UN SDG #9:  Industry, Innovation, & Infrastructure

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Welcome to episode 10 of this season covering our 9th Sustainable Development Goal of Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. This goal focuses on promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, fostering innovation and technological advancement, and improving access to infrastructure and basic services. Although there are significant challenges in providing basic infrastructure in developing countries, we have the power to make a difference. By working towards this Sustainable Development Goal, we can help provide electricity to 2.6 billion people, basic sanitation services to 2.5 billion people, clean water to 800 million people, and reliable services to 1.5 billion people. By taking action to promote sustainable infrastructure development and innovation, we can help create a world where everyone has access to the basic services they need to thrive.

Mint Green Challenge: If you buy a new mobile phone or computer, donate your old devices and check if you can donate them abroad to provide others with the opportunity to browse the web and educate themselves! There are still about ⅓ of the world that doesn’t have access to the internet so by donating devices you no longer need you can help many others improve their lives. 

However, before you donate, make sure you do these things:

1. Backup your data

2. Unlock your phone - call your carrier to see how to do this or if you need to do this. 

3. Do a factory reset

Then search for a place that takes used tech and ship it to them or drop it off. Ideally it is better if you can send it to a country that is really bad about spreading out their wealth but I’ve found that pretty tricky to do. If you also do, a quick search can find plenty of places in your community.

Shamrock Green Challenge: Use and push for Public Transportation. Both in your individual actions and in what you’re asking for from your government, making public transportation a priority helps promote the development of sustainable infrastructure, such as bus lanes, bike lanes, and pedestrian walkways. Not only are buses and bikes emitting far less carbon into our environment, but they are also far cheaper than running your (probably) gas guzzling car. Unfortunately with my current job, I can no longer use public transportation, though I really do miss those 30 minutes each way on the bus being able to read. And while I’d love to bike to work, 65 miles each way seems like a bit of a commitment, even from an eco-nerd like myself. If you don’t have a crazy long commute like I currently do but you can’t find a bus line that seems to work for you, call into your local transit authority and request one every month. They plan current and new routes based on usage and requests.  

Forest Green Challenge: Make shifts to more sustainable businesses to buy from. I’ve talked about B-corp businesses in the past but as a reminder they are a type of for-profit business that meets rigorous social and environmental performance standards through assessments. The assessment evaluates a company's impact on its workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. It covers a wide range of criteria, such as worker benefits and compensation, environmental impact, and ethical sourcing of materials. I’m going to talk about a few of my favorites here but I’ll link to a whole bunch of them in the show notes for you to access. My Forest Green Challenge for you this week is to find something you buy repeatedly and buy it from one of these companies instead, thereby helping our industries and our infrastructure. 

List of B Corp businesses:

• Who Gives a Crap - half of their profits go towards creating toilets towards the 2.5 billion people currently lacking them.

• Patagonia - Crown jewel of eco friendly and sustainable in almost every way. They even have labels on some of their clothes telling you not to buy them as that is the more sustainable choice. 

• Warby Parker, TOMS (20% off) and Bombas Socks (20% off) - all have a buy one give one project so when you buy high quality, sustainable products from them they will give a duplicate pair to someone in need. 

• And my most common one that I’ve mentioned many times is Earth Hero. I probably buy more eco-friendly things here than anywhere else and can’t recommend them enough. EarthHero is a company that is good for the planet because they offer a wide range of sustainable and eco-friendly products that are carefully curated to promote a more sustainable lifestyle. They have a rigorous selection process to ensure that all products meet their sustainability standards, including criteria like recycled content, biodegradability, and fair labor practices. They offer a diverse range of products, including clothing, home goods, and personal care items, that are made from sustainable materials like organic cotton, bamboo, and recycled plastic. Additionally, EarthHero is committed to reducing waste and offsetting their carbon footprint, and on top of being B Corp certified, they have a partnership with 1% for the Planet, where they donate 1% of their annual sales to environmental nonprofits. By supporting EarthHero, you can make a positive impact on the planet and support a company that is dedicated to sustainability and ethical practices. Shop Earth Hero now.

That’s it for this week, until next time, be green and be seen.

More great B Corp companies 

• Sabai Design - Sustainable Furniture

• Ethique - Ethique is a company that is good for the planet because they are a sustainable, zero-waste beauty brand. They use ethically sourced, natural ingredients in their products and package them in compostable materials. Ethique's products are also cruelty-free and vegan, and they have eliminated the need for plastic packaging in the beauty industry, reducing waste and pollution. By choosing Ethique, consumers can support a company that is committed to reducing their environmental impact and promoting a more sustainable future. Shop Ethique now.

• TenTree - Tentree is a sustainable clothing company that is good for the planet. They use eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester, and Tencel in their products, which reduces the environmental impact of traditional clothing production. For every item purchased, Tentree plants ten trees, contributing to reforestation efforts and helping to combat climate change. Tentree is also committed to ethical and fair labor practices, ensuring that workers are paid fairly and working in safe conditions. Their packaging is made from recycled materials and is compostable, reducing waste and pollution. By choosing Tentree, consumers can support a company that is dedicated to sustainability, reforestation, and ethical practices. Shop Tentree now

Uncommon Goods - Uncommon Goods is a company that is good for the planet because they offer a wide range of eco-friendly, sustainable, and ethically made products. They work with independent artists and small-scale artisans to create unique and innovative products that have a minimal environmental impact. Many of their products are made from recycled, upcycled, or sustainable materials, and they are committed to reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices throughout their supply chain. Uncommon Goods also donates a portion of their profits to various environmental and social causes, including One Tree Planted and the International Rescue Committee. By supporting Uncommon Goods, consumers can make a positive impact on the planet and support a company that is dedicated to sustainability and social responsibility. It is also one of my wife’s favorite places to shop for holiday gifts.