Changing Consumption
“It’s no longer enough to change our light bulbs. We need to change our culture.” So says Erik Assadourian, senior researcher at the Worldwatch Institute and project director of a provocative and timely new book called 2010 State of the World: Transforming Cultures from Consumerism to Sustainability. Its argument is simple: The most important driver of the world’s ecological crises, including climate change, is not venal oil or coal companies or indifferent politicians but western consumer culture — that is,...
read more“Green” Marketing Potential
Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) describes an estimated $230 billion U.S. marketplace for goods and services focused on health, the environment, social justice, personal development and sustainable living. The consumers attracted to this market represent a sizable group in this country. Approximately 19% percent of the adults in the U.S., or 41 million people, are currently considered LOHAS Consumers. This is based on surveys of the U.S. adult population estimated at 215 million. Research shows that one in four adult Americans...
read moreGreen Buildings: Fewer Sick Days, Higher Rents
Environmentally-friendly construction practices have gotten a lot of hype over the past few years but do they really pay off as an investment? A new study found that tenants in green buildings experience increased productivity and fewer sick days. The research also found that green buildings have lower vacancy rates and higher rents than non-green counterparts. The study, conducted by the University of San Diego and commercial real estate broker CB Richard Ellis Group, found that tenants in green buildings such as the Behnisch...
read moreOffice Cleaning
Finding a janitor or office cleaning services for your business can be a challenge. Beyond identifying what services you want performed and the price you’re willing to pay for them, here are some tips and suggestions to help you get started. Hiring a Janitor If your office is small, hiring a single janitor might be your most cost-effective solution. You may know someone looking for work, or someone who already cleans offices and is willing to add you as a client. A freelance janitor (i.e., an independent contractor) will usually prove to be...
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