The recent oil spill inside the Gulf of Mexico is a big warning sign for all of us. We all ought to carefully consider the devastating impact that the actions of companies and individuals are having on our world’s eco-system. Much has been said and will continue to be written about BP and the PR nightmare it brought on itself through the record oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. However you may not know that there’s another ongoing environmental controversy centered around the problem of deforestation and a company called Asia Pulp and Paper (APP). Small businesses and organizations far and wide may learn a great lesson from the circumstances APP finds itself in. APP is a division belonging to the mega corporation, Sinar Mas, and refers to itself as one of the planet’s foremost pulp and paper producers.

APP has of late been connected to being a serious contributor to deforestation. Deforestation, people-caused disappearance of naturally occurring forests by means of logging or burning, is a huge dilemma in today’s world. It is estimated that approximately 50% or more of the earth’s plant and animal life reside within the seven percent of the earth where rainforests currently exist. For example, the most renowned of rainforests, the Amazon, a spectacular 5.5 million square kilometer rainforest in the heart of South America encompassing sections of 9 separate countries, offers no more than 82.3% of the wet broadleaf forest cover it enjoyed in 1970. It is also estimated that between 1991 and 2000, the total loss of Amazon rainforest increased from 415,000 square kilometers to almost 600,000. The data above is according to Wikipedia.

A different lesser known but similarly struggling rain forest, the Indonesian rainforest, has made the latest headlines following a statement from Greenpeace. Inside the report, Greenpeace accuses Asia Paper and Pulp of “relentlessly trashing rainforests, driving species extinction and, if left unchecked, will threaten Indonesia’s efforts to address climate change.” Reported by CNN.com, Indonesia is one of the planet’s biggest culprits of emitting greenhouse emissions mainly due to clear-cutting and burning of rainforests for logging and other purposes. Indonesia has long been a recipient of criticism for its environmental practices mainly due to disregard for international and even their very own laws. Asia Pulp and Paper is presently going through a public relations nightmare as a result of Greenpeace report, and naturally is claiming Greenpeace’s claims are exaggerated. Nevertheless things recently took a turn for the worse for Sinar Mas when in July, 2010, Wal-Mart, announced they have taken steps to stop purchasing their paper, on account of this and further controversies encircling APP. Seems like APP’s denial of the problem is making things worse and currently costing them major business. The loss of Wal-Mart’s business over the following year will drastically affect their revenue.

This takes us to a great question: In today’s struggling international economy, how can organizations and businesses ensure they are instituting environmentally-friendly and energy efficient business practices and not on the incorrect side of a public relations controversy? Business.Gov, the official business link to the US Government, includes a 10-step guide to help organizations ensure they are energy efficient, meeting the requirements of environmental policy, and recognized as a green business. Listed here are the steps: Comply with Environmental Policies, Cultivate an Environmental Management Plan, Build Green, Purchase Sustainable Products, Agree to Energy Efficient Practices, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Wastes, Preserve Water, Prevent Polluting of the environment, Make a Green Marketing communications Strategy, and Join Industry Partnership and Stewardship Programs.

Step 4 Obtain Sustainable Products, is a superb suggestion that a great many companies fail to think about. A unique way to boost awareness about deforestation while marketing your product is through eco friendly promotional products like seed paper, that is made of actual seeds and can still develop and sprout into a flower when planted. Something as simple as seed cards such as a seed business card or a seeded thank you card can create a truly unforgettable interaction with a client or industry colleague. You could potentially also incorporate a statement concerning deforestation on the stationary, making it absolutely clear about where your business stands on ecological issues. Another one that stands out on this list is step 6, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Wastes. Remembering to cut back as well as reuse is the best way to get rid of the need to recycle in the first place. Now is the time to take action to prevent deforestation as well as ensuring your company is recognized as being a green business, as a consequence solidifying your green reputation. The 10 steps above are a terrific manual for any business owner or CEO to implement green practices in your business. Embrace the challenge of continuously improving your organization’s ecological footprint. Your company’s leadership and example can help end the devastating effects of deforestation and the investment will be well worth it.

Albert Jefferson is a well educated journalist discussing environmentally friendly and sustainability concepts while encouraging organizations to utilize wholesale eco bags to display their trademark while protecting this world’s environment