GreenSmith Consulting

U2, Oxfam America, New York MTA: Green Hypocrites?

If you're looking for an example of someone who walks their talk, Mike Lieberman would be your man. Best known as CanarsieBK on the web, this Brooklyn man is a living, breathing demonstration of how one can live sustainably, anywhere. He proves anything is possible, growing a thriving vegetable garden on his fire escape, and demonstrating actionable steps, daily, on how to be personally sustainable. And he's definitely not afraid to speak his mind.

Today Lieberman takes aim at those who don't seem to be walking the talk, balanced with options they could choose to align their actions better with their words. Do you agree with what he says? Have other views? Have other creative solutions for these and other organizations and globe trotting bands? Chime in, below.

With the green movement becoming more trendy, there are lots of high profile companies, organizations and individuals that claim to be green, but are they green hypocrites?



They talk the green talk, but they don't walk the green walk. Since they are in high profile positions they have the ear of people and are saying one thing, but their actions say otherwise.



U2


Arguably the biggest rock band of the past three decades, U2 has been vocal over the years about their stance on the climate and social injustice.



On their current "No Line on the Horizon" tour, their acts have demonstrated the opposite of what they've been saying. Due to the extravagant stage set, requiring 100 trucks, there is a massive crew (200 people) that need to travel with the band.



Carbonfootprint.com has said the tour's carbon emissions are equal to "the four band members travelling the 34.125 million miles from Earth to Mars in a passenger plane".



Modwalls Green Tiles Video Review - Taking Junk and Creating Beauty

Being on Twitter, I come across a lot of interesting finds. Like Modwalls, that makes some gorgeous, thoroughly sustainable tiles, made from things like recycled car windshields, reclaimed building glass, tumbled soda bottle pieces, and wine corks! They spin gold from these modest sounding origins, as you'll see in the video review I did, below.

I was impressed with the depth of their sustainability, as even their packing materials are these innovative triangle shaped pieces of paper. I suspect they're much more likely by people to be recycled then, say, soy or corn starch based "popcorn" are going to be composted. They take  CarbonFund's advice, reducing what they can, and offsetting the rest.

Enough words, let's see these tiles! If you have some creative, interesting green building finds to share, please do, below. And if you've got a blog on this area that people would enjoy, let us know too!

The Best Feature of Snow Leopard: What it's Missing

In recent weeks there have been several articles on the best and least known features of Apple's new operating system, Snow Leopard. From Quicktime's ability to record and edit audio, video, and screencasts, to its Exchange support, to the small but pleasing ability to minimize documents to their respective app icons in the dock (rather then to the side of the dock in a messy jumble) there has been a lot covered.

But perhaps the best and least heralded feature of Snow Leopard is what it's missing: 10% of its energy use, compared to its predecessor, Leopard.

Among the factors contributing to that are Snow Leopard's fuller use of 64-bit technology, which according to CNET, "…allows application developers to allocate more memory to complete tasks so that the software runs faster and more smoothly."

What does this mean?

How do you turn a Billboard from Eyesore to Treasure?

Did you ever wonder what happens to billboards when they're taken down? The reality is this: These thick, largely unrecyclable masses of material typically get thrown away. On average, 10,000 tons, or 3 million billboards annually in the US alone.

TerraCycle saw an opportunity here, leveraging the material's extreme durability, something that could be considered a liability when seen in terms of waste disposal, with the idea of making backpacks, messenger bags and more, with a lifetime warranty. Not something many other $35 bags can say! 

Each bag is completely unique, as it comes from various parts of billboards, forming an attractive, cohesive design. Rather than wrestle with how to go about making something they'd never attempted, they enlisted the expertise of YakPak, a company with an ideal combination of decades of bag making experience and high integrity in their employee relations.

Instead of writing all about the bag I got to test, I decided to show you, in GreenSmith Consulting's first ever video review. Enjoy!

A bag like this sparks the imagination. Where did each part of it come from? What did this small piece on the front look like from a distance, up there on a billboard? What else could be done with other likewise "unrecyclable" materials?

For kids, and I imagine adults, having something that comes directly from its previous source, rather then something whose original source has been obscured as it's melted, shredded, and otherwise made unrecognizable from its previous incarnation, will be a very satisfying experience, one that they can share with friends and colleagues, serving both as an ego boost for the owner and an educational experience for those asking about it.

Readers: What other interesting examples of upcycling have you seen out there? What other materials that aren't currently being recycled could you see being upcycled into products? Do you own a Terracycle bag? If so, what's been your experience? Comment below please.

It's easy to say you haven't got something in your product. Encouraged even. Petroleum free is a popular one. And yet, what are the consequences of what's used in its place? GreenSmart faced this quandry, and came up with an interesting, evolving solution. Read on...

I have a confession to make: I like the smell of gas. And neoprene too. Yes, two things made from a substance that, as a sustainable business consultant, I should be by default expressing some cartoonish righteous indignation about their being petroleum based products.

And yet, there's something that hits my nostrils in such a pleasant way, I can't help it. But, at least when it comes to neoprene, I'd better.

You see, as I learned from the folks at GreenSmart (client) that neoprene, especially what's used to glue it to other things, is nasty business. Formaldehyde. Toluene. Phthalate. Chlorine. "Hang on, Toluene, what's that," you say? According to Wikipedia,  "It is an aromatic hydrocarbon that is widely used as an industrial feedstock and as a solvent. Like other solvents, toluene is also used as an inhalant drug for its intoxicating properties; however this causes severe neurological harm."

Ah, brain damaging glue. No thanks.

What about neoprene itself? Again, let's tune in to Wikipedia:

We are honored to have our friend and fellow traveler of the intersection of social media and green, Max Gladwell grace our blog with a host of innovative ways for each of us, as individuals and collectively to make an impact. Citizen journalism, open government, status updates, community building, information sharing, crowdsourcing, and the election of a President are in the mix here. 

Our children will inherit a world profoundly changed by the combination of technology and humanity that is social media. They'll take for granted that their voices can be heard and that a social movement can be launched from their laptop. They'll take for granted that they are connected and interconnected with hundreds of millions of people at any given moment. And they'll take for granted that a black man is or was President of the United States.

What's most profound is that these represent parts of a greater whole. They represent a shift in power from centralized institutions and organizations to the People they represent. It is the evolution of democracy by way of technology, and we are all better for it. For most of us, social media has changed our lives in some meaningful way. Collectively it is changing the world for good.

Given the pace of innovation and adoption, change has become a constant. Every so often we find the need to stop and reflect on its most recent and noteworthy developments, hence the following list. Please note this is not a top-10 list, nor are these listed in any particular order. It's also incomplete. So we ask that you add to this conversation in the comments. If you'd like to Retweet this post or take the conversation to Twitter or FriendFeed, please use the hashtag #10Ways.

I tend to consult with companies I like. As in I'd do business with them as a customer. Recommend them to friends. Respect what they represent. It's why when I recently worked with Ode Magazine, more then 50% of the blogs I contacted chose to write about them, with great enthusiasm, two even inviting me to write my own content on their sites. My genuine affinity with the businesses I choose to consult with generates better quality results.

Energy Circle, my most recent client, is a home energy efficiency focused business who knows well how to effectively use social media. They are a business I want you to get to know better. Not because they're my client, but because more than likely, they have several ways they can directly benefit you and those in your life, and in doing so, make a collective impact that is substantial. Their business model and how they execute may also be a source of inspiration for your own business.

Energy Circle is an ally to those seeking to make their home more energy efficient, and professionals helping people do it.  During a time of constrained budgets, from personal to institutional,  with a president actively in support of green collar jobs, particularly in terms of home energy efficiency, Energy Circle is a a case of right timing, with a compelling offer.

Solar and other renewables get a lot of press, but the smartest way to green your home is by starting with energy efficiency. Energy Circle is an excellent, assured, friendly resource for anybody to do it. Whereas Google's Powermeter and other technology is still in the works, they've got many "right now" solutions available, including this quick, ongoing, useful article demystifying how and who to go with for home energy audits.  In a nod to the wisdom of their audience, they encourage them to continue filling in the blanks. And it's working.

I sift through a lot of information, opinions, and ideas in the course of my work. Last week two of them dovetailed in an interesting way: One was talking about excess consumption, how it's not about making greener gadgets, it's about making less things to begin with. The old saw of less is more, cut back on your life, it's the only way to save the planet. They even mentioned, as though it was clearly a symptom of things gone wrong, that there's a Greener Gadgets conference coming up.

 I don't think it's about wagging your finger and telling people to change your behavior. It's like expecting a smoker to quit by telling them it's a bad thing. It's about giving consumers a way to look smart, be conscientious, and still meet their needs in an affordable way.

And at the same time, there is value in continuing to educate people on the impacts of consumption, while giving them options to do it differently, allowing for a natural, more durable movement in a more sustainable direction.

So it was ironic that a few days later, I learned about such an option came from the design competition sponsored by the above mentioned baddies the Greener Gadgets conference.

The Recompute is a cardboard housed PC that in a nod to the always evolving nature of personal technology has 8 USB ports, allowing for complete customization and upgrading without needing to get a whole new computer.

In choosing cardboard rather than the energy intensive ABS plastic, giving you the ability to migrate whatever you want from your current computer into it,  and making it capable of being disassembled entirely by hand at the end of its lifecycle, Recompute truly is a "greener gadget."

While no product can claim to be impact free, smartly minimizing it in a way that consumers will positively respond to, green product or not, is a wise move all around.

Readers: What other products, existing or prototype, do you see that are truly greener gadgets, capable of making a positive impact? What's your take on consumerism, electronics, and the greening of them? I look forward to your comments, below.

There was much talk at the LA Auto Show about green cars, every maker seeming to clamor for some measure of green cred in their lineup. And yet, something was being missed here, and it was right under their feet and in front of their eyes.

Whether it was the blinding white flooring favored by many of the companies, the concert sized screens, lights, and sound systems, there was a disconnect between the message and the execution.

But I spotted two interesting exceptions:

These LED lights served as the illumination for the displays lining the Smart car area. It's hard to see from this picture, but it had lights of several different colors on, collectively creating a warm, friendly glow to the space. Along with being energy efficient, the ability to use different lights for different moods saved, I imagine, having different rigs for different shows, or set up time to switch out lights.

If you walked up to this large, futuristic Toyota car display platform, done up in metal mesh and wood trim, you may have overlooked this sign:

This, to me, shows that Toyota has a deeper commitment to doing green right then others. After all, many people wouldn't even think to ask about or question what the companies used in their displays. But in doing this, they lead the way, and introduce this area of awareness to people, perhaps sparking other companies to do the same in future shows, or for the individuals seeing this to realize that being green touches many areas far beyond the obvious.

Readers: Where do you see companies doing green measures in areas not previously considered? Where would you like them to do that? If you own/run a  company where could it go further in an innovative way that your customers would appreciate and support?

Ok I'll admit it. Sometimes I can be a green snob. I've at times looked down my nose at publications such as Plenty magazine, which in the past have catered to a more, shall we say, dabbling demographic.

But then something changed. They went and got more substantial. Yes, there's still fluffiness to be found there, but you know what? I now think fluff plays a role too, giving access points to people who otherwise wouldn't have come to the party. The latest organic facial creme may not float my boat, but someone else may care about that, and from there delve broader, deeper into things sustainable. Plenty makes room for that to happen.

An example of Plenty's new substance is in the current issue: "Radiating Roads," which talks about a relatable, accessible innovation that has a connection to a common shared experience. In this case, doing something with the scorching heat produced by streets, parking lots and sidewalks during the summer: Heat water, or use the steam to produce energy.

I was recently interviewed for a piece in Plenty Magazine, about the greening of gas station convenience stores. I'd thought they meant as in AM/PM infusing their product offerings with green options. Actually it turns out it's all about new stations that are green from the ground up. Impressive, inspiring, and I hope to see them succeed and for the trend to spread.

The article is here.

Image credit: Plenty Magazine

Greetings, and welcome to the first entry of the GreenSmith blog. You have Chris Brogan and Max Gladwell to blame  for this.

Well not entirely.                

I've been wearing the green business blogger hat for the past few years as a weekly contributor to Triple Pundit and Ecopreneurist, in addition to being a green/sustainable business consultant here at GreenSmith. And having a grand time at it. So why start my own? Why now? Great question, and it's one I'm going to answer for myself as I write here.

I'd have to say it's because I see things. No not ghosts and goblins (though those were quite prevalent a few days ago, to be sure!) No, I have a set of eyes and brain that sees things out there in the world, perhaps with a slightly different lens than most. I consider this an asset, as I find possibility and promise in what others may miss, a benefit to both myself and my clients.

And I want you to see it too.

But before I dive into the innovation that comes across my radar, what GreenSmith Consulting is up to, promising future scenarios that I'd like to see realized, and interesting people, I want to stop and ask:

What do you want to see me write about? What's not being covered out there these days that you'd like to see more of? What gems are underneath the muck, waiting to be discovered? Many of you reading this are probably somehow connected to me via Twitter, and you've watched what I've shared on there. What do you imagine me writing about? 

I have many ideas in the cooker ready to be written about, but I want to hear from you first. It's how I work as a consultant, listening carefully to my clients so I can best help them. Now I'm listening to you here. I can't promise I'll write about everything you suggest. But I do promise to listen to what you have to say, and to be grateful for all suggestions.

Some boundaries: I'm not interested in writing straight up environmental pieces. I'm interested in the intersection of commerce and consideration (of environment,  resources, and people). Solutions being created for supposedly intractable problems.  Exuberance over despair.

I'm not interested in polarizing people, or emphasizing what's wrong. I want to shine a light on what's being done to create a more positive, supportive, healthy, and yes profitable world for all. And I reserve the right to go completely off topic, should it have a useful insight or lesson for you and I.

So, what's it going to be? I look forward to your thoughts, below.

I Hate to Break it to You About Neoprene, But....

It's easy to say you haven't got something in your product. Encouraged even. Petroleum free is a popular one. And yet, what are the consequences of what's used in its place? GreenSmart faced this quandry, and came up with an interesting, evolving solution. Read on...

I have a confession to make: I like the smell of gas. And neoprene too. Yes, two things made from a substance that, as a sustainable business consultant, I should be by default expressing some cartoonish righteous indignation about their being petroleum based products.

And yet, there's something that hits my nostrils in such a pleasant way, I can't help it. But, at least when it comes to neoprene, I'd better.

You see, as I learned from the folks at GreenSmart (client) that neoprene, especially what's used to glue it to other things, is nasty business. Formaldehyde. Toluene. Phthalate. Chlorine. "Hang on, Toluene, what's that," you say? According to Wikipedia,  "It is an aromatic hydrocarbon that is widely used as an industrial feedstock and as a solvent. Like other solvents, toluene is also used as an inhalant drug for its intoxicating properties; however this causes severe neurological harm."

Ah, brain damaging glue. No thanks.

What about neoprene itself? Again, let's tune in to Wikipedia:

10 Ways to Change the World Through Social Media

We are honored to have our friend and fellow traveler of the intersection of social media and green, Max Gladwell grace our blog with a host of innovative ways for each of us, as individuals and collectively to make an impact. Citizen journalism, open government, status updates, community building, information sharing, crowdsourcing, and the election of a President are in the mix here. 

Our children will inherit a world profoundly changed by the combination of technology and humanity that is social media. They'll take for granted that their voices can be heard and that a social movement can be launched from their laptop. They'll take for granted that they are connected and interconnected with hundreds of millions of people at any given moment. And they'll take for granted that a black man is or was President of the United States.

What's most profound is that these represent parts of a greater whole. They represent a shift in power from centralized institutions and organizations to the People they represent. It is the evolution of democracy by way of technology, and we are all better for it. For most of us, social media has changed our lives in some meaningful way. Collectively it is changing the world for good.

Given the pace of innovation and adoption, change has become a constant. Every so often we find the need to stop and reflect on its most recent and noteworthy developments, hence the following list. Please note this is not a top-10 list, nor are these listed in any particular order. It's also incomplete. So we ask that you add to this conversation in the comments. If you'd like to Retweet this post or take the conversation to Twitter or FriendFeed, please use the hashtag #10Ways.

Energy Circle Shows How to Effectively Integrate Social Media Into Your Business

I tend to consult with companies I like. As in I'd do business with them as a customer. Recommend them to friends. Respect what they represent. It's why when I recently worked with Ode Magazine, more then 50% of the blogs I contacted chose to write about them, with great enthusiasm, two even inviting me to write my own content on their sites. My genuine affinity with the businesses I choose to consult with generates better quality results.

Energy Circle, my most recent client, is a home energy efficiency focused business who knows well how to effectively use social media. They are a business I want you to get to know better. Not because they're my client, but because more than likely, they have several ways they can directly benefit you and those in your life, and in doing so, make a collective impact that is substantial. Their business model and how they execute may also be a source of inspiration for your own business.

Energy Circle is an ally to those seeking to make their home more energy efficient, and professionals helping people do it.  During a time of constrained budgets, from personal to institutional,  with a president actively in support of green collar jobs, particularly in terms of home energy efficiency, Energy Circle is a a case of right timing, with a compelling offer.

Solar and other renewables get a lot of press, but the smartest way to green your home is by starting with energy efficiency. Energy Circle is an excellent, assured, friendly resource for anybody to do it. Whereas Google's Powermeter and other technology is still in the works, they've got many "right now" solutions available, including this quick, ongoing, useful article demystifying how and who to go with for home energy audits.  In a nod to the wisdom of their audience, they encourage them to continue filling in the blanks. And it's working.

Can Greener Gadgets Really Make a Difference?

I sift through a lot of information, opinions, and ideas in the course of my work. Last week two of them dovetailed in an interesting way: One was talking about excess consumption, how it's not about making greener gadgets, it's about making less things to begin with. The old saw of less is more, cut back on your life, it's the only way to save the planet. They even mentioned, as though it was clearly a symptom of things gone wrong, that there's a Greener Gadgets conference coming up.

 I don't think it's about wagging your finger and telling people to change your behavior. It's like expecting a smoker to quit by telling them it's a bad thing. It's about giving consumers a way to look smart, be conscientious, and still meet their needs in an affordable way.

And at the same time, there is value in continuing to educate people on the impacts of consumption, while giving them options to do it differently, allowing for a natural, more durable movement in a more sustainable direction.

So it was ironic that a few days later, I learned about such an option came from the design competition sponsored by the above mentioned baddies the Greener Gadgets conference.

The Recompute is a cardboard housed PC that in a nod to the always evolving nature of personal technology has 8 USB ports, allowing for complete customization and upgrading without needing to get a whole new computer.

In choosing cardboard rather than the energy intensive ABS plastic, giving you the ability to migrate whatever you want from your current computer into it,  and making it capable of being disassembled entirely by hand at the end of its lifecycle, Recompute truly is a "greener gadget."

While no product can claim to be impact free, smartly minimizing it in a way that consumers will positively respond to, green product or not, is a wise move all around.

Readers: What other products, existing or prototype, do you see that are truly greener gadgets, capable of making a positive impact? What's your take on consumerism, electronics, and the greening of them? I look forward to your comments, below.

Where Are Companies Missing Out on Greening Opportunities?

There was much talk at the LA Auto Show about green cars, every maker seeming to clamor for some measure of green cred in their lineup. And yet, something was being missed here, and it was right under their feet and in front of their eyes.

Whether it was the blinding white flooring favored by many of the companies, the concert sized screens, lights, and sound systems, there was a disconnect between the message and the execution.

But I spotted two interesting exceptions:

These LED lights served as the illumination for the displays lining the Smart car area. It's hard to see from this picture, but it had lights of several different colors on, collectively creating a warm, friendly glow to the space. Along with being energy efficient, the ability to use different lights for different moods saved, I imagine, having different rigs for different shows, or set up time to switch out lights.

If you walked up to this large, futuristic Toyota car display platform, done up in metal mesh and wood trim, you may have overlooked this sign:

This, to me, shows that Toyota has a deeper commitment to doing green right then others. After all, many people wouldn't even think to ask about or question what the companies used in their displays. But in doing this, they lead the way, and introduce this area of awareness to people, perhaps sparking other companies to do the same in future shows, or for the individuals seeing this to realize that being green touches many areas far beyond the obvious.

Readers: Where do you see companies doing green measures in areas not previously considered? Where would you like them to do that? If you own/run a  company where could it go further in an innovative way that your customers would appreciate and support?

Spotting Innovation in the Everyday

Ok I'll admit it. Sometimes I can be a green snob. I've at times looked down my nose at publications such as Plenty magazine, which in the past have catered to a more, shall we say, dabbling demographic.

But then something changed. They went and got more substantial. Yes, there's still fluffiness to be found there, but you know what? I now think fluff plays a role too, giving access points to people who otherwise wouldn't have come to the party. The latest organic facial creme may not float my boat, but someone else may care about that, and from there delve broader, deeper into things sustainable. Plenty makes room for that to happen.

An example of Plenty's new substance is in the current issue: "Radiating Roads," which talks about a relatable, accessible innovation that has a connection to a common shared experience. In this case, doing something with the scorching heat produced by streets, parking lots and sidewalks during the summer: Heat water, or use the steam to produce energy.

Green Minimarts? Believe It.

I was recently interviewed for a piece in Plenty Magazine, about the greening of gas station convenience stores. I'd thought they meant as in AM/PM infusing their product offerings with green options. Actually it turns out it's all about new stations that are green from the ground up. Impressive, inspiring, and I hope to see them succeed and for the trend to spread.

The article is here.

Image credit: Plenty Magazine

Enter The GreenSmith...

Greetings, and welcome to the first entry of the GreenSmith blog. You have Chris Brogan and Max Gladwell to blame  for this.

Well not entirely.                

I've been wearing the green business blogger hat for the past few years as a weekly contributor to Triple Pundit and Ecopreneurist, in addition to being a green/sustainable business consultant here at GreenSmith. And having a grand time at it. So why start my own? Why now? Great question, and it's one I'm going to answer for myself as I write here.

I'd have to say it's because I see things. No not ghosts and goblins (though those were quite prevalent a few days ago, to be sure!) No, I have a set of eyes and brain that sees things out there in the world, perhaps with a slightly different lens than most. I consider this an asset, as I find possibility and promise in what others may miss, a benefit to both myself and my clients.

And I want you to see it too.

But before I dive into the innovation that comes across my radar, what GreenSmith Consulting is up to, promising future scenarios that I'd like to see realized, and interesting people, I want to stop and ask:

What do you want to see me write about? What's not being covered out there these days that you'd like to see more of? What gems are underneath the muck, waiting to be discovered? Many of you reading this are probably somehow connected to me via Twitter, and you've watched what I've shared on there. What do you imagine me writing about? 

I have many ideas in the cooker ready to be written about, but I want to hear from you first. It's how I work as a consultant, listening carefully to my clients so I can best help them. Now I'm listening to you here. I can't promise I'll write about everything you suggest. But I do promise to listen to what you have to say, and to be grateful for all suggestions.

Some boundaries: I'm not interested in writing straight up environmental pieces. I'm interested in the intersection of commerce and consideration (of environment,  resources, and people). Solutions being created for supposedly intractable problems.  Exuberance over despair.

I'm not interested in polarizing people, or emphasizing what's wrong. I want to shine a light on what's being done to create a more positive, supportive, healthy, and yes profitable world for all. And I reserve the right to go completely off topic, should it have a useful insight or lesson for you and I.

So, what's it going to be? I look forward to your thoughts, below.