GREEN BUSINESS LEAGUE

Making a difference in the Green certification process is no small task.  A big part of that process means getting heard by people everywhere and saying something of value.  R Michael Richmond has been named as an Expert Author by Ezine Articles, and is on the way to platinum status with the Ezine program.  Topics about Green business certification and Green ethics are the predominant topic.  With the prevalence of Greenwashing so popular in the business world, the need to speak out has made his articles somewhat controversial, but more than helpful.  See more at: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Michael_Richmond

R Michael Richmond also maintains a popular blog at http://www.greenbusinessviews.com.  One of his favorite postings is "The Green Pig Syndrome."  Those interested in following his efforts more closely can join his Twitter group and catch up on new bites that are relevant and interesting.  http://www.twitter.com/greenbizviews.

The Green Business League is a leader in the shaping of opinion in the areas of Green and Sustainability.  We have contributed to several Department of Labor programs, online discussions, article writing, and news interviews on these subjects.  The  present difficulty in spreading the environmental message is in part the failure to better define the terms that go with this area of needful participation. 

While most people define "Green" as a synonym to the environment or with reducing energy demand, the best definition of Green is "Health Impact."   This is an enlightening concept to many, and adds clarity to the subject.  Sustainability is best defined as the "management of our resources."  Both topics are sub-categories of the larger topic of the environment.  While words are often pulled out of their best use by well-meaning people, the need for clear definition of terms is the foundation for progress in the areas of business and science.

Becoming a thought leader opens the doors to critics and pundits, but the need to speak to these issues is both real and urgent.  Misdirection is costly, and misunderstanding delays our collective ability to accomplish an incredibly difficult task of turning our world in the right direction. 

Two of the key issues that the Green Business League promotes are  the need for a national standard for Green and sustainable businesses and the requirement of audited Green business certifications.  We stand strongly against the "Easy Green" programs that offer Green business certification over the Internet for a fee.  These programs offer self-assessment forms that invite abuse by amateur and less-than-honest reporting.

This is why the Green Business League purposely took the stand not to offer certification over the Internet, but to train hundreds of Certified Green Consultants to provide guidance, support, and live audits prior to any certification.  This process is the sure way to finally eliminate greenwashing, and create a recognized methodology for Green Certification.  This falls under the topic of Green ethics, asking companies everywhere to apply best practices when it comes to making claims about environmental compliance and Green certification.

We invite others to join the chorus of voices asking for professional standards when it comes to Green and sustainable business claims.  Expose and reject the highly deceptive website certifications as the deceptions they are, and require that any Green certification claims comes as a result of an audit related to a national standard.