google Earth to determine slopes and troughs for optimal water harvesting. Every little thing counts towards water conservation. Within the next decade water could very well be the new oil. ]]>http://www.justmeans.com/A-Look-Around-on-World-Water-Day/47450.htmlTue, 22 Mar 2011 11:27:45 GMTAkhila Vijayaraghavan Today is World Water Day and this precious resource that pretty much everybody takes for granted, is in serious peril. Water is a non-renewable resource and yet we treat it like its never going to run out. In spite of the fact that 70% of the Earth is covered in water, only a minor fraction of that is potable. Every part of the world is showing signs of major water stress and it is about time that we all pitch in to make an effort to conserve this precious resource.The situation is especially di Read Full Article ]]> Today is World Water Day and this precious resource that pretty much everybody takes for granted, is in serious peril. Water is a non-renewable resource and yet we treat it like its never going to run out. In spite of the fact that 70% of the Earth is covered in water, only a minor fraction of that is potable. Every part of the world is showing signs of major water stress and it is about time that we all pitch in to make an effort to conserve this precious resource.The situation is especially dire in Asian and African countries. In addition to pollution, inadequate rainfall and lack of proper infrastructure means that people do not have access to drinking water.16 million Filipinos have no access to safe drinking water. According to the World Bank,Pakistan is on the list of countries of the world that are facing the red zone of water scarcity. People in Nairobi do not have regular access to water, sometimes for more than a week. Even bigger cities in India like Bangalore and Hyderabad show severe water stress. The government is even considering cloud seeing to alleviate some of the water woes in Bangalore. With summer fast approaching, residents are beginning to wonder where the water will come from in Agra. The water scarcity in Nepal has been described as "horrifying." Parts of PeruespeciallyLima are in danger of running dry. Many parts of China along theYangtze show advanced levels of water pollution.Even Southern California is not immune to water crisis.California's water system, designed to supply water to 16 million people, struggles to serve nearly 40 million residents. The state loses 10% of its water every year due to aging infrastructure. The federal government estimates water lost just from water main breaks is worth about $2.6 billion annually.Wasted water not only results in economic losses but in times of water shortage we must treat every drop as a precious commodity. Many cities are pushing forward towards more positive changes in water infrastructure and are learning from the Dutch.With 26% of the country below sea level, several Dutch companies are focusing efforts on projects on delta areas in five countries:Mozambique,Egypt,Indonesia,BangladeshandVietnam.Out of a population of 16.5 million, the Netherlands boasts some 2,000 companies in the field of water, employing about 80,000 people.The World Bank estimates that $180bn ofwaterinfrastructure investment is needed each year until 2030 to meet fresh-water demand.Water needs a revolution much like renewable energy. And several companies are stepping forward with innovative technologies.Norwegian-based Zeropex, has developed a hydro micro gen technology which harvests the energy produced from a controlled reduction in water pressure and converts it to electricity, which can then be used by the utility or exported to the grid. Icos Capital has invested in Dutch Rainmaker, a company combining windmill and cooling technologies to produce water from air. UK-based Algaecytes, uses algae to produce clean water from waste water.At the end of the day it is a collective effort that is going to safeguard our water resources. Careful use of current supplies as well as prudent plans for possible future supplies.Regardlessof whether you have experienced it or not, water stress is real and here to stay.Photo Credit: Poster for World Water Day 2011]]>http://www.justmeans.com/India-CSR--Will-the-Real-CSR-Policy-Please-Stand-Up/47446.htmlTue, 22 Mar 2011 03:50:59 GMTAkhila Vijayaraghavan It appears that the ruling on Indian CSR has not yet drawn to a complete close. Last week it was announced that CSR will continue to remain voluntary but guidelines will be given on where companies can direct CSR spend. This week however, Mr. Praful PatelUnion Heavy Industries Minister is battling to make CSR mandatory. He recently said, "I think the corporate sector cannot avoid the responsibility of bringing about change in our country and should support initiatives not only of the Government Read Full Article ]]> It appears that the ruling on Indian CSR has not yet drawn to a complete close. Last week it was announced that CSR will continue to remain voluntary but guidelines will be given on where companies can direct CSR spend. This week however, Mr. Praful PatelUnion Heavy Industries Minister is battling to make CSR mandatory. He recently said, "I think the corporate sector cannot avoid the responsibility of bringing about change in our country and should support initiatives not only of the Government but also outside the Government."Patel made his comments after inaugurating the National CSR Hub at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai. TISS will act as a CSR think-tank and undertake research for projects. According to the press release, possible focus of CSR initiatives will include adoption of villages, pollution control, preservation of environment etc. As per the CSR guidelines drafted last year by Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), Central Public Sector Enterprises would be mandated to create a budget as a specified percentage of net profit of the previous year.TISS will be in charge of monitoring these CSR activities. "We have people working for CSR programme. But looking at the need, we will recruit more people who will be dedicated to the project," said Prof S Parasuraman, director, TISS. Projects that are identified will then be executed byspecializedagencies.During the press conference after theinauguration Patel opined that thepurpose of mandating companies, both private and Government-owned was to deliver the benefits of overall economic progress which the country has made, to the backward people. He also affirmed that the Department of Public Enterprises under his Ministry will be working "proactively" and will see to it that the state-owned companies meet their CSR targets.It is still largely unclear whether Patel intends to only include public sector units in his CSR initiatives. It is said that he hoped that the private sector will also share a part of their profits for CSR, as the government or PSEs alone cannot carry on such activities to support sustainable development and inclusive growth. Yet, proposals for mandatory CSR have largely been opposed by Indian companies.India along with the rest of Asia needs to focus on long-term investment in sustainability. CSR efforts need to be consolidated not just across the public sector but also the private sector. Both sectors have equal responsibility towards socio-environmental issues.CSR efforts should be thought of in such a manner so that they are:MeasurableConsistentComparableReflect industry-specific operational realitiesWeighted on bottom-line impactForward lookingAgain I say, insisting on mandatory CSR will not meet these objectives.]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Green-Living--The-Quest-for-a-Balanced-Energy-Portfolio/47283.htmlSat, 19 Mar 2011 12:39:23 GMTAkhila Vijayaraghavan Since the earthquake a week ago affected the nuclear reactor in Fukushima, government officials have been doing everything they can to contain the damage.Just earlier todayJapan raised severity of nuclear accident to INES level 5(out of 7), like 1979's Three Mile Island. By comparison, the Chernobyl accident was a level 7 event. The scale classifies a level 5 event as an "accident with wider consequences". In addition to this,Gregory Jaczko, the chairman of the United States Nuclear Regulatory C Read Full Article ]]> Since the earthquake a week ago affected the nuclear reactor in Fukushima, government officials have been doing everything they can to contain the damage.Just earlier todayJapan raised severity of nuclear accident to INES level 5(out of 7), like 1979's Three Mile Island. By comparison, the Chernobyl accident was a level 7 event. The scale classifies a level 5 event as an "accident with wider consequences". In addition to this,Gregory Jaczko, the chairman of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, said thatthe problems at Fukushima I could take "weeks" to work through. All this has brought the debate of nuclear power to the fore-front once again.The debate has firmly put nuclear vs coal vs renewable energy in discussions. George Monbiot weighs in by saying, "Even whennuclear powerplants go horribly wrong, they do less damage to the planet and its people than coal-burning stations operating normally." He goes on to state an article in Scientific American that, "points out that the fly ash produced by a coal-burning power plant "carries into the surrounding environment 100 times more radiation than a nuclear power plant producing the same amount of energy". A recent article in The Economist points out that in spite of the dangers of nuclear power, "nuclear power plants are a lot safer than they used to be, and they don't emit any CO2; countries that rely heavily on nuclear power, like France and Japan, are vastly lower per capita emitters of carbon than countries like the United States and Canada."Many countries pushing for nuclear, like India for example have used Japan as a reason for extended debates on the subject. India's Environmental Minister recently said that India should not abandon its plan to invest in nuclear power. He pointed out that nuclear energy already contributes 3% of the country's power supply the objective is to double this to 6% by 2020 and 13% by 2030. Environmental groups including Greenpeace have been opposing this move. They have pointed out that renewable energy offers the chance to reach the masses through decentralized power generation schemes. The fact remains that developing countries are in severe need of power and governments are struggling to meet this demand. The conundrum of meeting growingelectricityneeds as well as emission targets is one that does not have an easy answer.It is not wise to swing one way or the other. The aim of every country in need of new power should be a balanced energy portfolio. Not one that sways too much in the favour of either renewables, coal or nuclear. It should keep everyone happy, but how long is this going to take? And who's going to do it?]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Share-Your-Breakfast-With-Kellogg--CSR-or-Advertising/47257.htmlFri, 18 Mar 2011 17:11:38 GMTAkhila Vijayaraghavan We've always been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. One corporate giant that has been making breakfast its business, recently announced a campaign to promote the meal. As part of Kellogg's Share Your Breakfast, the company asks people to upload their photos of what they eat for breakfast on the website. Kellogg will in turn donateup to $200,000 to help feed children from food-insecure households.This a clever marketing plan with a CSR twist. Kellogg has on its campaign s Read Full Article ]]> We've always been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. One corporate giant that has been making breakfast its business, recently announced a campaign to promote the meal. As part of Kellogg's Share Your Breakfast, the company asks people to upload their photos of what they eat for breakfast on the website. Kellogg will in turn donateup to $200,000 to help feed children from food-insecure households.This a clever marketing plan with a CSR twist. Kellogg has on its campaign site that 1 in 4 children in the States have no access to breakfast. Through this campaign and their partnership withAction for Healthy Kids, they are hoping to provide 1 million breakfasts by the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year.Some of the products that Kellogg has been promoting as part of its campaign includes Frosted Flakes and Nutri-Grain bars. However both products have beencriticizedfor the high levels of sugar that they contain. Frosted Flakes mascoted by Tony the Tiger contains 11gms of sugar per three-fourths cup serving. In addition to sugar, it also contains high-fructose corn syrup.Nutri-Grain bars which are promoted as a healthy breakfast or snack option contain more than 30 largely synthetic ingredients. Again, it contains HFCS and 11 gms of sugar. It is advertised containing "real fruit", "made with real fruit" and "good source of fiber". However it only contains fruit puree and 3 grams of fiber. Kellogg is also offering promotions on Rice Krispies, Mini-Wheats, and Eggo Waffles. The waffles contain partially-hydrogenated oils in addition to HFCS. The amount of added sugar in processed food and especially cereal is a cause for concern. The American Heart Association's (AHA)websitestates, that high intake of sugar is responsible for numerous health conditions "including obesity, high blood pressure and other risk factors for heart disease and stroke." The AHA also established an upper limit on sugar consumption in 2009 saying thatwomen should get no more than six teaspoons a day and men no more than nine. According to the AHA, the average American eats 22 teaspoons of sugar a day.Most of Kellogg's products contain around 11 grams of sugar which is close to three teaspoons of sugar. Considering that children should be eating less sugar than what an average woman is supposed to consume, one bowl of Kellogg cereal would pretty much fill their daily requirement for sugar. Of course, most packaged cereal contain high levels of sugar and this is not something that Kellogg alone is guilty of.Marketing itself as thepurveyorof healthy food items for children and activelytargeting themhowever, is a different story. At the end of the day, regardless of the CSR spin Share Your Breakfast is an advertising campaign.According to aNew York Times article, it is their largest integrated marketing effort, with ads in broadcast, print, digital and social media. TheTimes reports that Kellogg spent $464.9 million on advertising from January through September 2010 alone, which pales in comparison to the$200,000 they spent towards feeding hungry school children.The food industry is full of examples of companies saying one thing and doing another. But really: Put your flakes where your mouth is Kellogg, and come up with a CSR initiative that we can believe.]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Green-Living--Vegan-Goes-Mainstream/47237.htmlFri, 18 Mar 2011 15:47:06 GMTAkhila Vijayaraghavan A couple of days ago, the Arizona Daily Star declared that "Vegan Goes Mainstream". Pretty much every other environmental website talks about veganism on a daily basis. Many people have embraced the vegan lifestyle extending it to even include the clothes they wear. It has become less hippy and more mainstream.The vegan cookbook "Skinny B****" was on the New York Times best-seller list and it launched vegan cooking into the mainstream. Vegan staples like brown rice, tempeh and tofu are no longer Read Full Article ]]> A couple of days ago, the Arizona Daily Star declared that "Vegan Goes Mainstream". Pretty much every other environmental website talks about veganism on a daily basis. Many people have embraced the vegan lifestyle extending it to even include the clothes they wear. It has become less hippy and more mainstream.The vegan cookbook "Skinny B****" was on the New York Times best-seller list and it launched vegan cooking into the mainstream. Vegan staples like brown rice, tempeh and tofu are no longer available only inspecialtystores. Many restaurants offer and promote vegan dishes on their menus. Veganism has been further advocated by celebrities like Natalie Portman, Alicia Silverstone, Emily Deschanel etc.In a 2009 survey, advocates at the not-for-profit Vegetarian Resource Group reported about 1% of Americans are vegan, roughly a third of the people who reported being vegetarians. A separate survey released last year by the same group found a similar breakdown for Americans from 8 to 18.Veganism definitely offers many benefits. Not only is it environmentally more attractive, it is also lower in fat, making it ideal for the weight-conscious. Many cultural sects do extol the benefits of a meat-free diet. However, animals products and meat has historically been part of human diet.It is true that we are eating a lot more meat than we used to across the board. This phenomenon is on the rise not just in America but also in countries like China and Brazil. This has invariably put a lot of environmental stress. It can be argued that eating meat alone is not responsible for this but how livestock is raised. On the flip side, it has been found that a vegan diet can come its own set of environmental issues.Recently,Cranfield University in the UK released a study that found that, "switching from British-bred beef and lamb to meat substitutes imported from abroad such as tofu and Quorn would increase the amount of land cultivated, raising the risk of forests being destroyed." According to the WWF, production of meatsubstitutescan be energy intensive. They also concluded that, "a switch from beef and milk to highly refined livestock product analogues such as tofu could actually increase the quantity of arable land needed to supply the UK."There are also health concerns about soy and soy-based products which are the most common vegan protein-substitute. Naturallyoccurringphytoestrogens in soy are said to be harmful and excessive consumption can lead to hormonal imbalance and certain cancers. The other issue is that a vegan diet lacks in many essential nutrients if it is not properly balanced. The health concerns surrounding a diet high in meat has an obviously bigger rap sheet which is why many Governments are taking a proactive stance to introduce a more 'meat-easy' diet.Through initiatives like Meatless Mondays and even proposals for introducing a 'meat-tax', vegetarianism and veganism are rapidly becoming attractive options.]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Beyond-Business-CSR--Help-Pouring-in-for-Japan-From-Companies/47100.htmlWed, 16 Mar 2011 02:13:17 GMTAkhila Vijayaraghavan Global Help For JapanFive days after the Japanese disaster, the whole world is focussed on sending resources towards aid. Many companies have pledged monetary support. Governments world over have sent in rescue teams, equipment and medical aid to hasten processes.A search-and-rescue team from Mexico was dispatched to find survivors in the rubble. American ship USS Ronald Reaganis bringing in food and water.Five hundred bone marrow transplantcentersacross Europe are being asked to be on standby t Read Full Article ]]> Global Help For JapanFive days after the Japanese disaster, the whole world is focussed on sending resources towards aid. Many companies have pledged monetary support. Governments world over have sent in rescue teams, equipment and medical aid to hasten processes.A search-and-rescue team from Mexico was dispatched to find survivors in the rubble. American ship USS Ronald Reaganis bringing in food and water.Five hundred bone marrow transplantcentersacross Europe are being asked to be on standby to treat Japanese radiation victims if the need arises.Even small businesses are pitching in.The Extreme Pita restaurant in Riverside (sister city to Sendai) is donating a portion of sales.The Takami Sushi Restaurant in downtown LA is donating 100% of all restaurant profits. In Phoenix, Stingray Sushi has created a Recovery Sushi Roll for $12, all of which will be donated to theAmerican Red Cross.Helping with Medical Supplies and LogisticsUPS was one of the first companies to offer help. They pledged $1 million in in-kind transportation, they are coordinating with the Red Cross and Salvation Army as it determines the needs of victims.In addition to transportation for emergency supplies, UPS is offering financial support and humanitarian logistics workers.Bayer is providing funding and health products to Japanese relief agencies, in addition to encouraging its worldwide workforce to make donations. Amgen and the Amgen Foundation will distribute $1 million in funds to both Direct Relief International and International Medical Corps to help bring basic needs and vital health services to the disaster victims.Abbott Laboratorieswill donate more than $3 million through its philanthropic foundation. Amway said it will donate about $1.2 million in cash and products to relief efforts.Donating Through the Red CrossThe Walt Disney Company is pledging $2.5 million to the American Red Cross.United Technologies Corp. has contributed $1 million and has pledged to match employee contributions up to an additional $500,000 to the Red Cross. The Northrop Grumman Foundation will provide $500,000 through AmeriCares, American Red Cross International and Save the Children. Philadelphia Insurance Companieshas pledged$100,000to theAmerican Red Cross. Wells Fargo said the company will contribute $1.5 million. Boeing Co., said it will give $2 million for recovery efforts.Dow Chemical Co. said it is donating up to $6 million in humanitarian aid for Japan.Meijer Inc., the Grand Rapids-based chain of superstores, said it is donating $25,000 to the Red Cross. The Kellogg Co. said it is making a $500,000 donation $250,000 in cash and $250,000 in food products.Other HelpVisa has announced thatit will waive interchange fees on Visa cards through the end of April when they are used to make donations to qualifying nonprofit organizations that are engaged in relief efforts inJapan.Microsoft has pledged $250,000 in cash and $1.75 million worth of software and services to assist people.Digg Founder highly praised theApple store in Tokyo for staying open to provide Wi-Fi as a means of communication for people. NTT DoComo, Japan's largest wireless carrier, has set up a database where you can enter the cellphone number of a person to confirm his or her safety.From now until the end of April, two million employees from companies such as Newell-Rubbermaid and Sterling Savings Bank will have access to a centralized online donation platform that will facilitate the immediate transfer of funds to organizations in Japan that need it most. The platform is being provided for free by AngelPoints, CSR software, to its entire clientele of more than 100 Fortune-500 companies. In partnership with online volunteer and donation site Network for Good, the two have currently identified 15 non-profits - including Save the Children, AmeriCares, American Red Cross, Global Giving Foundation, OxFam America and Doctors Without Borders - to receive the collective donations.Japan needs all the help it can receive and it is heartening to note that so many people and companies are opening out their hearts and their wallets.Photo Credit: CNN]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Green-Living--How-to-Save-the-Bees/47066.htmlTue, 15 Mar 2011 13:29:46 GMTAkhila Vijayaraghavan UNEP Report Buzzes With News of Honey-Bee DeclineEarlier in the week the UNEP released a report that created a few new buzzes. Their report highlighted the global nature of bee colony collapse. They have also highlighted several causes including pesticide use, biodiversity loss and climate change that have contributed towards colony collapse.There have been reports of declines and sudden collapses of bee colonies in Western Europe, North America and Japan during the past few years. This trend wi Read Full Article ]]> UNEP Report Buzzes With News of Honey-Bee DeclineEarlier in the week the UNEP released a report that created a few new buzzes. Their report highlighted the global nature of bee colony collapse. They have also highlighted several causes including pesticide use, biodiversity loss and climate change that have contributed towards colony collapse.There have been reports of declines and sudden collapses of bee colonies in Western Europe, North America and Japan during the past few years. This trend with growing inflation to food prices is a dangerous combination. According to the UNEP report, "of some 100 crop species which provide 90% of food worldwide, 71 of these are bee-pollinated."Pollination is said to contribute$14bn to the US economy alone. In a number of countries, there are projects supported by the government aimed at giving bees an additional lift. In the UK, for example farmers are encouraged to mix bee-friendly plants along the edges of their fields. Several buildings like the Tate Modern gallery house 'bee-hotels' on their roof. Still others like the California Academy of Sciences encourage bees through green-roofs.In addition to this, a number of European countries have banned neonicotinoid pesticidesthat is believed to contribute towards bee decline. Addition of antibiotics to the feed is also said to accelerate colony collapse. Organic bee farmers opine mass-produced bees are more susceptible to environmental stress that result in collapse rather than wild species. As an ethical consumer, what can you to do ensure that the honey you consume is bee friendly?Fairtrade, local, organic Look for brands that are Fairtrade or organic. Locally grown honey is also a good bet because you may have the chance to buy directly from the bee-keeper which means you can have an idea of how the bees are treated. The true-source initiative in the US tackles illegally sourced honey thereby protecting American bee-keepers. Also keep in mind other bee-related products - Royal Jelly, bees wax etc. When you buy these or products containing these ingredients make sure that it is organic.PackagingThe most environmentally friendly option is to buy honey in glass jars. Look for a high recycled glass content. Many brands now sell honey in squeezy plastic bottles - check if these can berecycledor aremanufacturedwith recycled content.Honey-Bee Welfare Many vegans eschew honey because it is still an animal product.According to the Vegan Society, bees "can go through routine examination and handling, artificial feeding regimes, drug and pesticide treatment, genetic manipulation, artificial insemination, transportation (by air, rail and road) and slaughter." Queen bees can be routinely culled every two years as their egg production declines. Many commercial beekeepers also 'trick' queens into laying more eggs by adding wax cells to the hive that are larger than those that worker bees would normally build. Both environmental and man-made stress has resulted in the decline of bees. The situation has now reached an alarming new level and it is necessary for consumers to educate themselves and be aware of the choices they make. Photo Credit: Akhila Vijayaraghavan ]]>http://www.justmeans.com/India-CSR--2--Spend-No-Longer-Mandatory--Govt-Rules/47009.htmlMon, 14 Mar 2011 13:48:26 GMTAkhila Vijayaraghavan CSR Not Mandatory in IndiaThe latest announcement in the long line of indecision by the Indian government rules against the introduction of mandatory CSR. The newest addition to theCompanies Bill will make a mention requesting companies to spend upto 2% of their net profits on CSR but it may not make CSR spend mandatory. However theParliamentary Standing Committee has underlined the need to mandate firms to spend on philanthropic activities.The objective of this new change is to "invoke the spir Read Full Article ]]> CSR Not Mandatory in IndiaThe latest announcement in the long line of indecision by the Indian government rules against the introduction of mandatory CSR. The newest addition to theCompanies Bill will make a mention requesting companies to spend upto 2% of their net profits on CSR but it may not make CSR spend mandatory. However theParliamentary Standing Committee has underlined the need to mandate firms to spend on philanthropic activities.The objective of this new change is to "invoke the spirit of corporate philanthropy as a matter of intent rather than as legislation." Officials have understood that making CSR mandatory could result in malpractice or increase in cases of greenwashing. In addition to this, the mandatory push for CSR has resulted in opposition from Indian industry.Although India Inc feels that spending on CSR is critical, making it mandatory may not result in best practices. Very few companies actually include CSR in their business models and this is something that mandatory CSR will not change.The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India is set to chalk out plans for a new accounting system to keep a record of all company spends on CSR.What Indian CSR Needs Indian CSR currently needs a better top down structure and education about what the process entails. First of all Indian industry needs to understand that CSR is an extension of corporate governance. Corporate governance and by proxy CSR, is not something that government can mandate.The government should be talking about educating companies on CSR. Corporate executives should not be arguing over whether CSR should be made mandatory but look deeper into the reason for the proposal of the law in the first place. India is a country with a myriad social and environmental problems which the corporate sector can tackle.CSR is no longer charity orphilanthropybut valid corporate strategy. This is something that the government needs toemphasize. A Milton Friedman-esque model of business without societal give-back is dead. The sooner corporate India understands this, the better. There are many misconceptions about CSR that even those in the corporate field are unable to dispel. There are still others that use this knowledgeblack-hole to push their own agenda.India Inc. Needs Corporate RegulationIndian companies need guidelines that ensure corporate regulation. They need guidelines that ensure proper CSR is in place. These should shift away from the traditional notion of charity-based CSR and move forward towards strategic CSR that fits into the company's long term objectives.Top managers and CEOs need a mind-shift in the way that they think about business. Alleviating supply chain issues through socio-enviro measures, pollution abatement, streamlining production - all of these have real eco-solutions which industry needs to focus on.Indian business will have a better long-term future if such issues are robustly tackled with holistic approaches rather than mandating CSR spend.]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Green-Living--Light-Bulb-Wars/46883.htmlSat, 12 Mar 2011 15:15:58 GMTAkhila Vijayaraghavan The Tizzy Over Light-BulbsThe idea of making the 100-watt incandescent bulb obsolete has sent conservative lawmakers, libertarians, environmental activists, owners of Easy-Bake Ovens and Stephen Colbert into a tizzy of activity.The 2007 bill was passed overwhelmingly by both houses of Congress and signed into law byGeorge W. Bush. It is said to make incandescent light bulbs subject to strict efficiency standards next year. Many GOP critics claim that the law totally ban bulbs. Sen. Jeff Bingaman Read Full Article ]]> The Tizzy Over Light-BulbsThe idea of making the 100-watt incandescent bulb obsolete has sent conservative lawmakers, libertarians, environmental activists, owners of Easy-Bake Ovens and Stephen Colbert into a tizzy of activity.The 2007 bill was passed overwhelmingly by both houses of Congress and signed into law byGeorge W. Bush. It is said to make incandescent light bulbs subject to strict efficiency standards next year. Many GOP critics claim that the law totally ban bulbs. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, a New Mexico Democrat clarified that the law only requires new bulbs to use 25-30% less energy beginning in 2012. He said the new bulbs last longer, use less energy and save money.Lightbulb Freedom of Choice This change in lighting standardwill put better bulbs on the shelves and cut America's electric bill by $10 billion a year. However in spite of improving energy standards, manyRepublicans members of Congress including Joe Barton, Mike Enzi and Michele Bachmann have decided this lighting upgrade is an assault on freedom and have introduced legislation to reverse the standards. Bachmann, named her bill the "Lightbulb Freedom of Choice Act." They claim that the government overreach will limit consumer choice, destroy jobs, threaten health andeven ruin childhood memories.Opponents of the regulations say the fluorescent bulbs are too expensive, flicker annoyingly and are health hazards because they contain mercury.The Mercury ConundrumEarlier this week, 'lighting expert' Howard Brandston, testifiedbefore the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in favor of a bill that would repeal light bulb efficiency standards. Brandston asserts that, "this 2007 light bulb standard brings a deadly poison into every residence in our nation."Many environmental activists say that the mercury in a single fluorescent bulb is less than what some power plants throw up whilst generating electricity to light one incandescent bulb.Underwriters Laboratories, an independent product safety organization that has tested CFLs,says: "CFLs contain a small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing - approximately 5 milligrams - a hundred times less mercury than found in a single old-style glass thermometer. No mercury is released when the lamps are intact or in use and if disposed of properly, mercury in CFLs shouldn't be a safety hazard."Exposure to mercury if a CFL breaks is equivalent to a nibble of tuna. The EPA recommendsthat consumers recycle CFLs but even if they end up in a landfill, the amount of mercury released wouldn't be much. For example, if all 270 million CFLs sold in 2009 were sent to a landfill, they would only add 0.12%, to US mercury emissions caused by humans.Getting mercury poisoning from eating fish is more likely than from CFLs.In spite of these clarifications, many consumers are stock-piling incandescents. Meanwhile, makers of light bulbs support the federal standards because they would not have to make varying products to meet individual state regulations.CFLs and LEDs are the latest in energy-saving technology. They are proven to reduce energy usage as well aspay for themselves even though their initial cost is higher.The CFL-opposition needs to involve themselves in some real governance.Photo Credit: Furhan Hussain . Rights Reserved. Reproduced with permission]]>