Continuing with the TED theme from my last post, Pangea Day, which we attended this past Saturday, was created as a result of a TED Prize wish.  The wish was to unite the world for one day through film, and the result was that on May 10th, people from countries around the world shared in videos created by artists from around the world. Central to all of them were understanding that we are fundamentally the same people from country to country. We have vastly different cultures, yes, but once you understand them, the barriers break down. Very inspiring to see the live broadcast of those in England, India, Egypt, etc. sharing the same emotions throughout this 4 hour event.

One of our dreams over here at Opportunity Green was that through our conference, and the difference we make in furthering sustainable business, that we would get to go to TED. I applied while in an internet cafe in Lima, Peru (while still on the Feral Green Trip)… and this picture of the package sent from the TED book club makes it tangible that it actually happened. We’re half way there, now we need to get Karen in

This week we had the honor of attending the Aspen Institute Environment Forum. The takeaways were eye opening. One in particular, that the North Pole’s ice caps would almost certainly be gone during the summer time, within the next decade, struck me hard.

Essentially, we have an exceedingly short window of opportunity to preserve our ability to inhabit the earth while it is still in a reasonably desirable state, and the people of every country have the future of their businesses, governments and children at stake. Of note was the incredible charisma and leadership that Majora Carter and Van Jones are providing in their Sustainable South Bronx and Green Energy Jobs Bill initiatives.

Here I am at the Natural Products West Expo with Eric Ryan Co-founder of Method Products. They have found a great mix of providing cleaning products without the typical nasty chemicals, and innovative branding, packaging, online campaigns, etc.. The result… they have doubled in size year after year. Keep up the good work…

Mike Flynn signing on. After Opportunity Green, I flew to Panama, embarking on a 2 month trip driving through South America with friends in a vegetable oil fueled truck (www.feralgreen.com). The purpose of our trip was to learn, surf and educate about being responsible around the environment.

We’ve been in the news in Panama (that’s me on the far right of the picture in the Panama City newspaper “Critica”), Columbia and Ecuador, regarding the vegetable oil diesel engine conversion, and the books we’ve been distributing to kids about what happens to trash when you throw it into the street. However we’re not always the ones teaching others, we’re learning about great solutions that exist in other countries as well. I’m currently in Peru, and they have biodegrabable plastic like shopping bags. Why don’t we have these in America?? Much as Paul Hawken illustrates in his book “Blessed Unrest”, there are groups in all of the countries we have visited that are working hard to conserve the environment. This has been an incredible experience.

Next week I intend to visit Curitiba, Brasil, which has some of the most innovative sustainable city practices in the world. Wish me luck….

Recently Bonnie Powers of AIGA Los Angeles forwarded me a link to this article about the nature of our corporate law.

http://multinationalmonitor.org/mm2002/02july-aug/july-aug02corp4.html 

Under current corporate law, directors of corporations are required to produce profits for shareholders, but the manner in which that result should be accomplished is not stipulated.

Whether or not amending our corporate law is the answer, this article develops some excellent points regarding the effects of our law on environment, human rights, the public health or safety, the communities in which the corporation operates and the dignity of its employees.

Rachel Elnar, VP of Communications for AIGA Los Angeles, and Principle of Ramp Creative reports on what she learned in Opportunity Green 2007. From her article on the AIGA Los Angeles Website

In November, I attended Opportunity Green, the eco-conference held at UCLA which focused on building profitable, socially responsible and sustainable business. Being my first green conference, it was my initiation to critical sustainability issues and corporate social responsibility. Read the rest of this entry »

Ron Schwolsky from Valley Village, CA wins a free registration to Opp Green ‘08 for filling out his survey by December 15th. Thanks for coming to Opportunity Green ‘07 Ron, we look forward to seeing you next year!

One of two talented youth poets who presented at Opportunity Green.