Fair Trade & Equality for All
I finally got around to adding the Fair Trade Federation member logo on this site, after applying, getting approved and paying my annual dues. I've been so busy with my new day job (as a director for an educational company), that I've not had time to blog or update my websites.
Globally Minded can now be found on the Fair Trade Federation directory. Being a part of a growing movement of socially conscious buyers and consumers is very gratifying because I know fair trade works, improving and empowering artisans and families we support.
Globally Minded fair trade and handcrafted jewelry is available for wholesale and retail. We really prefer to market our jewelry in retail brick and mortar stores. Sales of our products benefits Globally Minded Works, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit, supporting women and children in Guatemala.
Although we live in a world of injustice and inequality, fair trade and equality for all are worthy causes to support. Join our efforts to make life better for all; commit to buying fair trade handcrafts, gifts and products.
Hospitals Going Green
As a result of my Mom's recent battle with cancer, I've spent considerable time in hospitals contemplating many things, including how hospitals deals with waste, toxins and recycling. Although many hospitals have a long way to go, many are already committed to green business practices. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Green Guide for Health Care (GGHC) joined forces to bring green business practices to the healthcare industry. According to Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair of USGBC, "Patients in green hospitals have greater emotional well-being, require less pain medication and other drugs, and have shorter hospital stays." Such findings are not surprising.
In September, USGBC and GGHC agreed to educational programs and other initiatives to promote the greening of health care systems. This is a very important and strategic step in addressing the issues of waste, recycling and more within the industry. By using natural cleaning products, plants that improve air quality, solar energy, natural light as much as possible, recycling, and reducing the amount of toxic wastes, green hospitals can make a significant impact. Clearly, green hospitals are good for the community, medical personnel, patients and visitors.
To identify the top environmentally friendly hospitals, The Green Guide followed the criteria of USGBC's LEED standards, The Green Guide for Health Care, and Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E). Indeed, any and all hospitals should be moving towards the following initiatives to better steward the earth's resources, while promoting better health for all:
1- Location: Was the hospital near or accessible to alternative transportation, utilizing storm water management, sited for urban redevelopment, and reducing its eco-footprint?
2- Water Reduction and Efficiency: Does the hospital use plants and landscaping in an ecologically friendly manner? Does it reduce water usage?
3- Air and Energy Pollution: How is the hospital reducing chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), utilizing renewable energy, reducing energy consumption, and exercising green power and reducing ozone?
4- Resources and Materials: Are recycled building materials, resources, local materials and/or certified wood used in the construction of the hospital?
5- Indoor Environmental Quality: How is the hospital improving its indoor air ventilation? Are they increasing ventilation and incorporating eco-friendly paints, adhesives and materials to avoid toxic fumes of toluene, formaldehyde and other carcinogenic compounds? Are they using any plants and natural lighting?
6- Organic, Healthy Hospital Food: Are fresh, local and organic foods served in the cafeteria and for the patients?
7- Green Education: Is there any instruction for employees regarding environmental best practices, including waste reduction, toxics reduction and recycling?
8- Procurement: Is the hospital using recycled paper, energy efficient equipment, water-efficient laundering, and/or other green products?
9- Contaminants: How is the company reducing toxins, such as mercury and PVC (both can leak toxic plasticizers into fluids of IV drip bags and tubing)?
10- Green and Natural Cleaning Products: Is the hospital using natural cleaning products, free of hazardous chemicals?
11- Waste reduction: Is the hospital segregating medical waste and reducing, re-using and recycling everything else like general waste, furniture, and equipment?
12- Healing Gardens: Is there a garden where patients, employees and visitors can sit and enjoy fresh air and the beauty of nature? Are native plants used to reduce water usage and the use of pesticides?
Winners for The Green Guide's Top 10 Green Hospitals at a Glance:
• Boulder Community Hospital Foothills Campus (Boulder, CO)
• Bronson Methodist Hospital (Kalamazoo, MI)
• Kaiser Permanente (headquarters in Oakland, CA)
• Laguna Honda Replacement Hospital and Rehabilitation Center (San Francisco, CA)
• Legacy Health System Salmon Creek Hospital (Vancouver, WA)
• Mount Sinai Medical Center's Lauder Center for Maternity Care (New York, NY)
• Patrick H. Dollard Discovery Health Center (Harris, NY)
• Providence Newberg Hospital (Newberg, OR)
• Sarkis Gabrellian Women's and Children’s Pavilion at Hackensack University Medical Center (Hackensack, NJ)
• Emory University's Winship Cancer Institute (Atlanta, GA)
RUNNERS UP
For waste reduction, recycling and re-use:
• Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (Lebanon, NH)
• Sparrow Health System (Lansing, MI)
• University of Michigan Hospital and Health Centers (Ann Arbor, MI)
For green building:
• Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA)
• Concord Hospital (Concord, NH)
• Mercy Suburban Hospital (Norristown, PA)
For fresh, local and organic hospital food:
• St. Luke's Hospital (Duluth, MN)
• Good Shepherd Health Care System (Hermiston, OR)
• Allen Memorial Hospital (Waterloo, IA)
• Duke University Medical Center (Durham, NC)
• Fletcher Allen Medical Center (Burlington, VT)
It's great to see so many hospitals consider the well-being of a patient and how to to steward the earth. Indeed, I look forward to the time when green hospitals are not an exception, but the rule.
Eco-Friendly, Non-Toxic Paint! Go Green with Color!
Did you know that although a fresh coat of paint may perform wonders to the look and feel of a room it can also be detrimental to your health? Think about the last time you painted a room or house and the trouble you had breathing, especially when the air was stagnant. Indeed, standard paint is toxic for the planet and our bodies. In fact, the nasty effects of paint fumes can impact the body for up to 3 years! With this in mind, the next time you go to paint your room, house, or office, use eco-friendly paints.
Learn more from the EPA and start shopping for eco-paints here.
Here is a video abstract from Season One of PBS television show called "Building Green," hosted by Kevin Contreras, exploring the basics of eco-friendly paints and green brands.
Our Partnership with Globally Minded Works
Globally Minded gives 15% of its profits to Globally Minded Works to help children learn in the Highlands Guatemala. We believe that helping a child to read, write and think opens up new possibilities and opportunities, while alleviating the affects of poverty. We market and sell our fair trade, handcrafted, eco-friendly jewelry via Amazon and when you buy $25.00 or more, your purchases are eligible for Free Super Saver Shipping. Buy our jewelry for you or your loved one today and make a difference in the lives of those struggling in poverty.
To give you an idea of the splendor of Lake Atitlan, here is a clip: