If you have a yard or garden, try to plant only native plants. In addition to providing food for local wildlife, these plants have evolved with other native plants and will help maintain the balance of nature. Avoid non-native plants and especially invasive species, which take away valuable habitat and resources for other species.
When selecting your lawn grass, consider its ability to grow and retain moisture in your climate. In a hotter climate, a drought-tolerant grass may be the best choice. For a more tropical climate, look for a dense, shade-loving lawn. A well-designed grading system will keep the soil in its proper place and allow for the natural drainage of water, thus reducing the need for irrigation.
In the end, it comes down to a simple, yet powerful idea: Nature is a gift, and we need to respect and care for it. We need to work together with the other organisms in the ecosystem, not fight them. The result is a better, more resilient environment for everyone.
As the world’s largest cosmetic company, Natura relies on the natural biodiversity of South America to create its products. But, in order to truly be a responsible business, it also needs to be able to measure its impact on society and the planet.
To do so, it uses a unique method called “IP&L” (i.e., environmental and social profit and loss) to identify externalities such as greenhouse gas emissions and land degradation, multiplies them by valuation factors and then integrates them into financial reporting. This allows Natura to see the entire value chain and identify the most impactful actions to take.
The company also makes an effort to work with extractive communities in the Amazon rainforest who supply it with vegetable raw materials. This includes helping build infrastructure and contributing to local development. In return, these communities deliver a social return to Natura of 8.6 times the investment. In addition, regular face-to-face interactions with indigenous people ensure that questions and concerns are heard and that Natura understands the value of their lands, territories and cultural rights.
The result is a more collaborative, effective and responsible business model that has helped Natura overcome the challenges it faces in its home country of Brazil and across the globe. It is a model that other businesses can use to improve their own relationships with suppliers, NGOs and other stakeholders.
