Can you imagine earning the right to adopt a llama by first finding perfect homes to take in 5 other foster animals in your temporary care? That’s what happens in the joyful and educational board game, EcoRanch. And then it goes much deeper than the ranch hand duties.
I first spoke with the Colorado inventor, Eileen Thournir, about a year ago as she brought her new creation to market and became a fellow business member of Green America (Co-op America). EcoRanch is the first of many games she has planned at her new company, Enlightened Play, and has already fast earned awards for this novel toy that requires no batteries or electrical outlets. “There’s a desire to give back, to create a more sustainable environment, to protect and nurture the planet,”
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In a recent study from Packaged Facts, a New York-based market research firm, more than half of children between 6 and 8 encourage their folks to purchase green goods. According to their report, "Kids and Tweens in the U.S.," a strong majority of kids, ages 6 to 11 years, state concern for environmental issues. Nearly 75% believe people should recycle, and 40% express favor in buying products made with recycled paper.
It is fantastic and inspiring that tomorrow's leaders already hold these eco expectations. And now parents are taking notice. Let us hope that more manufacturers and retailers follow, answering this demand with diverse and authentic choices that stimulate further growth and surprises.
Only over the last few years have Eco Audits been used to show the public precise values in environmental protection and conservation.
The debate over paper vs. plastic bags was an interesting discussion for us to better grasp the front-to-back extent of our consumption habits. Talking about lost acres of clear-cut forests, or the massive accumulation of non-degrading, petroleum-based plastic bags in the oceans, waterways, and landfills, it painted a picture much more compelling to Mr. & Mrs. Joe Common. (You may recall one "winner" was Reuse, especially a natural fiber built-to-last basket.)
But planet-friendlier manufacturing choices are _not_ a new thing. We are simply expressing this in novel new ways that get more people to comprehend and respond.
After recent months of researching
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A handful of "green" businesses, including Kvale Good Natured Games, are now semi finalists in the 2008 Forbes.com "Boost Your Business" competition.
This is a unique entrepreneurial contest because the public is involved in choosing the business plan they'd like to become a reality. Now through September, your vote will help determine the top 5 finalists.
How can you help?
1) Go to http://boost08.perfectprize.com/voting/View the preferred companies essays or 30-second videos for more information.
2) Click on the checkbox next to the young business you wish to support.
3) Enter your email address.
4) After receiving an instant confirmation in your email box, click on it to validate your vote.
It's that easy!
Beyond our eco-friendly board game company, found alphabetically
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To address a concern for waste accumulation in its country, China has now demanded its businesses charge a fee to shoppers for every plastic bag.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/01/09/china.plastic.bags/index.html
This is an opportune time for us to share our favorite reusable bags, for those times when we need to carry several items.
While I find most canvas bags helpful at the grocery store, it is the compact ChicoBag my family most often uses.
It can hold heavy items and fits into a pocket or purse, making it easy to have with you anytime. I found out about this item through YERT (Your Environmental Road Trip) and am certain they sell these items as well.http://www.YERT.com
What is YOUR favorite eco choice for carrying several items?
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Google has asked children, grades K-12 to design their own version of the Google logo. Better yet, they are asking the kids to incorporate "What if'" questions alongside their artwork to spark imagination.
Yes, it is an effort that promotes an image and logo of a large corporation. But I think that this project displays matters on the minds of today's children.
In fact, viewing the top 40 selections (10 finalists within each age group), we begin to see this new generation showing much promise as a group of responsible citizens. There are messages of peace and sustainable living choices in every age group!
http://www.google.com/doodle4google/index.html
At this moment, the public helps to pick the national champions to replace the logo. _You_ can cast one vote for each of the four age
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Our company has initiated a multiple-donation program with Minnesota Environmental Partnership (MEP), a non-profit coalition of more than 80 organizations. As a Saint Paul publisher and distributor of earth-friendly board games, it made great sense to help protect the environment in our own state as one of donation goals for 2008.
With the use of Promotion Code 'GIVE MEP', an unlimited 10% of every direct product purchase from Kvale Games is being donated to MEP. Kvale Games also separately donates $.10 for every entry submitted on their free online version of the Head1Liners game, requiring no purchase whatsoever.
Our company has several more non-profit conservation, social and education organizations considered for similar programs in the immediate future.
A party game designed for
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Social and environmental responsibility are shared principles most of us in the World of Good want to promote year round. We are also fortunate to have appointed holidays that draw attention to these causes. Through these annual events, seeds are planted that may lead to new active "members", while others decide to finally commit to stronger actions.
Earth Day, for example, will draw attention to many issues of our planet and its inhabitants. Is there an opportunity to make this singular day more effective? A stronger, wider message with increased frequency improves the likelihood of reaching any person. Our target is the group of people on the verge of taking that first step.
An individual can help today for the upcoming Earth Day of "tomorrow", this year and every year following. I
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My colleagues from France designed an eco game 11 years ago. Exhibiting at traditional toy and game fairs often resulted in looks and comments that implied they were "outsiders" and a fringe brand with no indication of mass market acceptance.
Despite winning a long list of awards for its environmental education, production and overall concept, it is only the past year that earth-friendly board games are being accepted either for their production merit or the play concepts about nature, animals and the planet.
Perhaps a few years ahead of their time, the pioneers of eco games are still shocked at the high number of other "nature" toys and games on the market at this moment that are manufactured with highly questionable environmental impact.
While the fantastic number of independent
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WHY DO YOU?
Upon first being introduced to our earth-friendly products, people often ask me, "Why did you make these board games sustainable'," or, "Why do you use recycled paper in a board game'"
The quick, substantive answer from me would be, 'Because I want to show that a seemingly harmless and solitary board game could save 78,000 trees; 20 million gallons of water; 39 billion BTUs of energy; and 6.3 million pounds of greenhouse gases.? *
But the real answer is that this is a personal choice, a production value important to me.
Throughout my professional career, I supplied various products and services helpful to people in need. Despite the importance of these goods and sincere appreciation by customers, I often found myself questioning the environmental impact of different aspects
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