Originally content by Andy Baker of the Mobium Group

With LOHAS spreading across the globe over recent years, LOHAS Journal thought it timely to reflect on what is driving the phenomenon globally, some of the key differences in interpretation across the world, and what binds LOHAS and LOHASians together—wherever they are.

Businesses the world over are leveraging LOHAS as a way to understand the consumption preferences of a growing number of people who care deeply about personal, community and planetary health and well-being, and are willing to spend accordingly.

While this theme acts as a backbone for LOHAS globally, significant differences exist in the interpretation of LOHAS from one geography to another. Not surprisingly, these differences tend to be largely driven by local cultural, environmental and social nuances.

For example, according to Peter Salmon from Moxie Design Group, LOHASians in New Zealand express their LOHAS values through outdoor experiences, seeking a connection with the landscape and concern about social issues.  This differs from U.S.-based LOHAS consumers, who typically have a stronger focus on personal well-being.  In Australia, the situation is different again, with environmental issues of drought and climate change hitting many Australians hard in their own backyard. Severe water restrictions are forcing Aussies to change how they think about their much-loved gardens and lawns.

CERTIFICATION KEY TO MARKET ACCEPTANCE
A key theme emerging from European and Australian studies is consumers’ desire for certification marks or “trust” marks from credible certification bodies, providing independent verification that the product lives up to its LOHAS claims. Supporting this claim are the findings of a  recent Porter Novelli report, which revealed that Europeans were 32 percent more likely than American consumers to buy products with such marks, and Mobium Group’s Living LOHAS report, which found similar conclusions among the Australian population.

LOHAS IN ASIA
Despite many similarities, key differences have emerged in the use of LOHAS between Western countries and the countries of East Asia—including Japan, Taiwan and South Korea, where LOHAS is a booming consumer term. The emergence of LOHAS-branded foods and beverages, fashion labels and even LOHAS department stores heralds a new use of the LOHAS term as it crosses from business-speak into the consumer vocabulary.
While most Western consumers would draw a blank if asked for a definition of LOHAS, approximately 70 percent of Japanese adults at least recognize the term while up to 40 percent can articulate its meaning, according to Toshi Ide of the Japan-based LOHAS Business Alliance.

But how is LOHAS really interpreted in Asia? In China, LOHAS has been roughly translated to mean “good life” and has even been picked up by Chinese state radio. And English-language website Chinadaily.com.cn has published several articles referring to “escaping city life” and enjoying LOHAS experiences on the weekends in the countryside surrounding Beijing.

In Singapore, the city state’s Tourism Board markets the country to its Asian visitors as the LOHAS city—focusing on its spa resorts, authentic Nyonya-style cooking and its water recycling efforts (a necessity in such a small island nation, as the key to its LOHAS claims).

The emergence of LOHAS as a consumer brand has brought with it a range of organizations seeking to capitalize on the term, with varying levels of commitment to the values of core LOHAS consumers offered through a wide a range of products and services.

INNOVATION
Small and medium-size enterprises comprise one sector where serious efforts have been made to address the needs and desires of LOHAS consumers on platforms of personal and planetary health and wellness. In many cases, these businesses have been the keys to LOHAS innovation.

One example of this sort of innovation is U.S.-based Terracycle.net, a company achieving mainstream distribution and significant success turning waste streams into value through a range of innovative products and services, including a novel approach to garden fertilizer.  With major distribution agreements across North America and licensing interest from across the globe, Terracycle has demonstrated that LOHAS innovation can deliver clear business value.

Another example is Australia-based professional garment cleaners, Daisy (www.daisy.net.au). Daisy has managed to eliminate the harmful chemical, perchloroethylene (tetrachloroethylene) from its dry cleaning process, using a water-based alternative to deliver an odorless dry cleaning solution free from harmful toxins. Such is the popularity of the Daisy service, excess demand currently means a wait of three days to have your suit cleaned! But based on the volume of customers prepared to wait, the LOHAS approach to dry cleaning has again demonstrated a commercial payoff.

Similarly, this year saw the launch in France of Velib (www.velib.paris.fr), a Paris-based commercial bicycle sharing operation that provides bicycles for commuters for a nominal fee. With over 10,000 bikes in circulation across 750 self-service docking stations throughout the city, this model is providing inspiration for cities the world over.
It seems that everywhere you look, there are examples of innovations, often by small and medium enterprises that are working toward more sustainable and healthier outcomes for people and the planet.

CONNECTIVITY
One of the difficulties faced by LOHAS consumers and the businesses that supply their needs is seeking out and finding each other—and connecting.
This key theme is driving the emergence of media platforms that respond to LOHAS consumers’ desire for greater connectivity—to other LOHASians and the organizations that manufacture and retail products and services that meet their values criteria.

Examples of recent activity in this space include Gaiam’s acquisition of Lime.com and zaadz.com, two strongly LOHAS-oriented information and social networking sites. Businesses, including U.S.-based Sustainlane, New Zealand-based Celsias, and a range of other sites across Europe, are springing up across the globe to fill this gap for information, referrals and advice. Discovery Channel recently purchased website Treehugger.com as the online property for its soon-to-be-launched Planet Green program.

Across the globe, mainstream consumer and investor interest in opportunities related to renewable energy, organic food, complementary medicine, low-impact transportation and other LOHAS products and services clearly demonstrates that LOHAS businesses have moved out of the fringes and are now attracting significant investor capital and expertise. Companies and investors that embrace the opportunity that LOHAS presents have the opportunity to take a leading position in the industries that will define the 21st century.

Key Facts: LOHAS in Australia
• Nearly 4 million adult Australians (26 percent of adult population) are LOHAS aligned. 
• Individuals with a LOHAS outlook are drawn from all parts of society; their values and world view are not strongly tied to income, geography or gender.
• Australian consumers currently spend $12 billion on goods and services in the LOHAS market segments, with an overall growth rate of 20 percent expected to continue. The market is expected to reach $21 billion by 2010.
• While 8 percent of the population are LOHAS “Leaders” who are highly committed and active participants in fully integrated healthier, more sustainable lives, the LOHAS “Learners” are the largest of the four segments, identified at 46 percent and standing as a largely untapped opportunity. 
• Learners would like to do the “right thing” but are not sure where to start. Solving for their key barriers, which include price and availability, are paramount to unlocking this market.
Source: Mobium Group, www.mobium.com.au, Living LOHAS Report, 2007.

Key Facts: LOHAS, New Zealand
• 32 percent of population Solution Seekers (NZ Equivalent of LOHAS)
• 57 percent female
• Greatest concentration (29 percent) are in the 45-54 year age bracket
• Slight skew toward rural rather than metropolitan locations
• Income profile of NZ LOHAS is growing over time
Source: Peter Salmon, Moxie Design Group, www.moxie.co.nz
Examples:
1. Media/online:
2. Lime – online portal to information, help and advice on LOHAS lifestyle
3. Zaadz and Riverwired – online LOHAS-oriented social networking sites
4. treehugger.com, Celsias.com – innovative online information sources for LOHAS-related themes and online collaboration
5. lohasguide.de (Germany), Sustainlane.com – LOHAS-related product and service listings and market information
6. Mobium Group – Australian research and strategy business focusing on sustainability and well-being; conducted the first research into Australian LOHAS consumers
7. Macro Wholefoods (Australia) – organic and natural foods retail store chain
8. Eco Age (eco-age.com) – a new store in London claiming to provide “a store, showroom, consultancy and destination that will offer inspiration, ideas and specific domestic solutions for all those who want to lead a greener and more energy efficient life”
9. Terracycle – Innovative company that re-uses waste streams and turns them into value-added products
10. Velib – Paris-based bicycle-share company
11. Flexicar.com.au – Australian car-share business winning support from local governments for their eco-friendly and cost-effective car-sharing program
 

CAREER EXPERTS PROVIDE TIPS ON HOW TO OBTAIN YOUR DREAM JOB

As consciousness about environmental and social issues rises, so does the number of people who would like a job with purpose. But how do you become Director of Sustainability or Chief Environmental Officer at a Fortune 500? What is the best path to becoming VP of Strategic Marketing and Fun or Head of Innovation and Ecology at an environmentally friendly company?

Experts say there’s no one way to land a job that reflects your values. Chances are that no matter what you have been doing in business, you have transferable skills that can help you find a position in sustainability or corporate social responsibility (CSR). Companies built around principles of sustainability need to fill all of the roles of traditional companies: sales, finance, marketing, operations, etc. Traditional companies looking to become more sustainable need people that are passionate about the issues while skilled in business practices. Individuals in these roles must also demonstrate how more than ever sustainability affects the bottom line though energy efficiencies and cost savings.

Aaron Frank, Director of Environmental Affairs at Disney Corporation, suggests that you carefully think through where you fit into the organization. “Corporations are looking for a strong team of people,” says Frank, “there is room within sustainability for people with expertise in external communications, research, operations, internal communications, and the like. If you don’t have direct experience in sustainability but you have strong business skills, look for companies with departments large enough to require and accommodate people with your skills.”

Salaries vary based on size and location of the company. Martin Kartin, who runs a boutique retained search firm, says most Director of Sustainability salaries are in the $100,000 to $175,000 range.

According to Chuck Bennett, Vice President of Earth and Community Care at Aveda, while people need to have an interest in their area of responsibility, a business background is very valuable. Previously, Bennett served as Head of Environmental Safety at Nabisco and Head of Environmental Affairs for Coors Brewery. He maintains that people coming out of the business world with an interest in environmental issues can be very effective even if there is a learning curve on the issues. “A lot of being successful is knowing how to get things done as much as it is knowing what you want to get done,” Bennett says.

Kartin concurs. “For a company that wants to be sustainability conscious, give me the business mind with the environmentalist heart,” he says and adds that LOHAS companies looking to compete with traditional companies need to hire people who understand those competitors.

Frank advises to consider the size of a company. “Larger corporations have the opportunity to make a larger impact, but it takes longer to create change,” he says. “At a smaller company change can happen more quickly.”

Roy Notowitz of Generator Group, an executive head hunting firm in Oregon also has some suggestions for the eco-job seeker. “The key is identifying transferable skills, finding connections, and understanding your competencies in order to convince employers you will be successful in a position.” Notowitz recommends getting involved with interest groups and organizations working on initiatives globally that you would like to work on at a corporate level in order to meet like-minded people who may eventually need to hire leaders and managers.

Demonstrating a history of innovation and learning ability helps, too. In some cases, a person stepping into a sustainability or CSR management position will find themselves having to define their job and their role within the organization while navigating a corporate culture that may not be completely receptive to change.

In these difficult economic times, it is critical that sustainability activities benefit a company’s bottom line. “In many cases, increasing efficiency has economic benefits,” says Disney’s Frank. “In cases where there is an initial cost, there’s often some long-term value to the company.” Notowitz agrees that enhancing a company’s profitability and helping move the corporation toward its goals is crucial. Sustainability and CSR departments that cannot demonstrate cost reduction or brand enhancement run the risk of being rolled into more traditional marketing and communications departments or completely cut during economic downturns.

For those who might be looking to enhance their education before looking for a job, Bennett has some thoughts. “We love MBAs with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, like those coming out of the University of Michigan or the Presidio Green MBA programs.”

“Those just beginning their career in a sustainability or CSR department need street smarts and a strong work ethics in addition to a broad educational background,” adds Bennett, who suggests getting some internship experience, too. “Commitment and willingness to work is important because these jobs tend not to be easy,” Bennett warns. “People who come in thinking everybody will totally align with them and help them get things done will be really disappointed.”

Michael Dupee started out with Green Mountain Coffee in an entry-level position and also led the internal environmental Committee. After leaving to earn his MBA then working as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs, he returned to Green Mountain in a newly created position, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility. “It’s great to spend my days focused on issues of social and environmental impact,” says Dupee. “The challenge of integrating those issues into a profitable growing business is terrific.”

As far as job satisfaction goes, Kartin says it’s important to remain patient. “Those people at companies where sustainability is not a new paradigm—Ben and Jerry’s, Burt’s Bees, and others—reap the job satisfaction in spades. But for people at companies where sustainability is a new approach, the jury is still out based on how effective these people are really going to be in these newly created positions.

Mike Duppee adds, “Many people have romantic notions about jobs like mine but it’s important to remember it is still a job—some amazing days, some really tough days, but most of it is great.”

Leslie Berliant is a partner at BLU MOON Group, a marketing and communications firm that specializes in cause marketing, and co-founder of BLU MOON Foundation.

The term “green” and all of its variations—”going green,” “green building,” and “greening your home”—was so ubiquitous in the late 2000's that it received the most nominations for the “Words Banished From the Queen’s English for Misuse, Overuse, and General Uselessness” list. At first this accolade might appear to be bad news, but such recognition indicates that the concept has reached significant market penetration.

Much like the word “green,” the term “spa” has also become completely woven into the fabric of our current society. One in four Americans visited a spa in 2008 reports the International Spa Association. Both green and spa represent a reconnection with the treasure of our natural resources.

Spas and Sustainability
Fifteen years ago the spa movement and industry ignited in unprecedented growth in the U.S. on the wave of increasing awareness of the mind-body connection and alternative approaches to health. The double digit annual growth of the industry brought in new players, elaborate spa facilities and the perception that spa is luxury with no limit on the consumption of resources. Now new wave in spa is providing consumers with a choice to enhance well-being naturally in an environment that values and cares for our planet’s health.

The Green Spa Network and member spas embrace the responsibility of living these values personally and professionally to attain measurable improvements towards full integration on the sustainability spectrum. Cici Coffee of Natural Body International, Inc. provides an example of spa leadership in practice: “In 2004, we implemented a charitable campaign with Georgia Organics in which we sold co-branded T-shirts and donated 100% of profits to the nonprofit, GO. In 2005, we implemented an employee contribution campaign with Earth Share in which Natural Body partially matched such contributions. We are now in our fourth year with workplace campaigns for Earth Share and have pledged in excess of $40,000 to this environmental nonprofit. We reward our eco-ambassador in every location to excite the team to achieve their philanthropic goals, so the store that improves the most is awarded a team party.”

The ultimate goal is to become a zero waste spa by sending nothing to landfills—an audacious goal on the sustainability path. Sheila Armen at the Strong House Spa in Vermont has taken this goal of achieving zero waste to heart. Strong House started the Cosmetic Recycling Program that allows clients to bring in old products that contain chemicals and get a $5 credit toward organic products. “We then recycle not only the containers but the products inside,” says Armen. “All cleansing products go to our recycling company to wash their trucks.”

Such simple changes are proving successful for spa morale and cost savings across the country. Michael Stusser, founder of Osmosis and president of the Green Spa Network, explained that “our spa has had much stronger cohesiveness since we have become a committed sustainable spa. Many favorable stories in the press and awards from local governmental and business organizations have contributed to a good feeling among staff and guests as we all work together to reduce our load on mother Earth. We estimate that the hard cost savings in training and operational effectiveness to be $12,500 per year, and the improvement in staff moral and customer service substantial.”

Highlights of current greening initiatives in GSN member spa operations include:
• Use LED and CFL lighting, lighting sensors, and educate employees about the conscious use of energy.
• Design spa treatment protocols with conservation fixtures and client messaging that prevents water waste. Subtracting only 1 minute per hot shower can save $75 on utility bills and 2,700 gallons of water per year for a family of three. Eliminating water waste in 14,000 US spas is part of the GSN mission.
• Collecting recyclable microfiber linens that can be used in building materials, and other damaged and worn textiles are donated to animal shelters.
• Reduce paper waste through technological options such as online client software and management tools and eliminate need for printed materials.
• Replace single use supplies with items such as durable beverage cups, cloth hand towels, and microfiber body wraps.
• Utilize biologically safe laundry detergents, non-chlorine bleach and energy efficient equipment.

Stusser states, “The GSN is dedicated to creating a culture of merit by celebrating and sharing best practices. We have begun by having our members take realistic steps that can be easily accomplished with the intention of gradually raising the bar for sustainable business practices throughout the entire spa community. The network acknowledges that we are in this together and sharing our individual successes and innovations will bring everyone closer to the possibility of a transformed world.”

360˚ SUSTAINABILITY
The concept of “green” is often thought of only in terms of environment. The GSN has adopted a 360- degree view of sustainability that benchmarks and measures progress. The benchmarks range from startup initiatives to fully integrated sustainability practices within the following categories:

leadership
employee experience
guest experience; treatment protocols
retail products
linens and textiles
food and beverage
community connection
waste
water use
lighting
environment
equipment
sanitation/laundry
linens
energy use
pool operations

SELECTING A PRODUCT
When it comes to a spa’s retail product line, the GSN encourages members to select product lines that correspond with philosophies of well-being, quality, sustainability, and responsibility. The sustainability continuum progresses with these benchmarks:

Incubator level: Whenever possible select retail skincare and other product lines that fit your sustainability goals; communicate your sustainability and ingredient goals to product suppliers; plan to eliminate products that contain synthetics, fragrances and dyes, phthalates, parabens, and triclosan.

Initiative level: Audit retail products from a sustainability perspective; request that supplier(s) employ sustainable practices such as packaging, local sourcing of raw materials; and ensure that at least 20% of products offered are fair trade, organic, sustainable, made with pure ingredients, and packaged sustainably.

Integrated level: 100% of retail skincare products are certified at the highest level [USDA NOP, EcoCert, Natural Products Association, NaTrue, Soil Association, NSF, or BDIH certification] for product quality, purity, and sustainability.

Most GSN member spas are beyond the initiative level in the retail product category and aspiring to the fully integrated level as certifications and verifications are made available.

OSMOSIS SPA IN CALIFORNIA SEES GREENING AS A STEP IN SHIFTING THE IMAGE OF A SPA VISIT AWAY FROM ONE OF PAMPERING INDULGENCE TO A MORE GROUNDED AND HOLISTIC EXPERIENCE THAT MAKES THE OBVIOUS CONNECTION BETWEEN PERSONAL AND PLANETARY WELLNESS.

THE NATURAL BODY SPA IN ATLANTA HAS 100 YEAR OLD RECLAIMED BARN WOOD FLOORING AND SHELVING AND HAS BEEN AN OFFICIAL DROP OFF SITE FOR USED CELL PHONES THAT ARE THEN PICKED UP BY EARTH SHARE FOR RECYCLING

Rhana Pytell is co- founder and director of GAIA Spa in La Jolla CA. Ms. Pytell also founded Amethyst Systems, a company that provides templates and spa management tools in a web-based format. Rhana serves on the board of the Green Spa Network.

At a time when the U.S. economy is facing its biggest crisis in decades, clean technology offers the promise to be the next big engine of business and economic growth.

What is clean tech? At Clean Edge, a firm that covers the clean technology market, our definition refers to any product, service, or process that delivers value using limited or zero nonrenewable resources, and/or creates significantly less waste than conventional offerings. Clean technology comprises a diverse range of products and services—from solar power systems to hybrid electric vehicles—that:

• Harness renewable materials and energy sources or reduce the use of natural resources by using them more efficiently and productively
• Cut or eliminate pollution and toxic wastes
• Deliver equal or superior performance compared with conventional offerings

Clean tech covers four main sectors: energy, transportation, water, and materials. It includes relatively well-known technologies such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP), wind energy, biofuels, advanced lithiumion batteries, and large-scale reverse-osmosis water desalination. It also includes emerging technologies such as wave and tidal power, silicon-based fuel cells, distributed hydrogen generation, plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles, and nanotechnology-based materials.

So how did clean tech go from the stuff of back-to-the-earth utopian dreams to its current revolution among the inner circles of corporate boardrooms, Wall Street trading floors, and government offices around the globe?

We’ve identified six major forces—what we call the six Cs—that are pushing clean tech into the mainstream and driving the rapid growth, expansion, and economic necessity of clean tech across the globe: climate, costs, capital, competition, China, and consumers.

Costs. Perhaps the most powerful force driving today’s clean-tech growth is simple economics. As a medium to longterm trend, clean-energy costs are falling as the costs of fossil fuel energy, despite the drop in the price of oil in the second half of 2008, are going up. The future of clean tech is going to be, in many ways, about scaling up manufacturing and driving down costs. Recent advances in core technology and manufacturing processes have significantly improved performance, reliability, scalability, and cost of clean energy sources, primarily solar and
wind.

By contrast, in conventional fossil-fuel power such as coal and natural gas (which together provide approximately 60% of the world’s electricity), the generating technologies are mature, stable, and already widely deployed—so their technology costs are relatively steady and predictable. What determines the price of conventional power is the cost of fuel—and the price of fossil fuels, while certainly experiencing directional gyrations as we’ve seen in the past year, has nearly always moved in the same general direction over the long term: up.

With solar, wind, small-scale hydroelectric, geothermal, and even the nascent technology of ocean tide and wave generated electricity, the price-determining formula is just the opposite. There is no cost of “fuel”—the sun, the breeze, the heat of the earth, the tides and waves arrive free of charge daily.

Climate. Alarm is growing about the climate-change consequences caused by our continued dependence on carbon-intensive, greenhouse gas (GHG)–emitting energy and transportation sources, and manufacturing processes. The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned in 2007 that global GHG emissions must be in decline by 2015 to avert disastrous “runaway” climate change. And with insurance giants such as Swiss Re and Munich Re thinking twice about climate impact on the issuance of their policies (try getting an insurance policy for an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico), the climate issue is coming front and center for companies, governments, and individuals.

This is driving clean-tech investment and deployment and becoming an increasingly important factor in assessing
investment risk factors. Global companies from DuPont to Wal-Mart are investing heavily to promote energy efficiency and clean tech in their operations to reduce their GHG contributions. “As an investor, do you believe that we’re going to take climate change seriously in terms of legislation?” asks Mark Trexler, president of Trexler Climate + Energy Services, a firm in Portland, Oregon, that advises companies and utilities on carbon-reduction strategies. “To completely ignore it, in terms of investment decisions, would be a terrible thing.”

Consumers. Rising energy prices, polluted ecosystems, and growing awareness of climate change and the geopolitical costs associated with fossil fuels are driving a shift in consumer attitudes and consumer demand for clean-tech products and services. That’s forcing companies that sell to consumers – from appliance makers to auto manufacturers to Wal-Mart – to produce and sell cleaner, more efficient products and to market them aggressively.

Who is driving this demand and growth, which is also evidenced by the steady expansion of the LOHAS demographic sector? Both early adopters, who installed the first solar PV system in their neighborhood or purchased an early-model Toyota Prius, and mainstream customers, who are installing high-efficiency water heaters, buying higher-mileage cars, insulating their homes with recycled denim, and demanding efficient EnergyStar appliances and windows.

These 21st century consumer preferences don’t seem to be slowed by the dramatic drop in gasoline prices that began in the fall of 2008. A Consumer Federation of America survey in February 2009 found that 76 percent of U.S. adults were still concerned about high gas prices and an equal number worried about American dependence on oil from the Middle East.

Capital. An unprecedented influx of capital is changing the clean-tech landscape, with billions of dollars, euros, yen, and yuan pouring in from a myriad of public and private sector sources. Since the 1970s, investments in clean technology have moved from primarily government research and development (R&D) projects to major multinationals, well-heeled venture capitalists, and savvy individual investors.

General Electric, the world’s largest diversified manufacturer, plans to invest up to $1.5 billion a year in clean-tech R&D by 2010 as part of its “Ecomagination” business strategy. Spain-based energy giants Iberdrola and Acciona are both poised to spend billions of dollars building out their clean-energy portfolios, primarily wind power, over the coming years. Toyota reportedly spends some $8 billion annually in R&D, much of it for hybrid and fuel-cell development. Sanyo, the fourth largest solar cell manufacturer in the world behind Sharp, Q-Cells, and Kyocera, has said it will invest $350 million over 5 years to expand its solar operations as well.

The trend is significant. In 2008, despite its fourth-quarter downturn, venture capital investments in clean tech (in North America, Europe, China, and India) grew 38% to $8.4 billion, according to research firm The Cleantech Group in San Francisco.

China. Clean tech is being driven by the inexorable demands being placed on the earth not only by mature economies but also China, India, Brazil, Russia, and other rapidly developing nations. Their expanding energy needs are driving major growth in clean-energy, transportation, building, and water-delivery technologies.

China is emblematic of the resource-constraint issues facing our planet; China will not be able to sustain its growth if it doesn’t widely embrace clean technology. The Chinese government is starting to understand this and in 2006 committed to investing more than $200 billion over 15 years to meet nationally mandated targets for clean energy. China is planning to have 60 gigawatts of renewable energy (not including large hydroelectric) by 2010 and 120 GW by 2020.

Competition. This refers to competition among cities, regions, and nations to attract and grow clean tech as a core industry for job creation and economic development. Thrust into the national spotlight in the past year with the focus on “green jobs” as a major component of U.S. economic recovery, clean tech as a development tool is gaining significant traction. Whether promoting the retraining of laid-off steelworkers to build wind turbines or employing inner-city job seekers to weatherize homes in their neighborhoods, more governments are seeking (and seeing) the benefits of clean tech-focused development efforts.

These powerful global forces—the six Cs—have put clean tech onto center stage and awakened a diverse range of stakeholders across the world. From Beijing to Berlin, from San Francisco to Bangalore, the clean tech revolution is well under way. It will determine which regions lead and prosper and which regions are left drowning in their own effluents, choking on their own emissions, and struggling to compete in a world that is leaner, greener, and less reliant on fossil fuels.

We believe the choice for investors, companies, governments, and individuals is simple, especially as we seek a dramatic transition out of our current financial crisis. Be part of one of the greatest business and economic shifts in recorded human history, or become extinct like the dinosaurs whose fossils fueled the last great industrial revolution.

More often then not I get emails and calls asking if there are any positions available at LOHAS. I also get many emails and meetings over coffee to discuss options with collegues who are between things which is the PC way of saying they too are out of work. The fact that there are more people looking for fewer poistions makes it a competitive arena and intimidating. Plus many don't want to sacrifice their LOHAS values for the sake of food on the table. To aid those in search of a future LOHAS employer we have comprised a list of links that you may find useful to your desired field of work.

GREEN INDUSTRY
Great Green Careers
Great Green Careers lists jobs in renewable energy, the environment and sustainable building.

Idealist.org
A place to find dream job in the nonprofit sector, or find resources to continue growing in career.

Ethical Jobs
Jobs and resumes in ethical fields - Charities, Corporate Social Responsibility, Family & Children and other categories.

Care2.com Job Listing
Care2 is the largest online network for people who want to make a difference.

Greenjobs
"One-stop" site where recruiters and job seekers can interact.

The Chronicle of Philanthropy - Career Network
Employment opportunities in company gift, charity and fund raising programs.

SpiritList.com (Southern California)
SpiritList is designed for all involved in the fields of holistic health and well-being.

Clean Edge
Your source for Clean Tech jobs.

ENVIRONMENTAL/ ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Green Career Central
Green Career Central is a membership website that provides expert career coaching and advice. There is  a green job board that is open to everyone as source of green job and career openings.

Green Dream Jobs at Sustainablebusiness.com
Offer opportunities that fulfill society's needs while contributing to the well-being of all earth's inhabitants.

Environmental Career Opportunities
500+ Environmental Jobs in conservation, education, policy, science & engineering and more!

EnvironmentalCAREER.com
Assists individuals and employers in matching potential employees with employers.

EcoEmploy.com
Find environmental jobs in government, companies and non-profits. Includes science, natural and green opportunities.

Green Biz Job Listing
Provides a listing of opportunities in various environmentally oriented businesses.

Envirolink
A grassroots online community that unites hundreds of organizations and volunteers.

The UK Green Directory 
Information about the environmental sector in the UK for consumer, professional and business users.

GeographyJobs
GeographyJobs is a job search and job by e-mail service that is focused on bringing together geographers and employers in need of their talents.

WELLNESS/FITNESS
Wellness Jobs
Post Wellness job employment resume or find a Wellness job listing

WellnessCoachCareers.com
Search for Personal Trainer Jobs, Fitness Jobs, and Careers in Corporate Fitness and Wellness.

American Herbal Products Association Job Bank
The AHPA Job Board powered by CPGjobs provides natural health product companies with a specialized tool to assist in the recruitment and hiring of quality candidates.

Yoga Finder
Find yoga jobs and opportunities.

Health and Yoga Community
As the Yoga community grows around the world, Health and Yoga Placements & Recruitments allows Yoga Job Seekers and Yoga Recruiters to find each other.

FitnessJobs.com
FitnessJobs.com is an internet recruitment site/job board that specializes in the health, fitness, recreation and leisure industries.

HEALING ARTS
Healing Schools Job Listing
This listing can help you transition from student to practitioner with a salary. You can also find internships as well.

DIVERSITY/MINORITY
Jobs4.0
The leading source of job opportunities for candidates 40 and over.

Diversity Jobs
Diversity job board and workplace diversity blog with the latest news, articles, opinions and information.

MinorityJobs.net
Free Resume posting & Job listing site, with Career guide, civil rights, legal & government news archive, plus scholarship links.

DiversityWorking.com
The largest diversity job board online, career opportunity and news source resource and job search engine for the cultural diversity marketplace.

Women on Hire Job Listing
National career fair and diversity recruitment information as well as career advice for women including: job interview questions, resume example and cover letter.

Women’s Job List
Over 2000 companies and organizations link to this site, providing employers with exclusive access to highly qualified candidates.

OUTDOORS
Outdoor Adventure Professional Network Job Listing
Free job search and posting site for outdoor adventure professionals.

OceanCareers.com
Explore over fifty ocean-related careers.

Wilderdom Job Listing
Current outdoor education jobs and employment opportunities - links to adventure education positions around the world.

NON-LOHAS SITES (but information on LOHAS jobs available)
Juju
Speed up your job search and find better jobs! Juju searches millions of jobs from thousands of sites.

Simply Hired
Search over 5 million job listings and thousands of jobs sites to find a job you love.

Craigslist
craigslist provides local classifieds and forums for jobs, housing, for sale, personals, services, local community, and events.

CareerBuilder.com
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On a whim, I spent part of the holiday season in Sydney, Australia, one of few major world cities I have never visited. Sydney is a great place to tour, but you better bring lots of money, as prices are very high, more like London or Paris than most U.S. cities. So long as you can afford it, the sightseeing is terrific.

It could be argued that the Sydney Aquarium is among the best in the world, boasting incredible specimens of sting rays, dugongs, giant sea turtles, crocodiles, and many more. The design of the building itself is first rate, great viewing even with big crowds, especially where you walk "through" the huge tanks with giant fish passing over your head - it appears the six inch thick glass is strong enough. The famous Opera House is even more breathtaking in person, and the indoor views are as stunning as the exterior. You can climb to the top of the giant Sydney Harbor Bridge on foot, try that in the States with our lawsuit-happy society. The Art Gallery of New South Wales offers a world class collection spanning the centuries. The champagnes, petit syrah, and shiraz continue to get better and better. The food is generally good, and a growing variety of organic and natural choices are offered. As for the customer service, well, I'll circle back on that in a moment.

To my surprise, I found the folks Down Under are ahead of us in a number of ways when it comes to going green and sustainability management. I stayed in the City Centre area of downtown, which is noticeably clean and tidy. Strange looking "Go Green" passenger-carrying bicycles with full canopies, kind of like the pedi-cabs in Central Park, periodically troll by. A natural gas powered fleet of city buses circulates regularly. Dual-flush toilets are very common in public places. Separate recycling containers are inconsistent but available. Apparently most residential neighborhoods are given three separate bins, for bottles and cans, compost, and regular trash. And unlike many U.S. downtowns, many building lights and signs are turned off at night to conserve power.

What's most impressive are the strict new rules - in an economy at least as compromised as ours - pertaining to energy efficient new construction. All homes must meet stringent energy efficiency standards to receive building permits; each home must also have a rainwater collection system which supplies the toilets. There seemed to be a high level of ecological thinking, awareness and support for these policies, at least among the various citizens I encountered.

Unfortunately, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has been unable to pass a national cap and trade or equivalent policy to limit carbon output. Like our Senate, the Australians have failed to push meaningful climate change legislation across the goal line. When discussing this with the local intelligentsia, the feeling is that Australia is behind other nations and is missing out on a chance to rebuild their economy around renewable energy and clean tech. Policies such as scrapping their solar incentive program are inconsistent with Rudd's declaration that "climate change is the greatest moral and economic challenge of our time," according to The Australian on December 30th.

My only complaint is that service is "relaxed" compared to our standard in major cities. Even in the heart of downtown Sydney, the pace and intensity is not the same as America. In many cases we couldn't get waited on at all unless we literally grabbed a waitperson. You sometimes felt like you were intruding by asking for someone to take your order. ]To the good, it feels like there is a higher standard of ethics and integrity among the retail trade: I had several salespeople send me up the street to direct competitors if they didn't have what I was looking for. Cab drivers don't try to rip you off. It seemed that in general, a deal's a deal, no strings. Very refreshing.

Globalization is definitely affecting Sydney. You still see the traditional, burly Crocodile-Dundee type guys on the street, but in general foot traffic reveals a melting pot not unlike London or New York. I think I will have to come back to see the Outback regions and scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef.

As always, I'm curious to hear your impressions of how green Australia is, and, whether you agree with me about the service. Thanks for reading. If you are interested in reading more about energy efficiency upgrades and rainwater catchment systems, please click here. 

I just entered the new Emerald City. The proprietor here, however, isn't The Wizard of Oz, and this sure ain't Kansas. This is the MGM Grand's City Center, located on the Las Vegas Strip.

You may have heard of it by now. City Center's Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Aria Casino/Hotel, Vdara Hotel and Crystals retail experience just came on stream over the past two weeks. Veer Towers, a modern-day take on the Leaning Tower of Pisa, is two condo buildings nearing completion. The Harmon is yet another high rise still under construction. City Center is simply the biggest, best, greenest, edgiest, most beautiful, over the top, spectacular, mind-blowing commercial/retail/residential development I've ever seen.

 

Yes I said greenest. City Center is the largest LEED project ever, achieving six separate gold certifications. You have to give props to developer/co-owner MGM Grand (Dubai World owns the other 50 percent) for having the vision and deep pockets necessary to design and build the most ambitious sustainable project of its kind in the world.

City Center is located on the Las Vegas Strip, north of Mandalay Bay and Monte Carlo, south of Bellagio. Sixty-seven acres - about 12 square city blocks - 18 million square feet of buildings which are so individually exceptional they should compete with each other, but instead they harmoniously meld into a stunning tour de force of architecture, art, and design. It accomplishes what no one man or woman could do. Names like Helmut Jahn, Daniel Liebeskind, Caesar Pelli, Gensler Design, Adam Tihanyi, David Rockwell, BBMG Design, WET design and Steve Marino, among dozens of other top designers, architects, and visionaries, all worked together to make City Center happen. I wonder how they got all that talent and ego to drive the same bus?

The use of sustainable materials and green building techniques throughout the project is innovative. The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) woods found on walls, staircases, trim and sculptures in Aria and Crystals are breathtakingly beautiful. Drip water irrigation takes care of the landscaping meandering the lobbies, driveways and entrances. The feel of this project merges a park-like theme, a big city downtown, and a cultural center into one. City Center has upped the ante worldwide by delivering uber sophistication in a very sustainable package. Walking is the best way to get from building to building; a people-mover tram snakes its way around the facilities. Think of Rockefeller Center, Las Vegas style.

MGM claims that water use is reduced by 60 percent for landscaping and 33 percent for bathrooms and restaurants over conventional buildings. Low flow plumbing fixtures are found everywhere. Most of the lighting in both the public spaces and hotel/condo rooms are LED lights. Almost all demolition and construction waste was re-used. Total estimated energy savings is 30 percent vs. a typical non-LEED structure. Cindy Ortega, MGM Senior Vice President of Environment and Energy, attributed their success in earning the six LEED awards to a process-oriented approach that doggedly pursued each requirement line item by line item.

Efforts to make this $8.5 billion project truly sustainable extend down to details like the fragrances wafting into the air in the hotel lobbies, which are guaranteed to have no harmful VOCs or chemicals, to special blowers in the base of the slot machines to cool the air. One of the project's 40 full time sustainability professionals actually traveled to China, where the scents are manufactured, to ensure that they are indeed sustainable.

One potential problem I noticed is the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system. A great deal of engineering went into the air filtration and ventilation controls to limit toxins and VOCs. Unfortunately, my hotel rooms in both Mandarin Oriental and Vdara were unbearably warm, even when it was in the high 50s outside. Of course I turned the A/C on, but in both cases, the actual room temperature was many degrees warmer than the thermostat setting. This was quite frustrating, and makes me wonder what happens in summer when it's 110 degrees outside? Hopefully, this is a sustainability management teething problem that gets worked out soon.

If it sounds like I love City Center, OK, guilty. Odds are, so will you. The architecture, design and materials, the flagship luxury stores, more great restaurants from foodie celebs like Wolfgang Puck, Michael Mina and Eva Longoria, the list goes on. The big question is, can the wounded economy support such an ambitious, upscale, high overhead venture? The whole thing could be a case of great product/bad timing if things don't pick up. At risk of cliché, time will tell.

There is too much to talk about in one column when it comes to the new Emerald City, so, we will continue next time with Part 2. Oh, one more thing: if you're at all curious about seeing this architectural wonder in person, do so now. Introductory prices are in effect so rooms can be had at special rates, at least for awhile. It's a great opportunity to enjoy a "benefit" of the recession, high roller accommodations at reasonable prices. Dining, drinking and shopping, however, are priced to match the luxury surroundings, no deals to put it mildly.

For those of you who have already been to City Center, feel free to comment, I'd love to hear your impressions. Thanks!

So I was in Park City, Utah, last week expecting to find a green haven among the pristine white winter wonderland. As one of the world’s most desirable ski areas with upscale communities and lodging to rival Vail and Aspen, Park City is truly a special place. Imagine my surprise, then, to discover that despite an abundance of natural and man-made beauty – not to mention a population of educated, nature-loving outdoors enthusiasts – Park City is seemingly behind the times in sustainability management and going green.

Some of the finest hiking in the world, great whitewater rafting, and of course world class skiing. You’d think those pursuits would transfer over to local policies that are fairly restrictive on development, and an overall culture of green. Certainly everybody I met on the hiking trails and at the river looked the part, and it seemed that they were concerned about all things environmental. It wasn’t until I got to really tour the area, which includes the ski mountain as well as Old Town, the main drag filled with businesses and shopping, that some practices I observed began to raise my eyebrows.

Most of the upscale lodges offer shuttle service from Empire Pass and upper Deer Valley, particularly luxurious parts of Park City near the top of the main ski mountain, down to Old Town. Even when the weather is warmer, they all seem to leave their shuttle vehicles – mostly larger SUVs of course – running, for hours if need be, burning fuel and emitting carbon all the while. Recycling bins are often difficult to locate. Many of the pricier homes in and around Park City are enormous, six to twelve thousand square footers. These palaces often serve as third or fourth homes for their well-to-do owners. We toured some empty ones and while beautiful, I noticed many of the thermostats were set to a toasty 74 degrees despite being empty most of the year (with the exception of peak ski season).

Perhaps most disturbing was hearing about a troubled residential fourplex project that was built to state-of-the-art green standards. According to reliable sources in the local real estate community, it seems that buyers are avoiding it like the plague because they immediately assume the green features add cost not value. The project is very well designed, sets a standard for energy efficiency and thoughtful construction, and it is priced commensurate with similar higher end properties in the area. Yet its designation as a green design property has made it more albatross than swan-you'd think it would be a socially responsible investment. Hard to figure that this would be the case in Park City, Utah, an outdoorsman’s paradise?

Also surprising is to see the huge amount of residential inventory available in the area, yet there are construction projects planned for what seems like every empty lot. Hasn’t the housing crisis taught us anything? Here’s hoping that a revelation will occur and the developers of these coming projects will at least design and build them using sustainable materials. I am not trying to attack Park City, I actually love the place. But it was a real surprise, and disappointment, to find that this gorgeous resort community has a long way to go before it can claim to be not only a white but green wonderland.

As always, my friends, please post your replies, thanks!

If you have been following my tweets or Facebook updates then you know I have been living out of a suitcase for the past few months. It seems like there are a lot of green events and conferences going on this year and you know what – there certainly are. It used to be that there were standard events that everyone attended. Now that green business is all the rage there are more events that bring business leaders together.

I have been to quite a few and still have a few yet to go. Here is a summary of what I have experienced that I hope will help you determine which ones are the most suitable to attend for education and networking.

Conference season – Fall and spring are the times when most of the events happen. Fall is busier than spring so you newbies to the conference scene plan the fall to be traveling.

September:

Expo East – Is the Natural Food and Products show on the east coast. This event brings companies from the organic food and personal care industries together. This year it was in Boston. I didn’t go this year but have been in the past. It is much smaller than the spring west coast show and I like it because east coast companies are well represented. Plus you can actually have a conversation with people at booths rather than deal with a sea of people. If you are located on the east coast it certainly is a good one to attend.

Natural Cosmetic Congress – This is held in Germany and I presented U.S. LOHAS info. It is run by the same organizers as Biofach which is the largest European organic and natural food expo. I enjoyed this because it was about 200 people who focused on the German speaking areas of Europe and organic skincare. Germany has embodied much of LOHAS values into their culture including advancements in skincare. Companies like Dr. Hauschka, Primavera and Weleda are headquartered there. Even though many think Germany is light years ahead of the U.S. in sustainability they are still facing similar challenges such as ingredient listings and certification confusion. Nevertheless it was a great event to get some insight into the happenings of the cosmetic world of Germany.

Health and Beauty Expo – Happens in New York and brings together all the leaders in the cosmetic world. The floor is full of suppliers and manufacturers and well known brands such as Este Lauder and L’Oreal. I have spoken at this event as well which I thought was great. It is always good to get out to new people and educate them on healthy skincare and LOHAS consumer values.  If you are in the skincare market this is the big boy of the industry.

International Spa Conference – The big expo for the spa world and wellness. I have spoken at this event and see more and more green products and services every year. All the new information available on skincare and awareness of organic vs. chemical skincare products has many companies wanting to keep up with consumer demands. Also a very well groomed bunch.

October:

21st Century Book Marketing – A new event that was created for people who are looking to write a book and what steps to follow. It was created by people who have experience in the self help world which makes sense since that is the category that sells the most books. There were about 200 people and some great speakers such as Jack Canfield and Debbie Ford. The sessions were packed full of information on marketing practices and a lot of techniques on social media which I found very useful. Lots of energy and networking. If you are interested in creating, publishing and marketing a book this is a great event for you.

Social Venture Network  – An member organization of entrepreneurs who focus on social and environmental business as their business mission. The founders of Ben & Jerry’s, New Leaf Paper, Odwalla and Aveda are members. This event brings together pioneers of the LOHAS space with new upcoming start ups and nonprofits and provide great opportunities for creating relationships for mentoring, advising and sometimes even investing. There is a lot of heart at this event and a lot of bonding. For those who are not willing to hug strangers – be wary. I really enjoy this event for the heart that is involved and the heartfelt participation that people provide during the conference. SVN has 2 events – 1 in fall and a members only event in spring.

SRI in the Rockies – focuses on socially responsible investing and brings together financial planners and SRI fund managers to talk about investing and shareholder advocacy. I enjoy this event to get a pulse of financials as they relate to LOHAS. They also have great speakers such as Marc Gunther and Jane Goodall speak to add to the social element. Plus they hold a killer dance party. Those fund managers know how to boogie.

Bioneers – A blend of ecological, social justice and artistic creativity that absolutely astounds me. There are about 3,000 people who come together for this and the speakers are unbelievable. I really enjoy hearing and learning about the earth and struggles that people are experiencing so I can share with others. It is very inspirational to see the line of biodiesel and hybrid cars in the parking lots next to the prayer flags and yoga tents and meet people that have ecological thinking in the forefront of their minds. They also provide satellite events throughout the country that are live feeds of the main event to create more local awareness and community. A great one to get really inspired.

Green Spa Network Congress – a fairly new nonprofit attempting to take back spa from the concepts of commercial luxury and pampering and bring it back to is wellness essence. This was a great workshop that had spa and property owners mingle with skincare companies and suppliers to talk about how to create green health spas and sustainable spa practices. Very good people who really care about their businesses and want to do the right thing.

November:

Opportunity Green – a new event held at UCLA focusing on sustainable business and green design. A very high energy event and has about 600 people in attendance. Ther is a mix of eco friendly fashion meeting vibrant upstart green technology. It is a mix of small businesses and some larger corporations. The presentations are go good mix of ‘how to’ for smaller and mid size businesses and case studies from larger corporations that show how much money can be saved by going green. It is also the only big sustainability business conference I know of in LA.

Green Business Conference – held just before Greenfestival, this event is a great one especially for green small and mid size business who really want to be sustainable through and through. They provide a lot of workshops and insight and networking opportunities. Plus it is followed by the largest Greenfestival that has about 40,000 people attend and have wonderful booths, food and speakers. There are also Greenfestivals that occur in Chicago, Seattle, DC and Denver.

Greenbuild – Run by the USGBC and is a massive expo on green building and design. If you are in the design or construction world this is where you get to see the latest innovations in energy efficiency and eco materials. Denim insulation, counter tops of recycled glass, solo tubes, solar panels, energy efficient AC units, LED lighting and everything in between. A very informative event with a lot of momentum that only looks to grow.

Good and Green – held in Chicago and for those interested in learning about green marketing strategy this is a great event. It is also a great place to mix with larger company green marketer and agencies. Companies like Edelman, Martin Agency, Planet Green, Ford, Toshiba and Cotton USA were present last year. I saw a really interesting presentation last year at this event on color patterns in green advertising. Being a marketer myself I find this to be a great event to hear what is happening in larger companies as it relates to their sustainable story.  I am to do a presentation this year and it will test me to see if I can play with the big boys.

LOHAS – The grand daddy of them all! Ok I am biased but we are very proud of our event that brings together 600 business executives that are not only interested in the LOHAS market but also have a personal affinity to the movement. I think the difference between our conference and others is that it provides a bridge between large and small businesses and provides content that is informative and soulful. Many events focus on the business aspect and we provide that plus the ability to network at a heartfelt level. It is a bit difficult to explain but once you go you will know. Mark your calendars for June 23-25th to come to Boulder Colorado for LOHAS!

So as you can see Ive been a bit busy. All of these are great events and please go to the websites of the ones you think are most appropriate for you. You really can’t go wrong with any of them. However I do recommend coming into an event with eyes wide open and to read who is speaking and what topics are going to be spoken about so you can manage expectations and have a bit of a strategy. If you have other events that I have missed and worth mentioning please share them. Love to hear what events you think are good to attend.

Blazing neon lights 24/7, the world’s most grandiose fountains, gridlock on Las Vegas Boulevard, frigid indoor air over millions of square feet when it’s a hundred and ten outside … not exactly a poster boy for sustainability.  Name the top ten green cities in America – I’ll bet Las Vegas would not make your shortlist.
 

Well, think again.  After meeting with officials from the City of Las Vegas to learn more about their green initiatives for our Sierra Club Green Home Web site, I must conclude that America’s adult playground is making a sincere effort to embrace sustainability.  And the major casinos have actually been pioneers in energy saving techniques – with the power and water bills they generate, it makes economic as well as altruistic sense for them.  “What Happens In Vegas Stays In Vegas” but it might be beneficial for the casinos to get the word out about their green initiatives.

 

Sometimes controversial, always quotable and often progressive, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman is somewhat of a legend on the local and national scene.  Under his stewardship, Las Vegas began to embrace green environmental policies before it became de rigeur.  Goodman was one of the first to sign the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, a pledge to green their city which now has over 1,000 mayoral signatures.  Currently, Las Vegas has one of America’s toughest consumer watering policies.  “Water cops” can fine you if they see runoff on your sidewalks.  Outdoor fountains at residential developments have come to a grinding halt.   Vegas was also an early adopter of hybrid fleet vehicles and even embarked on a recycled anti-freeze program in 2007 to help power the city fleet.  They also have a green building program, which rewards developers with tax breaks for building energy efficient, ecofriendly structures.
 

 

Tom Perrigo, Deputy Director of Las Vegas’ Planning and Development Center further enlightened me about how the city has been a pioneer in all things sustainable since 2005.  The city government and related buildings all have strict, sustainability management guidelines for power and water usage as well as recycling.  They are setting a great example here, and many of the major casinos in town have followed suit with state-of-the-art technology for saving power on laundry, lighting, climate control and water consumption.   City Center, the largest real estate development project in the country, is being built to varying degrees of LEED standards with help from prominent consultant John Picard and other leading green architects and designers.  Another noteworthy Las Vegas program is Green Chips, which provides free home energy audits for residents of low income housing and loans to consumers and businesses that will use the funds to improve energy efficiency.
 

Things are not perfect in Las Vegas, for sure.  To the average homeowner, recycling is not commonplace.  There are several neighborhoods that pick up recycling, but for a city of this size and scope the recycling efforts have a long way to go.   Some people have the false notion that the trash companies separate out the recyclables at their facilities.  I could not find any proof that this is accurate.   And most obviously, sun, sun, sun everywhere, but where are all the solar panels?  It is disturbing to think about how much solar power could be generated for residential and commercial applications here, yet solar panels are almost non-existent on the residential side.  Hopefully continuing advances in solar panel technology, additional governmental subsidies, and cost reductions will change this.  Perrigo also mentioned Nevada’s terrain is primed for generating Geothermal power; he has high hopes that the state will embrace this renewable source in the future.
 

Sierra Club Green Home.com has staffers from UNLV’s environmental studies program who are committed and enthusiastic about spreading the word on sustainability.  These young people are Las Vegas residents who inspire me with their dedication and willingness to help America go green.

The point here is that if an inherently non-green city like Las Vegas can embrace sustainability, so should all municipalities.  I urge you to look into what your city is doing to improve the environment.  Sierra Club’s Cool Cities program outlines sustainability agendas  across the nation.  Please take a moment to see what your city is doing at Cool Cities.  Let us hear your comments, and if they aren’t doing enough, be sure to urge your mayor and council members to do more.


 

Pictured Above: Sierra Club Green Home.com employees, Abi Wright and Bridge Barnes, meet Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman.

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I recently received a call from a radio station in Manhattan, wanting me to comment about Mayor Michael Bloomberg using a chopper for the 12 minute hop to see U2 at The Meadowlands. How un-green of him!? What an assault on the environment!? After thinking about it for a moment, I decided to give a rare “no comment” and avoid piling on the Mayor for this egregious mistake.

After the dust settled, there were many detractors and supporters -- and overall, I am in the latter category. It seems that Mayor Bloomberg, who is pals with U2 front man Bono, as they have worked together on charitable endeavors, had committed to attending the concert and visiting with Bono in person before the show. As he was busy meeting with the President of the Dominican Republic (maybe about importing some Little League prodigies to help the Mets?) he didn’t have time to limo the 12 miles to reach The Meadowlands, in New Jersey. Let’s face it, a 12 mile bridge and tunnel journey in New York rush hour can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour and a half. Thus the chopper, a guaranteed 10 minute ride.
 

The green critics called foul: hey, how dare the Mayor use a helicopter, which admittedly is a smoke-belching, air polluting machine, to attend a concert, not a matter of state or city but a personal entertainment event? To which I say, on some level, and sorry about this: all men are not created equal when it comes to personal transportation. Should President Obama not fly Air Force One since it emits more carbon on one cross country flight than thousands of automobiles do over a whole year? Let’s remember that Bloomberg works for no salary, and has contributed hugely to the green movement by tackling many environmental issues in New York. 
 

Indeed, here are just a few of Mayor Bloomberg’s recent green environmental milestones:  creating a law mandating a fully green taxi fleet by 2010 throughout New York;  designing a major water infrastructure  plan that will conserve New York’s water usage;  a program to reduce city carbon emissions a full 30 percent by 2030; an initiative to repopulate the city with fuel efficient, low emissions trash trucks; and the ill-fated Congestion Tax he proposed, one not unlike London’s, which would have charged citizens for driving into Manhattan.
 

Bloomberg is a proven leader in the green world and his time – let’s bear in mind that he is personally a billionaire – is very valuable.  If I were a Manhattan-based taxpayer, I’d want him working on green energy efficiency programs and not sitting in the back seat of a limo wasting over an hour of that precious time.  A helicopter makes sense for the Bloombergs of the world, especially for short hops around Manhattan and the immediate surrounding area.  Efficient, fast and relatively safe travel for a really, really important guy to whom every second counts.
 

This should not be a political issue.  Perhaps it’s about a Wall Street titan vs. the average man?  Wall Street titans are no longer in vogue.  Bloomberg himself quipped, maybe he should have biked and swum his way over to the Meadowlands? 
 

We can all learn from this.  Whenever going on personal errands, to work, or to entertainment and recreational activities, we should try to travel as efficiently as possible.  Walk, ride a bike or take public transportation if we can.  And if circumstances make those choices a no-go, maybe we stay home instead?  However, if Bono is waiting, I’d say go ahead and drive, or even helicopter.  The good that Mayor Bloomberg has done for New York and the long term viability of our planet, and the additional green initiatives that he will launch, have earned him plenty of chits.  I for one say let’s applaud him for his commitment to stopping climate change and working for free in a job that is surely exciting but does infringe on one’s privacy.
 

Your comments, as always, are encouraged.  For as in most of the issues we raise in My Inner Green, there is no real right or wrong answer…

 

Many of the latest and greatest hotel, resort and office properties claim to be sustainable developments– but are they?  A recent experience tells me that while recognition of the “need to be green” is all good, we have a long way to go before even the top level of architects and developers really understand how to design and build a sustainable property.

 

Of course, there are exceptions, and LEED guidelines assure us that a building is truly green.  However, developers have a strong sense that the incremental costs required to meet LEED Silver status, much less Gold or Platinum, are prohibitive. 

 

Here’s a real-world example.  Recently, a friend’s 50^th birthday in L.A. gave us the opportunity to try out a brand new resort hotel, Terranea, located on the Palos Verdes peninsula at the old Marineland of the Pacific site.  This magnificent resort is built on over 100 prime acres of priceless land overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  The developer, Destination Resorts, purports to be fully sustainable and offers a “Destination Earth” section on its Web site which details the various energy saving practices employed by the company at the dozens of resorts it owns throughout America.

 

So, we check in, and while walking down the hallways, we notice it is about 60 degrees.  Why?  Nobody knows.  We asked the alert and attentive, young staff and they looked at us as if we had multiple heads.  It was a full 10-15 degrees cooler in the hallways – and these circuitous corridors are hundreds of yards long – than the rooms, which were plenty comfortable in the mid 70s even without the A/C engaged.  Yet the system was just blasting ice cold air in the halls, 24-7, for no apparent reason.

 

Even in good hotels, a low hot water supply is sometimes a problem.  Not at Terranea.  Turn on the shower, there is no “H” and “C”, just “H” and “S” … for scalding.   Again, think of the extra power needed to drive the hot water heater all day and night while holding the temperature at boiling point.  Unnecessary and what if you did want a cold shower?

 

Also, if you find yourself with an empty soda can or already-read newspaper, there is no place to dispose of it, at least, no place where you know it will end up in the recycling bin.  (Admittedly a recycling addict, my husband totes cans, bottles and reading material back home with us in his luggage, to dispose of them in our big blue bin that we know gets properly recycled.) 

Meanwhile, Destination Resorts boasts of sustainable practices on its Web site, including use of CFL light bulbs; re-using sheets and towels; sensor toilets; low flow showerheads, and the like.  We don’t mean to call out Destination Resorts, so much as point out that if the fourth largest resort company in America still has glaring non-green issues, just think about the other new construction that is still a very long way from being truly green.  I had another disappointing experience at the Marriott in Oakland, Calif., at the Berkeley Meeting of the Minds Conference in 2007.   This conference was devoted to building city infrastructure systems green, and Steven Chu was the keynote speaker.   Although the conference content was top notch, I found it ironic that no one seemed to care that the rooms lacked recycling bins; plastic water bottles were frequently used on-site; and an extraordinary amount of food waste was not being composted, so far as I could tell.  
Hotels’ and resorts’ eco-initiatives – especially at green conferences – should be a priority.  In fact, I applaud the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel, Calif., for its efforts in making the Fortune Brainstorm Green Conference as sustainable as possible.  I never saw a plastic water bottle in sight the whole week I attended; they served organic meals; and recycling bins were readily available. On top of that, carbon offsets were purchased to reduce the travel footprint for the conference. 

Local legislation is helping matters by virtually forcing developers to build green.  As environmentalists, we are constantly hearing about new buildings and developments that are truly striving to go green.  However, Terranea is a wake-up call for us to remember that when it comes to truly living green and thinking about the environment, even the good guys in some cases have a long way to go before really making the grade.

 

We’d love to hear your experiences with public buildings that are green, but not really.  Post your comments, thanks!

I was cleaning out my computer docs and came across notes I forgot post. I think they are still relevant eventhought the attention by most has turned from energy to economy. Read on if you want clean energy options.

I attended a conference last spring in Colorado. One discussion was led by Ray Lane, Managing Partner of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. He talked about the clean tech market and the areas of opportunity. Now I have been to many clean tech presentations and usually when I come out of them I understand about half of what is being said. It takes me back to my 8th grade German classes when it seemed everyone else knew what was going on but me. (Ich bin un dummkopf.) But Ray’s presentation did not evoke those teenage images of discomfort. Here are some of the points I came away with that I think all should know:

Facts of global warming
80% of our energy is dependent on fossil fuels.
50% of our fossil fuel consumption is wasted through heat, processing or other areas of inefficiencies.
7 gigatons  (7 billion tons) of carbon are annually emitted by the U.S.  The atmosphere holds about 750 gigatons of carbon in the form of carbon dioxide. Humanity currently emits about 22 gigatons of carbon dioxide, about seven gigatons of which is carbon (excluding traditional biomass burning of one gigaton). That 22-gigaton annual output of carbon dioxide comes from burning about seven gigatons of the current mix of hydrocarbon.  
To stop global warming we will need to eliminate 350 gigatons from the atmosphere. Lane stressed the concept of technological "wedges" which, when fully deployed in 2050, will result in one gigaton per year of carbon emissions reductions.

Those are some big numbers. So what are our options?

Solar – Solar energy is energy directly from the sun. This energy drives the climate and weather and supports virtually all life on Earth. Heat and light from the sun, along with solar-based resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available flow of renewable energy. The sun emits 100,000 terrawatts (if you don’t know what that is – it is A LOT) constantly. Lane stated that it is estimated that in 2050 the world will use 15 terrawatts per year.

Challenges - storage and capacity issues as well as costs. If we are able to develop better ways to store large amounts of solar produced energy we can then get it closer to the cost of energy provided by coal.

Opportunities - We are a few product generations away from producing solar in an efficient and cheap way that can be affordable for power companies and consumers to utilize solar on a mass scale. A grid 92 x 92 miles could power the U.S. needs. More information on solar options can be found here. http://www.ases.org/

Wind – In 2005, wind machines in the United States generated a total of 17.8 billion kWh per year of electricity, enough to serve more than 1.6 million households. This is enough electricity to power a city the size of Chicago, but it is only a small fraction of the nation's total electricity production, about 0.4 percent. The amount of electricity generated from wind has been growing fast in recent years, tripling since 1998.

Challenges – transmission lines from wind farms to communities is expensive. Reliant on wind blowing and may be intermittent.

Opportunities – This is one of the fastest growing sector of alternative energy. The U.S. leads the world in wind installations. More information on wind energy can be found here.

Bio-fuels – Biofuels are produced from living organisms or from metabolic by-products (organic or food waste products). In order to be considered a biofuel the fuel must contain over 80 percent renewable materials. 

Challenges – competition of crops for fuel vs. food.

Opportunities –  1.4 trillion gallons currently produced. The U.S. consumes 6 trillion.
Cellulostic crops produce fuels competitive to those of last years high fuel prices. For more info on bio Fuels here is a good resource.

Geo Thermal – is energy generated by heat stored beneath the Earth's surface or the collection of absorbed heat in the atmosphere and oceans. It offers a number of advantages over traditional fossil fuel based sources. From an environmental standpoint, the energy harnessed is clean and safe for the surrounding environment.

Challenges – not everyone lives in Iceland and has hot pools outside their doorways. Environmental concerns with drilling and drilling expenses.

Opportunities – It was estimated that geo thermal power can provide 100 gigawatts of thermal power. Once accessed it can provide clean efficient energy and a competitive cost point.  For more info on geo thermal click here

Product Energy Efficiency – The next generation of vehicles need to be more fuel efficient. If car fuel efficiency increased to 60 mpg would reduce emissions by 25%.

Challenges – people are incentive based.

Opportunities – build in technologies to manage efficiencies. Sleep modes, etc. Learn what cars are the most and least fuel efficient here.

Other – The consumption habits of modern consumer lifestyles are causing a huge worldwide waste problem. 15 billion megawatts of energy is lost to waste. Some alternative energy companies are developing new ways to recycle waste by generating electricity from landfill waste and pollution.

Pricing Carbon – Experts believe this will occur between $20-$50 per metric ton. Others disagree.

All of these are very interesting options and demonstrate that there is no silver bullet to the Inconvenient Truth.

Look at today’s headlines and one would believe the sky is indeed falling. At no other time in modern history have things gone so awry in such a short time. Who would have expected to be faced with the challenges we are today especially after recent years of such progress in green initiatives. We were on record growth paths in 2008 in the green market. We saw expansion of clean tech initiatives develop due to the skyrocketing prices of fossil fuels. The organic and natural products market continued its annual double digit growth as did green building due to advancements in health awareness and design. Both had seen years of expansion with no limits. Yet now everyone, ranging from consumers to corporations, are tightening their belts and growth has slowed dramatically. After attending the latest Natural Food and Products Expo and talking to vendors, many companies are now anticipating a single digit growth and I am hearing many say that zero is the new anticipated growth rate for the current time. This certainly looks like the end of the eco movement as we know it but it does not mean it is the end of green itself.

Changes in Attitudes
Consumer studies show that eco-consciousness has not left the consumer mindset. According to a January 2009 consumer research report by the Natural Marketing Institute, 22% of US adults report buying fewer environmentally-friendly products as a result of the economy.  This is presumably because of price, not because they have stopped being interested in the product. The 2009 Conscious Consumer study by BBMG found that price and performance are still paramount. US consumers claim price (66%) and quality (64%) top their list of most important product attributes. But, health and environmental benefits have increased in importance since last year – including energy efficiency (47% in 2008, up 6%), locally grown or made nearby (32%, up 6%), all natural (31%, up 7%), made from recycled materials (29%, up 7%) and USDA organic (22%, up 5%). Despite the recessions, consumers are still very engaged in environmental protection. And, consumers recognize that many green activities such as energy and water conservation can protect their wallets and the planet. For example Nielsen’s Homescan service has recorded a sharp increase in consumer expenditures for canning supplies; up 15% year-on-year. This is highest, and driven by, LOHAS consumers, who increased purchase of canning supplies by 45%. Consumers may be growing their own vegetables and saving them for later, expressing local, organic, and practical desires. This reinforces the importance of knowing your consumer and targeting your marketing efforts to the highest value consumer. “The economic crisis has created a moment of reflection where consumers are redefining what truly matters and evaluating purchases based on both value and values,” said Raphael Bemporad, co-founder of BBMG. “This is a moment for leadership. By delivering on the multiple dimensions of value – price, performance and purpose – brands will be able to close the green trust gap, weather the economic storm and thrive long term.” Consumer attitudes have changed from eco-elitism to that of conservation and frugality and are looking at products and services and that will provide more bang for their buck.

Green to Save Green
Those in the spa world tend to be more affected by these downturns as disposable income becomes scarce and hard press eco initiatives to become more bottom-line oriented and based around cost savings. However, there are ways to adapt to the circumstances that will enhance your spa while maintaining your eco integrity. Here are some considerations that will help you save money and the planet simultaneously:

Energy Audit
This can be done yourself online or more extensively through a professional and will narrow down areas that you are most energy inefficient. Once you identify these areas you will be able to address them accordingly. These can be as simple as turning off your lights and computer at night or managing water temperatures in pools or laundry more accurately to save you money.

Bulk Purchases
Bulk purchases provide more quantity at a more affordable price. This also reduces packaging thus reducing waste and cut delivery costs for you. Using refillable bottles in treatment rooms can reduce clutter and maintain similar products throughout the spa.

Use Durable Cups and Plates
Rather than plastic or paper cups and napkins use washable cups and cloth napkins and other reusable items. You may have to roll up your sleeves for cleaning but it will save on purchases and save additional money. Or you may want to do away with unnecessary items that were once considered mandatory. For example a University in Philadelphia recently stopped using cafeteria trays and it has saved 3,000 gallons of water a month and thousands of dollars in annual water bills.

Creative Protocols
Design spa treatment protocols with conservation fixtures and client messaging that prevents water waste.  Subtracting only 1 minute per hot shower can save $75 on utility bills and 2,700 gallons of water per year for a family of three.

Creative Outreach
Develop outreach that goes beyond the spa itself and penetrate larger community initiatives. Strong House Spa started the Cosmetic Recycling Program that allows clients to bring in old products that contain chemicals and get a $5 credit toward organic products.  They recycle not only the containers but the products inside as all cleansing products go to their local recycling company to wash their trucks. This is a great example of promoting green efforts that support parallel businesses.

Times are certainly changing. For companies to maintain their market position while keeping to green beliefs they must make adjustments that are relevant to spa goers and current circumstances.

LOHAS has certainly become popular. It seems like everyone wants to go LOHAS. This is wonderful but consumers need to be careful companies that say they are LOHAS are not trying to sell products based on a popular trend. Consumers should research companies and ask about their LOHAS business practices.

There are some great LOHAS companies that are able to convey their commitment to LOHAS values. One of these is Aveda. If you have not been to an Aveda salon or shop you should. They are beautiful places to shop and get haircuts and they embody environmental practices globally. A visit to their website will reveal the depth of what they do for sustainability. Aveda funds wind energy sources that generate enough wind energy to offset 100% of the electricity used in their primary manufacturing, distribution and headquarters facility in Minnesota, USA. T hey have raised over $11 million for environmental causes and $1 million for breast cancer awareness. They use natural ingredients that is sourced from places like the Brazilian Amazon and Peru that provides indigenous people a source of reliable income and preserves their habitat and culture. It’s amazing that all of this happens from a place known for its high quality beauty products. This is a true LOHAS company that does a lot of great things but is modest about their actions.
Another company that is a great LOHAS model is Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Ben & Jerry’s ice cream comes in recycled paper containers. Typical ice cream freezers use hydroflourocarbon gases (HFC’s) to generate cooling and contribute to global warming. Ben & Jerry’s has come out with a new freezer that does not use HFCs and is 10% more energy efficient.  They also use 500 small-scale family farms who have pledged not to use Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH), a synthetic hormone that increases cows’ milk production. This means that the dairy products in B&Js is as natural as possible. They also use Fair Trade certified coffee in mocha products. Plus they present their information in a fun and creative way on their website.

So how can a person know if a company is a LOHAS company? In today’s market everyone is trying to get your attention. Studies have shown that the average person has over 3,000 branding messages presented to them a day. This can be seen on subways, magazines, television, internet and many other locations. It is important know how to cut through the noise. If you are concerned about a company or a product here are some easy steps to determine if it is authentically LOHAS:

Location of purchase – is the store that you are buying it from an ideal LOHAS store? Does it embody the concept of good living?

Knowledgeable Sales Staff – ask about the product to the sales representative. Why is it LOHAS? Is it organic or natural? How does it benefit my health? How does it benefit the planet?

Packaging and messaging – is the packaging recyclable? Is there excess packaging? Also what type of message to they have on the package? Do they talk about deeper LOHAS values?

Seals and Certifications – look for these for organic or fair trade products. This ensures a third party has verified the company.

Web information –does their website provide more information about their company ethics and mission? What to other blogs and product reviews say about the company?


Following these steps will help you determine what companies are authentic and what companies are not. It is a very competitive market now and it is the responsibility of the shopper to learn about what is truly LOHAS. This way you can feel confident that you are truly a LOHAS person and educate others on what you have learned.
 

The LOHAS concept has definitely become a global phenomenon with mass appeal. A Google keyword search on LOHAS provides close to 3 million results. The search results are websites, news articles, videos and blog posts from all over the world including the U.S., Japan, Australia, Taiwan, Germany and Korea. LOHAS has especially gained traction in Asian countries. For example, the Singapore Tourist Bureau has promoted itself as a LOHAS oriented city because it has beautiful gardens and clean city streets. The Korean Standards Association, which includes companies such as LG Electronics and Daesang FNF, has a LOHAS assessment and certification for environmentally friendly Korean products and services. A LOHAS Park is currently under development in Hong Kong that includes plans for 3,000 trees and a watering system that recycles rain and household waste water for gardens. In Japan, surveys showed that 22% of the population over the age of 15 are familiar with the term and 30% of adults consider themselves to be LOHAS consumers. LOHAS has definitely hit the shores of Taiwan, too. Just walking around Taipei you can find LOHAS oriented stores, products and magazines, as well as the large LOHAS department store in Kaoshung. There is evidence everywhere that LOHAS appeals to many Asians.

But how did this all happen? And where is it going?  All over the world people are recognizing that there has been a price paid for modernization. As cities grow and develop and more and more people live in populated areas with fast-paced lifestyles, pollution, more stress and unhealthy fast foods, health and overall wellbeing suffer the consequences. These are problems that many people face.  Many are starting to look closely at their own personal heath, as well as the health of their communities and the planet.   I have witnessed this in the United States. Many Americans are becoming more aware of their environmental impact and health and lifestyle issues. They are also seeking a sense of meaning and purpose beyond a fast-paced stressful life with no time to themselves. They want to be a part of a larger movement to give more meaning to their lives and they want to purchase products that are in line with their personal values.

Respect for the environment, community support and inner peace have been rooted deeply in Asian history and culture for centuries.  I find it interesting that some of these values westerners crave are inherent qualities of Asian tradition.  LOHAS brings these two worlds together, Asia and the West, by combining traditional Chinese values in a modern way that has mass appeal. People can return to or maintain their values but in an updated modern trendy way through LOHAS principles and practices. Those it appeals to are interested in a deeper sense of meaning and purpose while also feeling connected to a larger movement that values health and the environment.  

This is something that is very exciting to see and has tremendous potential if not abused, which leads to my next question: How does one know what is truly a LOHAS product? Clearly, many companies are guilty of ‘LOHAS-washing’ and take advantage of current trends and interest without being responsible for the environment, health concerns, etc. There are LOHAS branded coffee shops, LOHAS energy bars, LOHAS beer, LOHAS wine and many, many more. Since there are no standards set in place, anyone can claim their product is a LOHAS product.  For example, many companies wrap items in natural looking packaging and us green trees and a fresh, clean look in their advertisements, but they may or may not have a LOHAS product. This creates the opportunity for many companies to abuse the concept of LOHAS and dilute its essence for the sake of their own profit.  Consumers need to be careful they are not being misled and need to research a company’s authenticity.  In the U.S., ‘greenwashing’ is a term used to describe the practice of companies spinning their product as being environmentally friendly as a means to appeal to consumers.  Be careful of companies that are greenwashing or LOHAS-washing.

Sins of LOHAS-washing:
The Canadian company Terrachoice produced a study called the “Six Sins of Greenwashing.” They surveyed over 1,000 products in six different categories and came up with the six sins that can be applied to LOHAS washing:

•    Sin of the Hidden Trade-Off: e.g. “Energy-efficient” electronics that contain hazardous materials. 57% of all surveyed companies committed this Sin.

•    Sin of No Proof: e.g. Shampoos claiming to be “certified organic,” but with no verifiable certification. 26% of all surveyed companies committed this Sin.

•    Sin of Vagueness: e.g. Products claiming to be 100% natural when many naturally-occurring substances are hazardous, like arsenic and formaldehyde. 11% of all surveyed companies committed this Sin.

•    Sin of Irrelevance: e.g. Products claiming to be Cloroflurocarbon(CFC)-free, even though CFCs were banned 20 years ago in the U.S. 4% of all surveyed companies committed this Sin.

•    Sin of Fibbing: e.g. Products falsely claiming to be certified by an internationally recognized environmental standard like EcoLogo, Energy Star or Green Seal. Found in 10 products or less than 1% of environmental claims.

•    Sin of Lesser of Two Evils: e.g. Organic cigarettes or “environmentally friendly” pesticides, This occurred in 17 products or 1% of environmental claims.

These are great benchmarks for LOHAS-minded consumers to determine if company making LOHAS claims is actually speaking the truth. Unfortunately it is up to the consumer to research products for LOHAS authenticity because there are no regulations or LOHAS oriented certifications. As the concept gains more momentum and international appeal, this is a challenge that is not only specific to Taiwan but the whole world. I believe that people do not wake up in the morning and plan to harm others or the environment, however many people, particularly people in power, sometimes make decisions which have unexpected consequences. Many people have the desire to adopt LOHAS principles and become more responsible in their lives but obviously it can be more complicated that it seems. Once guidance and resources are more refined and available, LOHAS can be a way to enhance the self, community and the world like never before.



How to fight LOHAS-washing:
Research research research! – Read the packaging of a product. Do you understand all the words used? Does the message make sense to your heart? If you have questions ask the store keeper for information or go to the company website and see if they talk about their mission and ingredients.

Find stores that carry like-minded brands – Typically a store that is truly LOHAS based is very transparent with their beliefs and will share information with you. They are great resources for additional products and services that you may enjoy.

Ask for no MSG and natural and organic ingredients in restaurants – Monosodium Glutemate (MSG) is predominant in Chinese food as a flavor enhancer. However studies have shown it has adverse health effects including obesity and even seizures in extreme cases. Say no to MSG!

Looks beyond the advertising – Beware of LOHAS-washing. See if items are natural, recycled, providing charitable contributions, reducing waste, or are organic. If the product only looks LOHAS and the company cannot answer your questions it is possible they may be LOHAS-washing.