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

 

Five Shirts in Five Days!

One Tribe designs amazing shirts.  When you buy a t-shirt, we donate 50% of SALES to one of five global non-profits.  These organic, fashion-forward, eco-friendly t-shirts create a lasting revenue stream for charities that make a difference around the world.  When you buy one of these shirts, you give as much as you gain.   And, when you give as much as you gain, humanity profits. 

To raise awareness for this cause, we are giving away some of these limited-edition shirts.  Our first campaign is “5 shirts in 5 days.”  Anybody who re-tweets one of our designated messages on Twitter will be entered to win a free shirt. 

Re-tweet any of these to win:

RT our @1Tribe messages today and you will be entered to win a free, limited-edition, earth-friendly t-shirt.

RT @1Tribe “5 Shirts in 5 Days” and you are entered to win one of our designer shirts that supports 5 global charities.

RT this to win a free shirt: 1 shirt gives 2 weeks of helpline support to children in developing countries @1Tribe

RT this to win a free shirt: 1 shirt gives a person in a developing country access to clean drinking water for life @1Tribe

RT this to win a free shirt: 1 shirt buys 8 reusable bags made by rural people in China to reduce use of plastic bags @1Tribe

RT this to win a free shirt: 1 shirt equips 1 child in Africa with knowledge, skills, & support to live HIV free @1tribe

RT this to win a free shirt: 1 shirt helps a youth attend a leadership conference with a Nobel Peace Prize winner @1Tribe

RT @1Tribe: Win a free, limited-edition, eco-friendly shirt that supports one of five charities world-wide. www.OneTribe.com

RT this tweet to win @1Tribe: One Tribe donates 50% of SALES of designer tees to charity. Click www.OneTribe.com

RT @1Tribe to win a free shirt: When you give as much as you gain, humanity profits.  www.OneTribe.com

RT @1Tribe & this message to be entered to win a free shirt: buy a shirt = make a difference. Visit www.OneTribe.com

Tweet this: Follow @1Tribe and @1TribeCreative and you will be entered to win a free, limited-edition organic t-shirt

RT @1Tribe & this message to win a free shirt: The 50/50 promise – pay it forward – give as much as you gain www.OneTribe.com

RT @1Tribe to win a free, limited-edition, organic Tee that raises money for charity. Visit www.OneTribe.com

We will select one winner a day, everyday, for five days.  If you win, send us a direct message with your name and address so we can ship you your new shirt in a recycled cereal box. 

In a few days, email us a picture of you and your new shirt.  We’ll post it on Facebook and you will be automatically entered to win another contest.

Thanks for your participation!  Look for more contests in the near future, as we try to raise awareness for the causes we support.

Follow us on Twitter at: 1tribe and 1tribecreative

OneTribe.com and One Tribe Creative are both dedicated to telling the stories of socially and environmentally responsible organizations. 

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