Think there's nothing you can do to help Support Fair Trade in 1 Minute?
Starring - Maria Christina Perry
Written by - Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical Information provided by: The Fair Trade Federation, www.fairtradefederation.org
Special Thanks: Carmen Iezzi and everyone at The Fair Trade Federation, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Showing posts with label Fair Trade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fair Trade. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Shop Responsibly
Think there's nothing you can do to Go Green this Fall in 1 Minute?
Starring - Maria Christina Perry
Written by - Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical Information provided by: Green America, www.greenamericatoday.com
Special Thanks: Tod Larsen and everyone at Green America , and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Maria Christina Perry
Written by - Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical Information provided by: Green America, www.greenamericatoday.com
Special Thanks: Tod Larsen and everyone at Green America , and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Saturday, July 24, 2010
An Interview with Abby Ray, Communications Associate at The Rainforest Alliance
Here is Part 2 of our interview with Abby Ray, our contact at the Rainforest Alliance.
What would happen if all of our rainforests disappeared?
With the release of all of that CO2 into the atmosphere from cutting all of those trees, we’d see a big impact on climate change. There would be major soil erosion, waterway contamination, increased instances of malaria and increased illness. We’d lose species that currently we don’t even know exist, and we’d lose all of those precious and unique creatures that only reside in rainforests.
What is the connection between conserving the rainforest and social and economic factors?
We see sustainability as having three equally important pillars: environmental, social and economic. For many poor communities living in areas of high biodiversity, the forest is worth more cut down than it is standing. They can sell the timber and grow agricultural products, or graze cattle. If forests are to have a higher value intact, they need to provide local communities with a sustainable livelihood, and that’s where the social and economic factors come into play. Without those components, we’ll continue to see rainforest destruction and illegal logging in “preserved areas,” despite our best intentions. If communities can receive Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)/Rainforest Alliance certification for their forests, they often have better market access and can learn to responsibly manage their land so that it retains wildlife and its precious ecosystems. We have also developed a climate initiative to work on helping communities receive payment for ecosystem services – or compensating landowners for the carbon that their forests store.
What can the average person do to help conserve the rainforest?
It is up to all of us to act responsibly. You can help protect ecosystems and the people and wildlife that depend on them by holding an Adopt-A-Rainforest fundraiser, becoming a member of the Rainforest Alliance and buying responsibly produced foods, wood and paper products. You can look for the Rainforest Alliance Certified green frog seal in your local grocery stores. Take responsible vacations, and ask questions about the hotel’s social and environmental policies. We have all of these tips and more on our Green Living Tips page: http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/support.cfm?id=tips.
Is there anything that you would like add?
You can watch great videos on our website for an easier way to understand what we do:The Rainforest Alliance. Also, follow us on
Twitter and Facebook .
To find out more about the Rainforest or about the Rainforest Alliance, please visit - The Rainforest Alliance.
What would happen if all of our rainforests disappeared?
With the release of all of that CO2 into the atmosphere from cutting all of those trees, we’d see a big impact on climate change. There would be major soil erosion, waterway contamination, increased instances of malaria and increased illness. We’d lose species that currently we don’t even know exist, and we’d lose all of those precious and unique creatures that only reside in rainforests.
What is the connection between conserving the rainforest and social and economic factors?
We see sustainability as having three equally important pillars: environmental, social and economic. For many poor communities living in areas of high biodiversity, the forest is worth more cut down than it is standing. They can sell the timber and grow agricultural products, or graze cattle. If forests are to have a higher value intact, they need to provide local communities with a sustainable livelihood, and that’s where the social and economic factors come into play. Without those components, we’ll continue to see rainforest destruction and illegal logging in “preserved areas,” despite our best intentions. If communities can receive Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)/Rainforest Alliance certification for their forests, they often have better market access and can learn to responsibly manage their land so that it retains wildlife and its precious ecosystems. We have also developed a climate initiative to work on helping communities receive payment for ecosystem services – or compensating landowners for the carbon that their forests store.
What can the average person do to help conserve the rainforest?
It is up to all of us to act responsibly. You can help protect ecosystems and the people and wildlife that depend on them by holding an Adopt-A-Rainforest fundraiser, becoming a member of the Rainforest Alliance and buying responsibly produced foods, wood and paper products. You can look for the Rainforest Alliance Certified green frog seal in your local grocery stores. Take responsible vacations, and ask questions about the hotel’s social and environmental policies. We have all of these tips and more on our Green Living Tips page: http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/support.cfm?id=tips.
Is there anything that you would like add?
You can watch great videos on our website for an easier way to understand what we do:The Rainforest Alliance. Also, follow us on
Twitter and Facebook .
To find out more about the Rainforest or about the Rainforest Alliance, please visit - The Rainforest Alliance.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Certified Wood
Think there's nothing you can do to help Protect our Rainforests in 1 Minute?
Starring - Damion Fitz
Written by - Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Statistical Information Provided by: The Rainforest Alliance, www.rainforest-alliance.org,
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Special Thanks: Abby Ray and everyone at The Rainforest Alliance, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Damion Fitz
Written by - Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Statistical Information Provided by: The Rainforest Alliance, www.rainforest-alliance.org,
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Special Thanks: Abby Ray and everyone at The Rainforest Alliance, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Thursday, July 22, 2010
10 Things to Help the Rainforest
Think there's nothing you can do to help Protect our Rainforests in 1 Minute?
Starring - Maria Christina Perry
Written by - Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Statistical Information Provided by: The Rainforest Alliance, www.rainforest-alliance.org,
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Special Thanks: Abby Ray and everyone at The Rainforest Alliance, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Maria Christina Perry
Written by - Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Statistical Information Provided by: The Rainforest Alliance, www.rainforest-alliance.org,
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Special Thanks: Abby Ray and everyone at The Rainforest Alliance, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Adopt an Acre of Rainforest
Think there's nothing you can do to help Protect our Rainforests in 1 Minute?
Starring - Abby Lynn Mulay
Written by - Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Statistical Information Provided by: The Rainforest Alliance, www.rainforest-alliance.org,
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Special Thanks: Abby Ray and everyone at The Rainforest Alliance, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Abby Lynn Mulay
Written by - Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Statistical Information Provided by: The Rainforest Alliance, www.rainforest-alliance.org,
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Special Thanks: Abby Ray and everyone at The Rainforest Alliance, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Monday, July 19, 2010
Buy Rainforest Alliance Certified
Think there's nothing you can do to help Protect our Rainforests in 1 Minute?
Starring - Julie Tortorici
Written by - Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Statistical Information Provided by: The Rainforest Alliance - www.rainforest-alliance.org
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Special Thanks: Abby Ray and everyone at the Rainforest Alliance, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Julie Tortorici
Written by - Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Statistical Information Provided by: The Rainforest Alliance - www.rainforest-alliance.org
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Special Thanks: Abby Ray and everyone at the Rainforest Alliance, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Sunday, July 18, 2010
An Interview with Abby Ray, Communications Associate at the Rainforest Alliance, part 1
When we asked our “What You Can Do “ fans which topics were of most concern to them, an overwhelming majority said protecting our rainforests. Thus we set off to complete a week of one minute ideas dedicated to halting the destruction of this precious resource. In the course of our research we were lucky enough to find The Rainforest Alliance whose help and expertise proved invaluable in our assembly of this week.
Here Abby Ray, our contact at The Rainforest Alliance, took the time to answer some questions for us . Please read on for Part 1 of our interview.
Please tell us why rainforest conservation is important?
It’s important to conserve rainforests, in part, because they are often considered “the lungs of the planet,” absorbing much of the carbon dioxide that can contribute to climate change. Also, the rainforest is home to rich biodiversity, and some plants and animals only exist in the rainforest. There’s a reason why rainforests are called the “world’s largest pharmacies;” we have already developed medicines to fight cancer, diabetes and heart diseases from rainforest plants, and more cures could be found there. One-quarter of the Western medicines that we use today are derived from plants, yet less than one percent of these tropical trees and plants have been screened by scientists for pharmaceutical properties. Deforestation causes destruction of wildlife habitat and therefore loss of wildlife, the release of carbon dioxide which contributes to climate change, soil erosion, contaminated waterways and often poor health conditions for local communities.
Please tell us a little bit about the Rainforest Alliance.
The Rainforest Alliance, an international nonprofit organization, works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travelers. From large multinational corporations to small, community-based cooperatives, businesses and consumers worldwide are involved in the Rainforest Alliance’s efforts to bring responsibly produced goods and services to a global marketplace where the demand for sustainability is growing steadily. We work in sustainable agriculture, forestry, tourism and climate.
How much of the rainforest is lost ever year?
Nearly half of the Earth's original forest cover has already been lost, and each year an additional 32 million acres (13 million hectares) are destroyed (a land area the size of Nicaragua or the State of Louisiana).
Why is the rainforest being destroyed?
Around the world, people are clearing land to grow crops. While people need to grow food, in many countries, there are no laws to prevent people from entering a forest, cutting it down, burning the dry vegetation, and planting seeds. Because most of a rainforest's nutrients are found in its diverse flora, the soils that support so much biodiversity are actually quite thin and poor. The farmers can grow crops in the ashes of burned forests for a few years, but eventually, the nutrient-poor soils give out, and the colonists must move farther into the forest and start over. The abandoned lands are often used by ranchers to graze livestock. On average, six acres of pastureland in the tropics are needed to feed just one cow. People who need wood for fuel also cause deforestation. When timber companies cut down valuable hardwoods in a forest in an irresponsible way, the process usually destroys all surrounding vegetation and jeopardizes the wildlife that depended on that lost vegetation. Illegal logging is also a problem. Development projects like dams, new settlements, highways and large-scale mining and petroleum projects are also leading causes of deforestation. In the Amazon, in particular, forests are being cut down to grow soy beans and acai, graze cattle and build developments. Other tropical areas face similar threats but from different crops like palm oil, sugar cane or sun-grown coffee.
To find out more about the Rainforest or about the Rainforest Alliance, please visit - The Rainforest Alliance.
Here Abby Ray, our contact at The Rainforest Alliance, took the time to answer some questions for us . Please read on for Part 1 of our interview.
Please tell us why rainforest conservation is important?
It’s important to conserve rainforests, in part, because they are often considered “the lungs of the planet,” absorbing much of the carbon dioxide that can contribute to climate change. Also, the rainforest is home to rich biodiversity, and some plants and animals only exist in the rainforest. There’s a reason why rainforests are called the “world’s largest pharmacies;” we have already developed medicines to fight cancer, diabetes and heart diseases from rainforest plants, and more cures could be found there. One-quarter of the Western medicines that we use today are derived from plants, yet less than one percent of these tropical trees and plants have been screened by scientists for pharmaceutical properties. Deforestation causes destruction of wildlife habitat and therefore loss of wildlife, the release of carbon dioxide which contributes to climate change, soil erosion, contaminated waterways and often poor health conditions for local communities.
Please tell us a little bit about the Rainforest Alliance.
The Rainforest Alliance, an international nonprofit organization, works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travelers. From large multinational corporations to small, community-based cooperatives, businesses and consumers worldwide are involved in the Rainforest Alliance’s efforts to bring responsibly produced goods and services to a global marketplace where the demand for sustainability is growing steadily. We work in sustainable agriculture, forestry, tourism and climate.
How much of the rainforest is lost ever year?
Nearly half of the Earth's original forest cover has already been lost, and each year an additional 32 million acres (13 million hectares) are destroyed (a land area the size of Nicaragua or the State of Louisiana).
Why is the rainforest being destroyed?
Around the world, people are clearing land to grow crops. While people need to grow food, in many countries, there are no laws to prevent people from entering a forest, cutting it down, burning the dry vegetation, and planting seeds. Because most of a rainforest's nutrients are found in its diverse flora, the soils that support so much biodiversity are actually quite thin and poor. The farmers can grow crops in the ashes of burned forests for a few years, but eventually, the nutrient-poor soils give out, and the colonists must move farther into the forest and start over. The abandoned lands are often used by ranchers to graze livestock. On average, six acres of pastureland in the tropics are needed to feed just one cow. People who need wood for fuel also cause deforestation. When timber companies cut down valuable hardwoods in a forest in an irresponsible way, the process usually destroys all surrounding vegetation and jeopardizes the wildlife that depended on that lost vegetation. Illegal logging is also a problem. Development projects like dams, new settlements, highways and large-scale mining and petroleum projects are also leading causes of deforestation. In the Amazon, in particular, forests are being cut down to grow soy beans and acai, graze cattle and build developments. Other tropical areas face similar threats but from different crops like palm oil, sugar cane or sun-grown coffee.
To find out more about the Rainforest or about the Rainforest Alliance, please visit - The Rainforest Alliance.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
A WYCD Shout-Out from Traveling Greener
Just wanted to say thanks to http://www.travelinggreener.com/ for reposting our video about going on a fair trade focused vacation! We'd like to thank them for spreading the word about our videos and the WYCD one-minute mission!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
What You Can Do presents: Travel Responsibly
Action Link: Ecotourism - Eco-Destinations
Starring: Maria Christina Perry
Written by: Jessica Arinella and Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical Information provided by: The International Ecotourism Society - http://www.ecotourism.org
Special Thanks:
Ferdinand Weps and everyone at the International Ecotourism Society
Dennis Arinella
Monday, June 28, 2010
Fair Trade Vacation
Think there's nothing you can do to Go Green on Your Summer Vacation in 1 Minute?
Starring - Damion Fitz
Written by - Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical Information Provided by: The Fair Trade Federation - www.fairtradefederation.org
Special Thanks: Carm Iezzi and everyone at the Fair Trade Federation, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Damion Fitz
Written by - Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical Information Provided by: The Fair Trade Federation - www.fairtradefederation.org
Special Thanks: Carm Iezzi and everyone at the Fair Trade Federation, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Friday, May 7, 2010
Fair Trade to Help Fight Human Trafficking
Think there's nothing you can do to fight Human Trafficking in 1 Minute?
Starring - Julie Tortorici
Written by - Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical Information provided by: UNODC website, www.UNGift.org
Special Thanks - Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Julie Tortorici
Written by - Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical Information provided by: UNODC website, www.UNGift.org
Special Thanks - Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Monday, May 3, 2010
Help Fight Human Trafficking
Think there's nothing you can do to fight Human Trafficking in 1 Minute?
Starring - Head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime - Antonio Maria Costa
Written by - Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Consulting Producer - Mary Micari
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical Information provided by: UNODC, www.unodc.org
Special Thanks - Shervin Majlessi, Simone Monabesian, and everyone at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Rhitu Siddharth and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - What You Can Do
Starring - Head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime - Antonio Maria Costa
Written by - Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Consulting Producer - Mary Micari
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical Information provided by: UNODC, www.unodc.org
Special Thanks - Shervin Majlessi, Simone Monabesian, and everyone at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Rhitu Siddharth and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - What You Can Do
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Working with Antonio Maria Costa, the Executive Director of the United Nations Office of Drugs & Crime
Some of the most amazing moments of this project for me have been the ones that have come out of the blue. If I were pressed to pick one shining highlight of a day I would have to pick the day that we were able to work with the head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime: Antonio Maria Costa. Even as I type these words, there is a part of me that still cannot believe that he gave us the opportunity.
This story cannot be told without a huge and proper thank you to my friend Rhitu Siddarth. She has been a wonderful supporter of the project from the beginning, and when she heard that we wanted to dedicate an episode of What You Can Do to combating the devastating issue of human trafficking, she immediately put a plan into action that ended with the three of us, and a camera, at the United Nations with fifteen minutes to work with one of the most important and influential men working to combat this human crisis.
To say that we were nervous, would be like saying that the sun is hot. We were in our first few weeks of creating this project and all of a sudden we were presented with an opportunity that people spend years trying to gain. We didn’t know what to expect. So we tried to come prepared for everything. Would it be OK to ask him to host the episode? Would he be OK with the stopwatch?
As it turned out- all of our fears were for naught. Not only was he game, he was encouraging, supportive, amazing and very kind.
To put into words what working with Mr. Costa meant to me and to my faith in this idea that I had created is almost impossible. Whenever any one creates anything there is always that moment of- well I love this- but will anyone else love this? Does this idea have legs? Could this really work? And in the midst of all of this insecurity and doubt ,I was blessed to work with one of the world’s foremost experts who gave us -for lack of a more graceful phrase-his “Atta Boy”!
It is a very powerful experience for me to see Mr. Costa host a video in the same series of hosts who include students and firemen and artists and even puppets. It gives me the feeling that if you are a person who wants to help- you are, whether you realize it or not , connected to a large community of people from all different backgrounds and experiences who are with you .
And that in turn makes me feel that so much is possible. That there are answers and solutions and ways out of this mess we are in.
As we begin our week on Human Trafficking, I would again like to extend my thanks to Mr. Costa, Rhitu Siddharth, Shervin Maljessi and Simone Monabesian.
For more information about The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime and their efforts to fight Human Trafficking, please visit - For more information, please visit - Un.Gift.
This story cannot be told without a huge and proper thank you to my friend Rhitu Siddarth. She has been a wonderful supporter of the project from the beginning, and when she heard that we wanted to dedicate an episode of What You Can Do to combating the devastating issue of human trafficking, she immediately put a plan into action that ended with the three of us, and a camera, at the United Nations with fifteen minutes to work with one of the most important and influential men working to combat this human crisis.
To say that we were nervous, would be like saying that the sun is hot. We were in our first few weeks of creating this project and all of a sudden we were presented with an opportunity that people spend years trying to gain. We didn’t know what to expect. So we tried to come prepared for everything. Would it be OK to ask him to host the episode? Would he be OK with the stopwatch?
As it turned out- all of our fears were for naught. Not only was he game, he was encouraging, supportive, amazing and very kind.
To put into words what working with Mr. Costa meant to me and to my faith in this idea that I had created is almost impossible. Whenever any one creates anything there is always that moment of- well I love this- but will anyone else love this? Does this idea have legs? Could this really work? And in the midst of all of this insecurity and doubt ,I was blessed to work with one of the world’s foremost experts who gave us -for lack of a more graceful phrase-his “Atta Boy”!
It is a very powerful experience for me to see Mr. Costa host a video in the same series of hosts who include students and firemen and artists and even puppets. It gives me the feeling that if you are a person who wants to help- you are, whether you realize it or not , connected to a large community of people from all different backgrounds and experiences who are with you .
And that in turn makes me feel that so much is possible. That there are answers and solutions and ways out of this mess we are in.
As we begin our week on Human Trafficking, I would again like to extend my thanks to Mr. Costa, Rhitu Siddharth, Shervin Maljessi and Simone Monabesian.
For more information about The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime and their efforts to fight Human Trafficking, please visit - For more information, please visit - Un.Gift.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Diary of an American Shopper (WYCD On the Leesh Challenge)
Day 1:
Armed with my shopping list and an uber amount of confidence, I head
to the drug store. Perhaps I was filled with a cocky sense of pride.
This is America, I can find things that are made here. No Sweat! Our
forefathers joined to build a more perfect nation and all that jazz.
What's the big deal? I even decided to go easy on myself, opting to
shop at the Mega drugstore vs my small hole in the wall terribly
stocked chain that never has anything.
I look at the list and two items stared back - Small Garbage Bags &
Glass Cleaner. Piece. Of. Cake.
I walk into the sprawling metropolis, a rarity in Manhattan and
swagger my way straight for the cleaning supplies. I usually shop
Seventh Generation. They're made in America (What's up New England!)
and good for the environment. Win win! However, this store doesn't
stock Seventh Generation - news to me - so I must begin my OK Corral
face-off with the garbage bags.
I start with name brands, pick up box one. ABORT - Made in China.
Bummer. Then I go with the store-brand's eco-friendly line. Again,
Made in China. I start to sweat. My black hat-wearing opponent is
gaining the upper hand as Sergio Leone's music starts to play in my
head.
Another box looks out at me, and I wrestle with the possibility that
only Seventh Generation garbage bags are made domestically. Can be
possible? This box will have the answer - I turn it over, and
apparently it's made no place. Not a good sign. I have decided unless
it says Made in the USA - it will not be traveling home with me.
Moving on - I will not be swayed in my quest for Glass Cleaner. Mark
my words! Product one....FAIL! Ugh - on to Clorox. Everyone has
heard of Clorox, and after my garbage bag debacle, I fear this means
defeat. I hear foreign music and voice overs in documentaries about
cutting costs by outsourcing production overseas. I flip over the
Green Works bottle, and... Surprise, Surprise this piece of plastic
bares the four most precious words to me this month- MADE IN THE USA.
WOOHOO! Happy dance begins, drop it in my basket and head to the check
out...
but wait...
the candy is calling my name. Must. Resist. Urge. But all the
Halloween candy is on sale. Must have the Reese's Pumpkin - second
only to the Reese's Egg. LOVE IT!!!
I pick up the nice chocolatey goodness, flip it over and - WHAT?!
Hershey's, the quintessential America company is now making Chocolate
in Mexico? How can this be? It's true - here's the link to the article
I found. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/528711/hershey_outsources_jobs_to_mexico.html
I drop the candy back in it's SALE bin, and head to the register
disappointed.
Still in pursuit of garbage bags, I head to another drugstore which
apparently doesn't sell Seventh Generation either. The sweating
continues. (I mentally decide to pick up a deodorant) The Good the
Bad and the Ugly theme starts again - I unholster my hand from my
pocket, reach out for box one - box two - everything is made in
China. UGH! One more option. The discount bag. Braced with
trepidation - since the whole M.O. of these companies for outsourcing
is to cut costs - I flip over the box. and. It's MADE IN THE good ol'
USA. Go figure.
I happy dance over to the counter and take out my good old American
Cash.
At the end of Day 1, I have learned a lot about where products are
made - but more importantly a normal one minute shopping trip took a
half hour. Isn't this what I wanted? To slow down and become more
conscious about my purchases. Overall I mark day one a success.
Diary of an American Shopper -
Day 3:
Back from a successful shoot for a client, I am in need of coffee.
This time of year, I love the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks. I love
it so much, I send Julie photos of it when it comes back to the store.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! The warm smell, the cinnamon freshness.
DELICIOUSNESS abounds. As a treat, I head to Starbucks to get my
Latte, and as I hand over my cash, I am gripped with a horrific
realization. Starbucks is an American Company. The barista across from
me will be making my coffee in America. But where do these beans come
from? Where is the cinnamon imported from? The HORROR!!! And the
question is asked- how extreme do I want to go for this challenge?
For my home and office brews, the month of November is all about Kona
coffee and Sugar in the Raw. Both made on lovely island of Maui,
their tasty goodness doesn't let me down. I can feel the tropical
breezes and warm rays of the sun as the gentle aroma wafts up from my
coffee cup (made from a Pennsylvanian artist no less). At home and in
the office I'm on it, but on the road - what do I do?
And what do I do about products that can't even be Made in America -
Cinnamon isn't grown here, so what do I do? Eliminate it from my diet
completely or just opt for Fair Trade? Since Thanksgiving is in the
month of November, I opt for fair trade on this one.
But where was I. Oh yeah, In Starbucks.
My latte has been ordered; it's been paid for; it's been made. As my
name is called - I drop my head, take the coffee and sadly partake in
my imported defeat.
Overall I mark Day 3 a failure.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)