With HRDQ, developing great people skills is easy. And you can rest assured that you’re working with an organization that’s sensitive to the environment at the same time. For more than 30 years, HRDQ has been a trusted developer of experiential learning resources that help to improve the performance of individuals, teams, and organizations. They offer a wide range of reliable, research-based training materials, including assessments, games, customizable programs, and e-learning workshops on in-demand topics such as leadership, communication, coaching, and team building. At the core of every HRDQ solution is their Experiential Learning Model, the formula thousands of corporate trainers, human resource professionals, educational institutions, and OD consultants have relied upon to improve the skills of frontline employees, high-ranking executives, and just about everyone in between. Combining the best of organizational learning theory, proven facilitation methods and adult learning styles, it’s a model that inspires lasting change. Together with their commitment to lifelong learning, HRDQ is also dedicated to seeking eco-friendly ways of operating their business and serving their clients, from introducing new product mediums to packaging and conserving natural resources. Besides the carbon offsets they’ve purchased through the CarbonFree® Partnership program, here are a few of the ways HRDQ strives to minimize their impact on the Earth:

• Electing to use recycled paper for necessary printed materials
• Choosing FSC and Rainforest Alliance Certified papers for product catalogs
• Creating digital and e-learning solutions to reduce waste
• Replacing direct mail with email and web promotions
• Removing petroleum-based materials from product materials
• Swapping inefficient lighting with compact fluorescent bulbs

“We are proud to partner with Carbonfund.org to offset our carbon imprint, transition to an energy-clean future, and minimize our impact on the Earth. HRDQ’s commitment to lifelong learning works hand-in-hand with our strategic initiative to achieve sustainable practices and an environmentally-friendly business approach.” Bradford Glaser, President & CEO, HRDQ To learn more about the training modules and programs offered by HRDQ, click here.    

It's a question that many have asked, but few have attempted to answer.  The Global Footprint Network has created research methodology and technology to help answer this question and bring solutions to the Earth's communities. In 2003, Global Footprint Network was established to enable a sustainable future where all people have the opportunity to live satisfying lives within the means of one planet. Global Footprint Network’s efforts are fueled by a future vision in which human demand on nature is monitored as closely as the stock market. They make this vision a reality by providing the scientific data necessary to drive large-scale social change. Together with hundreds of individuals, 200 cities, 23 nations, leading business, scientists, NGO’s, academics and their 90-plus global partners — spanning six continents — the Global Footprint Network is advancing the impact of the Footprint in the world, applying it to practical projects and sparking a global dialogue about a one-planet future and how we can facilitate change.

An essential step in creating a one-planet future is measuring human impact on the Earth so we can make more informed choices. That is why the Global Footprint Network aims to accelerate the use of the Ecological Footprint — a tool that measures how much nature we have, how much we use, and who uses what. The Ecological Footprint is a data-driven metric that measures how close we are to the goal of sustainable living. Footprint accounts work like bank statements, documenting whether we are living within our ecological budget or consuming nature’s resources faster than the planet can renew them.

At Global Footprint Network, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) research organization, programs are designed to influence decision makers at all levels of society and to create a critical mass of powerful institutions using the Footprint to put an end to ecological overshoot and get our economies back into balance. Global Footprint Network's intent is that these initiatives will bring about new solutions and get people talking about the reality of ecological limits.  They expect the results will redirect billions of dollars of investment toward making sustainable human development a reality.

Looking for useful, handy gift items with an environmental benefit? BG2 sells exciting, useful and fun eco-products across a broad range of product categories, from home and cleaning, beauty and bath, health and lifestyle, to handy reusable consumer products for all aspects of daily life. BG2 also believes that educated consumers are better consumers. BG2 shares as much information as possible about the products they offer, to help their customers make informed decisions. And they do this by providing product description details and easy-to-understand logos to indicate the environmental benefits of each product. BG2’s logos are meant to be fun and used as a tool of both information and of brevity. The logos are colorful and different so consumers can instantly identify what’s so great about this product and the company that makes it. BG2 raises social responsibility and awareness about our environment and the world through their social media presence and through their ‘BG2 Cares’ program, which incorporates its 1% for the Planet membership and other fundraising causes. BG2 cares very much about climate change, so they spread the word about helping the environment through their newsletters, blogs and other social media outlets. And BG2 carries their environmental commitment to their daily business operations and their personal lives as well. BG2 is powered by 100% green energy, from clean sources like solar, wind and biomass. Paper use is reduced to a minimum, no printing of invoices or packaging slips, wrapping and stuffers are always reused from other packages they receive, and they reduce or eliminate the use of plastics wherever possible, always abiding by the 3R’s – Reduce, Reuse & Recycle.  And as a new CarbonFree™ partner with Carbonfund.org, BG2 has made a donation to purchase 35 metric tonnes of carbon credits, supporting Carbonfund.org’s mission and our renewable energy projects. So "be good be green” and fill your holiday shopping list with great gifts and products from BG2.

In a world where time is fleeting, it's refreshing to find a timepiece that's a work of art, yet developed with a modern aesthetic and an environmental focus. Xetum is a new collection of California-designed, Swiss-made automatic timepieces for the discerning individual. Xetum timepieces blend modern design with Swiss precision and craftsmanship. Each timepiece is painstakingly crafted in Switzerland’s Jura Valley using world renowned, time-tested methods and styled with clean, modern aesthetics. Xetum was founded by longtime wristwatch and design aficionado Jeff Kuo. Jeff founded Xetum after a decade-long search to find a timepiece that had the appropriate blend of modern design, Swiss mechanical components and pricing. The Xetum timepiece collection represents the culmination of this journey. Jeff’s work has been displayed along with works from modern artists such as Jeff Koons and Shepard Fairey. Of course, it’s not just about the timepiece – it’s about the experience you have with it. That’s why Xetum has been built around a personal customer experience. Xetum offers a level of personal attention that is often forgotten in a mass market world. When you speak with someone at Xetum, you’ll be speaking with someone who loves watches and who really cares that you have a great experience. Xetum has designed its products, packaging and operations from the ground up with environmental responsibility in mind. From renewable cork on the naturally tanned straps, to watch boxes made from rubberwood that is saved from being burned, Xetum has made environmental responsibility a priority. Further, Xetum partners with Carbonfund.org to offset its remaining carbon footprint through the support of reforestation projects. For a look at exceptional, sleek and unique timepieces, please visit www.xetum.com.