Bringing creative industries into the spotlight

In Colorado, the arts are no joke. The state ranks fifth in the nation for concentration of artists, and arts industries comprise the fifth largest cluster of the Colorado economy. Creativity is more than a perk of proper civilization – it’s a source of income for millions of architects, writers, designers, performers and more.

But culture doesn’t just bring in jobs, it also brings in audiences. Colorado attracts “cultural tourists,” who stay 50% longer and spend 36% more than other travelers. And that money compounds: every $1 in cultural spending in metro Denver creates $1.32 for other businesses, producing $392 million in “new money” (revenue from outside the region) every year.

So it’s no surprise that state officials recently created Colorado Creative Industries (a merger of the Office of Film, Television and Media, the Colorado Council on the Arts, and the Art in Public Places program), a bold move that positions Colorado to take advantage of their creative potential.

Here in Fort Collins, Beet Street has taken up the task of attracting artists to the area. Maintaining proper venues and a reliable funding strategy for artists are just a few of the issues they are tackling with input from creatives in the area. Beet Street is also amping up the volume on public, accessible art with programs like Streetmosphere, which features local artists of all types on street-corners downtown on summer weekends.

Here at One Tribe Creative, we’re proud to support creative expression in all its forms. We know, first hand, that creativity enriches a community at every level.

For more information on the economic benefits of the arts, visit www.coloarts.state.co.us.
For more information on Beet Street, visit beetstreet.org.

Be Local: Spread the dough

Communities everywhere are strengthening their Local Living Economies, and they are starting to “think local” as a way to sustain the foundation of local businesses.

In Fort Collins, where One Tribe calls home, Be Local Northern Colorado is supporting local farms, garnering deep discounts at local businesses, and challenging the community to invest in homegrown resources. Their 20/20 Challenge asks people to pledge $20 of their weekly budget to be spent in local businesses. So far, 634 pledgers have spent $253,600. This money, as it circulates, is effectively a 1 million dollar investment in the community.

How, you ask? The proof is in the numbers: money spent with local independent businesses circulates 2-4 times in the local economy, even by conservative analysis. When we keep money in the neighborhood and produce goods close to home, it creates local jobs, reduces transportation costs, and keeps businesses accountable to stakeholders and the environment.

Find the Local Living Economy organization near you at livingeconomies.org.
See how Be Local Northern Colorado is generating community action at belocalnc.org.

One Tribe Creative has proudly worked with and supported Be Local Northern Colorado over the years.

Growing Spaces: Where Life Thrives

It’s no secret. As a nation, we are becoming increasingly dependent on processed foods, disconnecting ourselves from true food sources and nature, and paying the consequences with rising obesity rates and poor health.

The shift away from the family farm toward the modern grocery store doesn’t mean you have to trade fresh produce for fruits and vegetables grown with pesticides. Growing Spaces can help you grow natural food in an efficient and affordable way with Growing Dome™ Greenhouses.

Growing Domes use renewable energy, water and earth to create warm, lush environments that allows fresh vegetables, flowers, fruits, and herbs to be grown year round.

Yet, Growing Domes are not just for personal use to grow plants. They can also enclose meditation centers, massage and physical therapy studios, or serve as a community greenhouse. Schools use them to educate children on the living earth, organic growing, and science.

Find out how to get your Growing Dome at www.growingspaces.com

Peace and Hope Begin with Educating One Child at a Time

Founder of the Central Asia Institute, Greg Mortenson, had an inspirational encounter in the mountainous regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan after a failed attempt of summiting K2 that lead to his mission of providing education for the communities there. Mortenson created a network of local community members that are involved in the progression of the educational projects in these regions, and in doing so established a sustainable program that now has 130 schools and provides education to over 51,000 students.

OneTribe.com has added Central Asia Institute to the humanitarian network of non-profits and designed inspirational cotton T-shirts that will provide the funds needed to educate a young student for one year when purchased. The men and women’s line of organic apparel focuses on the mantra of the Central Asia Institute, “Peace and Hope Begin with Educating One Child at a Time.”

The women’s graphic is an open text book with its pages slowly turning into leaves that blossom into beautiful Jasmine flowers, the national Pakistani flower.

The men’s design symbolizes war changing to peace through the power of education by depicting a missile turning into a pencil.

For more information about the One Tribe exclusive shirts that provide funds directly to help people around the world, please visit: Onetribe.com.

One Tribe Creative Is Honored With Silver Level Award by ClimateWise

One Tribe Creative received the Silver level award at the annual EnvirOvation ceremony hosted by the City of Fort Collins' ClimateWise program. ClimateWise is a city-run program that aids local businesses with reducing grenhouse gas emissions and saving money in the process. The EnvirOvation ceremony is a celebration of local businesses that are committed to environmental and economic sustainability. One Tribe Creative joined at the Silver level 2009 with plans to progress to the Gold level in 2010, and Platinum in 2011.

In 2009 One Tribe Creative reduced 12.5 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by initiating a lighting retrofit program, co-mingled recycling, and an alternative transportation program.

By retrofitting the lighting at One Tribe Creative's headquarters, the Armory Building in Old Town Fort Collins, we reduced our electrical consumption by 14,208 kWh and saved $718.60 of crude oil in 2009.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average annual electricity consumption for a U.S. residential utility is 11,040 kWh; One Tribe Creative saved 3,168 kWh more than the average U.S. household uses in a year.

With our lighting retrofit program, the carbon dioxide reduced is equivalent to 408 mature trees absorbing the carbon emissions.

In 2009, One Tribe Creative had a diversion rate of 47%, which means that waste materials have been diverted from traditional disposal such as land filling or incineration. Our goal is to increase One Tribe's diversion rate to 50% by 2011.

With our co-mingled recycling program, the carbon dioxide reduced is equivalent to 32 mature trees absorbing the carbon emissions.

One Tribe workers took alternative transportation to work by biking, walking, or taking the bus a total of 448 miles in 2009 that reduced 698 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent. This is equal to 13 trees being planted to absorb carbon.

One Tribe Creative: Sustainability is not just for Earth Day. Earth Day is Every Day.

National Parks: Grand Adventure in Your Own Backyard

Imagine if you had a spectacular vacation destination virtually outside your back door. Well, you do. Before you book an overseas airline ticket for this year’s vacation, look into your U.S National Parks.

Celebrate local heritage and experience colorful history while you explore the breathtaking gorges of the Grand Canyon, the stirring battlefields of Gettysburg, the ancient ruins at Mesa Verde, the remarkable giants of the Redwood forests, and other wonders that are preserved in nearly 400 U.S. National Parks.

For over 90 years, National Park Service has protected endangered animals, preserved archaeological sites, and restored historical landmarks for the enjoyment of the American people. Why not take advantage of the history and nature the National Park Service has preserved just for you?

Find a National Park near you at NPS.gov

One Tribe Creative is proud to profile socially and environmentally responsible organizations.

To learn more about what we do, please visit us at OneTribeCreative.com.
You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Volunteer Vacations: Restore Your Soul and Your World

Whether you dream of forging rugged mountain trails or building sea turtle nurseries in a warm tropical setting, you can make your next trip more fulfilling by going on a volunteer vacation.

Interact with a new culture while you help preserve it. Global Aware develops short-term volunteer programs to promote cultural awareness and sustainability in 15 different countries. The diverse programs offered include teaching English to children in Thailand, cleaning rivers in Jamaica, and building homes in Romania. Find out more at GlobeAware.org

Make a difference with critical environmental issues – biodiversity, coral reef health, indigenous cultures, sustainability, habitat loss, and climate change – when you participate in an Earthwatch program. Earthwatch actively works with people worldwide to maintain environmental sustainability through research, education programs, and conservation projects. Visit Earthwatch.org to learn more.

Protect and enjoy nature when you take a backpacking trip with the American Hiking Society. Volunteering with the Hiking Society offers infinite opportunities for people to appreciate the wilderness, renew themselves, and establish a lifetime of fitness, while preserving trails for future generations. Learn more at AmericanHiking.org

One Tribe Creative is proud to profile socially and environmentally responsible organizations.

To learn more about what we do, please visit us at OneTribeCreative.com.
You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Hotel Terra: Where Luxury Comes Naturally

Picture yourself after a day of skiing at Jackson Hole, wrapped in a 100% organic cotton bathrobe, sipping fair trade coffee, while warming up at a gas fireplace in your hotel room. Hotel Terra gives luxury a whole new meaning: sustainability.

From recycled roof shingles to a water conservation system and energy efficient lighting, Hotel Terra is part of a new generation of hotels that strive to reduce their carbon footprint. This hip, low-impact hotel offers guests an eco-friendly alternative to the typical five-star hotel by combining deluxe boutique services with sustainable building and operating practices.

Replenish your spirit and body all year round at Hotel Terra’s Chill Spa, a six-room treatment center that includes an outdoor-rooftop hot tub and deck that overlooks the spectacular Jackson Hole wilderness.

To book your room, visit Hotel Terra.

One Tribe Creative is proud to profile socially and environmentally responsible organizations.

To learn more about what we do, please visit us at OneTribeCreative.com.

You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Request for Proposals for Solar Hot Water Projects

The Climate Trust is now soliciting proposals on behalf of the Colorado Carbon Fund for the installation of solar hot water technologies at large buildings to displace the use of fossil fuels (such as natural gas, propane, or diesel) for water heating.

Support for selected projects will be provided as a carbon offset purchase agreement between the award recipients and the Colorado Carbon Fund via The Climate Trust.

Nonprofits, government agencies, for-profit businesses, or a combination of these parties, are eligible to submit proposals. Typical project sites may include recreation centers, hospitals, hotels, prisons, or other facilities which use large amounts of hot water.

The Climate Trust is offering up to $250,000 total, which will be divided between no more than five awards.

A bidder's conference will be held on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 11am MST. Contact mthilges@climatetrust.org to register. Proposals are due on Thursday, February 4 at 5pm MST. For more information and for the RFP application materials, please see: www.coloradocarbonfund.org

One Tribe Creative is proud to support socially and environmentally responsible organizations. To learn more about what we do, connect with us...
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New Year’s Resolution/Revolution

Did you make a resolution to improve yourself this year? What about a resolution to improve the lives of others? Are you committed to helping worthy causes but don’t know where to start?

Here is an idea that might work for you.

1. Pick a favorite charity.
2. On a monthly basis, donate a set amount of money.
3. This amount can be a small amount. In fact, regular donations in small amounts can be easier to budget for and are more likely to be made than single donations in a larger amount. As President Obama has said, change starts from the ground up and in small amounts.
4. Keep track of this donation and remember to have those records handy at tax time.

One of the hardest parts of this is choosing a worthy cause (and then deciding on your monthly budget), so here is an even better idea:

1. Go to OneTribe.com.
2. Once a month, purchase a different shirt.
3. We have different colors, sizes, and styles for men and women that support five different non-profits.
   
4. Your monthly budget will be $39.
5. Half this amount, exactly 50%, will be donated directly to the charity associated with that particular shirt.
6. In every case, the purchase of only ONE shirt will make a significant difference in the life of at least one person (you can read about those benefits here).
7. Feel good. Because not only are you donating $234 ($19.50 x 12 months) to charity this year (which you can deduct from your taxes), but you are also...

• multiplying your wardrobe…
• or getting your 2010 holiday shopping done early…
• or staying ahead of all those pesky birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and other holidays that you can never find time (or inspiration) to shop for…
• or further enhancing your cosmic graces by simply giving someone this shirt for no reason (which also helps promote these noteworthy causes)…
• and best of all, staying “green” the whole time. Click here to read how our shirts are good for you and the environment.

This year, give as much as you gain.

OneTribe.com is part of One Tribe Creative, LLC., and is proud to help support five socially and environmentally responsible organizations around the globe. The purchase of our t-shirts helps support and promote this effort. We thank you for your continued interest.

Find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Fort Collins Winter Farmer's Market: Together We Thrive

There may be no other time of the year when monitoring your diet is more important than during the winter months. Temptation is everywhere – snacks at the office, fatty comfort foods, grazing on cupcakes at holiday parties. Couple that with a perceived lack of fresh fruits and vegetables, and it is no wonder people suffer from weight gain, as well as seasonal mood disorders, and even depression caused by weight gain and vitamin deficiencies.

So how do you avoid this?

In Fort Collins, we are lucky to have the Winter Farmer's Market, held Saturdays from 10 AM until 3 PM at the Opera Galleria, 123 North College Avenue in downtown Fort Collins.

The dates are:

• December 19
• January 16 and 23
• February 13 and 27
• March 6 and 27

“Winter Markets provide real support to local entrepreneurs - farmers, ranchers, cheese and wine-makers alike. A wonderful celebration of community, too.” Karen McManus, Co-owner Wolf Moon Farms

Fruits and Vegetables Can Protect Your Health

Besides supporting local food producers, maybe the best reason to eat fresh food is disease prevention. People who eat generous amounts of fruits and veggies are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke and perhaps other cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers (www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov)

Fruits and veggies can protect in the short term as well. Diets high in certain vitamins and minerals can protect you from the flu, colds, altitude sickness (when you go skiing), morning sickness, and all kinds of other minor illnesses. This winter, try to eat a diet rich in

• Vitamin C – citrus fruits, broccoli, salad greens, cabbage, bell peppers, mangos
• Vitamin A & B – carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, apples, Brussels Sprouts (yes, they can be tasty)
• Garlic and Onion – they are both high in antibiotic and antiviral properties

At the Winter Farmer’s Market, you will find fresh, local fruits and veggies that are both in-season and match your winter nutritional needs.

For more information, please visit www.BeLocalNC.org and www.NoCoFoodIncubator.com

One Tribe Creative is proud to profile socially and environmentally responsible companies. To see more about what we do, visit us OneTribeCreative.com

You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter

A Mother’s Love Can Change the World

Motherlove Herbal Company is dedicated toward helping nurture, soothe, and heal women on their all-important journey through pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Motherlove crafts the finest quality organic products for pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and babies. They provide a natural way to prevent stretch marks, soothe labor discomfort, increase breast milk, relieve sore nipples, nurture baby's tender skin and clear up diaper rash and thrush. Their organic products are safe and gentle, yet effective for women and babies.

These products include belly oils and salves, baby oil and diaper rash cream, sitz baths and rhoid balm, breast milk enhancers and nipple creams, and even organic baby clothing.

Using only the finest products and certified organic ingredients, Motherlove follows FDA Good Manufacturing Practices and supports the environment in all phases of their business. Their products are cruelty free and don’t use mineral oil, artificial fragrances, or artificial preservatives. In addition to being organic, many of their products are now certified kosher.

Because their products are both safe and incredibly effective, they have been featured in high-profile magazines such as Fit Pregnancy, Mom & Baby, Pregnancy, Us Weekly, Vegetarian Times, Mothering, belly, Pregnancy & Birth, Organic Style, American Baby, Fitness, and DaySpa.

To find out more about this unique company, visit their web site at motherlove.com. You can check out their products, read testimonials, find retailers, and even shop. Oh, and if you weren’t convinced already – check out their list of beauty products to avoid!

One Tribe Creative is proud to profile socially and environmentally responsible companies. To learn more about what we do, click here: OneTribeCreative.com

You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

EPA: “Greenhouse Gases Threaten Public Health and the Environment”

Are you concerned about the toll your actions take on the environment? Our cars have adverse effects, no doubt. But did you know that more than 23 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions are from on-road vehicles, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?

In a press release on December 7, 2009, the EPA reported scientific evidence that greenhouse gases threaten public health and the overall welfare of the American people. As the primary cause of climate change that leads to longer and hotter heat waves, greenhouse gases contribute to asthma; respiratory illnesses; and the overall health of Americans, particularly the sick, poor and elderly.

But Climate change is more than rising temperatures and poor health. Other effects include:

• The melting of glaciers
• Disappearing coastlines
• Excess carbon dioxide in the oceans
• Historic droughts and more powerful storms
• Changing migratory patterns of birds and other animals (and broader range of diseases)

But check out The Colorado Carbon Fund:

Created through The Governor's Energy Office Project C, The Colorado Carbon Fund comprises "a groundbreaking campaign – the first statewide project of its kind – to provide high quality, verifiable carbon offsets for consumers concerned about climate change and further advances Colorado’s New Energy Economy. Consumers can compensate for their own carbon emissions - generated by everyday activities such as driving and home-heating - by helping to fund projects in Colorado that measurably reduce greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere. Donors who offset at least 50% of their vehicle emissions can qualify for a Colorado Project C license plate."

See our last post for more information on Project C license plates, and remember that your donation will continue to fund innovative carbon projects on Colorado.

To learn more about The Colorado Carbon Fund, go to www.ColoradoCarbonFund.org

One Tribe Creative is proud to profile socially and environmentally organizations. To learn more about how we help these companies tell their story, connect at www.OneTribeCreative.com.

You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Get Your Project C License Plate

Getting your Project C License Plate is easy!

• First, make a donation of at least $25 to the Colorado Carbon Fund at www.coloradocarbonfund.org.

• Second, when you donate, make sure to check the box to receive a Colorado Carbon Fund license plate certificate.

• Third, print out that certificate and bring it to your county’s vehicle registration office. It is recommended you call the registration office ahead of time to make sure the plates are in stock. There is a $50 fee for this plate (in addition to your donation).

• Fourth, put the plates on your car. Drive safe, look great with cool plates, and show your support for clean energy in Colorado.

For more details, click here: Colorado Carbon Fund License Plates.

One Tribe Creative is proud to profile socially and environmentally responsible organizations. To learn more about what we do, visit us at OneTribeCreative.com.

World Toilet Day 2009

Believe it or not, lack of sanitation is the world’s biggest cause of infection. Today, one in four people don’t have a toilet. This means people must relieve themselves in open streets, fields, or dangerous back alleys. In India alone, the number of people who practice defecation is double the population of the U.S. Because of situations like this, at least 1.8 million people die from fecally-transmitted diseases every year.

To bring awareness to these issues, we're observing November 19th as World Toilet Day. Established by the World Toilet Organization and celebrated annually, it seeks to increase awareness of the importance of toilet sanitation and each individual's right to a safe and hygienic sanitary environment.

Why Toilets Matter

From United Nations Human Development Report:
“When it comes to water and sanitation, countries tend to have short memories. Today, people in the cities of Europe and the United States live free from fear of waterborne infectious diseases. At the turn of the 20th century the picture was very different. The vast expansion of wealth that followed industrialization increased incomes, but improvements in more fundamental indicators such a life expectancy, child survival and public health lagged far behind. The reason: cities exposed people to greater opportunities to amass wealth but also to water contaminated with human waste. The mundane reality of unclean water severed the link between economic growth and human development. It was not until a revolution in water and sanitation restored that link that wealth generation and human welfare started to move in tandem.”

What Can You Do?

DONATE: The solutions are simple and cost-effective. On average, every US dollar invested in water and sanitation provides an economic return of eight US dollars. For only $30, Water.org can bring someone access to a toilet for the rest of their life.

TWEET: Other (free and easy!) solutions include visiting Water.org's World Toilet Day page and signing up to donate the status, avatar, or background on your Twitter or Facebook pages.

SQUAT: Another thing you can do is take part in The Big Squat: To help raise awareness for the 2.5 billion people who don't have access to sanitation, thousands of people worldwide are going to squat for one minute. Visit worldtoiletday.com/squat/ for more information.

BUY A SHIRT: One Tribe is proud to profile socially and environmentally responsible organizations and events. Additionally, sales of our custom-designed organic t-shirts help create a lasting revenue stream for Water.org.

With our 50/50 promise, HALF the price of a shirt goes directly to

Water.org. That money is enough to provide one person access to clean water for life.

Get yours today – and don’t forget, these make excellent gifts this holiday season. Learn more here: OneTribe.com

Solve World Hunger This Holiday Season

Instead of asking for a new iPod this year, why not put a dairy goat on your wish list? For the cost of an iPod, you could supply a starving family in Zambia with several quarts of milk every day.

Heifer International is a non-profit organization that works with communities in an effort to end poverty and hunger worldwide. They help disadvantaged families become self-sufficient by supplying them with a vital food source, such as a cow or goat, instead of providing them short-term relief.

Giving a goat to an underprivileged family is also a way to continually support those in need. Each family who receives an animal will donate its offspring to another needy family.

To find out how you can help a family in need and continue the circle of giving visit Heifer.org

One Tribe Creative is proud to profile socially and environmentally responsible organizations. To learn more, visit us at www.OneTribeCreative.com

Four Big Weeks at Water.org

Since the launch in July of Water.org, they have made great progress on many fronts, but the past four weeks have been phenomenal.

The main highlights:

1. Clinton Global Initiative: Water.org co-founder, Matt Damon and Gary White joined Bill Clinton on stage for the Opening Plenary of CGI in late September. Gary was able to provide a progress report on the current $9 million in CGI commitments they are implementing. Matt was able to share the great news that Water.org is launching work in Haiti with a $2 million commitment to bring safe water and sanitation to 50,000 people. Learn more about how Water.org is working with CGI and view the opening plenary: Clinton Global Initiative

2. Forbes Global CEO Conference: Immediately following CGI, Gary traveled to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where he participated in the Forbes Global CEO Conference, a gathering of more than 200 CEOs from leading companies. Gary was part of a panel on philanthropy that allowed him to draw attention to the global water crisis and solutions like our WaterCredit Initiative. Several CEOs are now interested in supporting the work of Water.org.

3. Esquire magazine: The October issue of Esquire magazine featured Matt on the cover. The story followed the July trip Matt and Gary took to India to visit project sites and assess progress of our WaterCredit program there. The article reached more than 713,000 readers. You can read the entire Esquire article here: Esquire

4. Parade magazineThe October 11 issue of Parade magazine (inserted in Sunday newspapers across the country) featured Matt on the cover and included a story that he authored. He used this story that reached more than 70 million readers to highlight the work of Water.org. You can can read the Parade story here: Parade

5. Legacy Venture Panel: On October 20, Gary traveled to Palo Alto, CA where he had the opportunity to participate in an expert panel discussing "Safe Water's Impact on World Welfare" hosted by Legacy Venture and Open Square Foundation. Legacy Venture is a nontraditional venture capital fund with more than $800 million in investments. Individual investors in those funds agree to direct all their profits to charitable organizations like Water.org. A special introduction was made by Wynnette LaBrosse, President of Open Square Foundation, a strategic partner of Water.org

6. ONEXONE Difference Award: And to top it all off, on the night of October 22 at the ONEXONE San Francisco Fundraiser, Gary was honored with the ONEXONE Difference Award. You can see the video shown that night: Video

The past four weeks have been unlike anything in the nearly two-decade history of this fine organization. All of these opportunities are a catalyst in helping Water.org reach millions of people with safe water and sanitation. Matt's commitment to speak out about the global water crisis combined with the success and innovation of Water.org are proving to be a great combination that will serve as a rallying point for people who share Water.org's vision of the day when everyone in the world can take a safe drink of water.

One Tribe Creative is proud to profile socially and environmentally responsible organizations. And with sales of our shirts at OneTribe.com, we directly fund Water.org and four other global charities.

Wash Your Car Without Water?!

According to Carwash.org, washing your car at home can waste up to 140 gallons of water.  Even worse, all that toxic, soapy water runs directly to the local water supply – lakes, rivers, ponds, and so on. 

Now, however, there is another option for the do-it-yourself crowd.  With Eco Touch conscious car care solutions, there is no more hose, bucket, or soapy mess.  You simply spray your car with their waterless car wash formula and wipe it clean. 

A clean car; a clean conscience!

That is the basis of the Eco Touch mission: to provide vehicle owners everywhere with superior car care products that do not harm the planet or the user.

In addition to the waterless car wash, the company’s product line has grown to now include six other green car care products: a dashboard protectant, carpet and upholstery cleaner, metal polish, all purpose cleaner, window cleaner and microfiber towel pack.

These products are ideal for city dwellers with no access to water at home (or just want to give their car a quick clean in the security of a their parking garage); perfect for those who live in cities with water restrictions or car-washing bans; or just a nice way for people to do their part in keeping their car, the environment, and their conscience clean.

Mommybloggers and green journals both agree that you will love this product.  You can read a few reviews here:

The Greenest Dollar

For Baby And Mom

Peanut Butter and Pickles Reviews

In all, Eco Touch products are now carried in 200+ specialty stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com and Detailing.com.

To learn more …or do some shopping, go to EcoTouch.net.

One Tribe Creative is proud to profile socially and environmentally responsible organizations.  To learn more about what we do, click here: www.OneTribeCreative.com

Stay True to the Earth

Your meal may not be guilt free; at least your dinnerware can be.

Verterra produces dinnerware that is biodegradable, durable, and stands out for its natural look and feel.  And it should… Verterra products are made from fallen leaves. 

It’s true.  Verterra has created environmentally-friendly plates, bowls, and serving dishes made from only two products: fallen leaves and water.

Combined with some heat and pressure, Verterra dinnerware is a truly all-natural product.

These items are non-toxic, biodegradable, compostable, lightweight, durable, convenient, stylish, and sure to be a great conversation starter!

Not only are these plates eco-responsible, but they are practical too.  They are safe for outdoor use, they hold up to hot foods and liquids, they don’t impart taste, and they act as a natural insulator.  Even better, you can bake them (up to 350 degrees), microwave them (up to 2 minutes), and store them in the refrigerator.

Verterra is a play on the Latin phrase “veritas terra,” which means “true to the earth.”  Staying true to the earth is a priority for this company.   Leaves are collected from plantations where no trees are ever cut down.  The leaves are then steamed and UV sterilized – 100% free of chemicals or other toxins.  And then 80% of the water used in the cleaning process is recaptured and reused.

Not only are they earth friendly, but they practice social responsibility.  Their factory workers in South Asia are given a fair wage and access to health care.

Learn more about the product that the NPEE awarded “The Best New Environmentally Friendly Product” at Verterra.com

One Tribe Creative is proud to profile socially and environmentally responsible companies.  Learn more at www.OneTribeCreative.com

Water Is the Answer

Water.org is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization committed to providing safe drinking water and sanitation to people in developing counties. Co-founded by Matt Damon and Gary White, Water.org has transformed hundreds of communities in Africa, South Asia, and Central America by providing access to safe water and sanitation.

Just recently, at the opening plenary of the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting, Water.org Matt Damon and Gary White announced the organization’s $2 million commitment to provide 50,000 people in Haiti with safe water and sanitation over the next three years.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.  Only half the population has access to safe water, and only one fifth of the population has a toilet.

Every 15 seconds, a child dies because of a lack of clean water and sanitation.

As with other impoverished parts of the world facing these same sanitation issues, women are especially affected.  Not only do women spend hours every day collecting water from contaminated sources – often miles from their homes – they do so at the expense of their health and safety.

Easy access to clean water and sanitation allows women to be healthier.  When women are healthier, they can stay in school longer, they can improve their literacy, and they can provide more for their families.  When women don’t have to travel far for “clean” water or sanitary bathrooms, they are less likely to be sexually assaulted.  And when females aren’t forced to share bathrooms with males, they lead more dignified lives.

These daily dilemmas are unfathomable to most Americans.  But all around the world, people confront these issues daily.

Water.org is trying to help.  Read Matt Damon’s article in a recent issue of Parade magazine here: We Can Move Mountains

When you buy a water.org shirt from OneTribe.com, half the price of the shirt is donated to this worthy cause.  One shirt buys one person access to clean water for life.

When you give as much as you gain, humanity profits.

Learn more at www.OneTribe.com