January 2014 - Green Businesses

REI Named to FORTUNE’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” List; Leading outdoor retailer recognized as a top employer for 17th consecutive year

Here's a great example of a green business we love. This article was originally published on Sustainable Brands 1.21.14 SEATTLE – Known for helping people enjoy nature, REI has again been named to FORTUNE’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list. The recognition marks the 17th consecutive year the leading outdoor retailer has been honored. Ranked number 69, REI is one of only five companies named each year since the list was created in 1998, and one of four companies headquartered in Washington state. A Great Place to Work When asked why they enjoy REI, employees said: “I love coming to work because our mission is noble, my teammates are friends and family, and our eyes are set on carrying our success far into the future to affect generations beyond us. I love that the collateral effects of REI’s success are positive to people and the environment.” “My best day on the job was the day a customer returned to tell me that I ‘transformed their health and life’ b…

Conan O’Brien, Disney, Monsanto & Jabba the Hut

What do these four have in common? We can't think of anything either so we came up with this story to have a little fun and help spread the news about Monsanto's radical attempts to rule the universe by controlling the food supply and forcing Genetically Modified Organisms into our food chain. Magic beans? I don't think so. Here's where Conan O'Brien--and you--can help. With Disney now firmly in control of the "Star Wars" universe, some obscure spinoff characters and franchises will soon be going the way of the Death Star. Conan has asked for help in finishing a list of sci-fi rejects. Please share this picture and retweet our posts @greenbusinesses. Make sure you add @TeamCoco and the hashtag #TerribleStarWarsSpinoffs. Science has proven that eating GMOs can cause cancer tumors, infertility and birth defects and in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration - which is supposed to protect the public from unsafe foods and drugs - is being run by ex-Monsanto execut…

EDF: What the New York Times Misses about the Colorado River

The Environmental Defense Fund recently posted a thoughtful analysis of water conservation efforts in the West written by Jennifer Pitt, Colorado River project director. She posted this in response to an extremely popular environmental article published by The New York Times called "Colorado River Drought Forces a Painful Reckoning for States." Some highlights from Pitt's EDF article include: Drought, whether or not influenced by climate change, is dealing a tough hand to this arid-leaning region of North America... The mighty Colorado is not simply infrastructure for water delivery. It is the lifeline of the American West. It is a river of legends, with awe-inspiring canyons that have for centuries seduced people to explore their depths.. The Great Recession temporarily slowed the region’s meteoric rise in population, but its cities are growing again. In some cities where people bathe, drink, water lawns, and wash cars with Colorado River water, historic tightening …

Green & Clean in 2013: Six Top Environmental Stories of the Year

Many excellent articles from reputable environmental news sources have been published recently rounding up and summarizing the top green stories and trends of 2013. Here's a look at some of our favorites: 1. A Year in CSR: The Top 10 Trends of 2013 Triple Pundit Alison DaSilva From the massive Bangladesh fire and factory collapse, to the horse meat scandal and ongoing international natural disasters, 2013 was a year of new issues, challenges and opportunities within CSR. Companies and consumers alike were bold, even brazen, in their approaches to accelerating positive change. This year was marked by continued digital innovation, audacious goals, new industry support and unexpected partnerships. 2. 13 for 13: The Stories that Defined California Environmental Leadership Environmental Defense Fund By Derek Walker There is never a dull moment on the California environmental policy scene, and 2013 was particularly action-packed. Everywhere you turn there se…