With global humanity in crisis and most of us in the U.S. locked inside, we at Chews Happiness feel that it is important to learn an important lesson from our dogs; there is a NOW to celebrate! That’s why we want to share some Earth Day news and some Happiness with you today, on this special 50th Anniversary Earth Day.
Chews Happiness Offsets 100% of Carbon Emissions
Chews Happiness has been committed from the start to run our company with ethical and sustainable principles in mind. Being based in Boulder, CO, the Rockies are a constant reminder of the beauty of our natural world. And as climate change threatens the spaces and species we love, the mountains have become a symbol of our responsibility as well.
Because we love the environment and we love dogs—and we’re certain dogs love the environment as much as we do—we’re serious about our sustainable business practices. Our daily operations are already fairly green; we produce all of our dog treats in Bhutan, the only carbon negative country on the planet and our treat packaging is made from recycled paper, which is fully recyclable and has no plastic in it. Energy used in the production of Barkarons is primarily sourced from hydropower, which is a completely renewable energy source. And, as our ingredients are Organic (or effectively Organic), producing them is fairly carbon efficient. However, we do produce some carbon emissions, mostly in travel, shipping, and transportation.
To make up for this environmental impact, we have partnered with EcoSphere+, an amazing organization that helps companies build a global economy in balance with nature. To date, we’ve purchased enough carbon credits to protect 3,083 trees, including vulnerable forests and conservation areas for endangered species!
We are proud of our contribution towards the protection of rainforests and the avoidance of deforestation by supporting sustainable community forest management and the integration of conservation activities that put a value on indigenous-led development with FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified timber extraction and sustainable cacao agroforestry.
Earth Day & COVID-19
The Global Shutdown Has Reduced Pollution, But Can We As A Species Weave A Silver Lining & Create A Call To Action?
Obviously, COVID-19 continues to be a catastrophe for humans, with much suffering, stress, sickness, and death. For Mother Earth though it seems to have been a bit of a respite, as pollution all over the world has dramatically reduced.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Column Values Over China
Map showing total CO lower atmospheric column values, averaged for the period following the 2019 Chinese New Year (CNY) holiday (4-10 February) (Left) and for the same for the period following the 2020 CNY holiday (24-30 January), during the lockdown (Right). Initial results indicate that CO in the Beijing-Chengdu-Shanghai-Wuhan area has decreased on average by almost 6%, with more than 46% reduction locally. (Source NCAR)
In addition, it seems that there is a deadly link between COVID-19 and air pollution. And, it doesn’t stop there; increased pollution increases the risk of other nasties including lung cancer. How can we, as individuals, do anything about this?
We know that everyone has A LOT on their minds right now and that many of you are, rightfully, focused on “getting through the day.” There is a lot we can do though. We can try our best to purchase products made with recycled & recyclable materials. We can think twice before we buy something with lots of one-time-use plastic packaging. And, we can support companies that are trying to make the world a tiny bit cleaner and better.
Interested In Seeing How Clean Your City’s Air Is?
We found a really interesting, interactive feature offered by the New York Times that we would like to share with you on this Earth Day. We hope you find it as enlightening as we did.
We Want To Share Some Happiness With You!
Be Careful: This Is What Happens When You Do Not Unbox Barkarons Quickly Enough!
We especially want to remind you that our Barkarons are made with ethically sourced eggs from free-range hens, organic chicken, and Gobi desert camel cheese from free-range camels with traditional herder guardians, supporting farmers who take care of animals in the most sustainable, natural, and balanced of manners.
And, in case you forgot, all of our treat packaging is plastic-free and recyclable. Our sweaters and accessories are handcrafted from cruelty-free and eco-friendly materials. We also donate to animal rescue.
As small business owners, we can use our voices and power in the community for good, and we couldn’t do that without your support. Every time you purchase from Chews Happiness, you’re choosing a greener and fairer future.
So what we’re really trying to say is thank you! Thank you for supporting Chews Happiness, and in turn for supporting environmental conservation. It’s people like you who will transform how we care for our earth.
