ecoAmerica/Blog

Nature Rocks: Happier, healthier, smarter children and families

We know that playing outside has always been one of the most important and fun parts of growing up.  This generation of kids, however, is spending less time outdoors than ever even though research indicates that children who play in nature are happier, healthier and smarter. 90% of Americans believe that children should spend more time outside – this is by far the broadest point of consensus among Americans about nature and the environment.  We are bridging that gap through Nature Rocks, launched nationally May 26, 2009.

Green Marketing 101: Make Green Second

I believe that Jennifer Kaplan says this pretty well in her own introduction so in her own words, "Don’t position your product as green.  Well, not primarily green. Instead, position your products and services first as delivering core consumer benefits then-as a second set of attributes-green."

The Rebranding of Environmentalism

  It’s been quite a while, maybe forever, since environmentalists were able to lead the charge for economic prosperity and national security.  We’re usually associated with saving natural places, flora and fauna, and with stopping pollution and human health.  Now however, in support of solutions to climate change…

CSR Called the New ‘Branded Content’

As sustainability and green marketing become significant ways for companies to build their brand, their communications also need to transition to the digital realm.

Climate Truths: An Evaluation

With climate at the forefront of American politics, ecoAmerica's "Climate Truths: Making the Necessary Connections" has received extensive media coverage in outlets ranging from the New York Times and The Huffington Post to Rush Limbaugh and Fox News.  Most of the reporting has been done based on the original New York Times article, and the findings have been twisted to suit the authors' perspectives.   In this article on the Huffington Post, George Lakoff, Author and Professor of Cognitive Science and Linguistics at UC Berkeley, discusses "Climate Truths" with the benefit of both having the research in hand as well as the qualifications to provide an interesting analysis.

McDonald’s Counters Criticism With Green Marketing Effort

McDonald's is battling its negative environmental reputation with a new green marketing effort presented in the report, “Global Best of Green.”

• McDonald's which is responsible for 29% of the takeaway litter in the UK is promoting the fact that 80% of its packaging (in Europe) comes from renewable sources.

Survey Finds Increase In Green Consumer Behavior Worldwide

The National Geographic Society has just released its second annual global green consumer choice survey (find the first one here.

• The U.S. (and Canada) again scores lowest on environmentally conscious purchasing worldwide.

Cap and Trade Squares Off Against $76M PR Barrage

Opponents of climate legislation are spending an exceedingly large amount of money on a PR campaign.  We already saw how coal companies are overspending their opposition.

• One source has the amount coal, oil and gas are spending to be about $76 million on PR opposing the climate legislation and are expected to spend hundreds of millions of dollars all told.

• Groups favoring climate legislation have spend about $29 million this year according to the Campaign Media Analysis Group.

Consumers Buying More ‘Green’ Since Start of Recession

A new study that polled consumers in the United States, the UK and Japan shows that people are paying more attention to green products now than they were before the recession.

• The percentage of consumers placing emphasis on green products when making purchasing decisions went from 15% (pre-recession) to 16%.

• Price remains by far the most important consideration.

Five Strategies for Building Your Ethical Brand

When communicating on the environment or climate change, whether you're a company or a nonprofit, brand is important.  Jennifer Rice suggests some brand-strategy rules when developing an ethical brand.

• Do sustainability initiatives that support your brand as a whole.