Back in 1947 a Norwegian explorer and writer named Thor Heyerdahl built a raft called the “Kon-Tiki”. He sailed for over 100 days across the Pacific Ocean and made a documentary in 1951. I saw the film and one point that he made never left my memory. He said that not a day went by that he didn’t encounter trash floating in the water. This was over a half century ago and pollution of the ocean was well on its way even back then. Frankly, I found that upsetting enough that I have never forgotten it.

More recently scientists have discovered a floating island of trash in the Pacific Ocean estimated to be somewhere in size between Texas and the continental United States. This mass of trash consists primarily of plastic, which doesn’t biodegrade. It photo degrades and does break down into smaller particles, but it never actually goes away. Plastic kills sea life and even when broken down into small particles passes through various forms of sea life and eventually to fish that we eat. Evidence indicates that there may be a connection to various health problems in humans as a result.

Despite our “throw-away” culture, it’s childish to think that what we throw away will simply cease to exist. Some people and some industries are like a kid who sticks his chewing gum under his desk. Out of sight, out of mind. There is no excuse for this kind of irresponsibility. It’s our job to take care of the earth without resorting to counterproductive and foolish extremes.

But there are extremes in every movement. A famous female entertainer recently claimed on TV to use only one square of toilet paper in order to save the environment. (Don’t dwell on that one.) A well-intentioned scientist changed the diet of test cows to cut down on bovine flatulence (gas), which some think is destroying the planet. He could have used that methane gas productively by hooking his cow to an outdoor barbeque. What a waste of a natural resource.

The recent volcanic eruption in Iceland reversed all the environmental benefits of riding a bike to work, feeding cows Beano, and saving toilet paper. In fact, all of our efforts in cutting down on greenhouse gases were destroyed in one volcanic blast. But look at Mt. St. Helens today. It’s recovered. The earth has bounced back from volcanic destruction centuries before college kids discovered trees.

Some are overly concerned about carbon dioxide - the gas that we exhale. You can easily spot these folks. They tend to be blue. They’re blue because they’re holding their breath to avoid producing carbon dioxide and a rise in sea levels. They’ve forgotten that plants and trees feed on carbon dioxide. They might actually help the environment if they went outside and exhaled on a Geranium.

Then we have the geniuses who want to use corn as fuel, which encourages people in third world countries to clear-cut rain forests in order to grow corn and make a quick buck. Ironically, the forest soil left after the land has been cleared can’t support corn crops and is rapidly washed away by the tropical rains. So now the world has lost a valuable natural resource and a source for much of our medicine while attempting to produce fuel to drive cars to a mall where fertile farmland has been covered in concrete. Pogo once said, “We have met the enemy and he is us.”

We need to be aware of the motivations of those who stoke the fires of the global warming and the man-made climate change hysteria in an effort to alter the world’s economic environment under a green banner. Does any thinking person believe that the cap and trade program is actually intended to save the environment rather than a program designed to transfer wealth on a global scale? Isn’t it obvious that the environmental movement has evolved into a religion that is anti-capitalist; anti-business and maybe even anti-human?

So the question is this: Can a business owner support aspects of the “green agenda” without being sucked into full-blown radical environmentalism? The answer is “yes”.

It is possible to be environmentally responsible without the hubris to think man has more power than solar activity in effecting climate change. It may be a slippery slope and somewhat tricky in today’s politically correct culture, but it is possible to be conscientious about the environment without trading brains for tofu. And it can actually be good for your business and decrease the actual cost of doing business, but discernment is critical.

The Green Business Chamber supports responsible business practices that contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment. We think this is eminently important. Applied intelligently, these practices can also contribute to a healthier bottom line for your business. So join us onboard the Green Business Chamber.

When someone mentions the Amish a certain image appears in your mind. If you saw the movie, “The Witness” with Harrison Ford, you will no doubt picture the horse-drawn Amish buggy carrying men in black suits and hats with funny beards and a pacifist demeanor.

Here’s the scene: A small caravan of buggies pulls into a town filled with tourists and the Amish are met with taunts from some young thugs, who relish the fact that the Amish won’t retaliate. Although he is dressed as an Amish farmer, Ford isn’t Amish, and he losses his cool, redefining the perception of the Amish in the eyes of the tourists in the immediate vicinity and blessing one loud mouth with a bloody nose.

You may also picture a barn raising project with men all working in coordination to build a barn in one day, while the women in long dresses prepare meals outside on long wooden tables. There is something very appealing about their lifestyle, their value system and their morality. It also seems to be the ultimate green lifestyle.

The Amish are basically hard working farmers with an exceptionally strong sense of community. But they also build their own furniture and today their hand-crafted products are available on the retail market. They are exceptional craftsmen with a belief in perfection in their work.

Their furniture, for example, is made from solid hardwood. They don’t use veneers, plywood or filler wood. Their furniture is built to be sturdy and durable; not extravagant or flimsy. The Amish primarily use solid maple, oak, and cherry wood with an emphasis on quality and craftsmanship.

The wood they use comes from protected forest with strict limitations on the amount allowed to be cut. This is to insure that there will always be enough wood and that the forests will be protected from deforestation.

This is a very brief glimpse into the Amish and their craftsmanship, but it also paints a picture of a group of people who live close to the earth; who depend on the earth and its regenerative powers for their sustenance, while in the process carefully preserving these valuable resources for themselves and their children.

Theirs is truly a green culture and a great example of a green business model.


by Ralph Higgins
ralphhiggins.com
jralphhiggins@gmail.com