Seeds for thought
With the creation of a mass gathering around the idea of being "green", there is also a lot of "fluff" out there without necessarily truly knowing what's being sold to the public.
There are some key areas of interest that has a much broader, more dramatic approach at tackling major issues on the planet today.
One of these is the idea of fair trade. Fair Trade certification covers a range of products that ensures basic standards are met. Those standards include agreed environmental, labor, and developmental standards. This ensures that it is developing a sustainable community, and in turn develops close ties with the United States as a sustainability import of goods.
Buying local, particularly in the area of food can be a first step.
I operated a few farmer's markets in the area in the past 3 summers, while slowing down considerably during the semester. As I talked to other customers and some local growers in the area I noticed these 5 key responses:
1. Buying local encourages contribution to the local economy
2. You know exactly where your food is coming from (as long as you ask!)
3. Non-hybrid heirloom seeds can often be exchanged online: http://www.seedsavers.org/
4. Far more variety and flavor of foods- and far more nutritional value.
5. Social benefits of a 21st century "cottage industry"
What we buy and how we promote our purchasing can have a direct impact on several areas. For example, at wfree rice, by answering simple questions, they will donate 10 grains of rice per answer. You can also download a toolbar and use it to answer trivia throughout the day.
Exchange Programs and fair trade can also offer Entrepreneurship opportunities for those who might not otherwise have the opportunity. Kiva is a service that allows a mixture of people to offer very small loans that can eventually add up into entire projects to open new businesses.
Undoubtedly this is a very passionate area of focus for myself. I also see more people discovering this as forming it into both their professional lives as an outside pursuit and in their own lives to live a healthier path.