The cover of the new Simply Green
magazine to be launched later this month.
(Image: Simply Green)
Simply Green believes in using the media
as a powerful tool to ‘green’ the world.
(Image: Living Green magazine)
Khanyi Magubane
Simply Green, a new consumer magazine aimed at educating the public on ways of reducing the human environmental impact through smarter consumer choices is about to hit the shelves in South Africa.
Publisher of the magazine Chris Erasmus says the idea for the magazine came about after they realised that there was a gap in the market for this type of publication, “There are some publications that make specific references to small gardens but no one is looking into green at the whole consumer spectrum.”
“We then decided to do something before other people beat us to it, especially big publishing companies.”
What will the mag contain?
The contents of the magazine will focus on creative and resourceful ways in which consumers can reduce their shopping costs, through going “green” such as using recycling shopping bags.
According to Erasmus, Simply Green will give consumers a realistic view on how to live a greener live on a daily basis.
“Greener is considered better for our health, our homes and families, and our world. Consumers want to hear about simple, eco-friendly solutions for their lives – solutions that not only leave a smaller footprint on the earth but also save money.”
In this day in age of global warming and the effect on the environment, South African consumers are becoming more aware of the necessity of leading a lifestyle that’s environmentally friendly.
Simply Green’s website describes the publication as South Africa’s response to the imperatives of “saving money, energy, water, endangered habitats and species, the environment and – if we all do our part – even the planet.”
The ethos behind the magazine is to provide “next best step” solutions to consumers across the board. This includes guiding the readers though offering advice on family needs such as buying safer, friendlier hair shampoo, baby products and household cleaners and energy-saving kitchen ware.
It will also feature more sophisticated advice on green electronics, fuel-efficient vehicles and alternative energy options for the home and office.
For those interested in how they can continue the green theme in the office, the magazine will also provide information on greening of the corporate environment.
Competing in fierce industry
South Africa has a competitive magazine industry that consists of several titles – all-fighting for shelf space. Erasmus though, is not concerned. He is confident of the publication’s ability to appeal to the reader, as it will be packed in a visually stimulating, yet content rich package.
He believes that those who follow a green lifestyle are not necessarily weirdoes, but simply more sensitive to the need for humans to be kinder to the environment, “We do not believe that being green equates to a lifestyle of alternative abstinence but rather to improved product quality, lifestyle, enjoyment, and innovation – we strive for a fuller healthier life no doom, no gloom.”
Simply Green will be launched at the Natural & Organic Products Exhibition at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 17 to 19 October.
The Natural and Organic Products exhibition caters for environmentally aware, intelligent consumers. The exhibition will also help businesses, looking for sustainable solutions to changing their life and work style requirements.
Green Media
Media outlets focusing on ways of educating the consumer on being eco-friendly have made an appearance over the past few years.
Living Green, a print and online magazine aimed at informing and educating readers about green practices.
Similar to Simply Green, the magazine guides the consumer to eco-friendly products, as well as sustainable solutions for the home and workplace.
Based in Taos, New Mexico, the publication describes their readers as people who come from all walks of life. From the so-called “baby boomers” that prefer to walk and use bikes to avoid using fossil fuels, to young couples learning about the benefits of sustainable living.
The common thread in all their readers, they say, is the interest that they have in creating a healthy environment for themselves, their families and their community at large.
The magazine, in addition to informative and useful articles, also provides the latest eco-news and list green events around the country.
One of the interesting news articles that it carries, for instance, is the development of a new generation of video games that feature natural organisms and not violent characters as the protagonists.
The new PlayStation 3 title, Flower is a game about different types of flowers. Even though it’s a seemingly non-conventional video game subject, it has been well received by video game fundis.
The game was also nominated for a Game Critics Best of E3 award this year.
Another green game that has emerged from playstation is Eden. In this game, players have to burst open pollen-bearing creatures, capture the falling pollen, and then make their way to lofty seeds where, much like a bee, they help the plants spring forth.
The green media revolution has also gained momentum in offices in some parts of the world.
In a bid to prove that it is possible to go green in the office environment, Canada-based Media organisation Xod Media launched in August 2008, an innovative, “paperless” office environment.
Xod media took the bold step to no longer mail any letters or invoices to clients. Instead, it will now concentrate on emailing all its invoices and literature, thus avoiding the need to use paper.
Care2 is an online community of about 8-million people who are passionate about making a difference by restoring the planet’s environmental balance.
Care2 was started in 1998 by Randy Paynter, from California in the US, who describes himself as a passionate individual who wants to make the world a better place.
It’s an online portal that provides information and is also an action site for people wanting to make a difference in reversing the damage caused by global warming as a result of pollution.
Whether it’s being passionate about green living, health and wellness, human rights or protecting the environment, Care2 provides information that people can use in practical ways.
The organisation has 400 non-profit partners and hundreds of advertisers who are already aligned to the organisation.
- Do you have queries or comments about this article? Email Khanyi Magubane at Khanyim@mediaclubsouthafrica.com
