Image credit: Luca PenatiSeems like tons of brands these days are capitalizing on people's desire to be a little friendlier towards the earth (or for some, playing to our guilt-induced purchase decisions). There are organizations helping us make the right choices while shopping, eating and even listening to music. Here are a few digital notions I've come across that -- at first glance -- appear they're helping consumers make better eco-conscious choices. But at what price?
On Your iPodIn celebration of Earth Day, iTunes has created The Green Room filled with content (songs, audiobooks, videos, TV programs, podcasts and apps) that in some way, shape or form pays homage to the planet. They even put together a series of four albums of Earth Day iTunes Essentials. The first, titled
The Basics, highlights the delicate nature of our nature. We all know folksinger John Denver was a big nature advocate. But did you know that soulful Marvin Gay was the first to top the charts with an environmentally conscious tune: "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)?" In
Next Steps, musicians like The Doors and Neil Young take action and tell you how to do so yourself. Even Canadian punkrockers make their statements in
Deep Cuts. You can purchase the complete set for a value-packed $74.55. I'm tempted. Heck, I'm a sucker for the Earth and they got me. But what good does it really do for the planet?
What Are You Eating?Next time you're craving sushi, consider opting for the rolls that aren't in danger of being overfished and those that are healthier for you. Download a copy of the
sustainable sushi guide and plop it in your wallet for easy reference.
Or get it on your iPhone. The Seafood Guide tells you which seafood choices are the best (not endangered or high in mercury) in which parts of the U.S. Plus it also lists sushi by both it's Japanese name and what most of us English-speaking novices call it.
Attracting StudentsJocelyn Startz told me about a program where
25 SF high school students are tracking their transportation habits
using Facebook and GPS cell phones provided by Nokia over AT&T's network. The cell phones send info to servers at UCLA which organizes the info in a way that allows the students to see how much carbon they are producing in their various transportation decisions, post their data and compare it to others' results on Facebook. The intention is to encourage the students to choose more environmentally friendly transportation options. A cool meld of social networking and environmentalism by the
Go Green Foundation. Or does it just make them want a GPS-enabled phone more?
Online ShoppingShop through the
EarthShare EZ shopper widget and every time your buy something from one its retailers, EarthShare gets a cut. All the proceeds go to environmental and conservation charities.
GoodShop.com is another shopping portal. At this one, you choose your favorite environmental cause (out of the tons of non-profits listed). It also provides hundreds of coupons and deals, and highlights green merchants. Stores donate everything from .5% to up to 30% of your purchase towards your selected cause.
SurfingNext time you want to look up something, use
GoodSearch.com. It;s a Yahoo-powered search engine that donates a penny per search to your favorite environmental cause. Okay, so I didn't spend any money here.
The Politics of ItThe White House is doing its part too. Mrs. O is bringing back gardening as a new summer activity. You can plan your own vegetable garden based on hers with online software
Plangarden. Get a trial version for free. But if you want all the features, get ready to fork over 20 bucks.
"We Can Solve It" touts
Repower America. "It" refers to their efforts to convert the United State's energy resources to 100% clean electricity within 10 years. The grassroots organization has enlisted Al Gore to encourage you to sign up, write your Congresspersons (prescripted emails provided), email your friends and donate to fund their cause. Their latest email provided me with a script I could use to call my state Representative in support of the Clean Energy Jobs Plan. It even gave me the name and number of my Representative. They make it so easy. How could you not help? Every now and again, they'll send an email asking you to donate more than just your social media skills.
The Bottom LineWhile all of these initiatives are doing good for the environment. They're also helping someone's bottom line. The real meaning behind Earth Day is making do with what you already have. But how much have you spent to be more green?
Please share your favorite pro-Earth digital initiatives while you're here, too.
Sarah Jo Sautter,
a simple girl whose love for the earth and love for shopping often collide