About Grow Money + Save the Planet ®
Our Mission
By engaging in Grow Money + Save the Planet® we are committed to promoting environmental sustainability and protecting the planet.
Be a Sponsor by taking action in your own Life.
Ways to Participate
Resource Conservation
Resource Conservation
Resource Conservation
The act of conserving; prevention of injury, decay, waste, or loss; preservation: conservation of wildlife; conservation of human rights.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:
- Reduce consumption: Buy only what you need and avoid impulse purchases.
- Reuse: Invest in reusable alternatives to disposable items like water bottles, grocery bags, and coffee cups.
- Recycle: Recycle everything you can according to your local guidelines.
Energy Conservation:
- Power down electronics: Turn off electronics and lights when not in use.
- Energy-efficient appliances: Choose energy-efficient appliances when replacing old ones.
- Air dry clothes: Skip the dryer and hang clothes to dry whenever possible.
- Use natural light: Open curtains during the day to take advantage of natural light.
- Adjust thermostat: Lower your thermostat in the winter and raise it in the summer for comfortable temperatures without wasting energy.
- Smart power strips: Use smart power strips to automatically cut power to electronics on standby.
Water Conservation:
- Shorter showers: Take shorter showers to reduce water usage.
- Fix leaky faucets: Repair leaky faucets promptly to prevent wasted water.
- Full loads: Only run washing machines and dishwashers when they are full.
- Water-efficient appliances: Choose water-efficient appliances when making replacements.
- Broom instead of hose: Use a broom to clean driveways and sidewalks instead of a hose.
- Water your garden wisely: Water your plants early in the morning to minimize evaporation.
Resource Conservation at Home:
- Meal planning: Plan your meals to avoid food waste.
- Compost food scraps: Compost food scraps and yard waste to create nutrient-rich soil.
- Buy local: Purchase local produce to reduce transportation emissions.
- Use reusable cloths: Replace paper towels with washable cloths for cleaning.
- Fix broken items: Repair broken items instead of throwing them away.
- Sustainable products: Choose products made from recycled materials or with minimal packaging.
Remember, every little bit counts! By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you can make a significant impact on resource conservation.
Eco Friendly Products
Resource Conservation
Resource Conservation
Eco-friendly products are defined as items that are not harmful to the environment, and that promote green living or manufacturing methods. They should be safe for the environment throughout their entire life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials to disposal. Eco-friendly products can include:
- Biodegradable: Items that can be broken down into smaller pieces by bacteria, fungi, or microbes, ideally without causing pollution
- Compostable: Similar to biodegradable, but also add nutrients to the soil
- Organic food: An example of an eco-friendly product
- Energy efficient appliances: Use less energy than traditional alternatives
- Designs that promote waste reduction: Help to prevent contributions to air, water, and land pollution
Renewable Energy
Resource Conservation
Support Sustainable Business
Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. Sunlight and wind, for example, are such sources that are constantly being replenished. Renewable energy sources are plentiful and all around us.
Support Sustainable Business
Support Sustainable Business
Support Sustainable Business
Renewable Energy & Clean Technology:
- Ørsted (Denmark): A global leader in offshore wind development, a critical renewable energy source, and green hydrogen production for sustainable transportation.
- Schneider Electric (France): A specialist in energy management and automation, providing solutions for energy efficiency, renewable energy integration, and sustainability.
- Vestas Wind Systems (Denmark): A manufacturer, seller, installer, and servicer of wind turbines, a key technology for generating clean electricity.
- Enel (Italy): A multinational energy company heavily invested in renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, and grid modernization to accommodate renewables.
- Siemens Gamesa (Spain): A company resulting from the merger of Siemens Wind Power and Gamesa, a major player in wind turbine manufacturing, contributing to clean energy generation.
Sustainable Products:
- Tesla (US): An electric vehicle and clean energy company leading the shift to sustainable transportation and clean energy generation with solar panels and battery storage solutions.
- Patagonia (US): An outdoor apparel company renowned for its environmental activism, using recycled materials and prioritizing product repair and longevity.
- Beyond Meat (US): A producer of plant-based meat alternatives that reduces reliance on animal agriculture and its environmental impact.
- Everlane (US): A clothing company that focuses on ethical production, radical transparency, and using sustainable materials like organic cotton.
- Fairphone (Netherlands): A smartphone manufacturer committed to ethical sourcing, fair labor practices, and long-lasting, repairable devices, promoting responsible electronics consumption.
Circular Economy:
- Schnitzer Steel (US): The world's largest metal recycling company, reducing reliance on virgin materials and promoting a circular economy for metals.
- TerraCycle (US): A waste management company specializing in collecting and recycling non-traditional waste, diverting waste from landfills and finding new uses for materials.
- MUD Jeans (Netherlands): A clothing company with a circular business model, offering leasing programs and take-back schemes for denim jeans, extending product life and minimizing waste.
- The Renewal Workshop (US): A company that repairs and resells used outdoor gear, extending the life of products and reducing waste in the outdoor apparel industry.
- Recommerce (US): A recommerce platform facilitating the buying and selling of secondhand electronics, extending product lifespans and reducing electronic waste.
Food & Agriculture:
- Oatly (Sweden): A producer of plant-based milk alternatives made from oats, promoting a sustainable and healthy alternative to dairy products.
- Impossible Foods (US): A leader in plant-based meat innovation, creating realistic and delicious plant-based options to reduce reliance on animal agriculture.
- AppHarvest (US): An ag tech company using controlled environment agriculture (CEA) to grow fresh produce with minimal water usage and reduced environmental impact, promoting innovation in sustainable farming practices.
- Apeel Sciences (US): A company that develops plant-based coatings to extend the shelf life of produce, reducing food waste.
- Indigo Agriculture (US): A company developing and applying microbial biofertilizers to improve soil health, crop yields, and reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers.
Sustainable Transportation:
- BYD Company (China): A manufacturer of electric vehicles, electric buses, and battery storage solutions, promoting clean transportation options.
- Proterra (US): A manufacturer of electric buses and charging infrastructure, promoting zero-emission public transportation solutions.
- Rivian (US): A manufacturer of electric vehicles for the consumer and commercial markets, focusing on innovation and sustainability in its supply chain and manufacturing processes.
- ChargePoint (US): A leading provider of electric vehicle charging stations and infrastructure, enabling a shift towards clean transportation.
- Michelin (France): A tire manufacturer that is developing sustainable tire materials with lower rolling resistance to improve fuel efficiency in vehicles.
Building & Construction:
- Skanska (Sweden): A major construction and development company with a focus on sustainable building practices, energy efficiency, and responsible sourcing.
- Lend Lease (Australia): A global real estate and investment group committed to sustainable development and green building initiatives.
- Saint-Gobain (France): A manufacturer of building materials with a focus on energy-efficient solutions, reducing embodied carbon in products, and promoting circular economy principles.
- Interface (US): A carpet tile manufacturer known for its innovative and sustainable product designs, using recycled materials and prioritizing product take-back and reuse programs.
- Swedbank (Sweden): A financial institution providing loans and financial products specifically for sustainable building projects, incentivizing green building practices.
Reduce Waste and Consumption
Support Sustainable Business
Reduce Waste and Consumption
Here are 30 ways to reduce waste:
- Stop buying stuff(-: This might seem extreme, but before you buy something new, consider if you really need it. Could you borrow it from a friend? Could you fix something you already have?
- Reduce your waste by avoiding food wrapped in plastic. Look for food in the loose bins at the grocery store, or bring your own containers to buy meat and fish from the counter.
- Bring your own bag. This is a simple way to avoid using plastic or paper bags at the store.
- Shop local. This reduces the amount of transportation required to get food to your table, which helps to reduce your carbon footprint.
- Buy things in bulk. This can be a good way to save money and reduce packaging waste, but only do this if you'll use everything before it expires.
- Avoid single-use items. This includes things like plastic straws, coffee cups, and water bottles. Invest in a reusable water bottle, mug, and travel utensils.
- Get your own reusable bottle. This is a great way to avoid buying bottled water, which creates a lot of plastic waste.
- Reusable cutlery and storage containers. Avoid using disposable plates, cups, and utensils. Pack your lunch in reusable containers.
- Say no to single-use straws. There are many reusable alternatives available, such as metal or silicone straws.
- Drink loose leaf tea. This is a more sustainable option than tea bags, which often come in individual wrappers.
- Thrift shop or charity shop to reduce waste. Give used items a new life by buying them secondhand.
- Buy secondhand electronics. There are many places to buy used electronics, such as online marketplaces or consignment shops.
- Compost your food waste. This is a great way to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden.
- Don't throw away your food. Plan your meals carefully and only buy what you need. Learn how to store food properly to prevent spoilage.
- Meal plan and reduce your waste. Plan your meals for the week and make a grocery list to avoid impulse purchases.
- Use silicone mats. Silicone mats are a great alternative to parchment paper for baking. They can be reused over and over again.
- Say no to trends. Fast fashion is a major contributor to waste. Buy quality items that will last.
- Recycle and literally reduce your waste. Recycle everything that you can, and only throw away what cannot be recycled or composted.
- Menstrual cups/cotton pads. These are reusable alternatives to disposable menstrual products.
- Buy reduced items at the supermarket. Many supermarkets sell items that are nearing their expiration date at a discount. These items are perfectly fine to eat, and you can help to reduce food waste.
- Go digital with documents. Save documents electronically instead of printing them out.
- Use reusable handkerchiefs instead of tissues.
- Use a safety razor. Safety razors are much more durable than disposable razors, and they produce less waste.
- Make your own cleaning products. There are many recipes for homemade cleaning products that are just as effective as commercial cleaners, but they are much more eco-friendly.
- Avoid using disposable coffee filters. There are many reusable coffee filters available, such as metal filters or cloth filters.
- Fix your clothes instead of throwing them away. Learn how to sew or find a tailor who can fix your clothes for you.
- Wrap gifts in reusable materials. Use fabric gift bags, scarves, or bandanas to wrap gifts instead of throwing away wrapping paper and ribbons.
- Use a clothesline to dry your clothes. This is a great way to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint.
- Educate others about waste reduction. Talk to your friends and family about the importance of reducing waste. Share your tips and ideas with them.
- Support businesses that are committed to sustainability. Look for businesses that use recycled materials, sell package-free products, or have composting programs.
Grow Food
Support Sustainable Business
Reduce Waste and Consumption
There are many ways to grow your own food, from traditional methods to new innovations! Here are 30 ideas to get you started:
Traditional methods:
- In-ground garden: This is a classic method, perfect for growing a variety of vegetables, fruits, and herbs.
- Raised beds: Offer better drainage and soil quality, ideal for small spaces or areas with poor soil.
- Container gardening: Great for balconies, patios, or rooftops, allowing you to grow food anywhere.
- Square foot gardening: Maximizes space by dividing your garden into small squares for efficient planting.
- Vertical gardening: Utilize wall space with trellises, hanging planters, or vertical planters to grow vining crops or herbs.
Seed starting and transplanting:
- Start seeds indoors: Get a head start on the season by germinating seeds indoors before transplanting them outside.
- Direct seeding: Sow seeds directly into your garden bed at the appropriate time for your climate.
Water management:
- Rain barrels: Collect rainwater for watering your plants, reducing reliance on tap water.
- Mulch: Apply mulch around your plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Drip irrigation: Provides water directly to the roots of your plants, conserving water and reducing evaporation.
Season extension:
- Cold frames: Protect tender plants from unexpected frost and extend your growing season.
- Row covers: Protect seedlings from pests and harsh weather conditions.
- Greenhouse gardening: Grow food year-round in a controlled environment.
Composting and soil health:
- Compost kitchen scraps and yard waste: Create nutrient-rich compost to improve your soil quality.
- Cover crops: Plant cover crops in between seasons to suppress weeds, fix nitrogen in the soil, and improve soil health.
- Crop rotation: Rotate the types of crops you plant in each bed each year to prevent nutrient depletion and pest problems.
Organic gardening:
- Use organic fertilizers and pest control methods: Protect your plants and the environment with natural solutions.
- Companion planting: Plant certain crops together to benefit from each other, deter pests, or improve pollination.
Alternative methods:
- Hydroponics: Grow plants without soil using a mineral nutrient solution.
- Aeroponics: Grow plants suspended in air with their roots misted with a nutrient solution.
- Aquaponics: Combine fish farming with hydroponics, creating a closed-loop system where fish waste nourishes plants.
Urban gardening:
- Community gardens: Share resources and space with others to grow food in a communal setting.
- Guerilla gardening: Plant seeds or seedlings in neglected urban areas to promote green spaces and community involvement.
Growing specific foods:
- Fruit trees: Plant apple, pear, peach, or citrus trees to enjoy fresh fruit year after year.
- Berry bushes: Grow raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, or blackberries for a delicious and healthy harvest.
- Herb garden: Plant a variety of herbs to add fresh flavor to your cooking.
- Mushrooms: Grow mushrooms indoors on logs or coffee grounds for a unique and tasty addition to your meals.
- Sprouts: Grow quick and nutritious sprouts like alfalfa or mung beans indoors year-round.
- Microgreens: Harvest the tiny seedlings of vegetables and herbs for a concentrated burst of flavor and nutrients.
- Aquaponics for fish and vegetables: Raise fish and vegetables together in a sustainable and productive system.
No matter your space or experience level, there's a way to grow your own food! Research what works best in your climate and get started on your journey to fresh, homegrown produce.
Self Improvement
Regenerative Farming
Regenerative Farming
Mental Health
Women's Health
Nutrition
Trauma Healing
Self-improvement is a journey, and there are many paths you can take! To help you get started, here are some ideas:
Mindset and Self-Awareness:
- Identify your goals: What do you want to achieve? Having clear goals will help you focus your efforts.
- Practice gratitude: Focus on the positive aspects of your life to cultivate a happier outlook.
- Develop a growth mindset: Believe that you can learn and improve with effort.
- Practice self-reflection: Regularly evaluate your progress and identify areas for improvement.
Habits and Skills:
- Learn something new: Take a class, read a book, or watch tutorials to expand your knowledge and skills.
- Develop a healthy routine: Establish consistent sleep, exercise, and eating habits to feel your best.
- Practice time management: Learn to prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively.
- Build a positive support system: Surround yourself with people who encourage and motivate you.
Healthy Habits:
- Eat a balanced diet: Nourish your body with healthy foods to fuel your activities.
- Exercise regularly: Physical activity improves your physical and mental well-being.
- Get enough sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night for optimal function.
- Practice mindfulness: Techniques like meditation can help reduce stress and improve focus.
Remember:
- Start small: Don't try to change everything at once. Begin with small, manageable goals and build from there.
- Be patient: Change takes time and effort. Celebrate your progress along the way.
- Forgive yourself: Everyone makes mistakes. Don't let setbacks derail your progress.
- Find what works for you: There's no one-size-fits-all approach to self-improvement. Experiment and find strategies that resonate with you.
Regenerative Farming
Regenerative Farming
Regenerative Farming
Regenerative agriculture is all about improving soil health and working in harmony with nature. Here are 30 ways to achieve this on your farm:
Minimizing Soil Disturbance:
- Reduce Tilling: Excessive tilling damages soil structure and releases carbon dioxide. Explore no-till or reduced-till practices.
- Cover Cropping: Plant cover crops in between cash crop seasons to protect the soil, suppress weeds, and fix nitrogen.
- Mulching: Apply organic mulch around plants to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds.
Enhancing Biodiversity:
- Crop Rotation: Rotate the types of crops you plant each year to prevent nutrient depletion, disrupt pest lifecycles, and promote beneficial soil microbes.
- Multi-Species Planting: Interplant different crops together to create a more diverse ecosystem that attracts beneficial insects and pollinators.
- Hedgerows and Windbreaks: Plant trees and shrubs along the perimeter of fields to create wildlife habitat, reduce wind erosion, and provide shade for livestock.
Integrating Livestock:
- Managed Grazing: Practice rotational grazing where animals are moved frequently to new pastures, allowing for rest and regeneration of grazed areas.
- Holistic Planned Grazing: Mimic natural grazing patterns by using large herds to graze intensively for a short period, followed by a long recovery time.
- Composting Manure: Compost manure to create a nutrient-rich fertilizer that improves soil health and reduces reliance on synthetic options.
Water Management:
- Swale Systems: Create swales (ditches) to capture and distribute rainwater more evenly across your land, reducing runoff and erosion.
- Water Harvesting: Collect rainwater in barrels or cisterns to use for irrigation during dry periods.
- Drip Irrigation: Utilize drip irrigation systems to deliver water directly to plant roots, minimizing evaporation and water waste.
Building Soil Health:
- Compost Application: Regularly apply finished compost to your fields to increase organic matter, improve soil fertility, and enhance water retention.
- Biochar: Consider incorporating biochar, a charcoal-like substance, into your soil to improve water holding capacity and nutrient retention.
- Worm Composting: Introduce worm composting systems to break down organic matter and create nutrient-rich castings for your soil.
Additional Practices:
- Reduce or eliminate synthetic pesticides and herbicides. Opt for organic pest control methods whenever possible.
- Invest in on-farm seed production. Save seeds from your best crops to maintain genetic diversity and reduce reliance on external seed sources.
- Practice prescribed burning: In controlled settings, use fire as a management tool to reduce brush and debris, improve pasture health, and promote new plant growth.
- Promote pollinator health. Plant flowering hedgerows and provide nesting sites for beneficial insects and pollinators.
- Encourage beneficial fungi. Practices like no-till and cover cropping can help promote the growth of mycorrhizal fungi, which have a symbiotic relationship with plant roots and improve nutrient uptake.
Farm Management:
- Soil Testing: Regularly test your soil to understand its nutrient levels and adjust your practices accordingly.
- Record Keeping: Maintain detailed records of your farming practices, crop yields, and soil health data to track progress and make informed decisions.
- Holistic Management: Approach your farm as a complete ecosystem, considering the interactions between soil, plants, animals, and the environment.
Continuous Learning:
- Connect with other regenerative farmers: Share knowledge and experiences with others who are implementing similar practices.
- Attend workshops and conferences: Stay up-to-date on the latest advancements and research in regenerative agriculture.
- Read books and articles: Immerse yourself in the world of regenerative agriculture through books, articles, and online resources.
Marketing and Community:
- Direct Sales: Connect directly with consumers through farmers markets or Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs.
- Transparency: Communicate your commitment to regenerative agriculture to your customers and build trust in your products.
- Support Policy Change: Advocate for policies that support sustainable and regenerative farming practices.
- Educate the Public: Share the benefits of regenerative agriculture with your community to raise awareness and inspire others.
By incorporating these practices, you can become a regenerative farmer and contribute to a healthier planet, more productive soil, and delicious, nutritious food.
https://mailchi.mp/7bd826b6f5a7/understandingag-17844445?e=3568c0665f
Business to Business
Regenerative Farming
Business to Business
Business-to-business (B2B) ecological awareness is all about companies working together to minimize environmental impact throughout their supply chains. Here are some ways to achieve this:
Collaboration and Transparency:
- Sustainable procurement: Partner with suppliers who prioritize sustainable practices, like using recycled materials or reducing their carbon footprint.
- Transparency throughout the supply chain: Encourage suppliers to disclose their environmental practices to identify areas for improvement.
- Joint sustainability initiatives: Collaborate with suppliers and partners on projects to reduce waste, conserve resources, or develop eco-friendly products.
- Industry-wide standards: Advocate for and implement industry-wide standards for sustainable practices to create a level playing field.
Efficiency and Resource Management:
- Logistic optimization: Work with partners to optimize transportation routes and reduce fuel consumption.
- Resource efficiency: Collaborate to identify and implement strategies to minimize resource use, such as water or energy, throughout the supply chain.
- Durable and reusable packaging: Develop reusable packaging solutions or use packaging made from recycled materials to minimize waste.
- Circular economy principles: Explore ways to implement a circular economy within your B2B network, where products and materials are kept in use for as long as possible.
Innovation and Education:
- Joint research and development: Partner with other businesses to develop innovative solutions for sustainable production, waste reduction, or renewable energy use.
- Knowledge sharing: Share best practices and success stories in ecological awareness with your B2B network to inspire wider adoption.
- Invest in green technologies: Collaborate with technology providers to implement new solutions that reduce environmental impact within your B2B operations.
- Education and training programs: Provide training programs for employees and partners on sustainable practices and the importance of B2B ecological awareness.
Measurement and Accountability:
- Track and measure environmental impact: Collaborate to establish clear metrics and track the environmental impact of your B2B activities.
- Set sustainability goals: Work with partners to set ambitious yet achievable sustainability goals for your B2B network.
- Hold each other accountable: Establish mechanisms for accountability to ensure all partners are working towards shared sustainability objectives.
- Sustainability reporting: Publicly report on your B2B ecological awareness efforts and progress towards sustainability goals to demonstrate transparency and leadership.
By implementing these strategies, businesses can create a B2B environment that prioritizes environmental responsibility and contributes to a more sustainable future. This collaborative approach can not only benefit the environment but also lead to cost savings, increased efficiency, and a stronger brand reputation.