ABC's of Green

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Every two weeks we share an additional letter in the ABC’s of Green, introducing simple ideas that families can implement to raise healthy children and build a sustainable planet.

Whether you’ve heard them before or they’re new to you, these simple ideas are reminders of the small things we can do that can make a big difference. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about doing the best we can and staying playful. If we all pick just one letter to implement, together, we’ll make a difference.

Yes, I can make a difference!!

I know… the question is: how am I supposed to significantly impact the course of so many of these multi-national, multi-million (or billion!) dollar companies that are involved in all manner of harmful practices, whether it be sheer volume of carbon in the atmosphere or unlawful employment practices?

The simple answer is to vote with your dollars. Every dollar you spend at a local natural foods grocery store that supports local farmers, you vote for local, sustainable business. Every dollar you spend at McDonalds, you vote for deforestation of the rainforest, questionable food sourcing, and the proliferation of diets high in fat and calories.

We're not trying to pick on McDonald’s here – we're just sayin’!

Simple Steps:

Of course we all need to shop for food and supplies, but where we choose to buy can make a difference.

* Shop at local farmer’s markets and support local businesses. I prefer the selection at my local WhizKids toy store over Toys ‘R Us any day!

* Take a few minutes to research the brands you are choosing. This website will link you to hundreds of corporations. You can read for yourself which have a good environmental reputation, and which don’t. Broken down into categories (i.e. Fast Food, Clothing, Cleaning Products) which highlight major brands, this site will then also offer alternatives.

* Choose not to support companies with questionable track records where it comes to ethics and sustainable practices. For example, when you learn that it is and was the responsibility of BP to maintain the safeguards against oil spills and to provide emergency response and containment when accidents do occur, make a conscious decision not to buy gas at ARCO (the American BP brand.)