Our friends at Triple Pundit have posted a thought-provoking article about the erosion of the environmentalist language we use. Do words like “sustainable” or “green” impart any significance or are they merely the PR-friendly, self-congratulating currency we pass around to mask a lack of real understanding or change? This is the question William Brent, the piece’s author, forces us to think about. He writes,

“I’m not sure the term ‘Green’ does more than add another cool-sounding, but largely meaningless term to the existing lexicon of self-indulgence.” Read the full story

Before we begin this week’s edition of WSF, I must apologize for being gone last Friday and missing the chance to direct you semi-snidely to some interesting green business links. I suppose in light of that absence I should change the name of this feature to Sometimes-Weekly-but-Don’t-Freak-Out-If-I-Miss-an-Episode Sustainability Facts, but SWDFOIIMESF just doesn’t have the same ring to it.

But let’s move on, because this week, it’s all about the future. Now’s the time to start planning ahead, figuring out what needs to change and cutting your losses. Who needs the past (or the present for that matter) when there’s electric cars, solar-powered cruises, and lots of money in the future? Wait, what’s that? There won’t be any meat or water in the future? Maybe this future things isn’t all it’s cracked up to be! Find out what the hype is all about in this week’s Weekly Sustainability Facts! Read the full story

You’ve seen it quoted a million times in these kinds of articles, usually accompanied by a picture of Kermit the Frog: “It’s not easy being green.” But let’s drop the B.S. for a second: it’s freaking hard.

Beyond the small stuff—replacing your toilet paper, changing your air filters, etc.—you have to rethink your business model, invest differently, re-train your employees (or hire new ones), and maybe even move to a completely new building. And then there’s all the green news you have to keep up on, the language you have to speak, the money and energy you have to devote to the right kinds of PR to attract the right kind of customers, the challenge of educating your old customers on your new policies, the time you have to spend getting acquainted with web-based technologies, the struggle for outside accreditation, and the ever-present anxiety over your carbon footprint, just to name a few of your worries. Read the full story

If you’re human, you’re probably familiar with the process of digestion: you consume food to gain energy and then dispose of excess, unusable waste. That is, you excuse yourself, use the restroom, answer nature’s call, or however you choose to refer to the processes of defecation and urination. Typically we view the products of our trips to the little boys’ or girls’ room as disgusting, sickly, and unmentionable, and this could very well be an evolutionary measure to assure that we don’t consume these—for us, at least—poisonous byproducts. But if we think about “waste” differently, with nature’s bigger picture in mind, it’s clear that digestion doesn’t end when we flush the toilet. Read the full story

Wal-Mart: the mega-behemoth of a retailer known as the arch-enemy of small businesses, labor unions, women’s rights groups, and… carbon offsets? Yes, this week the chain made history with its much-reported sustainability index program, which rates green products for energy efficiency, longevity, and environmental friendliness. For many, Wal-Mart’s new role as sustainability policeman seems as sound an idea as leaving Sarah Palin in charge of The New Yorker. Is Wal-Mart up to the task? Find out, save money, and live better in this week’s edition of Weekly Sustainability Facts! Read the full story

The Chicago Tribune reports Wal-Mart is set to unveil its new program to create a sustainability index of sorts for green products. The goal of the project is to simplify the varied environmental labels on merchandise into a rating system similar to the Nutrition Information markers on the back of food packages. Detractors argue that this initiative is mostly an image booster for the retail giant and that Walmart’s growth has a major negative impact on the environment. This sustainability index is the latest step in Wal-Mart’s four-years-long campaign to appeal to green interest groups. Former practices the chain has adopted in the past include reducing trucks’ carbon emissions and powering stores with solar panels. Read the full story

Didn’t you read the title? Stop whatever you’re doing. If you care about the environment, turn off your computer right now.

Do it.

Seriously, do it.

I’m waiting.

…

Still here? I thought so. Read the full story

Usually the term “greenwashing” carries a great deal of negative connotations. But taken more literally, green-washing may actually be a low-cost janitorial asset to your office building. Using environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies will promote employee health, improve ecosystems surrounding your building, and  save you money in the long run. Read the full story

*i.e. “clueless,” for non-Brits

BusinessGreen posted an interesting blog piece yesterday about the energy strategy currently on the Department of Energy and Climate Change floor. The plan, which will be officially revealed tomorrow, is already expected to raise annual energy bills by about £200, a fact with which UK residents are less than pleased. Read the full story

In the past, many religions worshiped the almighty sun, whom they believed watched benevolently over them and decided their fate and destiny. Now we worship the almighty dollar for many of the same reasons, but who says we can’t go back to our roots and do both? Read the full story