Have you ever stopped to wonder what the biggest problem facing the world is? Climate change? Political warfare? Finding parking during the holidays? Ugh, take your pick, right? Those are the branches of the tree, but what’s the root of them all?

According to John Marshall Roberts, it’s empathy. Empathy? Yes, in a world with deeply embedded cynicism, our lack of understanding others, or feeling understood, leads people, communities, companies, and governments to dig in our heels, or just give up that a different reality is possible.

In doing this, progress on the big issues of the world gets slowed, and on a personal level, interactions with our family, friends and coworkers are needlessly harder than they could be.

I’d encourage you to take a little break from the holiday hubbub and watch the video below that will make you laugh, think, and give a boost of inspiration. And if you want to take further action, go have a look at the Igniting Inspiration course, giving frameworks and action for you to take to help make the world around you a better, more enjoyable place.

Readers: Whether you’ve watched the video or not, what are your thoughts on the value of empathy, and what we can all do to improve the world around us?

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Paul Smith from GreenSmith Consulting. Paul did not reach out to us requesting that we share this video of his client, we were just truly inspired and asked him if we could share it with our readers. I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!

The post How to Save the World in One Step appeared first on EcoSalon.

Of all the things I’ve come across as we near an increasingly greenwashy Earth Day, one stands out because of its simplicity and transparency. The founders of Energy Circle, a home-energy efficiency ally whose staff all test and use the products they sell in their own homes, will make their home energy use public, broadcasting it both through their website and live on Twitter at EnergyCircleKW.

They’ve hacked their best-selling device, The Energy Detective, a “real-time home electricity monitor that is the equivalent of a digital stethoscope,” so that the data can be sent out, with information about what the data means – giving it real world relevance to you and me.

The Energy Detective is a device that monitors energy use down to each appliance, and doesn’t cost much, making it more likely to be used by a broader segment of the population. Rather than promoting some perfect uber-green house out of reach of the everyday person, the founders’ house is your average American home – built in the 80s, with an addition in the 90s. It’s got lots of air leaks and other flaws in the design.

They’ve had an energy audit done (check this great piece to learn more). Like many people, they’ve made progress with CFL and LED lights and low-flow shower heads. But they still have lots to do and they intend to make their house an example.

While things like Google Power Meter are coming at some point, perhaps even this year, Energy Circle is interested in bringing the public several “right now” options to be able to take an active hand in making better choices when it comes to their home energy use.

A 49-second customer service credo clip, featured on Energy Circle’s store page, is an unusual move, emblematic of their personal, accessible approach. If you’re looking for concrete, easy to do things for Earth Day and beyond, Energy Circle is a solid start.

Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Paul Smith. Follow Paul on Twitter!

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When you think of eco friendly plates and bowls, what comes to mind? Pale, pasty, meek little things, that melt at the slightest hint of heat, and never mind going anywhere near an oven. And have you tried to actually compost or biodegrade one?

Generally there’s a disconnect between the green dream and the reality, since they often require special conditions/facilities to properly do the job, and even then, they take a fair amount of time.

What to do?

Verterra seems to have gone down the list of how to make the best possible green plates, bowls and platters, and done it all. They make them from palm leaves. Fallen palm leaves. They pay their workers a living wage. They use only steam and chilling to make them, tempering them, which makes them super sturdy. The middle layer of leaves is sappy, replacing the usual binder (aka glue) used on other green plates to give them form.

Since they’re made only from leaves and steam, they compost and biodegrade fast, as you’d expect. And Verterra have had that officially verified. It’s official, they rule the school when it comes to speediness on this front. This one quote says it best, ” VerTerra dinnerware breaks down 150% above the standard in 2/3 the time. ”

In a road test of my own, I ate chili, spaghetti, and other messy meals in one of their bowls. Yes, they’re washable and reusable. Several times! They came through just fine, ready for more. And as you can see from the pictures, they’re quite easy on the eyes, looking almost like wood.

Their new Signature line really ups aesthetics, nicely curved, modern looking, with small touches like a line around the edge. Apparently they’re on to something as I’ve been told they’re already back-ordered into March! Get on the list now so you can get this lovely compostable dinnerware yourself.

This is a guest post by Paul Smith of GreenSmithConsulting. Follow him on Twitter.

Images: Theodore Samuels

The post Guest Post: Paul Smith of GreenSmithConsulting on Verterra: Leaves of Sustainable Style appeared first on EcoSalon.

I’m all for living la vida verde and being a good global citizen, but I have to say, most of the eco friendly plates I’ve come across are just so…homely. And they don’t stand up to anything beyond a light
salad without wilting, for the most part.

That is, until I came across the plates made by Verterra. They’re made from palm leaves, in intriguing shapes, and look like wood. And they’re no compromise: you can cook with them! Halibut without a problem, on a platter that impresses. What else do you need? Compostability, yes. That’s no problem, as these plates compost in 3 months or less. Perfect for the eco-friendly picnic! (Prices vary but the cost isn’t much more than standard disposables.)

Editor’s note: this is a guest post from Paul Smith of GreenSmith Consulting. Thanks, Paul!

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