Green Team | Impact climate change with James Ray International: September 2007

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Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Offset your carbon footprint...

What's your carbon footprint? It's basically what total effect you have on the climate in terms of greenhouse gases you produce.

You may say, "But James, I've already taken steps towards becoming green... My footprint's gotta be small." Well, you may be surprised. Every time you use non-green energy, your carbon footprint grows. Every time you start your car or travel by plane or fertilize your lawn or use air conditioning or turn on the heater or... I think you get the picture.

Unfortunately, there aren't yet green alternatives to a lot of activities that are a part of everyday life, so you can never really get rid of that stinky footprint. And that's why there are carbon offsets:

Carbon offsets are a valuable, short-term tool to help us transform to a low or no-carbon economy in which carbon offsets are no longer needed. Carbon offsets are a mechanism to accommodate the fact that for now, there are practical limits to how much each of us can reduce our own energy use. To make up for the carbon emissions we can't avoid, we can instead help someone or something else reduce other carbon emissions. Basically, carbon offsetting involves helping someone to do something that they wouldn't otherwise have done, that results in less carbon emissions than would have happened had you not helped them to do it. A carbon offset is what you get when you say "I'll help, but in exchange, I want the right to claim the carbon reductions as my own."

Source: NativeEnergy.com

So if you haven't done so in your personal life or in your business, it's time to offset your carbon footprint! A great tool that I used in my home and at James Ray International is NativeEnergy's Lifestyle Calculator... It'll help you calculate your total footprint and then provide options for offsetting it.

And guess what? The cost is minimal compared to the impact!

Labels: Education, Tips

Amy J + Energy = Bliss! said ... (October 10, 2007 7:15 AM) :

James and JRI - Of interest in relation to this post, found in Reuters Business Today:

Enjoy!
A~

From Reuters:

Wealthy investing more in environment
Wed Oct 10, 2007 8:31 AM ET

By Reed Stevenson

GENEVA (Reuters) - Green -- not greed -- is good these days, especially if you're rich and want to be seen to care.

Some clients are increasingly seeking environmentally friendly investments and ways to minimize their impact on the environment, their private bankers said at the Reuters Wealth Management Summit in Geneva.

......TEXT REMOVED....

Some are also beginning to recognize that their lifestyles can have a bigger impact on the environment, whether by using private jets or maintaining large estates.

.....TEXT REMOVED.......

That's why the wealthy are also spending money on carbon offsets, which has become a booming industry by allowing people and businesses to pay to neutralize the impact that they have on carbon emissions.

"What you see is that the rich are offsetting their carbon footprints in a very strategic way," said Eric Carlson, executive director of the Carbon Fund, a group that encourages individuals and businesses to neutralize their carbon impact through reduction and carbon offsets.

Carlson says that the rich are likely the pioneers, as they are willing to spend money at the early stage of a product or technology before its becomes more affordable for the masses, drawing an analogy with the early use of mobile phones by the wealthy.

"The rich are subsidizing the market now and some day it will transform the clean energy market," he said.
---END---

-- The full article can be found here: (very long link to cut and paste!) I wrapped it so it would all be visible, if you want to read the full article, copy and paste the link as one whole line (no spaces) into the address bar.

http://links.reuters.com/r/2XRTM/KU7JG/
KAO32/KSG12/T7B67/N9/h?a1=nl_usbusinessearly

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Thursday, September 20, 2007

What's Your Waste Trail?

When it comes to the environment, every purchase you make has a significant (good or bad) impact. Here's what WasteDiversion.org in their latest issue of Diversions has to say about your "waste trail:"

Natural Capitalism author Paul Hawken estimates that, on average, some 3,200 pounds of manufacturing waste are generated for every 100 pounds of products that reach store shelves in the U.S.

The production of a simple can of soda illustrates what this means. Making aluminum from bauxite ore generates 3 tons of mining waste for every ton of aluminum, including spent chemicals and sludge. After the aluminum is rolled into thin sheets and formed into cans, it is painted, lacquered and sprayed with a protective coating, producing more chemical waste. The cans are then packed onto pallets, wrapped with plastic and shipped to the bottler, where that packaging is discarded. Add to this waste water from washing the cans before they are filled with flavored syrup, water and carbon dioxide. The syrup has its own waste "baggage." When syrup is extracted from sugar beets, beet pulp is left behind as an organic waste product. Finally, there's paper waste from cutting cardboard cartons to ship the cans.

And that's for just one can of soda! So, what can you do? Practice "conscious shopping." Do whatever you can to purchase locally-produced and eco-aware items. You won't be able to do that 100% in today's world, so do your best and realize that every purchasing decision you make counts.

Labels: Education

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Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Environmental Policy

James Ray International is committed to conducting its business in a manner that encourages and inspires respect for the environment. This policy is consistent with our commitment to discover, live, and communicate what is needed to build a world that functions at high levels for the benefit of all life.

We understand that everything is part of one unified, interconnected system and in order to ensure a healthy and vibrant future for ourselves and our planet, we must live in harmony with each other and with all of nature.

In order to achieve this, our goal is to provide our products and services using environmentally sound methods and to conduct our operations in an environmentally responsible manner.

To accomplish this, we will:

Meet or exceed all applicable legal requirements.
Continuously pursue energy conservation, pollution prevention, and waste reduction in our operations both personally and as a company.
Design and manufacture our products and materials as needed to minimize their environmental impact.
Offer our clients environmentally responsible options for disposal of waste at events.
Consistently communicate environmentally responsible options and ideas to our clients for use in their personal and professional lives.
Work with our suppliers to conduct their operations in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.

We achieve these results by integrating these objectives into our business planning and decision-making processes to ensure we achieve our goals and continually improve upon them.

Each employee at JRI has an individual responsibility to understand and support our environmental policy and to contribute in all ways possible to ensure our goals are achieved.

We believe our company must work with employees, suppliers, partners, clients, governmental, non-governmental and community organizations to protect and maximize our sustainability by positively impacting our environment.

Labels: policy

Amy J + Energy = Bliss! said ... (September 19, 2007 5:38 AM) :

So this means you are implementing all of my suggestions? :-)

;-)

Have a Green-r-iffic Day!

Amy

Melinda said ... (October 22, 2007 8:35 AM) :

My eBay store is a 95% green, I often ship in recycled boxes. So can you, a cereal box is strong enough for sending books, clothing, and non- fragile items. I sell items from other peoples homes that otherwise might have ended up in a landfill. I dontate 10% of all my profits to Conservation Int'l. , thanks for taking action! I am and am so happy to do so!

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Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Welcome to the Green Team!

James Ray International is going green, and we're looking for your help!

While we're formulating our greenplan, send us some of your favorite green tips. Simply visit our Help Desk and let us know!

We're looking forward to harmonizing our relationship with the environment and the world at large. After all, relationships are the key to Harmonic Wealth®.

Tracie said ... (September 5, 2007 10:47 AM) :

Hi James,

This is an awesome idea! I hope this will become a place people will log on to find new ways to help heal the planet. I am sure you agree that true harmonic living begins with being in harmony with the Earth.

Here is one of my favorites: Use vinegar for cleaning. Since there are no known pathogens that can live in vinegar, it does a great job as a kitchen and bath cleaner, leaves stainless appliances fingerprint-less.

We use it for a rinse on all our animals (including the horses) and find it very soothing for irritated, itchy skin.

And, it's a wonderful nontoxic way to remove weeds.

Tracie

Sheila said ... (September 6, 2007 8:02 AM) :

Hello James-

I am happy to share information about a company that has been in existence for 22 years that is dedicated to being in "harmony" with the environment as well as "total wellness".

The company not only provides top quality, non-toxic, safe products for the environment and personal use, but also focuses on enhancing the physical, personal, and financial wellness of everyone involved.

Please respond by e-mail to inquire about more specific information as I am rather limited to discuss all of the benefits and natural solutions in this post.

In Harmony,

Sheila
information@wedeliverwellness.com

Ladan said ... (September 6, 2007 1:55 PM) :

Hello Mr. Ray,
The role that organizations such as yours play in the public awareness of the importance of our relationship with nature and our responsibilities towards our environment is undoubtedly great. I congratulate you on your decision to ‘go green’.
I am not qualified to give you practical tips; however, would like to share with you a quote from a document I came across a few days ago. ( “Conservation and Sustainable Development” statement of the Baha’i International Community). I hope you will find it interesting, if not helpful.

“We cannot segregate the human heart from the environment outside us and say that once one of these is reformed everything will be improved. Man is organic with the world. His inner life moulds the environment and is itself also deeply affected by it. The one acts upon the other and every abiding change in the life of man is the result of these mutual reactions.”11

Best regards.
Ladan

Joanne said ... (September 10, 2007 7:30 AM) :

Hi James, My husband and I have been following your work for about a year now and things are going great. We, too, are looking for ways to improve the state of our planet.

After watching Al Gore and Leonardo DiCaprio's movies, we decided that we need to have an alliance of business owneres who cater to the "green" movement. This (gogreenwithjogreen)web site will be an answer for people to find out locally what they can do in their own homes and businesses. (It will be up and running sometime in November.)

In the meantime we enjoy sharing products from Shaklee, the first certified climate neutral company in the world. We have changed our lightbulbs, started a composte, unplug chargers when not in use, stopped using paper towels for spills, use recycled products, and are hosting an event in conjunction with America Recycles Day on November 16, 2007. I have many resources in the South Jersey area and we are looking to expand for anyone who wants to join our team.

Karyn said ... (September 11, 2007 3:06 PM) :

James, I'm glad to see that more business's are taking on this responsibility. I have run my coffee roasting business with green and sustainable practices for almost 20 years. Even after 20 years, there's always a next step - mine was to become a certified carbon-neutral company. This involves an energy audit, followed by reducing carbon emissions where possible, and off-setting the balance by planting trees. With all the traveling you do - this would make a hugh difference on this planet we call home.

Annie Duffy said ... (September 11, 2007 9:54 PM) :

Why don't we carpool! Each of us drives to work, usually alone in a car with 3 empty seats. While we're waiting for mass transit,contributing to global warming, pollution, gridlock and isolated in our cars, why don't we use what we have and choose to change and share a ride with one or two others. Think of the consequences if we all did this just 50% of the time. So many fewer cars on the road, so much gas not pumped or paid for, so much less wear and tear on our cars, so much less pollution, CO2, asthma, etc etc. A future! A change for the better. Don't wait for the do nothing politicians. Change now.
Annie Duffy

Maria said ... (September 12, 2007 1:36 PM) :

Hi James,
Thanks for adding this great idea to an already powerful model for living.

Here's a new and unique approach to solar power, with a unique company that is leasing systems vs. buying. If you can afford your electric bill now, you can afford to lease, and you will be paying this company instead of your utility, saving thousands when you lock into today's rate for the next 25 years.
To view the website, go to www.jointhesolution.com/sophia6
To become an ECOPRENEUR --and it's FREE--and earn a great residual income by sharing the solution, go to www.powur.com/sophia6 and check out the compensation plan (and company's mission).
Thanks for joining the solution!
Maria Calidonna

Amy J + Energy = Bliss! said ... (September 13, 2007 12:48 AM) :

Hello James and JRI Team,

What a wonderful idea to go green to get into harmony with the environment and the Earth! Since all are One and interconnected, helping the Earth and environment, heals all Spirit.

I don't have any MLM's to push or Network Marketing products to promote here, which is not what I think this space was intended for. Instead, I'll offer some real tips that JRI can implement in going green which is what I think you may be looking for here.

I also will, as you requested, go to the Help Desk at http://support.jamesray.com/
to leave my suggestions since I believe that is where you want them to go.

Suggestions (if you aren't doing so already):

- Use 100% recycled paper for all printed JRI handout materials at events.

- Work with publishers for James' books who print on recycled paper.

- Offer a subscribed to "JRI Green Team" newsletter which site visitors can opt into. This newsletter can offer "green tips" and keep readers informed of special environmental holidays and events like the America Recycles Day, Earth Day, World Water Day and more.

- Incorporate "green power" exercises into each event. Weave in growth opportunities that contribute to the benefit of the immediate environment (event venue) as well to the expansion and growth of the participants. For example, challenge participants to create a plan that they will implement during the course of the event to positively impact the environment where the event is being held. Creativity can be rewarded.

-Offer contests on the JRI site to visitors and JRI alumni to come up with creative and powerful ways to impact and heal the environment.

-Sell recycled cotton JRI t-shirts where a significant portion of the proceeds goes to benefit the environment and environmental research groups.

-Offer special "Green Sales & Promotions" for JRI books and products where a good portion of the sales go to benefit environmental groups and the environment.

-Offer "JRI Green Tool Kits" for sale at events and online for the purpose of setting up local "Heal the Environment" teams. Of course, JRI recycled cotton t-shirts would be included so the teams will proudly show off their affiliation with JRI, gaining wonderful publicity for JRI.

-For cleaning around the office and at events, Tracie suggested using Vinegar. Another and less odorous solution is to use Hydrogen Peroxide. It disinfects,cleans dirt, removes stains and breaks down completely into harmless Hydrogen and Oxygen. I don't know if it de-greases however. It also doubles as a first-aid solution.

I'll send you my bill in the morning! ;-) [just kidding!]

In Gratitude and Appreciation,

Amy

Paris said ... (September 13, 2007 5:49 PM) :

Wow James,

I got so excited when I read about the green team I had to go and sit in my garden, my garden by the way is fully organic, grown on the recycled waste from my composting toilet, I am typing this on my laptop that runs on solar power, sitting in my self built cabin in the Australian bush.

I see sustainable energy sources and water conservation as the two main isues.

Water Conservation.

Toilets waste so much water. There are many great waterless composting toilet sytems on the market that you could incorporate into your home/offices. You can use the resulting humus for your rooftop garden or tree nursery. There is a group called www.naturalevent.com.au who supply composting toilets for events and festivals.

Recycling your greywater, from bathroom sinks etc using weed ponds and granite/sand filtering systems. Hey this will save you money as well as saving water! Rainwater tanks will save water from going into stormwater drains, it could at least be used first!

Energy.

Solar and small local hydro or wind power systems are the best current technologies developed to a mass market stage. www.rpc.com.au is the url of the rainbow power company one of the first of many companies selling and developing alternative energy technologies in Australia though I am sure you have many such companies in the USA that are doing the same.

Plant trees, donate trees to schools and councils, create parks, visit Findhorne community in Northern scotland and speak with Dorothy Maclean while she is still here.

Lobby your Government and local councils to provide subsidies to assist and encourage people/businesses to use alternative power systems and conserve water. In australia our govermnment gives rebates to home owners who install solar power systems, these systems then feed any excess power back into the grid system. Local councils give rebates to homeowners who install rainwater tanks, and also give out free enrgy efficient lightbulbs and water saving shower heads.

Good on you James

cheers,
in community,
Paris

Stacey said ... (September 14, 2007 7:54 AM) :

James,
Thank you for riding the wave...I am immersed in the incorporation of protecting ecosystem services in business operating strategies.

I recommend contracting a full ecosystem services review for JRI in order to understand more fully what you're currently doing to benefit ecosystem value(s) and how much degradation or impact JRI has on ecosystem services. I believe that JRI needs a systematic approach for understanding the risks and opportunities that arise from ecosystem degradation and for clarifying a "business case" for taking progressive action.

For example, what is your contribution and exposure to ecosystem service degradation? What are the resulting business risks and opportunities? What is the sustainability of your supply chain and the impacts of the production of those goods and services on biodiversity? What policies, practices and procedures does JRI already have in place which address these issues?

1. Assess your impacts and dependence on ecosystem services.
2. Explore and pursue new business opportunities.
3. Reduce impacts (avoid, minimize, mitigate and offset)and scale up solutions (build alliances).

Look to the World Resources Institute for leadership on this issue.

Stacey H. Stovall
Kalispel Tribe

Belgian Waffle said ... (September 14, 2007 10:25 AM) :

Hi All,

I have a few suggestions based on belgian laws :-)

In this country, we have to recycle EVERYTHING :-). We have three trash cans with:

1) blue trash bags : plastic bottles and metal cans
2) box: paper
3) green bags: food...and so forth

Each bag is recycled by a different company.

We also have to recycle batteries. It's not a choice but the law! We have to bring the batteries to a company that specialize in recycling them.

We also have "dumping areas" that has several containers where you can bring "greens" like trees,bushes, grass, and so forth. They have another container for any types of oil, a container for appliances...and so forth.

Glass bottles can not be dumped in trash cans. You will find many containers throughout every cities where you can dump your glass bottles or jars.

What else? Our company is setting up a plan to offer bus services to all employees. Although most of us drive Diesel cars already, the company is planning to offer a down payment to all employees choosing to buy an hybrid car.

We also have at the office a trash can for bottle caps. The caps are recycled by a private company. I am not sure how much they pay for each kilo of caps but, the money goes to a non profit association that trains dogs for blind people.

By recycling paper, we save I don't know how many trees each year. Also, for each tree cut down, another tree is planted. We are of course encouraged to print less in order to save paper, thus saving trees.

Some use solar pannels to save energy. However, our company has decided to purchase a wind turbine.

We also have our own water recycling station, and some of our experts verify the water in the nearby river every 3 hours to make sure the water is clean, safe, and has enough oxygen for the fish. When there is a lack of oxygen, the fire department gets involved right away and add new water to the river.

Voilà! Have a beautiful day!

Nathalie

Shaunstro said ... (September 16, 2007 7:31 AM) :

Hey James,

My name is Shaun, I live in Phoenix. I use "GREEN" professionally everyday. I work in Constuction Management and build environmentally concsious buildings for school districts and commercial. Examples include;
-Waterless Urinals(Saves over 40,000gallons of water yearly)
-Recycled materials(over 80% of construction debri is recycled)
-Reused materials
-Low VOC content in materials(paints,caulking,etc.)
-Local/Regionally manufactured/harvested materials(within a 500 mile radious)
-Enviromentally safe cleaning products
-Educational programs for kids upon construction completion

These are a few things I do everyday and lately it seems this great trend is being used in every aspect of life, I love it. GO GREEN!

christine said ... (September 17, 2007 11:48 PM) :

Great idea and thanks for inspiring green! It's something we all need to build on, along with community sustainability which helps conserve resources and eliminate waste.

Other than our local permaculture network, and Al Gore on purchasing carbon credits, my biggest "green" teacher is HGTV's "Living With Ed" (Begley). I think it's still on Sunday nights. Have fun!

Christine

Sonya said ... (September 18, 2007 5:03 AM) :

Hi James,
I'd like to offer a practical idea, I live in Australia and our family for the past year have taken a bucket into our shower with us to catch water that would normally just run down the drain as we wash. When we're finished we take the water out to our pot plants or garden. This is easy and a great way to get the kids into understanding how important water is.

We are currently under very high water restrictions where our goal is to only use only 140 lires per day per person. This means our showers are limited to no more than 4 minutes (yes we do time them..lol). As well as no outside watering with hoses at all, along with a host of other measures to help us keep under our limit.

But thanks to being able to catch the water from our showers we still have a beautiful garden and plants to nurture our spirits.

Please wherever you live, appreciate and take care of this most wonderful gift.

Anonymous said ... (September 26, 2007 2:42 PM) :

Hi, all...

One thing that our company (an entrepreneurial training company) has done is to completely do away with ALL CD, DVD and video tape and workbook products. Every educational product we offer is now offered only as an MP3 download, or a video download. At large live seminars, we don't distribute workbooks or materials. Since our audiences are mostly high level executives (CEOs, COOs, CFOs, etc.), we received a suprising response when we explained why we weren't providing printed materials any more at our programs: they not only were 100% on board with the environmental reasons, but also said they considered executive programs "sophmoric" if printed materials were provided. As one said: "Look, we're smart enough to write down what we think is important and we don't need some workbook or manual. It's about time someone finally 'got' this." So, not only have we done something that is good for the environment but, as it turns out, something that is more in line with what our customers preferred all along! Funny how things work out when you do the right thing for the environment!

Vicki

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