A Responsible Way

Coke's Green Olympics

Coca Cola is a

worldwide sponsor of the upcoming Olympic Games.  This year, the are going green and have pledged Zero waste and a Zero carbon footprint at the Winter Games.  As the makers of Coke Zero, that's a clever way to emphasize a brand!

For the Olympics, Coke will be selling beverages in their PlantBottle, a renewable and recyclable bottle that contains up to 30% plant-based materials.  In addition, Coke plans to deliver beverages using hybrid vehicles and electric cars, and storing beverages in coolers that turn off at night to save energy.  Eventually, the bottles will be made into recycled hats, vests and gloves and will be donated to a homeless shelter after the Games.

In addition to greener products, Coke is sponsoring an Environmental Torch Bearer program in conjunction with the World Wildlife Fund Canada and David Suzuki Foundation.  The program encourages Canadian residents to do more to live a sustainable lifestyle. 

This is pretty cool.  What's even more amazing is Coke's CEO, Muhtar Kent, has stated that he is so into sustainability that he effectively is the company's chief sustainability officer.  This is especially important as companies need the support from management to move sustainability initiatives forward.

Glad to know Coke's continuing their promise to eventually limit its waste to net Zero.

Nick Teams Up with First Lady to Tackle Childhood Obesity

For years, children's media entity Nickelodeon has been tackling childhood obesity.  In 2005 the launched Let's Just Play, a grant-making engagement program aimed at getting kids off the couch and moving again.  They initially partnered with the Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association and received support from President Bush.  Since the launch, the program has made great strides toward accomplishing their goals.  With heart disease and diabetes on the rise, it's important to get our kids healthy again.

Nick is now teaming up with First Lady Michelle Obama to promote her nationwide program, Let's Move.  This program is designed to help solve the issue of childhood obesity by focusing on healthier lunches at school, getting kids motivated for physical play and providing access to healthy food options across the country for those at-risk.

In an era of video games, computers and electronics, getting kids playing together is a terrific way to off-set the couch potato syndrome.  I'm ready to hit the playground - how 'bout you!

Even the Superbowl is Going Green

You'll be surprised to know that many sports teams embrace sustainability.  According to an Environmental Leader article, eighty percent of North American professional sports teams plan to increase their sustainability programs.  That's great! 

A few teams and arenas are already making an impact.  For example, the Philips Arena and the American Airlines Arena meet the requirements of the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.  But that's not all!

Even the Super Bowl is getting on the green wagon.  The NFL is taking steps to reduce the environmental impact of the Super Bowl.  The 2010 Pro Bowl and Super Bowl will be powered by renewable energy, thanks to a partnership with NextEra Energy Resources.  In addition, hundreds of trees will be planted in partnership with the US Forest Service and the Florida Division of Forestry.  There's a plan for solid waste to be recycled and leftover materials to be donated locally.  Furthermore, extra food is being prepared for donations throughout the metro Miami area.

In addition, Super Bowl XLIV will be sponsoring more than 50 charities and community outreach programs!  This will make sitting on my couch in front of the TV watching the game even better! 

One Million Acts of Kindness - Are You Game?

A new grassroots movement is about to begin and it all starts with you! One Million Acts of Kindness Week  starts Monday, February 8th. During the week, students across the country are asked to fulfill one million acts of kindness over their lifetime. That's a commitment of nearly 55 years!

The goal of this movement is for young people to find the passion in their hearts for something or someone in need.  Pretty simple.  Bringing kindness into the mindset of today's young generation is not so simple however this campaign is setting out to make a difference, one person at a time.

One Million Acts of Kindness is starting out with schools and hopes to have at least 100 registered to take part next week. If you are an educator, teacher, professor or administrator involved in an academic setting, you are encouraged to register for the first annual week-long event.  Anyone can participate, however.  All it takes is a conversation with your friends, family and community to find ways to help those in need.  People who participate are encouraged to share their stories online and build momentum to bring kindness back into our daily lives.

You can find One Million Acts of Kindness online and on Facebook or twitter.  I hope this becomes an annual event that transforms young people to make a difference in their communities.  Join the conversation!

Everybody Hurts for Haiti Relief - Radio 1 Sneak Peek

Here's a sneak peek of the reprise of REM's song, Everybody Hurts with numerous artists including Rod Stewart, Miley Cyrus, Leona Lewis, Kylie Minogue, Jon Bon Jovi, Mariah Carey, Susan Boyle and others.  It's been viewed over 173,000 times on YouTube already! Charity version available February 7th.  Give.

I love REM.  Glad they've donated this song to the relief efforts.  Enjoy!

 

 

Hope for Haiti Telethon Tonight

Tonight, MTV will air its Hope for Haiti telethon at 8:00 p.m. EST.  I hope you will tune in and donate to relief efforts for this devastated nation.

Don't have time on a Friday night to watch?  There are many ways in which you can support relief efforts.  The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have a list of reputable organizations you can donate to including the American Red Cross.  I selected UNICEF through SONIC, America's Drive-In.  There's also the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.  Glad to see two former Presidents using their voice together to promote good.  

Whatever you can afford - your time, your donations, your voice, please do.  Millions are counting on us.

Thanks, Bobby Bowden!

Bobby Bowden announced his retirement as head football coach at FSU today.  The sidelines won't be the same.

I've never personally met Coach Bowden, but have always wanted to be on the sidelines with the great man himself.  What would he say?  How does he coach?  Do players respect him?  What was his association with Mickey like? 

I will always remember his trick plays - I had hoped he would use a couple against Florida this last weekend as a testament to his creativity.  As the second-winningest coach in college football history, I hope he will be remembered for the great coach, mentor and leader he is and not the coach who stayed on a few years too long. 

Whether he stays on as an ambassador for the school or retires fully, I hope he and Mickey Andrews enjoy retirement and time spent with family and friends.  They should be proud of all they've accomplished both individually and as a coaching duo.  FSU football will never be the same again.

Ten Great Ways to be Socially Responsible - Part Four

It's hard to imagine water being a precious commodity.  Like the air we breathe, it's assumed there will be sufficient sources to sustain life on this planet.

Reducing water use is simple and effective.  The following are a few recommendations for you and your family to conserve water*:

1.  Turn the water off when brushing your teeth

2.  Run your clothes and dishwasher only when full - you can save 1,000 gallons of water a month!

3.  Water your lawn and garden in the morning - remember to adjust your sprinklers to target key areas that need water

4.  Instead of watering your driveway to clean it, dust off the old broom and give it a go

5.  Ensure you are using energy efficient appliances, including your shower head - I promise you won't look like Jerry Seinfeld!

6.  Rather than rinsing fruits and veggies with running tap water, soak them in a pan

7.  Use your dishwasher rather than hand washing.  If you don't have one, fill up one sink with wash water and another with rinse water to conserve usage.

8.  Use your garbage disposal sparingly - compost vegetables for waste instead - you'll have gallons of water and give back to the environment!

9.  Use a commercial car wash that recycles water

10.  Better yet - wash your car on the lawn - you get dual benefits!

Check out GOOD to view an informative and family-friendly video and for more information.  You can also check out Water Use it Wisely for additional tips.  Drink up!

*Source:  Water: Use it Wisely

Ten Great Ways to be Socially Responsible - Part Three

"One little person giving all of her time for peace makes news.  Many people giving some of their time can make history" - Pilgrim, Peace

Have you ever sent a letter to your Congressman about an issue that was important to you?  How about posting a charity walk event on your Facebook profile?  Better yet, have you volunteered a skill set to a non-profit in need of free service?

Lending your "voice" and skills to others in need is a terrific way make a difference.  If you have a blog, write about your favorite charity and encourage others to take part.  I learned from Liz at Mom-101 today about a new online site called Bloganthropy.  This venture is a terrific way for groups of people to take part in building community.  If advocacy is more your style, take part.  There are several terrific sites to learn more, including Get Involved, the Institute for Sustainable Communities and Care2. 

Imagine the good that can happen if everyone participated, in some small way, to advance those in need!

Ten Great Ways to be Socially Responsible - Part Two

 "O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain.  For purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain!  America!  America!  God shed his grace on thee.  And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea."  -  Katharine Lee Bates, 1895

When I think of environmental responsibility, this song comes to mind.  I try not to focus on the doom and gloom of global warming, or taxes on driving.  Instead, I focus on the wonders of this planet and organic beauty of nature.  My hope is that future generations will enjoy as many breath-taking parks, vistas, water falls, sea creatures, monuments, mountains and trees that I have experienced. 

For me, I learned of the importance of preserving our environment from camping each summer with my family.  We would pack up the VW van and take our 6-person tent across the country to destinations unknown.  Of course, I'm sure the emissions of the VW van wouldn't pass muster today but it was always an adventure!

Teaching tomorrow's future about nature is important.  Preserving our national parks and saving our lands should be both an honor and an obligation.  There are terrific resources to teach kids about the environment and dangers that exist from misuse.  From the National Park Service to the Discovery Channel to Kids for Saving Earth, resources abound for inspiring new generations to protect our natural wonders.  The Boy and Girl Scouts of America are fantastic organizations to instill the basics as well.

Feel like doing more to help the environment?  How about participating in a local Adopt-a-Highway or Beach volunteer program.  If you are really inspired, you can participate in a Campaign Earth challenge!  Likewise, you can join the millions of people who are members of Care2, an online education and advocacy site for people wanting to make a difference. 

"O beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years.  Thine alabaster cities gleam undimmed by human tears!  America!  America!  God shed his grace on thee.  Till nobler men keep once again thy whiter jubilee!"