Sustainability defined in simple terms

Ask ten people “What is sustainability?” and you’re likely to hear ten different answers.

Seems everyone’s jumping on the green bandwagon. We don’t think that’s a bad thing, because the more people talk about eco-friendly practices, the sooner green will become etched in our collective consciousness.

We’re all for green consumerism – if people want to buy new products, let them buy green! But sustainability is much more than making green purchases or driving a hybrid car. It’s how we “relate” to the planet and each other, fulfilling our responsibility as stewards of the earth – managers of the precious resources entrusted to us.

Therefore, we think it’s really important to understand the “path” of sustainability and how that path is walked – not just talked about.

Who better to explain the sustainable path than Georgia Malki – a woman who walks the talk and is leading the way in creating a practical and embraceable movement.

Georgia’s perspective on sustainability is one that views social, economic, and ecological responsibility much like a “caring parent” – a vital role to the success of our sustainable journey.

Georgia Malki is the President of Seven-Star, Inc. – green experts to the event industry and producers of the Green Cities^TM national conference series. Seven-Star is considered the world’s leader for green event production and green education.

Georgia will be speaking at Green Cities^TM Florida on Wednesday, May 20th. Her presentation Event Greening: Creating Sustainable Solutions will explore the unique challenges and opportunities that ecological and social responsibility pose for the event and hospitality industry. Meet Georgia in person and get some major green inspiration!

You can check out Georgia’s recent video “What is Sustainability?” on YouTube. You can also watch clips from other Green Cities^TM Florida speakers, including Robin Cape and Steve Cochran at GreenCitiesMedia.com, all of whom offer expert insights into sustainability.

To learn more about Green Cities^TM Florida, visit the official website or call 1-800-408-0002.

Green Cities^TM Florida, to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida May 20-21, 2009, will address the key elements that make-up a city such as energy, tourism, finance, construction, manufacturing, education, health care and infrastructure.  If you are in government, business or a student preparing for a career, this event is about your business, your community and Florida’s future!

Written by Joleen Deatherage for Green Buzz.

Cruise in Eco-Friendly Style!

Get your Peapod on Earth Day 2009

The long-awaited, often-advertised Peapod will be available for order on Earth Day, April 22, 2009.

While the Peapod prototype had clear driver and passenger doors that looked like a Dyson vacuum cleaner, the production version of the neighborhood electric vehicle resembles George Jetson’s Deux Chevaux. Company director and brand guru Peter E. Arnell, whose initials inspired the company’s name, told Treehugger.com the car’s appearance was inspired by “Japanese bullet trains, storm troopers from the film Star Wars, space helmets and turtles.” There’s also a very prominent “smile” to the car’s grill.

The feel-good vibe continues with a glance at the in-dash iPod (sold separately). Edmunds says every trip concludes with a carbon-footprint analysis, while another application tells you exactly how much money you’ve saved by leaving the family truckster at home.

Arnell says the Peapod isn’t a neighborhood electric vehicle; he calls it a Mobi, a new category he’s “branded” in much the same way automakers branded 4x4s “SUVS.”  Regardless of what you call it, the Peapod tops out as 25 mph as required by law for NEVs.

This pod has been cast from Peapod Mobility. Originally a division of GEM, a Chrysler subsidiary that’s been churning out small electric vehicles for more than 10 years, the new Peapod Mobility is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chrysler.

The entire Peapod experience is aimed at high-tech urban commuters. Edmunds reports the all-electric four-seater will be sold direct to consumers from the Peapod website. Zune holdouts need not apply: The Peapod requires an iPod or iPhone to start the car.

Source: Autopia

To read the full Peapod piece, visit http://blog.wired.com/cars/2009/04/peapod-nev-to-d.html.

Meet Your 70 Female Eco Heroes

Recently GLAMOUR Magazine profiled 70 green minded women in the piece “Meet Your 70 Eco Heroes”.

Who are they? What do they do?

The list includes:

• Alicia Silverstone – actress, activist and author of The Kind Diet
• Kathy Loftus – global energy manager of Whole Foods Market
• Irmelin DiCaprio – CEO of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation
• Sara Snow – green living expert for CNN.com
• Diane MacEachern – CEO of Big Green Purse

Click here for the full list of Eco Heroes:  http://www.glamour.com/magazine/2009/03/meet-your-70-eco-heroes.

ECOfashion® Means ECOfriendly

Imagine clothing that makes the ultimate fashion statement!

Marci Zaroff, Founder and President of leading lifestyle brand Under the Canopy, is a recognized visionary and leader in organic fiber fashion and home products.

Coining the term “ECOfashion®”- stylized clothing that uses environmentally sensitive fabrics and responsible production techniques – and creating a unique business model to ensure that the process and the products remain pure and authentic are just a few of Zaroff’s environmental achievements. In 2007, Under the Canopy was the recipient of the Natural Product industry’s prestigious “Socially Responsible Business Award”.

The upcoming Green Cities Florida speaker also co-founded a thriving health and environmental educational center, AVEDA spa, national magazine and organic cafe in New York City, known today as “The Institute for Integrative Nutrition”.

You can head over to Green Cities’ IdeaPOD and listen to Marci’s interview!

http://greencitiesmedia.com/2009/02/podcast-marci-zaroff-interview/

As a highly respected global expert in this arena, Marci speaks worldwide on diverse topics such as organic fiber and sustainability, to the latest changes in federal “green” standards and fair trade.

During Green Cities Florida, Zaroff will speak about “How Green Business Can Set Your Company Apart While Changing the World”. Using Under the Canopy’s business model as an example, she will focus on global warming, the latest changes in federal standards and fair trade, as well as how to build a transparent supply chain and an authentic marketing message with a mission of environmental and social integrity.

To learn more about Marci Zaroff, and other Green Cities Florida speakers, visit http://greencities.com/usa/florida/orlando/2009/speakers.

The Green Movement

Green Buzz is part of a powerful global movement delivering sustainable inspiration, education and networking to members of the greater community, business, and government. There is a world-wide interest in making urban design and the overall global economy a more ethical, humane, healthy, efficient and environmentally responsible platform for living.