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| by Expert Copy Strategist, Charlon Bobo |
Another inspired week is upon us. To empower you with direct resources to increased, measurable results, this week's features include:
Charlon Bobo is the founder and team leader of EditCopyProof | Wordsmithing and Editing Solutions -- Transforming Words Into Profits. Proficient in many diverse writing roles, her expertise spans more than 25 years. This solid foundation offers you a single and final destination in your quest for extraordinary press-ready services including copyediting, copywriting and proofreading. Visit us TODAY at EditCopyProof to submit your Request For Proposal. |
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| Charlon Bobo |
Simple Steps You Can Take To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Approximately one year ago, the term "carbon
footprint" was birthed. Now, we see it
everywhere from advertisements to companies
who consult with businesses and individuals
to reduce their contribution to greenhouse
gases.
A Carbon Footprint is a measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide. A Carbon Footprint is made up of the sum of two parts, the direct/primary footprint and the indirect/secondary footprint. 1. The primary footprint is a measure of our direct emissions of CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels including domestic energy consumption and transportation (e.g. car and plane). 2. The secondary footprint is a measure of the indirect CO2 emissions from the whole lifecycle of products we use - those associated with their manufacture and eventual breakdown. An alternative definition of the carbon footprint is the total amount of carbon dioxide attributable to the actions of an individual (mainly through their energy use) over a period of one year. The term owes its origins to the idea that a footprint is what has been left behind as a result of the individual's activities. Carbon footprints can either consider only direct emissions (typically from energy used in the home and in transport, including travel by cars, airplanes, rail and other public transport), or can also include indirect emissions (including CO2 emissions as a result of goods and services consumed). Every time you drive your car, turn on a light or plug in your computer, you use fossil fuels (unless you have the fortune to use renewable sources such as solar or wind power). These fossil fuels, in turn, emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, leading to the greenhouse effect that causes global warming. Unfortunately, once in the atmosphere, carbon dioxide can remain for hundreds of years. Today, for instance, we are still breathing carbon dioxide spewed by the first Ford Model T car. Easy Steps To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint The average household in the United States generates annually 20.4 tons of carbon dioxide based on a variety of factors. There are Web sites dedicated to calculating your carbon footprint. And it is fast becoming big business--buying and selling carbon credits. However, it doesn't need to be complicated for the average home-based entrepreneur. With a few changes you can consciously create an office environment with a zero or micro carbon footprint. Here are just a few ways to implement long-lasting change: Paper Each year, the typical American family throws away 2,460 pounds of paper, 540 pounds of metals, 480 pounds of glass and 480 pounds of food scraps. 2,460 pounds of paper? How many times have you received an email, which you print without first considering if printing it is absolutely necessary. The alternative to excessive printing is to create a file in your email or other program and file items there. If you need to refer to it later, it's as accessible as a few clicks. If you never refer to it, which happens quite often, you have made a contribution to reducing colossal waste. By reducing the amount of paper used for printing, you are not only saving money, but you are having a positive impact on the environment, because the less paper we use, the less trees need to be cut down and the more oxygen we have. Plants Talking about trees and oxygen, by having a plant or two in your office your environment is greatly enriched. If you imagine all the systems running in your office (computer, fax, printers, photocopiers and scanners), they make the air dry. Having plants in your office increases the humidity in the air. Plants naturally absorb carbon dioxide so your footprint is reduced or completely eliminated! Printer cartridges What do you do with empty printer cartridges? In the last 10 years, 250 million print cartridges have ended up in either landfill sites or have been incinerated. It will take 1000 years for one cartridge to biodegrade. With the amount of cartridges thrown away, if laid out, they would stretch across the radius of the moon! There is now no excuse to throw away an empty cartridge. More often than not, when you open the box of a new cartridge, there is a bag supplied for you to recycle the old one. All you need to do is put the empty cartridge in the bag and put it in any mailbox for recycling. Electricity Leaving on your computer or lights, or having any office equipment on "standby" mode, wastes precious energy. Computers come with a power-saving device so there is no reason to leave your computer on standby especially when you leave work for the day. By changing your office equipment to full power down systems, you make a positive contribution by conserving energy that's otherwise wasted. * Change incandescent light bulbs to energy saving light bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs will greatly reduce the amount of energy used in your office on a daily basis. * Use natural daylight as much as possible. Office Products A wide range of recycled products are available, so it's rarely necessary to buy brand new products that are made from zero post-consumer waste content. Next time you look at a stationary catalog or purchase office supplies in a store, look for products that have been recycled or at least contain some percentage of recycled content. Buying recycled office stationery and equipment reduces the:
Office Recycling It's easy to recycle! It's as easy as having containers for paper, glass, plastic and compost. If your office is home-based, these may already be an existing part of your household. If you don't already have containers, purchase them and implement recycling the minimum would be one for paper. Shred any documents with identifying information and recycle them. As you can see, most of these points are easy to implement. Not only do they reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere, but you'll save money, too. These suggestions lay the foundation for an environmentally-friendly home office with a non-existent or micro carbon footprint. Every effort makes a difference! Do YOUR part. |
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| Springwise.com |
Carbon-neutral Paper Makes Its Debut
People have used dark-lined writing paper since medieval times and over the years, a lot of bleach has been used to provide a contrasting white background. Swedish Whitelines, on the other hand, makes carbon-neutral writing paper that uses white lines against a light grey background. Traditional dark-lined paper not only depends on the use of bleach for a contrasting background, it also can conflict with lines and letters drawn or written on its surface. Dark lines show up on photocopies too, often making for muddy, difficult-to-view copies. Stockholm designer Olof Hansson came up with the idea of Whitelines as a way to eliminate those problems. With a focus on the environmental consequences of its operations, the company tracks and labels its own carbon footprint in collaboration with NEWA, the North Environment & Weather Agency. Through a partnership with paper producer Stora Enso forged just last month, meanwhile, it uses a carbon dioxide-neutral paper as a base for its products. Whitelines now offers pads of its patented paper with a variety of bindings, including spiral, glue and saddle stitch, through select retailers in Canada, Germany, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the UK. Whitelines was named Innovator of the Year by ALMI Stockholm last year, and in January it was nominated in the New Product Innovation and Emerging Vendor categories at the European Office Products Awards in Frankfurt. With its paradigm-busting appearance, Whitelines' eco-iconic qualities are sure to appeal to the rapidly growing eco-minded masses. Remember: it's not enough to be green; you have to help consumers show the world that they are, too. Think green, think different, think iconic! |
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| Charlon Bobo |
A Lifetime of Learning
It is inspiring to live in a community that
wholeheartedly embraces lifelong learning.
Every week in two local publications the
calendar sections are full of activities for
the upcoming week. Opportunities range from
spiritual enlightenment and support groups to
tribal belly dancing and surfing lessons!
Seeking out opportunities to expand our minds, souls and bodies is time well-invested. The ROI (return-on-investment) can be foreseen, to some degree, but I am always excited for the surprise benefits of being an active participant in this thing called life. I am never disappointed! So, what's on my list? A non-clinical women's support group, tribal belly dancing, earring-making and continuation of an artist's trading card series. As busy entrepreneurs it's easy to say, "There's no time." I know. I've felt that way at times, too. The reality is when you take even a minimal amount of time to do more things that flood your spirit to overflowing, you are much more balanced and notice your work life improves along with everything else. Cheers to your lifetime of learning! In Sisterhood, Light & Love, 
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