Contributed by Scott James
This month I spoke with Matt Bogoshian in DC. He is the Senior Policy Counsel for the Environmental Protection Agency. One of the ways I reconcile being apolitical and staying as far away from DC as possible is because I know I have kindred spirits like Matt fighting the good fight there. He works quite a bit with businesses, so I asked him about CSR this month.
Scott: Tell me about a company that is doing something in CSR that would be a model for the future.
Matt: Staples and Wegmans are two recent examples who, in a partnership with us, worked collaboratively with the thermal paper manufacturers to explain that a key to their business model is supplying products that people want to buy because they are safe and healthy. The retailers convinced these suppliers that thermal paper with bisphenol A (BPA) does not meet their needs as it is associated with adverse effects in the environment and may be problematic for people. Thanks to these business leaders, the EPA is now examining 19 alternatives to BPA with the active engagement of the full supply chain.
Scott: So Staples and Wegmans have made a real commitment to that project.
Matt: Yes. I’d like to see a corporate model for the future that incorporates sustainability much more broadly and deeply than what some might consider CSR being capable of doing. Model companies in the future will be ones that make more money than their competitors by producing products and services that directly or additionally address social and environmental needs.
Scott: Tell me about a specific CSR effort in another country you find inspiring, that could serve as a model for the US.
Matt: Our sustainability efforts with American manufacturers routinely afford us an opportunity to see the positive effects of corporate sustainability efforts both domestically and abroad. Take Steelcase Furniture in Grand Rapids, Michigan as an example. Under our Green Suppliers Network program – which is designed to improve manufacturing supply chains’ process efficiencies and environmental performance – we’ve seen their sustainability efforts result in $1MM+ annual savings for seven of their powder coating lines. Steelcase has now taken these lessons learned and is applying them to their operations in Germany, France, Mexico and China.
We also watch with interest the water conservation efforts of Coca Cola and other large corporations as they demonstrate sound corporate social responsibility for water conservation in India and other countries.
Scott: And how about the other way around? Is anyone internationally watching the US for CSR inspiration?
Matt: Yes, sometimes we learn from our friends abroad about efforts underway here in the US which inspire them, and give us extra energy to expand what we have already begun to do. Brazil, Chile and Singapore were excited to find out from us about one of our newer efforts called E3, which stands for Economy, Energy and the Environment. E3 draws together the resources of five U.S. federal agencies, the utility industry and local communities who then work together to help tune-up factories to reduce wasted time/motion/material/energy to help them become more profitable and sustainable at the same time.
Scott: Wow. That’s a lot of coordination! Tell me another example of what we are doing right here in the US.
Matt: Well, the EPA has a mark, a label called Design for the Environment (DfE). We evaluate products that have been designed or reformulated to contain safer chemicals and allows these products to display the label.
More than 500 companies with serious CSR leadership have reformulated more than 2,700 products to meet EPA’s stringent, science-based criteria so that their products can display the DfE label. They do this because they see a substantial return on their investment and the DfE label opens doors to new markets.
Scott: What new markets?
Matt: States and municipalities adopting green purchasing requirements, retailers who demand greener and safer products to enhance their sustainability profiles, and citizens who want products that are safer for their families and the environment. Companies large and small – from Colgate-Palmolive, Clorox, S.C. Johnson to Jelmar (CLR products), Phurity and Earth Friendly Products – are willing to invest heavily to earn the DfE label. DfE also fuels innovation among chemical manufacturers, such as BASF, Dow, and Akzo-Nobel, who have developed chemical ingredients to meet the stringent DfE criteria for use in DfE-labeled products. So in addition to gaining new market share, the DfE label helps companies meet independent sustainability measures like the Dow Jones Sustainability index.
Scott: OK, let’s talk about where we could improve. Could you illustrate one of our failures and what we can learn from it…where we are not succeeding as much as we could?
Matt: We have collectively failed to build genuine American consensus between citizens, businesses, governments, NGOs and others that ensures America will continue to be the leading economy and example for decades to come. The world is evolving from the agricultural, industrial and information ages toward the age of sustainability and we want to continue to lead in this new age. The good news is that useful lessons can be drawn from the many innovative sustainability efforts already underway by people and organizations throughout the nation.
Scott: In that vein, what question are we not asking ourselves that we should? And what would you imagine the results to be if we did ask ourselves that question?
Matt: We should be asking ourselves, “Is there a smarter, more sustainable way, to make and grow the things we need?” Sticking with the manufacturing sector as an example – with the possible exception of the electronics industry – many manufacturing processes have changed little over time. This may be due to unchanging manufacturing specifications, economic uncertainties or just plain human reluctance to change. Whatever the reason, these barriers are man-made and must be overcome.
If we answer that question with American ingenuity and innovation, we will see our manufacturing sector grow and lead our economy toward the kind of long term strength and prosperity we have come to enjoy for so many decades.
“These days people are gathering in unusual groups. Not large groups but different ones. They are the ones who grew were the sensitive children. These are the ones that wanted to save the polar bears and save the world and were disturbed by the mistreatment of others. This tribe is just beginning to find each other. There are more people entering life who are sensitive. Something happening where humanity is being tested and if we don’t pass nothing will be left. Will humanity prove to be a blessing or a curse. This the first time technology and size make up a force of nature. The creator could have made us as robots he did not. We are something more interesting. We have free will, choice and decision making abilities. All other species are set in process. 
Here it is mid August and already I have to start working on my conference attending schedule for the fall of 2011. It seems like I have to do this earlier and earlier each year primarily because there are so many LOHAS oriented conferences being added or are catching my attention that I did not know of before. I have done a post on what events I think are important the past 2 years and here is my 3rd installment of top green/health and wellness/social enterprise/sustainability/leadership conferences worth considering as you plan your conference schedule for the fall.
Casey Sheahan:
We each make choices according to the unique timing and circumstances we meet on the mountain of life -- so noting my own specific choices may not serve anyone else. As the proverb says, "Maybe the only people who profit from the experiences of others are biographers." But I can share this: As I point out in "The Four Purposes of Life," there is no such thing as a future decision; all meaningful choices are made in the moment, and they are made through action. As E.M. Forrester wrote, "How do I know what I think until I see what I do?" Thinking about doing something is the same as not doing it. So don't think without acting (or act without thinking). Make a choice and stand by it until you have seen clearly where it may lead. Faith is the courage to live as if everything that happens is for our highest good and learning.
When I was a senior in high school, I came to a pivotal point in my life: I could go to college like I had always planned on doing and worked so hard for, or I could take a year off and put everything I had into becoming a professional snowboarder. At the time, being a professional snowboarder was not something a lot of people took a crack at; let's just say that route was obviously not the safe bet! I knew that I could go to school, just like all of my best friends, and live a happy life but I also knew that if I really gave it my all I could live an extraordinary life doing what I absolutely loved. A formal education is invaluable but you can also learn about the world and your place in it in other ways. The reason I choose snowboarding is because I knew that this path was my unique way and my individual gift. Every single one of us has a unique set of talents, gifts and skills and when you have the courage to pursue these no matter what or where they lead you, you will run head first into success. The key is knowing when to take that 'leap' and the answer is within you always, you just have to listen and have the courage to act.
From as far back as age 5, I have been utterly fascinated with the raw power of music. By 12, I became so intrigued with the piano that I practiced eight hours a day and that singular focus laid the foundation for the blessing of a music career that has taken me all over the world. I also love to work in the business world where there is a constant search for a more sustainable paradigm -- particularly by sharing music as a multi-tasking power tool for so many of our challenges today such as leadership, collaboration and time management. This has kept me in the mode of service, learning and contribution, which in turn sustains my personal and professional life. I believe that we are teachers sometimes and students ALL the time! This is especially true of becoming a father -- we don't raise our kids, they raise us! Finally, I'd say the most important choice I have made is to call my everyday intention toward living in a state of constant gratitude -- when we can be in that perspective, we can see the potential of light in everything.
Scott: What country should serve as a model for the U.S. community of CSR professionals and why?
Engaging ecological-thinking consumers is a very real challenge for many green small businesses. Identifying eco-curious consumers, gathering their email addresses, and giving them appropriate incentives to sample and ultimately buy products is an enormous investment of time, resources & energy.
When it comes to the health of the planet, perhaps nothing is more detrimental than society’s habitual use of plastic. Plastic pollution is one of the Earth’s most pressing problems. And only we can resolve it.
Supporting environmentally minded companies and green small businesses that take sustainability seriously goes a long way, too. Take Electrolux AB for example. The company’s Pacific Ocean vacuum cleaner, (pictured) is made from plastic trash that washes up on one of Hawaii’s dirties beaches, Kahuku. The company also produces vacuum cleaners made from plastic found in the Indian Ocean, the Baltic Sea, and the Mediterranean to highlight the problem of plastic pollution. Patagonia comes to mind as well due to their efforts toward sustainability. Patagonia creates fleeces and other outdoor gear made from post-consumer recycled plastic and aluminum cans, in addition to other socially responsible investments. 
“Learning from the Past to Shape the Future”
“The Situation in the Gulf”
“Phood and Kids”
“Convincing Mainstream Consumers to Go Green: What really motivates them to make sustainable choices?”
“The Social Currency of Social Media”
• “Location-based social media is rapidly increasing in value, popularity and relevance. LOHAS businesses will benefit from experimenting with tools like Foursquare, Gowalla and Twitter Places to get a feel for how these applications can help engage consumers and grow business,” said Nathan Rice, interactive director for Haberman 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.
In 401(k) circles there is a saying;
There is a growing source of international development aid, spearheaded by ecotourism companies, to support community projects in host destinations. Increasingly, conscientious companies and travelers are providing “time, talent, and treasure” to further the well being of host communities. Travelers’ Philanthropy projects are helping to 
Its origins trace back to the days of healers, explorers, and sailors who traveled while offering services to those in need. With growing awareness of global citizenship and social responsibility, it is no surprise that “voluntourism” is booming. According to Peter Yesawich, CEO of America's leading hospitality marketing agency, 6% of all 
Many family-owned farms are tapping into travelers’ interest in rural heritage and lifestyle.
Raising capital for a LOHAS mission-driven venture is exceptionally challenging and is a key element of successful green business strategy. One obstacle that social entrepreneurs face is a scarcity of traditional funding sources. Conventional investors tend to avoid double-bottom line companies for fear that such investments would yield lower and slower returns. As traditional investors dominate the venture capital arena, finding investors with two bottom lines is not an easy task. 
Investor meetings can vary from a cup of coffee to a full-scale pitch before an investor group. Regardless of the level of formality, keep these tips in mind to avoid common fundraising mistakes: 
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