The Green

Zem Joaquin knows the value of green products. She runs a website company that supports designers who create sustainable products which are also designed impeccably. Her company, Ecofabulous.com [www.ecofabulous.com], caters to people who love innovation and who have an all-consuming addiction to beautiful objects. Featuring categories of design such as beauty care, fashion, kids, lifestyle and the ever popular eco-chic tours, you can find many kinds of information on this fabulous internet destination.



Why does a focus on well-designed sustainable products make Zem Joaquin an ECO HERO? The answer may be found in an example from art history. Design and style elevated the work of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, and that work of art distinguished him from his peers. His art took people's breath away and replaced it with a sense of inspiration. In some people, this inspiration transformed into a desire to create beautifully designed works of art themselves. It is a bit like watching an Olympic athlete do something completely amazing, and suddenly feeling the urge to get up and do something amazing oneself.

In the case of sustainably manufactured products like those that Ms. Joaquin's Ecofabulous website covers, a consumer might initially buy one item based on the merits of its design; after using the product, they may then become more conscious of sustainability by also discovering the environmental benefits of that product. This new awareness of environmental considerations may lead them to buy other sustainable products in the future. Hence, the net result of Ecofabulous.com is that it has supported greater consumer support for products that preserve the healthy ecosystem of the planet.

Check out the ECO HEROES video with Zem Joaquin.



In order to get a geographic appreciation of Ecofabulous.com, make sure to check out Zem Joaquin's Map Marker [www.sundancechannel.com] on Eco-mmunity Map.

Feel free to comment on this post and discover More ECO HEROES using the links below:

Ira Ehrenpreis @ Technology Partners [www.sundancechannel.com]

Jerry Fiddler @ Solazyme [www.sundancechannel.com]

Sarah Gitlin @ Dalton High School [www.sundancechannel.com]

Shai Agassi @ Project Better Place [www.sundancechannel.com]

Sherry Strong [www.sundancechannel.com]

Zem Joaquin [www.sundancechannel.com]

Robert Redford has been an advocate for environmental sustainability for a long time. He has dedicated his life to promoting responsible solutions to the climate crisis. Recently, Robert Redford has chosen to focus on the topic of energy; you will find some of the possible reasons for his choice in the paragraph below.

A major portion of the forces disrupting a healthy climate comes from the production and use of 20th century energy sources. These are things like coal power, nuclear power, hydroelectric power, natural gas and fossil fuel use in automobiles. Robert Redford believes that we already have alternatives to these polluting technologies. We believe he is completely correct in his assessment; wind, solar, and waste energy are all viable sources of energy in a world that has already harnessed them to power a portion of the world economy.

His speech bears direct consequences to the political theater in this election year. He cautions people against taking energy solution advice from Washington, noting that the government has been managing the energy policies for the last 20 years. He points out that these energy policies shaped and delivered the current energy crisis that is quickly draining the money out of American wallets. If Robert Redford is correct, voting for the Republicans (and some Democrats) is basically akin to the old adage of asking the fox to guard the hen house. According to Mr. Redford, "all we lack is honest, bold leadership." Perhaps it is time for Mr. Redford to consider running for office himself. He certainly has the name recognition to be seriously considered.

One thing that is not specifically brought up in the speech, but which deserves attention, is a definition of which leaders Mr. Redford is saying that we need. We cannot just vote for a President who says he wants to solve the energy crisis, we also have to vote for the respective state representatives who make the commitment to energy independence. After all, nothing will happen if the President keeps on getting flawed legislation on his desk, even if some of it relates to the energy crisis. We need to fill up the Congress and the Senate with people who make energy independence their primary focus.

Read a complete transcript of Robert Redford's Speech [www.nrdc.org]

Ebay pioneered the huge marketplace of used goods. This in itself is a major environmental achievement because it gives products a second, third or fourth life. This principle of reuse makes a huge difference for consumers who can get a product cheaper than a retail location might offer it and also provides a direct environmental incentive in that it reduces the demand for raw material used in the production of brand new goods.

This incidental benefit to the environment apparently falls short of the environmental social responsibility that Ebay believes it can and should perpetuate. As a result, Ebay has decided to team up with WorldofGood.com to bring you a new dedicated destination in the Ebay sellers marketplace. This collection of Ebay goods will all come from sustainable sources or will be products that have the WorldofGood stamp of approval. This means that people on Ebay will have the option of going to a consumer section of the website where they can be guaranteed that their act of consumption will support positive, ecologically sound commerce.

It is exciting to see a major internet company increasing its role in the sustainable marketplace. Now it is up to consumers to frequent this portion of Ebay so that this green brand of commerce is expanded.

Read more on this story [www.usatoday.com]