Co-op America
Encyclopedia
Green America, formerly known as Co-op America, is a nonprofit membership organization based in the United States
that promotes ethical consumerism
. It is dedicated to harnessing the economic power of consumers, investors and businesses to promote social justice
and environmental
sustainability
through helping responsible consumers and green businesses find each other in the marketplace. Businesses displaying the Green America Seal of Approval have successfully completed Green America's screening process and have been approved to be listed as a socially
and environmentally
responsible — or green — businesses in their National Green Pages directory. The Green America Approved seal is given to applicant businesses that operate in ways that support workers, communities, and protect the environment.
Green America, together with Global Exchange and International Labor Rights Forum, initiated the "Raise the Bar, Hershey" Campaign that has so far attracted over 30,000 participants to urge The Hershey Company to go fair trade, as well as adopt more transparent sourcing policies.
Green America, along with Global Exchange, have hosted the Green Festival for the past three years. The Green Festival is an event geared towards uniting green businesses, leading thinkers of the green movement, and thousands of concerned citizens hoping to reduce their environmental footprint. The festival includes exhibitions of green products, green workshops, expert speeches, and other forms of entertainment. Festivals are currently organized in Seattle, Denver, Chicago, Washington, and San Francisco.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
that promotes ethical consumerism
Ethical consumerism
Ethical consumerism is the intentional purchase of products and services that the customer considers to be made ethically. This may mean with minimal harm to or exploitation of humans, animals and/or the natural environment...
. It is dedicated to harnessing the economic power of consumers, investors and businesses to promote social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
and environmental
Environmental science
Environmental science is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physical and biological sciences, to the study of the environment, and the solution of environmental problems...
sustainability
Sustainability
Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
through helping responsible consumers and green businesses find each other in the marketplace. Businesses displaying the Green America Seal of Approval have successfully completed Green America's screening process and have been approved to be listed as a socially
Social responsibility
Social responsibility is an ethical ideology or theory that an entity, be it an organization or individual, has an obligation to act to benefit society at large. Social responsibility is a duty every individual or organization has to perform so as to maintain a balance between the economy and the...
and environmentally
Environmentalism
Environmentalism is a broad philosophy, ideology and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the health of the environment, particularly as the measure for this health seeks to incorporate the concerns of non-human elements...
responsible — or green — businesses in their National Green Pages directory. The Green America Approved seal is given to applicant businesses that operate in ways that support workers, communities, and protect the environment.
Programs
Green America runs several different programs focusing on environmental preservation and on the improvement of human rights. These programs include: Green Business, Fair Trade, Stopping Sweatshops, Climate Action, Green Energy, Responsible Shopper, Social Investing, Community Investing, Shareholder Action, The Better Paper Project, Shop and Unshop, and Boycotts.Green America, together with Global Exchange and International Labor Rights Forum, initiated the "Raise the Bar, Hershey" Campaign that has so far attracted over 30,000 participants to urge The Hershey Company to go fair trade, as well as adopt more transparent sourcing policies.
Events
Green America hosts The Green Business Conference in both Chicago and San Francisco. The conference functions as both an informational and a networking event. Those who are already “green” or have a desire to be sustainable have the opportunity to learn and teach what they know.Green America, along with Global Exchange, have hosted the Green Festival for the past three years. The Green Festival is an event geared towards uniting green businesses, leading thinkers of the green movement, and thousands of concerned citizens hoping to reduce their environmental footprint. The festival includes exhibitions of green products, green workshops, expert speeches, and other forms of entertainment. Festivals are currently organized in Seattle, Denver, Chicago, Washington, and San Francisco.
Publications
The National Green Pages is the only nationwide directory of screened, socially and environmental responsible businesses in the United States. It is intended to connect consumers with green products from green businesses.- The Green American, a bi-monthly publication from Green America focuses on social and environmental issues. It provides in-depth articles on green technology, the green economy, green investment, and green-living tips and resources among other topics.
- The Guide to Socially Responsible Investing focuses on helping individuals ascertain which businesses, banks, and retirement plans to invest in. All institutions suggested must meet the standards imposed by Green America.