Earth-friendly is Animal-friendly.
In recent years and months, the critical need to lessen our human footprint on the planet has become ever more evident and increasingly newsworthy. Rather than a “trend”, the realizations coming forth demonstrate the ways in which we must move forward and are not simply evidence of another temporary fad: “green”.
All living systems (a.k.a., all systems) operate under basic principles: they are relational, interconnected, interdependent, equality-based and reciprocal. Immature systems can attempt to operate independently and competitively, but they either die or later learn that cooperation is necessary to survive. Indeed, mature ecosystems thrive because they cooperate, sharing resources and allowing others within the system to live as equally important contributors: in other words, they do what we were taught in kindergarten and “play nice with the other kids”.
If nature has learned this, we can also learn…..and thrive.
Because we are embedded within this interconnected web of life, accountability to the whole – to context and relationships – is key. This leads us to understand that Earth-friendly is Animal-friendly. When we consider the needs of the planet, we inherently also consider its inhabitants who are reliant on our decisions and actions. PAHS understands this and is dedicated to living this understanding.
Treading much more lightly is necessary for a successful future for all. In fact, it has been found that if the entire world consumed like the United States 5 ½ Planet Earth’s would be necessary to sustain life. Current systems are out of balance and thus unsustainable, and they will fail unless balance and a realization that all species of life are important contributors to us as a whole is realized.
PAHS created our new center with the understanding that maintaining a balanced, healthy environment inherently supports life, in all its forms.
Many avenues allow a softer and more Earth-friendly footprint. PAHS recommends:
- Purchasing consciously. Consider the details of materials and products chosen (are they natural?, sustainable?, recycled?, biodegradable?, made locally?, was excess carbon emitted with coal manufacturing, or was production at the expense of socially responsible action?)
- Reusing. Use up what you already have and avoid wasteful new purchases.
Ways in which PAHS is Earth and Animal friendly:
- We have “old lumber” office furniture (meaning that reclaimed wood from old buildings eliminated the need for destruction of new trees).
- Our donated desk chairs are previously owned.
- We select natural fibers, such as raffia and jute for our decorative accents.
- Non-toxic, no-VOC paint was used to repaint our new space.
- We changed our web hosting service to AISO, which is 100% solar powered.
- Our Dell Optiplex 755 desktop computer is Energy Star 4.0 energy efficient.
- Our Haier mini-refrigerator is Energy Star 4.0 energy efficient, and CFC-free.
- We used remaining existing stock of light bulbs and office supplies, and our outdated stationery was made into writing pads
- Our new stationery and business cards are printed with soy inks on 100% PCW (post-consumer waste) recycled paper.
- We only use non-toxic cleaners.