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On Web of Conscience, we focus on people and technology that make a difference to the world. But I have been thinking recently that making a difference to the world is not just about helping others, it is also about making the world a better place for ourselves as individuals. The happier and healthier we all are, the more positive energy we will have to put into making the world better.
I have been inspired by many people in thinking about ensuring I am happy first and foremost, but the most recent source of inspiration has been Zen Habits and especially his post on Making Today Your Personal Miracle. The main thought in this post is one of looking at your own life and being thankful. This will first make you happy anyway, but also focus your mind on the things you may want to work on changing to make you even happier.
This is for all those people that believe thinking green is hard work or cost money;
Use www.blackle.com for all your searching and help save lots of energy. Blackle is powered by Google so you still get comprehensive search results – you could even set it as your browser home page. Be sure to check the ‘Web Search’ box though.
Today I found out about CNet’s new eco site SmartPlanet.com. It’s got loads of interesting articles about what people and businesses are doing; News on green issues and organic, fair trade and low-carbon products.
My 3 top articles are;
- Eco bloggers bring the landfill home
- SmartPlanet looks forward to Estethica at London Fashion Week
- Photos: MiniCat, the car that runs on air
I especially liked the article on the American Ari Delfer that has kept all his rubbish for a whole year – he’s planning on making a SuperSizeMe style film about the experience – although presumably he’d have to start all over again?
Here’s a really great take on fund raising for worthwhile causes. It’s a website/community called Greedy Or Needy – where users make a wish (which is labelled as needy if it is considered a good deed, or greedy if it is a bit more of a selfish wish), the community then votes (1 to 5 stars) and at the end of each week, the top wishes (both greedy and needy) are granted up to $100 each.
What I like about this concept is that it’s fun and it plays on the human natural tendency to want to do good AND be a bit selfish all in one place.
This site is kind of similar to the Greenopolis concept: (i) join up, (ii) learn about what you can do to reduce your carbon footprint, and (iii) do it thanks to your friends/groups/communities.
Make Me Sustainable does allow you to sign up as an individual or a business or a family – which is a nice take on things – but the main difference for me is that this site has a great carbon footprint manager. There are loads of carbon calculators online, but this one is much more usable and motivational as you can see the effect your changes are having on your footprint.
The Nature Conservancy is dedicated to ‘preserving the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on earth’. Their website has just published 14 essential tips from Nature Conservancy staff and leading environment bloggers on how to make personal, science-based choices to help save the planet.
Read their tips and contribute your own at the Nature Conservancy website.
One of my favourite places for online shopping is the Natural Collection website. They are perfect for Christmas and birthday gifts if you haven’t got much time and you want to avoid the highstreet. Before you get to the purchasing they also offer you the opportunity to donate to a number of charities in the same transaction.
They sell all sorts of home supplies plus great fair trade fashionable clothes and gorgeous health and beauty products. I bought all of my nappies there until I discovered the Nature Baby range in Sainsbury’s.
I particularly like their gadgets section. You can see what new innovations are out there to make everyday life just that little bit more green. Check out this gizmo that turns one newspaper into a log that will burn for one hour! Not sure if it’s smoke free though!
They have a sale on at the moment so get there quick!
Peacekeeper Cause-metics is the only cosmetics company we know of that gives every single penny of its profits to charitable causes.
When you buy your lip gloss, eye-liner, nail polish or lipstick from the Peacekeeper online store you can be sure that some of your money will go to support women’s health or human rights issues around the world.
One of the blogs in my RSS feed that gives me a lift every day is Zen Habits. The blog format is perfect for this sort of inspirational, daily updated content. Here’s the blog’s creator, Leo Babauta, from the About page:
Zen Habits covers: achieving goals, productivity, being organized, GTD, motivation, eliminating debt, saving, getting a flat stomach, eating healthy, simplifying, living frugal, parenting, happiness, and successfully implementing good habits.
Leo has just quit his day job and gone full time as a blogger, and he’s written a great post on how he took the plunge. It’s an inspiration to anyone who has personal goals or who wants to change their lives. I can only see Zen Habits getting even better from here.
