| The international passion to protect our planet from the | | | | manufacturing conditions currently existing in many |
| ravages of pollution and to preserve our natural | | | | countries, referred to as "sweatshops". They are |
| resources for future generations has become an | | | | production facilities or factories where goods are |
| everyday fact of life. With international support by | | | | produced cheaply by minimizing workers' salaries, and |
| "green" political parties, consumer organizations, | | | | increasing working hours. Proper environmental health |
| celebrities and politicians, the green movement has | | | | standards are diminished, yet demands for high levels |
| become a powerful force with an agenda that needs | | | | of productivity still remain. These sweatshops may |
| to be addressed by industry, politicians and consumers. | | | | thrive from corporations seeking to increase profits by |
| Discussions about the environment are taking place in | | | | subcontracting inexpensive labor. |
| corporate board rooms, legislative hearings, and by | | | | Sustainable means conserving and preserving limited |
| consumers in supermarkets and department stores. | | | | natural resources and energy supplies. It is connected |
| Can we fully understand environmental concerns and | | | | with the term "recycling" when natural products are |
| energy implications without a working knowledge of | | | | re-used like rubber (for tires, shoes) or paper/trees (for |
| basic green vocabulary? Do we understand all the | | | | books, business cards, magazines etc.), or wood (for |
| issues relevant to tax incentives for oil companies? | | | | recycled furniture). They are made from or made into |
| Can we properly compare the organic and nonorganic | | | | recycled, carbon based products. A good example of |
| products that we decide to eat or wear every day? In | | | | preserving our resources is Trees for the Future, a |
| essence, to think and live green you need to speak | | | | charitable organization dedicated to replacing and |
| and understand green. | | | | planting trees. Unfortunately, most of our energy |
| Understanding some key green terms and their | | | | production is derived from organic (carbon based) |
| implications can help us evaluate alternatives between | | | | fossil fuels that cannot be recycled as compared to |
| our planet and sacrificing aspects our personal lifestyle. | | | | wind or solar energy. All of this is connected to our |
| It can help us decide how we cast our vote or spend | | | | lifestyle and our "carbon footprint" discussed next. |
| our money or how we live our lives. A green | | | | Carbon Footprint is a descriptor of environmental |
| vocabulary can help us reduce our "carbon footprint ". | | | | impact. It describes the consumption of carbon based |
| The following represents what is best described as a | | | | natural resources or the production of carbon |
| green vocabulary of definitions and commentary to | | | | by-products like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide or |
| help eco-oriented consumers make informed green | | | | "greenhouse emissions". It's about lifestyle and the |
| decisions. | | | | amount of carbon based resources we consume |
| A Green Vocabulary for Green People | | | | through transportation, climate control, manufacturing |
| Organic identifies products made under the authority of | | | | etc. Basically it relates to how much each of us |
| the Organic Foods Production Act. Organic production | | | | consume in terms of natural resources to meet our |
| guidelines are established to use organic materials and | | | | needs. In general each of us should be committed to |
| practices that improve ecological balance. Organic | | | | reducing the size of our "footprint" to sustain resources |
| production incorporates agricultural system | | | | for present and future generations. |
| components to enhance natural biological systems. | | | | Eco-fashion is a general term describing organic |
| Organic Agriculture is an ecological farming system | | | | clothing that has addressed the needs of the |
| that promotes natural chemical and biological cycles | | | | environment as well as socially responsible working |
| that improve soil fertility and maintains a balanced and | | | | conditions. |
| productive farming system. Any products introduced to | | | | Eco-friendly suggests a product or process than has a |
| this system for fertility or pest protection are of natural | | | | reduced impact on the environment. |
| composition. It eliminates the use of harmful synthetic | | | | Low Impact Dyes refers to dyes used the |
| pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, growth stimulants or | | | | manufacture of goods that should have minimal impact |
| antibiotics. These essential restrictions can reduce | | | | on the environment. Sometimes the term non-toxic is |
| contamination or pollution to our air, water or food | | | | used here as well. |
| supply. | | | | Green is a generally positive term referring to the |
| Natural Fibersare "certified" organic fibers derived from | | | | environment, organics or even a green lifestyle to be |
| organic agriculture such as cotton, bamboo and hemp. | | | | discussed shortly. |
| Certified Organic Cotton is derived from organic | | | | Conscientious Clothingdescribes organic clothing has |
| agriculture. The cotton is grown without artificial | | | | addressed environmental, ethical and socially |
| pesticides or fertilizers. Conventional cotton farming | | | | responsible standards. |
| ranks about fourth in the use of pesticides in the US. | | | | The Green Lifestyle |
| Several of the top pesticides used in nonorganic | | | | Green Lifestyle or Green Living describes a lifestyle |
| cotton farming are EPA recognized carcinogens. It | | | | reflecting a strong commitment to the environment. In |
| takes 1/3 of a pound of pesticides and synthetic | | | | addition, it addresses compassionate and positive |
| fertilizers to make one organic T-shirt disregarding the | | | | thinking. It means choosing a life with charitable deeds |
| use of any toxic dyes (Organic Trade Association). A | | | | and practices, reflecting compassion for the |
| typical organic tee shirt is also about the same weight | | | | environment and others. Green living is being proactive |
| but without these harmful chemicals. Organic cotton is | | | | and incorporates spiritual growth leading to ethical |
| produced using conservation minded or "sustainable" | | | | thinking. |
| approaches to crop production. Such practices help to | | | | Social Responsibility can be defined as accepting |
| retain and promote soil fertility and the natural recycling | | | | responsibility for others and taking action against social |
| of soil resources. | | | | injustice. It includes meeting the needs of others |
| Organic Certification is provided by various | | | | through charitable giving. |
| organizations. The most widely recognized standards | | | | Charitable Giving describes a sense of genuine |
| are GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) which is | | | | compassion and reacting to it with charitable practices |
| the basis for the statement "100% certified organic | | | | towards others. |
| cotton" used by many green companies. | | | | In summary, a green lifestyle represents caring for the |
| Fair Labor Practices are not necessarily restricted to | | | | environment combined with positive thinking leading to |
| agriculture but generally support fair wages and | | | | ethical behavior and compassionate living. Ultimately, |
| healthy working conditions. | | | | your deeds represent positive thoughts in action. The |
| Fair Trade Certification "...guarantees consumers that | | | | result can be a clean, safe environment and a better |
| strict economic, social and environmental criteria were | | | | quality of life for yourself and others. |
| met in the production and trade of an agricultural | | | | If you learned some green vocabulary, be sure to use |
| product."( | | | | it to make decisions and set priorities in your life. Think |
| Sweatshop-free describes the absence of | | | | about adopting a greener lifestyle! |