WOMEN AND THE WESTERN LIFESTYLE

The tragic oil spill within the Gulf of Mexico is a huge warning call for all of us. We all have to cautiously contemplate the negative effect the actions of corporations and individuals are having on our world’s ecological system. A lot has been written and will continue to be written about BP and the PR nightmare it created itself through the record oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. However you might not have been told that there is a different ongoing environmental controversy centered around the issue of deforestation and a company called Asia Pulp and Paper (APP). Small businesses and organizations in all places can learn an important lesson from the situation APP finds itself in. APP is a division in the mega business, Sinar Mas, and refers to itself as one of the earth’s foremost pulp and paper companies.

APP has of late been connected to being a serious contributor to deforestation. Deforestation, people-caused disappearance of naturally occurring forests by means of logging or burning, is a huge dilemma in today’s world. It is estimated that approximately 50% or more of the earth’s plant and animal life reside within the seven percent of the earth where rainforests currently exist. For example, the most renowned of rainforests, the Amazon, a spectacular 5.5 million square kilometer rainforest in the heart of South America encompassing sections of 9 separate countries, offers no more than 82.3% of the wet broadleaf forest cover it enjoyed in 1970. It is also estimated that between 1991 and 2000, the total loss of Amazon rainforest increased from 415,000 square kilometers to almost 600,000. The data above is according to Wikipedia.

A different lesser known although still struggling rain forest, the Indonesian rainforest, has made recent headlines following a statement from Greenpeace. Inside the report, Greenpeace accuses Asia Paper and Pulp of “relentlessly trashing rainforests, driving species extinction and, if left unchecked, will threaten Indonesia’s efforts to address climate change.” Reported by CNN.com, Indonesia is one of the planet’s major culprits of emitting greenhouse emissions mainly due to clear-cutting and burning of rainforests for logging and additional purposes. Indonesia has long been a recipient of criticism for its environmental practices mainly because of disregard for global and even their very own laws. APP is currently going through a public relations nightmare due to the Greenpeace report, and of course is claiming Greenpeace’s claims are exaggerated. Nevertheless things recently took a turn for the worse for Sinar Mas as in July, 2010, Wal-Mart, announced they have taken steps to stop purchasing their paper, as a result of this and additional controversies associated with APP. Sounds like APP’s denial of the issue is making things worse and now costing them major business. The disappearance Wal-Mart’s business over the next year will considerably affect their bottom line.

This takes us to an excellent question: In today’s difficult global economy, how can companies make certain they are instituting environmentally-friendly and energy efficient business practices and never on the wrong side of a Public relations controversy? Business.Gov, the official business link to the American Government, has a 10-step guide to help organizations ensure they are energy efficient, compliant with environmental rules, and recognized as a green business. Listed here are the steps: Follow Environmental Laws, Cultivate an Environmental Management Plan, Build Green, Acquire Green Products, Implement Energy Efficient Practices, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Wastes, Conserve Water, Prevent Pollution, Create a Green Marketing communications Strategy, and Join Industry Partnership and Stewardship Programs.

Step 4 Obtain Sustainable Products, is a superb suggestion that a great many companies fail to think about. A unique way to boost awareness about deforestation while marketing your product is through eco friendly promotional products like seed paper, that is made of actual seeds and can still develop and sprout into a flower when planted. Something as simple as seed cards such as a seed business card or a seeded thank you card can create a truly unforgettable interaction with a client or industry colleague. You could potentially also incorporate a statement concerning deforestation on the stationary, making it absolutely clear about where your business stands on ecological issues. Another one that stands out on this list is step 6, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Wastes. Remembering to cut back as well as reuse is the best way to get rid of the need to recycle in the first place. Now is the time to take action to prevent deforestation as well as ensuring your company is recognized as being a green business, as a consequence solidifying your green reputation. The 10 steps above are a terrific manual for any business owner or CEO to implement green practices in your business. Embrace the challenge of continuously improving your organization’s ecological footprint. Your company’s leadership and example can help end the devastating effects of deforestation and the investment will be well worth it.