ENVS 1301

INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

JOURNAL 4

What kinds of labels are listed here? Why?

The labels listed in the links are labels to certify that a product is green, safe, and

environmentally sustainable. These labels are called ecolabels, Ecolabel are paced on a product

by the manufacturer, to help consumers to identify ecofriendly products which are products that

will not cause biodiversity loss to the environment. There are about 400 ecolabels in existence

around the world today (Renee, 2011)

How do your consumer (buying) choices affect biodiversity?

Consumer’s choices have a major role to play since consumption of resources is the main cause

of biodiversity loss. Buying products that are less harmful to our environment rather than those

that are more harmful to our environment, promotes sustainable environment (Renee, 2011)

Pick one of these methods that you feel would be usable in YOUR city/village/town.

How? Explain..

I would like to pick SMaRT consensus Sustainable Product Standard. This ecolabel covers over

80% of the world’s products which includes fabric, apparel, flooring, building products and lots

more. It is a result of 17 years standardization, and now and has been adopted by 20 leading

entities including US green building council. It is not just a print label like the Recycled Content

label, but products must be certified before the label is put on them (Ecolabel Index, nd).

I picked this label for its uniqueness in covering a large range of products, having a large

consensus, and its approval involving thousands of professionals.

Personal Reflection

This week learning has been very interesting as it opened my understanding to more about

biodiversity, how human activities impact on the ecosystem which in turn, impacts on man’s

health and wellbeing. Nature on its own is amazingly rich in resources; we are responsible for

the outcome of life if we fail to take good care of the earth.

How is the class going so far for you?

Class has been going on well. I just discovered I need to be more attentive to the learner guide as

I have not been doing wel in the self-quiz test. My first graded quiz graded was below my

expectation so this calls for more input in my work.

References

Renee Cho, April 30, 2011. Columbia University, Article: What You Can Do to Protect

Biodiversity. https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2011/04/30/what-you-can-do-to-protect-

biodiversity/

Ecolabel Index, nd. Information: SMaRT Consensus Sustainable Product Standards.

https://www.ecolabelindex.com/ecolabel/smart-consensus-sustainable-product-standards