Making Every Day Earth Day

Happy Earth Day! Earth Day was created in 1970 as a way to bring awareness to the modern environmental movement. The beginnings were not without controversy, but it was successful and each year we see progress toward a cleaner environment.

It’s great to read and hear about all the ways businesses are celebrating Earth Day. This year, Accor Hotels will be planting trees and dimming lights, Pepin Heart Hospital in Tampa, FL will be powered for 24 hours by renewable energy supplied by Tampa Electric Co., and Disney will release earth, a feature length film in the Disneynature series. Some businesses are even hosting Earth Day giveaways to help encourage sustainable living.

More inspiring are the business’ striving for sustainable practices every day. The ZERI Foundation started a program 15 years ago to grow mushrooms using waste from coffee farms, Frito-Lay is creating a fully compostable snack chip bag made from plant-based materials and the U.S. House of Representatives has replaced plastic water bottles sold in its cafeterias with compostable bottles.

As more businesses adapt their practices and products, it becomes easier for consumers like us to practice green living. I’ve already noticed a difference in the packaging used by companies that ship products through the mail. More cardboard and paper, and less bubble wrap and foam peanuts. But I’m still waiting for reduced packaging overall and the end of plastic clamshell cases. Other noticeable improvements are the options for household cleaning supplies and building materials. Be wary of greenwashing though, it’s on the rise.

As Mysurvey.com members, you have a unique opportunity to do more than the average recycler, businesses are looking to Mysurvey.com members for feedback on products and services.

Do you think the efforts by these companies are making it easier for you to practice sustainable living? What else could they do to make it easier for consumers? Tell us what you think!

A Renaissance Life

Today we celebrate the birth of a genius and true Renaissance man, Leonardo da Vinci (April 15, 1452). Everyone knows that da Vinci was most famous for his paintings of the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper. However, his interests were very broad and also included architecture, mechanics and anatomy. While working on this blog post, I got into a discussion with a colleague about da Vinci’s many contributions and accomplishments.

Like many people, I consider da Vinci a true genius who made stunning advancements in architecture, mechanics and anatomy. As a scientist he is revered for his technological ingenuity - his primitive designs included conceptualizations of a helicopter, tank, calculator and a canon. He is also responsible for early theories on both concentrated solar power and plate tectonics.

However, my colleague is far more skeptical about history in general. While we agree that da Vinci was a genius as evidenced in his verified drawings, the lack of documentation or record of any sculptures, buildings or mechanical devices leaves his accomplishments open for discussion.

This is true for many historical events and facts. The records that do exist are based on interpretation of the authors and those involved in the events. While that can be frustrating, it gives us the opportunity to look at history from different perspectives and angles.

My colleague and I had a great discussion about this and would love to hear what you think. Here are some links with more information about da Vinci. We hope you enjoy this as much as we have!

Web Gallery of Art - Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci - The Man & the Inventor
Ten Facts About: Leonardo Da Vinci
The Drawings of Leonardo da Vinci