Comments on: The Obamas Install a Wooden Swing Set… Is it Eco-Friendly? http://www.inhabitots.com/2009/03/05/the-obamas-install-all-wood-swing-set-but-is-it-green/ Sustainable design for the next generation! Mon, 22 Mar 2010 05:40:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Desmond Williamshttp://www.inhabitots.com/2009/03/05/the-obamas-install-all-wood-swing-set-but-is-it-green/comment-page-1/#comment-3483 Desmond Williams Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:31:49 +0000 http://www.inhabitots.com/?p=10322#comment-3483 Michele and erik, thank you for shedding light and knowledge on the inner-workings of the SFI. I'm sure readers appreciate it. It's comments like these that let us strive harder to bring great green content to Inhabitots. A blog is intended for dialogue after all. Cheers! Michele and erik, thank you for shedding light and knowledge on the inner-workings of the SFI. I’m sure readers appreciate it. It’s comments like these that let us strive harder to bring great green content to Inhabitots. A blog is intended for dialogue after all. Cheers!

]]> By: eriklharperhttp://www.inhabitots.com/2009/03/05/the-obamas-install-all-wood-swing-set-but-is-it-green/comment-page-1/#comment-3479 eriklharper Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:07:05 +0000 http://www.inhabitots.com/?p=10322#comment-3479 I have to say I concur with Michele on this one as well. If you really do the research instead of just assuming that SFI is good when the word "sustainable" is in the title, you really aren't doing much justice are you? Please do some more research before concluding that this wooden playground is in fact a green choice. I would argue that this is not a green choice due to the fact that SFI is a complete greenwash, an organization created BY the Forest Industry to mask their gross UNsustainability.For an environmental blog to have a post like this is outraging because it doesn't go full on into the research, and frankly, most of what environmentalism is is research. Take the time and really do your homework before making these kinds of claims. I have to say I concur with Michele on this one as well. If you really do the research instead of just assuming that SFI is good when the word “sustainable” is in the title, you really aren’t doing much justice are you? Please do some more research before concluding that this wooden playground is in fact a green choice. I would argue that this is not a green choice due to the fact that SFI is a complete greenwash, an organization created BY the Forest Industry to mask their gross UNsustainability.

For an environmental blog to have a post like this is outraging because it doesn’t go full on into the research, and frankly, most of what environmentalism is is research. Take the time and really do your homework before making these kinds of claims.

]]> By: Michele de Jesushttp://www.inhabitots.com/2009/03/05/the-obamas-install-all-wood-swing-set-but-is-it-green/comment-page-1/#comment-3003 Michele de Jesus Fri, 06 Mar 2009 04:40:54 +0000 http://www.inhabitots.com/?p=10322#comment-3003 Woah, wait a minute! Last I checked FSC is the standard for genuine sustainable wood certification NOT SFI. FSC certified wood meets meaningful requirements for sustainable wood certification for LEED while SFI does not and is arguably greenwashing by the Forestry Industry.See the full factsheet comparing FSC and SFI at: http://pressroomda.greenmediatoolshed.org/sites/default/files/file_import/0/49/4901/SFI_Factsheet_SFI_v_FSC1.pdf ""Forest certification should help consumers choose wood and paper products from forests managed to exemplary environmental and social standards. However, the American Forest & Paper Association’s Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) lacks many important elements needed for credible forest certification, including elements found in the Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) program. FSC represents the minimum threshold for meaningful forest certification systems."I'm an Obama supporter but lets not give him a free pass. As overwhelming as it surely must be as President he's responsible for the big picture and the details. This swing set IS symbolic and sitting right there on the lawn as an example for children and families across the country and worldwide. It is really too bad that it gives SFI a boost it doesn't deserve. An opportunity to showcase a truly exemplary green initiative was missed. That said I'm glad the Obama girls are getting an enjoyable play structure under trees and sky and I'm sure Obama has alot more important things to do right now than pick out a swing set. As parents we make a million decisions for our children and they can't all be perfect if we're going to be practical and keep our sanity. Woah, wait a minute! Last I checked FSC is the standard for genuine sustainable wood certification NOT SFI. FSC certified wood meets meaningful requirements for sustainable wood certification for LEED while SFI does not and is arguably greenwashing by the Forestry Industry.

See the full factsheet comparing FSC and SFI at:
http://pressroomda.greenmediatoolshed.org/sites/default/files/file_import/0/49/4901/SFI_Factsheet_SFI_v_FSC1.pdf ”

“Forest certification should help consumers choose wood and paper products from forests managed to exemplary environmental and social standards. However, the American Forest & Paper Association’s Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) lacks many important elements needed for credible forest certification, including elements found in the Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) program. FSC represents the minimum threshold for meaningful forest certification systems.”

I’m an Obama supporter but lets not give him a free pass. As overwhelming as it surely must be as President he’s responsible for the big picture and the details. This swing set IS symbolic and sitting right there on the lawn as an example for children and families across the country and worldwide. It is really too bad that it gives SFI a boost it doesn’t deserve. An opportunity to showcase a truly exemplary green initiative was missed. That said I’m glad the Obama girls are getting an enjoyable play structure under trees and sky and I’m sure Obama has alot more important things to do right now than pick out a swing set. As parents we make a million decisions for our children and they can’t all be perfect if we’re going to be practical and keep our sanity.

]]>