Sustainability in businesses

As each day goes by the earth’s landfills pile up and air quality gets worse. With this major situation companies are becoming more aware and are acting on it. This concept according to the book, Principles of Marketing, is referred to as being socially responsible. This is when a company or business has concern for society’s welfare and also allows their products or services to be sustainable.

Many companies have begun to practice sustainability and have focused their products on being “Green.” This is a marketing strategy that allows consumers to know that their product or service has been part of a socially responsible process and they know that with their purchase it will not harm the environment or other unethical behavior.

Nike has joined the “Green” eco-friendly practice and has used this type of marketing strategy in previous products. Although it was successful they have begun a different marketing strategy when presenting their new more sustainable Air Jordan Basketball shoe. In the article from Bloomberg BusinessWeek called Quality over Green: Nike's New Air Jordan, they reveal that although the shoe has shifted to a less toxic, earth friendly, sewing machine manufactured design they are allowing the marketing to be on what it has in the past, its performance.

I think it is important that companies are creating earth friendly products and making that apart of what they do. It is interesting how Nike is just making that a way of design and allowing the shoe to sell it for what it is and what is known of from past styles. The article makes one realize that not everybody is concerned about being eco friendly and they are just in love with the product that they are buying, but it is important that although Nike knows that they will probably sell either way they still are running a socially responsible company. The book sums up this subject matter plain and simple, “It is simply the right thing to do.”

Jana,Reena. Bloomberg Businessweek. Quality over Green: Nike's New Air Jordan. 25 Jan. 2012. Web. 20 March 2012.

My article in The Pulse- The PAC newspaper

Currently I am enrolled at Palo Alto College and San Antonio College, finishing up my last full semester at the Alamo community colleges. I am pursuing a Bachelors degree in Communications/Journalism and a minor in Buisness. It is a fun and exciting field that allows you to get out of the house and explore the community.

This semester I am a news gathering and reporting class that publishes our articles to the Palo Alto college newspaper The Pulse.

It has been a lot of fun and has allowed me to write about what I think is important while living in the city.

My first article available on the legacy.alamo.edu/pac website was focused on Urban Farming in San Antonio.

http://legacy.alamo.edu/pac/faculty/pulse/October2011/

Here is a preview of the aricle below but please visit the original to view it with the picture.

Urban Farms growing in San Antonio By Laura de Leon Pulse Staff Reporter Learn more with these helpful sites San Antonio Animal Care Services: SAACS.net Shades of Green, local garden store: shadesofgreensa.com Urban Farm Magazine:urbanfarmonline.com San Antonio Farmer’s Market AssociationSanAntonioFarmersMarket.org Pearl Brewery Farmers Market:pearlfarmersmarket.com Green Spaces Alliance:greensatx.org San Antonio Community Gardens Meetup Group: meetup.com/San-Antonio-CG Urban farms promote living a life that takes advantage of growing your own food, raising select livestock and supporting local agriculture within the city limits. This style of living is gaining popularity in San Antonio and many helpful resources are available. Karen Mahaffy, an Art professor at Palo Alto, practices urban agriculture at her home in downtown San Antonio. Mahaffy said she believes that urban farming can be a process that allows baby steps toward knowing where your food comes from and living a sustainable life. “You can build meals around what you have and kind of augment with other things,” said Mahaffy. Palo Alto College offers Agriculture and Horticulture programs that provide hands-on learning. The Agriculture associate’s degree plan includes classes that educate you about livestock and plant life. The Landscape and Horticulture Science Department at Palo Alto College offers many certificate programs in addition to an associate’s degree. Professor Kirk Williams said that the Small/Organic Farmer Level I certificate was made specifically for the aspiring urban farmer. This certificate provides an understanding of how to grow your own food. Williams said, “It’s a good place to start.”

Gardening is the first step to living a sustainable life. Employees at local gardening stores, such as Shades of Green, can offer information on what grows best in the San Antonio area during each season. Mahaffy said the easiest way to begin is by planting what you like to eat. Sergio de Leon, a sophomore Nutrition major, waters his urban garden. Many people live a fast-paced life and usually eat what is available on the go. Sergio de Leon, a sophomore Nutrition major, said his life is very busy since he goes to school and works, but he still makes gardening a part of his life. “Trial and error motivate me for each new season,” said de Leon. “The anticipation of harvesting makes me feel good, and [the food] tastes so much better.” Livestock can also be very beneficial, once you learn to balance the responsibility of caring for them along with your gardening. In an interview on chow.com, Novella Carpenter, author of “Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer,” said, “I call chickens the gateway urban farm animal.” The City of San Antonio allows livestock, as long as you follow specific guidelines and purchase a permit. Lisa Norwood, City of San Antonio Animal Care Services Public Information Officer, said that obtaining a livestock permit allows you up to five livestock animals. Three can be chickens but no swine. Pigs are illegal in San Antonio’s city limits. At times, Animal Care Services has chickens available for adoption. Urban farming also encourages the support of local farmers. San Antonio has many farmers markets around the city every day of the week. These markets sell produce, chicken, eggs, honey and other fresh local food. Julie Braune, of Braune Farms, sells at the Pearl Brewery Farmers Market. She encourages shopping at local farmers markets for fresh produce and to learn from the vendors. “You are able to build a rapport with farmers and ask questions on growing practices,” said Braune. “Truly gain first-hand knowledge from experienced farmers.” Community gardens are located in various neighborhoods around San Antonio. They are a good place to learn basic gardening tips and see the growing process in action. Websites that will help you find a community garden near you includeGreen Spaces Alliance and San Antonio Community Gardens Meetup Group. My next article is on the San Antonio Bike Scene. It will be available December 1st.

Penny in the Sky

My life is not ordinary and is not strange.

This blog is about the my different exciting and unexpected occurrences.

I usually go blurt them out to a friend or two, but this way I can share and get opinions before I take a chance.