Breaking Sustainability down into Markets

Mu — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 03:42:58 +0000

I’m always talking about sustainability, and as awesome as it is to ponder how it will save the planet and create a spiritual transcendence and all that good stuff that makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside, I thought it’d be smart to put a practical edge on the whole thing by taking a look at the actual markets that make up LOHAS (lifestyles of health and sustainability) and what type of numbers are behind them. This movement is growing fast and is creating incredible value in our economy. I believe it will gradually work it’s way into every imaginable vertical and serve to harmonize the economy into a holistic transcendence beyond capitalism. My friend Lee and I like to call it ecolism as I’ve mentioned in past posts. Here’s a breakdown of the current markets of the “sustainable economy”, what products and services they offer, and which ones are growing fastest.

The LOHAS market in total represents $209 billion in consumer sales!

Personal Health: $118.03 billion

Natural organic products
Nutritional products
Integrative health care
Dietary supplements
Mind body spirit products

Green Building: $50 billion

Home Certification
EnergyStar appliances
Sustainable flooring
Renewable energy systems (solar)
Wood alternatives

Eco Tourism: $24.17 billion

Eco-tourism travel
Eco-adventure travel

Natural Lifestyles: $10.6 billion

Indoor & outdoor furnishings
Organic cleaning supplies
Compact fluorescent/LED lights
Social change philanthropy
Apparel

Alternative Transportation: $6.12 billion

Hybrid vehicles
Biodiesel fuel
Carsharing programs (pickup pal)

Alternative Energy: $300 million

Renewable energy credits
Green pricing

Biggest Market Growth:

Retail Sales +28%
Organic foods +15%
Solar energy +20%
Eco-tourism +23%

*Information provided courtesy of Lohas.com

Grape Thinking » Alternative Energy

Breaking Sustainability down into Markets

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