Spotlight on Sustainability

The phrase "sustainable" is currently en vogue. But what does it mean? How do we live in a way that fosters not just our own prosperity, but the prosperity of our neighbors around the world and the prosperity of future generations? The very process of beginning to make sustainable choices, despite one's good intentions, can sometimes be exhausting.

Even companies like Walmart promote their green practices these days, offering everything from organic products to energy efficient bulbs. Goodness knows, everyone is making strides. And so, for many who begin the journey towards awareness on this issue, the natural conclusion may be why worry about carbon footprint, ethical production, or "green status" when it seems like everyone's doing it? Well, first off, most people are not doing it. And second of all, many campaigns are misleading. The number of truly sustainable middle-market options is still fairly slim.

While going green or being sustainable might be all the rage, sustainability really should be looked at as more than mere trend. Thankfully, a handful of organizations are working hard to create real standards and criteria to which companies, organizations, and other producers will have to measure up when it comes to labelling their products as sustainable. Take one example, the Pharos Project: "The Pharos Project seeks to define a consumer-driven vision of truly green building materials and establish a method for evaluation that is in harmony with principles of environmental health and justice." (Pharos Website) The goal behind Pharos' Lens and Label is to help people make wise and educated purchasing decisions and, although still fairly unknown in its ambitious forays, Pharos stands poised to add real value to the marketplace-go here for more info. Pharos is developing a labeling system that will help consumers cut through the profit-driven chaff to explain the process behind the product (before and after consumer use). In case you're wondering where the name came from, Pharos is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the first lighthouse, which once sat on the island of Pharos just outside Alexandria warning travelers of impending doom if they erred too close to shore. Like LEED, a term completely foreign to most citizens' ears only a few years ago, I think we can expect big things from Pharos. Perhaps it's the name, or perhaps it's the aim, but I'm all for any organization that gives consumers more clarity in the marketplace, and encourages us to think bigger than today, tomorrow, and our 1000-some odd square feet of living space.

To learn more about the ancient Pharos, check out YouTube videos here or here.