Green Buckeye

Until now I've expressly kept this blog free of partisan politics. That's because I believe that sustainability is not a political choice - it is a human imperative, and it's the right thing to do.

However, in the interest of transparency, I must let you know that I recently sent $25 to support something called The New Hampshire Project. Why did I do this?

Well, first of all, Jerid Kurtz, the initiator of The New Hampshire project, is a blogger - he's the administrator of the (Democratic) Buckeye State Blog. Second, Jerid is a law student at Case Western Reserve University, my alma mater. Third, Jerid has decided to spend the summer season in New Hampshire blogging the 2008 Democratic presidential primary campaign.

Since I'm not free to spend my summer bumming around New Hampshire blogging, I'm hoping Jerid will be my proxy. When Jerid meets and interviews the candidates and their staffers, I hope he will ask about their plans for creating a sustainable future for the US and the rest of the world. When he reports on those responses, I will link to his posts so that you can see what the Democratic candidates are saying.

In the interest of balance, if I find a blog that covers sustainability for the Republican candidates, I'll share those, too.

Jerid, we're counting on you.

newhampshireproject

Labels: 2008 Presidential Primaries, about greenbuckeye, New Hampshire Project, sustainability

Former EPA administrator Carol Browner speaks eloquently and with intelligence in this lecture recorded at Stanford Graduate School of Business. The recording is part of the Social Innovation Conversations series, and it's free to listen.

When you hear the preponderance of evidence outlined, and you let yourself visualize the consequences of not acting, it's really hard to understand why anyone is still debating whether climate change is real and whether we ought to be doing something about it as a society.

Tags: global warming, climate change

Labels: climate change, inspiration, media

Labels: calendar, events

Last night I listened to an interview with John Sage, one of the co-founders of Pura Vida Coffee. The Pura Vida business model is an innovative blend of socially responsible capitalism and non-profit philanthropy, or "capitalism as an agent of compassion."

The entire interview is less than 30 minutes, and in that time you get a high-level explanation of "fair trade" plus an overview of Pura Vida's business model and key partnerships.

If you're running a small green business or thinking of starting one, this interview is a great listen.

Labels: green business, inspiration, media

You can read reports of climate change actions from all over the country on the Step It Up website. So far, Central Ohio reports include Columbus and Delaware.

Labels: climate change, events, news

Doug over at Two Wheeling blog is inviting folks to join him and his buddies in riding bikes to work next Tuesday. What a great way to celebrate the opening day of bike season!

(Of course, Doug bikes to work in all seasons . . . )

Labels: biking, events, fun, transportation

Local green businessman Dan Weisenbach was recently visited by Cupman (Cupman?!) from Planetsmoothie. Dan's a great sport. Be sure to watch long enough to hear Dan sing the low-VOC song!



Surrealism lives.

Labels: fun, green business, media

Labels: calendar, events

The Step It Up 2007 web site is showing climate change events in several Central Ohio locations. We've mentioned the Statehouse Rally here before, and now there are related events in Bexley, Delaware, Lancaster, and Newark. Each has its own unique local flavor, so you can choose something that appeals to you from prayer to protest to public speeches.

The Statehouse Rally begins with a drumming circle and includes this list of expected speakers:

• David Robinson, The Climate Project
• Marilyn Welker, Director of Simply Living
• Andy Keeler, Assoc. Prof. of Public Policy, OSU
• Dr. Evan Blumer, Director of The Wilds
• Tom Waite, Assoc. Prof. in the College of Biological Sciences, OSU
• Seppo Korpela, Prof. of Mechanical Eng. and peak oil expert
• Susan Ashbrook, City of Columbus Environmental Steward
• Ed Roberts (Sen. Brown's office)
• Bonnie Elizabeth Boozer Legg

Labels: climate change, events

Way back in February we wrote about the SWACO Emerald Awards. The deadline for nominations has been extended to Friday, April 13 at 5:00 p.m., so it's not too late to nominate your favorite "innovative waste reduction and environmental stewardship programs of 2006" for recognition.

Last year's winners included Whole Foods Market, the Columbus Crew, and New Albany Elementary School. What sustainable efforts are the organizations you're involved with making that might be worth a nomination?

Labels: events, leadership

It's an embarrassment of riches! We learned this week about another Earth Day celebration - this one sponsored by the folks who run the non-profit Niches Retreat.

Not to worry, Maureen of Niches tells me that their group is working with the folks coordinating the A Year in a Day events on the morning cleanup activities.

The Earthtouch & Niches Retreat event provides an alternative in the afternoon. You can join in the festivities at Studio 35, which include bands and a late-afternoon showing of An Inconvenient Truth.

The featured bands are: The Mac, Knot Fibb'n, and Halfway Home. Tickets, $10 in advance and $15 at the door, are available from Studio 35 and Clintonville Community Market.

As always, I've posted what I know about this event on the Green Buckeye calendar.

Labels: events, fun, volunteering

The April 2007 issue of Columbus Monthly features stories about "the greening of Columbus."

And the April issue of Outside Magazine is emblazoned with a banner reading: "The Green Issue."

Environmentalism has been marginalized for as long as I can remember. Seemingly overnight it has become the cause of the week. Although I'm glad there is increased interest in "saving the planet," I also worry that this interest is a fad and will be tossed out with the old magazines after 6 months. What then?

Labels: media

There's still time to volunteer for Earth Day: A Year in a Day activities on Saturday morning, April 21.

The afternoon schedule is shaping up nicely, too. You can now find a list of the bands who'll be playing at Goodale Park on the Earth Day web site.

Labels: events, volunteering