Earth Hour 2012

Today people all over the world turn of their lights, computers and phones at 20.30 in the largest worldwide manifestation for our planet.

Read more: Earth Hour

Underkastelsen - Submission

I've just finished watching Stefan Jarls film Submission (Underkastelsen in Swedish). It's a fantastic documentary that teaches us how much chemicals we are exposed to every day. With the help of professors from all over the world Stefan shows us how everything around us affects our bodies, our hormones, our fertility, our overall health. From technical gadgets, the medicines we use, the toys our kids play with, the air we breathe, the water we drink.... It's a frightening picture of our everyday life. I can really recommend this movie for everybody that has just the slightest interest in where our lifestyle is taking us...
You can read more (in Swedish and English) here.

Whole Foods - Whole People - Whole Planet

Whole Foods Market started their first store in 1980 in Texas. Today, there are 310 stores in North America and the U.K and WFM are the world leading retailer when it comes to natural and organic food.

Apart from the actual stores they also contribute in spreading the message of a sustainable future. Among other things, they work together with farmers to get meat free from antibiotics and to reduce the use of pesticides in the fields.
WFM take great pride in not only caring for the animals and the planet but also to educate their customers in ways to reduce their impact on the environment. That includes discussions about animal cruelty, sustainable agriculture and why we should use environmentally-friendly cleaning materials etc. There is an extensive program designed to educate children, teachers and parents about healthy eating and to give children access to nutritious food.

They have also started a foundation, Whole Planet, that deals with micro-lending operations and sponsoring af neighborhood events to support organic farmers and expand the market for organic produce.

Whole Foods Market's vision is a sustainable and holistic future where we all work together with an in-depth knowledge of the environment and that we all are connected to each other. A future where everybody accepts resonsibility.

They see this vision as something that's going to seep through every company, organisation and individual and they lead by example through sustainable and ethical business practices.

It's a grand vision, and one for all of us to believe in to make it happen.

Read more; Wholefoodsmarket

Six Senses

Apart from beeing absolutely amazing resorts, their spas and hotels are something out of the ordinary when it comes to environmental issues, and they are highly involved in reducing the impact of their activities.

There is a very extensive program to try to achieve this in every possible way; from waste management to energy saving, from environmental concerns during constructions to raising awareness among staff, guests and the local community.

Apart from the smaller things, they are also involved in sustainability issues on a larger scale.

They have a fund, SERF, that is to be used primarily for social and environmental projects and initiatives in responsible development. All of the resorts and spas contribute 0,5% of their total revenue to this.

Six Senses is also dedicated to a water saving project. Half of the sales of water on their resorts are invested in organisations that helps to provide clean water for people around the world who doesn't have access to that.

In 2008 they started a symposium called Slow Life. The hope for this is that politicians, philosophers and influential people, sharing insights and making connections, can make way for a better and more sustainable future. Some of the speakers on the 2011 symposium were; Daryl Hannah, President Mohamed Nasheed and Richard Branson.

Read more and dream away at; Sixsenses

Yellow Pages

There are 6000 tons of Yellow Pages distributed in Sweden alone each year. Just the distribution itself takes its toll on the enviroment and frankly most of the younger generations uses their computers or smart-phones instead. Even though Yellow Pages in Sweden consists of about 30% recycled paper, and the rest is from Holmen forestry who are certified through FSC and PEFC, we could help lessen this impact on our forests by simply say no to Yellow Pages. In Sweden this is very simple. Whether you live in a house or in an apartment you can simply put a sign on your mailbox saying no to promotional offers. And you will get rid of all the other unwanted offers as well.

Read more on Eniro.
In the US you can get rid of Yellow Pages here; Yellowpagesoptout

Single Malt

My husband loves whisky, and I got him a bottle of Benromach Organic for his birthday. This whisky is from a small distillery in north-east Scotland. This Single Malt was the world's first to be certified through UK Soil Association and they take great care in every step to make this truly organic, from the oak cask all the way to the bottling. And it apparently tastes very good too. Read more;  Benromach

In Sweden there is only one more organic whisky so far. That's the Bruichladdich. A limited edition was made in 2003 and was followed up by another one in 2010. That one's going to be tried next.

iPhone

My iPhone is my organic favourite at the moment since it is my....

-Phone
-GPS
-Bankbook
-Music (using both headphones and connecting it to the stereo in the house)
-Notebook
-Mirror
-Calendar
-Shopping List
-Recipes
-CV (LinkedIn)
-Lexicon
-Newspaper
-Camera
-Photoalbum
-Games (Sudoku, Tetris, Bubble Shooter)
-Radio
-Blog
-Alarm-clock
-Timetable for the bus and train
-Gym (RunKeeper, SATS, Jillian Michaels etc)
-TV
-Social Network (Facebook, About.me, YouTube etc)
-Calculator
-Compass
-Converter
-Plane ticket
-Inbox
-Adressbook

Saves lots and lots of paper, metal, plastic etc. And time of course...