Look out for the Company's YOU support!

I feel that everybody has 'sustainable efforts' in the back of their mind. Everybody cares...or should care...about their personal effect on the environment. However, how much do we really know about the companies and brands we support, when in reality their impact on our environment is much more vast than that of our own. Personally, I have done not as much research as I would like in order to fully understand my personal impact on the environment, and that of the companies I support. However, in doing this blog, and other projects for the University of Utah, I chose to look into some that I tend to use most often. For example, Pepsico...the leader in a lot of markets has some of the most innovative and exciting 'green' techniques being developed within their company. If you are interested in looking at the 2009 most sustainable companies, including top companies like Microsoft, Dell, Johnson & Johnson, and IBM you can find an entire article at www.sustainablelifemedia.com. It is important that we as a developing generation decide which companies are doing their part in saving our planet, and make sure that we supporting those companies, and avoiding those that are behind in their efforts. There is plenty of information out there available to consumers, we just have to make sure that we are doing our part to educate ourselves!

Sustainable Tourism Event Efforts

I am a member of the Parks, Recreation and Tourism department at the University of Utah. I am also a firm believer in sustainability techniques, and find it beneficial to be a part of events that hold true to that passion. For one of my classes, a group of students and I have decided to hold a "leave no trace race" on April 3, 2010. We are extremely excited to see what kind of turn out we can get, as the event is targeted towards Unviersity of Utah students specifically. In order to achieve the funding we would need to hold a successful, beneficial event we are proposing the the sustainability department of the University of Utah trying to receive a grant with a minimum amount of $1,000. We are excited to try and appeal to the committee of the University of Utah, and hope they will understand the type of time and dedication we as students are doing for our sustainability cause. I will be sure to update you as more information comes in for our event, and make sure you all understand what your part can be in achieving sustainability in Utah!

Opportunities Through the University!

Through the University of Utah's college of Health you can achieve a certification to become a certified sustainable tourism leader! One would have the opportunity to join in the U's efforts to accomplish sustainable tourism not only in Utah, but globally. I am planning on signing up for the program for Fall of 2010, not as a major, but as an extra certification! I also decided to go to the TIES (that I mentioned in my previous posts) annual conference in Portland, Oregon. They have included all kinds of workshops for students hoping to make a difference in our sustainable tourism industry.