"Sustainable development is the pathway to the future we want for all. It offers a framework to generate economic growth, achieve social justice, exercise environmental stewardship and strengthen governance."
Ban Ki-moon
Last year, on the last Friday in November, also known as Black Friday – a day that has its origins in 1950s America, when post-Thanksgiving shopping would turn shops’ balance sheet from red to black, meaning a return to profit – I posted a photo of myself on Instagram, holding a handmade cardboard sign with the words “Black Friday Sucks”. In the caption, I didn’t hold back: “The day when mass-consumption madness and discount hysteria takes over otherwise rational human beings, causing them to participate in a mass stampede at a shopping mall to buy a discounted TV that they don’t need!”
I sounded furious. And that sentiment resonated with many – the photo ended up making it into my Best Nine of the year, with more likes than most of my other posts. As the conscious-living movement grows and awareness of the climate crisis reaches new heights, more people are learning about, and getting frustrated by, the many mechanisms in place to make us part with our money. And there are definitely elements of Black Friday, and its online counterpart Cyber Monday, that deserve scrutiny and criticism from that point of view. The undeniable environmental impact of the shopping frenzy has come under fire for good reason. “During Black Friday and Cyber Monday, air pollution spikes, thanks to the delivery of online orders,” says Diana Verde Nieto, CEO of luxury sustainability consultancy Positive Luxury. “In 2017, it was estimated that every 93 seconds, a diesel truck left an Amazon Fulfilment Centre.”
But while these issues are serious and deserve consideration, I’ve now also had more time to think about the meaning of Black Friday to marginalised people, such as low-income communities or single parents. And while pondering this, it dawned on me that my Instagram post didn’t quite align with other posts on my feed – the ones where I frequently call out the ethical fashion community for its elitism and classism.
Related Post: Unpacking Racial and Class Privilege within the Eco Lifestyle Movement
As someone who used to struggle financially, I have often felt alienated by the high price points of sustainable fashion. As the movement expanded into the mainstream and “sustainability” became a fashion industry buzzword, I often had a feeling that I didn’t quite belong. That those minimalist dresses, curated collections and carefully sourced materials were for other people. Articles and influencer posts explaining “Why Sustainable Fashion is Expensive” did nothing to make me feel included – their way of laying out all the reasons why you should spend more on your jeans (workers’ rights, a smaller impact on our already overstretched planet, better resources) only brought on a wave of shame for not coming up with the money needed to partake in ethical fashion. Maybe I should have scrimped and saved for that pair of Fair Trade certified jeans? Skipped a couple of takeaway dinners with friends to be able to buy that organic cotton top? Should I not have done my utmost to purchase as ethically as possible, even if it meant tightening my belt even more in some areas of my life? Until I discovered second-hand fashion, I often found myself feeling torn between my very real ethics and my equally real limited funds.
But somehow I failed to see the connection between that and my criticism of Black Friday. As someone who has admittedly never attended a Black Friday sale or taken advantage of a Black Friday deal (which is something I used to proclaim with pride), I had an image in my mind: a crazed stampede of insane shoppers, trampling all over each other and screaming, each with at least three electronic appliances in hand. Children screaming, bags going flying, general anarchy. There may be some truth to this scenario, but on the other side of it are the many humans who, like myself, had felt alienated from traditional shopping contexts because they just couldn’t afford to partake. I now imagine how those people might feel if they come across messages like my Black Friday post. Unknowingly, I had become part of that very same elitism I so often decry – just because I am no longer in a place where I need to wait for a deal to be able to afford something I need.
“But not everyone shops on Black Friday because they need it!” you might say. And yes, for some people Black Friday might be a way to treat themselves to something that isn’t strictly a necessity – something they otherwise might not have bought. A dress isn’t essential, and neither is makeup. But isn’t the notion that poor people don’t “deserve” treats another form of classism? The idea that all indulgences, however big or small, should be out of reach for some people is elitist. For some people, that lipstick, pair of trainers or eyeshadow palette might be their way to finding some semblance of normality, of being human and a part of this world – something that isn’t always easy when you’re crippled by your finances. And spoiler alert: it’s not the low-income person buying themselves one discount dress that’s ruining the planet.
Related Post: Individuals in the Developed World Consume More of the Earth’s Resources. Here’s How to Consume Less…
So this year, I won’t be doing a fiery anti-Black Friday post. I’ll keep trying to live according to my morals, but at the same time, I will attempt to let go of my judgement of others. What this has also taught me is a lesson that can be applied to personal values and ethics quite frequently: it’s okay to change your mind. When you learn more about something and you feel that your ideas on that issue are evolving, let them. Sticking to your guns is great sometimes, but on other occasions it’s a sign of maturity to have an open mind, be able to listen and take in new information, and then change your views. After all, if we’re not giving ourselves – and others – permission to change, how can we expect to change the world?
Recommending reading:
- Sustainable Living: Is It Just For Rich People?
- Communicating Sustainable Living: Expanding the Narrative So That It’s Culturally Inclusive
- Sustainable Living Is Expensive – Ending the Myth
- Rin Models Bringing Diversity to the Fashion and Modelling Industry
- The Right to Repair: Planned Obsolescence is Capitalism’s Ultimate Piss
- Climate Change is Expected to Hit the World’s Poorest Nations Hard. Here’s What Three of Them Are Doing About It…
All images by SeventyFour/Shutterstock.
The post Why I Changed My Mind About Black Friday appeared first on Eco Warrior Princess.
#Content-Attribution#
Source: Eco Warrior Princess
Content Creator: Sascha Camilli
Date:
Become a leader and drive sustainable change with Camomile! Join our team of ambitious leaders now.
Write articles of your interest, engage people, create and manage your own community, talk about the latest innovations, and earn income. Become a community manager of Camomile platform.
- Build your impact investment career.
- Gain useful skills from professionals.
- Grow personally by developing your own projects.
- Work without a superior.
- Manage your own time - only you decide When and How.
- Earn points and make money.
Find out more about becoming a Community Manager with Camomile https://camomile.ch/page/camomile-team
Impact Investing is nowadays the term which has been widely used and misused to attract mission driven individuals. But what is it in the practice?
Impact Investments are investments into social enterprises to generate positive, measurable, social and environmental returns, beside financial return.
First of all, those enterprises must have an underlying mission to solve one or several challenges that humanity is facing. This mission can be well specified by using 17 Sustainable Development Goals defined by UN. And this frame is commonly used in the practice when for example an impact investing fund is defining its investment strategy and a theme to simplify the choice for an investor, then the concerned SDGs are named. This makes it easier to search for a specific investment theme such as accessible education and healthcare, sustainable agriculture, action for climate change, smart cities etc.
Secondly, those ventures are innovative and often disrupt the whole industries. They are financially self-sustainable and are committed to measure its impact. Last but not least, their business model is scalable and gives a room for growth and for scaling positive impact around the world.
The challenge is however, that the match between these ventures and investors is not happening efficiently. The fundraising process for social enterprises, especially those at an early stage is time and resources consuming process and causes frequent frustration when the funds can’t be received. Even Development Banks which supposed to support mission driven entrepreneurs in emerging markets are very risk averse and are not open for greenfield projects without strong partners, and require almost 100% collateral. On the other hand, we have investors who are struggling finding deals which have both, strong business case and positive impact.
There have been hundreds of attempts to enable the deal making process. However, the collaboration between existing platforms on impact investing is failing due to greediness of human nature and inability to agree on the commission earned if a deal with stakeholders from different platforms will be executed. So, those platforms exist in small communities of investors and are not capable to scale the impact to make impact investing the new normal around the globe. Thus, what is the solution to unite the ecosystem, develop it further and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals till 2030?
Our vision is to accelerate impact investing to the new normal. Impact investing can be the catalyst for social and environmental change. When more people are aware of Impact Investing and have access to it, earlier the SDGs will be achieved.
Our actions are targeted towards:
- Awareness and Transparency in the field
- Accessible Education for all
- Increasing Capital Flow to existing & new impact ventures
- Innovation – unfold human’s greatest potential
- Ecosystem union and expansion
Camomile Impact Community (camomile.ch) is solving all the above challenges and provides various tools to all stakeholders involved to achieve their goals individually and the common 17 SDGs.
It is a platform best-tailored to unite people around the world, develop Impact Community and help achieve Sustainable Development Goals by the year 2030.
Equipped with the best impact networking tools, Camomile facilitates and simplifies the match between impact investors, ventures and experts. The platform further encourages any individuals and corporates which are new in the field to engage for SDGs.
With over 1000+ large enterprises, organizations, individuals and funds in the impact investing sector, Camomile is the first platform to incorporate the entire set of necessary and user-friendly tools that can consolidate the search and interaction between all these participants.
We are looking forward to connect with you on Camomile.ch and to take an action for future generations.
Svetlana Baurens
Founder of Camomile
Impact Investing is nowadays the term which has been widely used and misused to attract mission driven individuals. But what is it in the practice?
Impact Investments are investments into social enterprises to generate positive, measurable, social and environmental returns, beside financial return.
First of all, those enterprises must have an underlying mission to solve one or several challenges that humanity is facing. This mission can be well specified by using 17 Sustainable Development Goals defined by UN. And this frame is commonly used in the practice when for example an impact investing fund is defining its investment strategy and a theme to simplify the choice for an investor, then the concerned SDGs are named. This makes it easier to search for a specific investment theme such as accessible education and healthcare, sustainable agriculture, action for climate change, smart cities etc.
Secondly, those ventures are innovative and often disrupt the whole industries. They are financially self-sustainable and are committed to measure its impact. Last but not least, their business model is scalable and gives a room for growth and for scaling positive impact around the world.
The challenge is however, that the match between these ventures and investors is not happening efficiently. The fundraising process for social enterprises, especially those at an early stage is time and resources consuming process and causes frequent frustration when the funds can’t be received. Even Development Banks which supposed to support mission driven entrepreneurs in emerging markets are very risk averse and are not open for greenfield projects without strong partners, and require almost 100% collateral. On the other hand, we have investors who are struggling finding deals which have both, strong business case and positive impact.
There have been hundreds of attempts to enable the deal making process. However, the collaboration between existing platforms on impact investing is failing due to greediness of human nature and inability to agree on the commission earned if a deal with stakeholders from different platforms will be executed. So, those platforms exist in small communities of investors and are not capable to scale the impact to make impact investing the new normal around the globe. Thus, what is the solution to unite the ecosystem, develop it further and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals till 2030?
Our vision is to accelerate impact investing to the new normal. Impact investing can be the catalyst for social and environmental change. When more people are aware of Impact Investing and have access to it, earlier the SDGs will be achieved.
Our actions are targeted towards:
- Awareness and Transparency in the field
- Accessible Education for all
- Increasing Capital Flow to existing & new impact ventures
- Innovation – unfold human’s greatest potential
- Ecosystem union and expansion
Camomile Impact Community (camomile.ch) is solving all the above challenges and provides various tools to all stakeholders involved to achieve their goals individually and the common 17 SDGs.
It is a platform best-tailored to unite people around the world, develop Impact Community and help achieve Sustainable Development Goals by the year 2030.
Equipped with the best impact networking tools, Camomile facilitates and simplifies the match between impact investors, ventures and experts. The platform further encourages any individuals and corporates which are new in the field to engage for SDGs.
With over 1000+ large enterprises, organizations, individuals and funds in the impact investing sector, Camomile is the first platform to incorporate the entire set of necessary and user-friendly tools that can consolidate the search and interaction between all these participants.
We are looking forward to connect with you on Camomile.ch and to take an action for future generations.
Svetlana Baurens
Founder of Camomile
Do you have an interest and would like to share your knowledge in the areas of Social Entrepreneurship, sustainable development, impact investment? Are you working on a research project and would like a wider audience to get to know about it? Journalism is your passion? We can offer more to a potential Camomile Community Manager! Take a look here to find out more https://camomile.ch/page/camomile-team"
Organizations design sustainability framework to proactively assess, manage risks, and make financial decisions, Sustainability frameworks also generate positive environmental and social impact. Empirical research in developed markets shows that sustainable practices enable organizations to manage global risks such as COVID-19 and perform better than competitors. This paper explains how sustainable integrated approaches can enable organizations in emerging markets to have a robust model to overcome and flourish after times of crisis. A scenario in Nepal will inform this short essay.
http://journals.kingscollege.edu.np/index.php/ijeei/article/view/27/23
We are looking for very ambitious people to join our Camomile team.
The innovative platform facilitates and simplifies the match between impact investors, ventures and experts as well as encourages any individuals and corporates, which are new in the field, to engage for SDGs.
Grow on your own. Grow with us. Grow above us.
https://camomile.ch/page/camomile-team
While some of the most sustainable decorations are the ones you continuously pass down, I understand needing a few extra holiday goods each year to add to your collection. One of my favorite online stores has a few fun things to bring in some more holiday cheer this year, and don’t forget - you can use my code Natalie10 for 10% off your entire purchase!
These sweet Candy Cane ornaments are made with Friendsheep Wool, which is 100% organic and cruelty-free wool sourced from New Zealand. Not only can you reuse these durable, kid and pet-friendly ornaments for years, but you can compost them when they’re finally worn out. They’re handmade in Nepal by women with disabilities who are paid fair wages for their work.
These sweet Candy Cane ornaments are made with Friendsheep Wool, which is 100% organic and cruelty-free wool sourced from New Zealand. Not only can you reuse these durable, kid and pet-friendly ornaments for years, but you can compost them when they’re finally worn out. They’re handmade in Nepal by women with disabilities who are paid fair wages for their work.
This stocking is made ethically in India out of GOTS organic cotton. If you’re not a cat person, EarthHero has a selection of other stockings too, including forest creatures, spruce trees, and more. I love how cute but timeless the designs are!
Unlike many advent calendars that are disposable after one year, this organic and ethically made one is reusable year after year... and it’s much more aesthetically pleasing too!
Nothing smells more like Christmas than a good spruce candle. This hand poured vegan one is made from non-toxic soy wax and will look beautiful in any room of your home.
Holly Llama Recycled Gift Paper
Wrapping paper with llamas in scarves? Yes, please! This is printed on recycled newspaper with soy ink and using repurposed printing machines. Plus, there’s another design on the back for twice the holiday cheer.
Recycled Holiday Cards
Since many of us won’t be able to see our loved ones in person this holiday season, there’s no better year to send holiday cards. EarthHero carries a wide variety of card designs, and they’re made with 100% post consumer recycled cardstock and printed in the USA using solar power.
Turn up the holiday music! This bluetooth speaker is powerful yet portable, so you can easily move it around your home. It’s made from natural bamboo, recycled organic cotton and PET, and upcycled hemp. Each House of Marley purchase plants a tree, too.
Matching Holiday Socks for the Whole Family
These cozy holiday socks from Solmate Socks are made in the USA out of a mix of recycled cotton, polyester, nylon, and lycra. They have matching ones for adults and kids!
For Baking Cookies & Sharing Eggnog:
Organic Cotton Oven Mitt
Molded Bamboo 3 Piece Bowl Set
Hemp Kitchen Apron
Ribbed Molded Bamboo Measuring Spoons
Recycled Stoneware Mugs
Handblown Recycled Glasses
p.s. use my code Natalie10 for 10% off your entire purchase at EarthHero.com
This post contains affiliate links and is in partnership with EarthHero. Thanks for supporting the brands who are making this world a fairer & better place!
#Content-Attribution#
Source: Thoughts - Sustainably Chic
Content Creator: Natalie Kay
Date:
Welcome to our community of impact investors and social entrepreneurs. We are standing at the Portal of transformation. Pure profit-making business approach doesn’t work anymore. It is our choice to do something to protect the planet for us and preserve her for future generations. Will you face the challenges and take an action? Join Camomile from Galileo IIIC
Here are the top 25 Private Equity funds globally based on the funds raised in the last five years. Private Equity plays a crucial role in impact investing and ESG investing and combatting climate change!
Today when many people are worried about the uncertainty of the future that causes us to avoid attending upcoming events, meeting new people and developing a friendly relationship, finding better jobs, or starting new projects, you may wonder how the world will be functioning tomorrow. The answer is that it is up to us to shape the world we want to live in! Want to know more? Join now the Community of People who bring the positive Impact already today at https://camomile.ch If you want a role to play in the future you have to play it now!
Are you interested to learn about Impact Investing?
If so, check out this course provided by Svetlana Baurens and Sergei Ponomarev on Impact Investing: Making Use of Finance to Change the World.
https://www.udemy.com/course/impact-investing-making-use-of-finance-to-change-the-world/
Description
1. Introduction to Impact Investing
a. Impact Investing definition, core characteristics
b. Impact investing in capital spectrum, emphasizing distinction of impact investing to sustainable investing. Adding a third dimension of investments: risk, return + impact
c. Segmentation of impact investing: finance first vs. impact first investments, range of return & impact
d. Impact investing themes and practical examples on each of the mentioned theme
e. State of the field: market players, market size & potential, risks and challenges
2. Aligning Your Values with Impact Themes and SDGs
a. SDGs, definition
b. Impact investing & SDGs. Why Impact Investing is important for our planet and people
c. Wicked problems and leadership: explaining the complexity of the problems targeted by SDGs and importance of holistic approach when doing impact investing
d. What is my moral responsibility when it comes to investments?
e. Connecting impact investing themes with SDGs and your values. Finding your favorite investing themes
3. Measuring and Understanding Social & Environmental Impacts
a. Why, what, who and when to measure social and environmental impact?
b. Theory of Change: linking actions to impact
c. Impact Measurement approaches and tools
d. Impact measurement: how it works in practice?
e. Call to action to create bigger impact on the world
4. Impact Investing in the Practice Across Asset Classes
a. Cash & Fixed Income
b. Public Equity
c. Hybrid instruments
d. Private Equity
e. Real assets
5. Incorporating Impact Investing in Your Life
a. Get inspired by Impact Stories (Interviews with Social Entrepreneurs, Impact Investors etc.)
b. Your decisions matter to Planet and People – becoming a conscious consumer, conscious investor and conscious human being
c. Increasing sense of fulfillment in life by following Impact Investing Career
d. What can You do to help Impact Investing to becoming a “New Normal” or “Mainstream”?
Hey guys!
Sergei, can I create sub conversations with 3 members for example from this group? And perhaps name that conversation with a specific name? If so, how?
Thank you.
Gabi
In emerging markets like Nepal, where majority of youths are engaged in foreign migrant work, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) can be a catalyst to rejuvenate the agricultural ecosystem in Nepal as well as create gainful employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for youth and returning migrant workers due to COVID-19. It also has multiple impact on achieving the SDG's.
Read more on my latest article: CSA: Milestone for Smallholders and Returning Migrants - https://www.newbusinessage.com/MagazineArticles/view/2805
Hope you enjoy and please leave your comments :)
Sandeep Shrestha
An African proverb says, "If you want to run fast, run alone. If you want to run far, run together."
Partnership and collaboration are crucial to building up sustainable development.
Join me to participate in GreenBuzz Geneva's series of online events, where they will share best practices and learnings to drive impactful collaboration and innovation towards achieving the SDGs.
GreenBuzz Geneva will start on the 24th November at 6.30 pm (CET) to talk about fostering effective collaboration and partnerships in waste management.
Register Now: https://lnkd.in/ej4vdJR
An African proverb says, "If you want to run fast, run alone. If you want to run far, run together."
Partnership and collaboration are crucial to building up sustainable development.
Join me to participate in GreenBuzz Geneva's series of online events, where they will share best practices and learnings to drive impactful collaboration and innovation towards achieving the SDGs.
GreenBuzz Geneva will start on the 24th of November at 6.30 pm (CET) to talk about fostering effective collaboration and partnerships in waste management.
Register Now: https://lnkd.in/ej4vdJR
https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/eu-budget/long-term-eu-budget/eu-budget-2021-2027_en
"The recovery plan will help us turn the challenge of the pandemic into an opportunity for a recovery led by the green and digital transition” says European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
This difficult time can be a huge opportunity to transform our states.
Don't waste, don't waste our time, don't waste our power to change.