Heart of Green

Opportunity Green Conference

2009-10-28T11:34:13-07:00

Led by Karen Solomon and Mike Flynn, the Opportunity Green conference is not only a convergence of today’s top innovators driving the new green economy, but it is also hip and fun. The summit is a community gathering of the who’s who of green with some A+ content mixed in. Last year, everyone came back raving that it was one of the best green conferences ever.

Who will be there? Nike, Mini, X Prize, Method, Barneys, VerTerra, fuseproject, and ecofabulous of course! Annie Leonard from the Story of Stuff will also be headlining along with many others. Opportunity Green aims to inspire a collaborative culture of unconventional thinking that will push positive change in unexpected ways. With this group all in the same sunny courtyard, how could it not? See the full conference schedule here.

I love the focus on opportunity because that is really what the modern green movement is all about. Opportunities for new high-growth businesses, new green products and jobs, new audiences, and new ways to improve the well-being of people’s lives and the planet. And let’s not forget probably the most important - new friends who share the same values. As the Secretary of Energy Dr. Steven Chu said on Monday night at the HBSA/NC dinner, “We can lead the new industrial revolution with America’s powerful innovation engine. This is a moment for optimism and opportunity.”

Opportunity Green Conference
UCLA
November 7 - 8, 2009
www.opportunitygreen.com

Be Ghoulish & Green on Halloween

2009-10-25T20:16:40-07:00

It's almost Halloween and that means it is time to hide from scary things like ghosts, plastic water bottles and styrofoam. It also means it is time for costume parties!

This year Heart of Green ™ recommends at a minimum the Halloween Party at Clift featuring a hosted bar and VeeV, performers, excellent music, and over-the-top designs by Delysium with proceeds benefiting Global Green.

Halloween at Clift
Thursday October 29, 2009
8 pm - midnight
Clift Hotel
495 Geary Street, San Francisco
Party spans Redwood Room, Lobby, Asia de Cuba and more
Tickets are $35 with proceeds to Global Green
Reserve your spot here

Be ghoulish and green this Halloween. See the ecofabulous costume guide for extra hints.

Once you have recovered from Thursday, don't miss the annual Spider Ball on Saturday night October 31 at the Bently Reserve benefiting the Black Rock Arts Foundation. BRAF supports some of the coolest and inspiring interactive art made from recycled materials I have ever seen.

J-REC Conference

2009-10-22T11:58:00-07:00

On November 8, clean and green leaders will meet in San Francisco at the new J-REC conference featuring innovators from energy, finance, sustainability, and policy. They will share ideas and experiences that will advance the movement for clean and secure energy.

Heart of Green is proud to be a media sponsor of this conference with a fantastic line-up of speakers including Alan Salzman of VantagePoint, Adam Werbach, Jim Woolsey, Joel Makower of GreenBiz.com, and many more. As there are so many great sessions, it will be tough to select only one and I might have to session-hop. Co-chaired by my friend Jonathan Axelrad of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, J-REC is sure to be an inspiring green way to spend the day, culminating in a fun celebratory reception.

J-REC Conference
Sunday, November 8, 2009
San Francisco JCC
3200 California Street
See the conference lineup

As Jonathan says, “By transitioning to a clean energy economy, we will protect the environment and redirect resources away from destabilizing petro-states to hubs of cleantech innovation in the U.S., Israel and beyond.” Amen to that. J-REC

Brower Youth Awards

2009-10-06T00:33:44-07:00

On October 20th, you are invited to the 10th anniversary of the Brower Youth Awards, the top environmental prize for young green rising stars in North America. Named in honor of David Brower who saved the Grand Canyon, Point Reyes, Redwood National Park and millions of acres of wilderness, this is one of my favorite events of the year.

Brower Youth Awards
The top environmental prize for rising stars in North America

WHEN:
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
5:30 pm VIP Opening Reception
7:30 pm Awards Show
9:00 pm 10th Anniversary Celebration

WHERE:
Herbst Theatre & Green Room
401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco

FEATURING:

Top Awards Show
Emcees Summer Rayne Oakes and Dave C. Brower
Performances by Youth Speaks
Pre-show VIP Reception
The six young BYA Winners and their inspiring words
DJ Dojah
Magnanimus Wines including Mendocino Farms and the new Talmage
Multimedia videos
An eco-friendly event

FAMOUS PAST WINNERS:

Billy Parish (04) for Energy Action Coalition
Jon Warnow (07) for Step It Up
Actress Q’orianka Kilcher (07) for success in the Amazon

HOST COMMITTEE:
Jennifer Snyder, Nadine Weil, Gary Erickson & Kit Crawford, Kenny Abiko, India Badiner, Barbera Brooks, Shirley Richardson Brower, Michael Brown, Peter & Mimi Buckley, Andre Carothers, Kevin Connelly, Kevin Danaher, Martha Davis, Helen & Raj Desai, Jared Duval, Eric Fenster & Melinda Kramer, Josh Floum & Maggie O’Donnell, Fred & Annette Gellert, Dan & Bill Green, Will Green, Darian Rodriguez Heyman, Andrew Hunt, Albert & Lois Kadosh, John & Lisa Katovich, Eric Kessler, John Knox & Carole Roberts, Leslie & Jacques Leslie, Michael Mitrani, Lora O'Connor, Thao Pham, Betty Phillips, Erica Priggen, Sudeep Rao, Lisa Renstrom, Gus & Cameron Speth, Clay & Helen Wiens, Adam & Lyn Werbach

Guests & Sponsors:
1,000 guests including VIP entertainment, business, youth, environmental, community, and cultural leaders. Sponsored by Visa, Clif Bar, Klean Kanteen, Fred Gellert Family Foundation, Southwest Airlines, As You Sow, and Heart of Green

INVITATION:
www.broweryouthawards.org

RSVP:
A sell-out is expected again:
Reserve for the VIP Reception & Awards Show here (5:30 pm entry)
Reserve for just the Awards Show here (7:30 pm entry)
All proceeds benefit the nonprofit Earth Island

DRESS: Cocktail or Luxury-Eco

ABOUT:
The nonprofit Earth Island Institute was founded in San Francisco in 1992 by legendary green pioneer David Brower who helped to save the Grand Canyon, King's Canyon, and Point Reyes; was a major catalyst for the Wilderness Act; and was nominated for the Nobel Piece Prize three times. Earth Island is an environmental incubator with a proven model that develops environmental leaders for the future. They support a green portfolio of 45 environmental entrepreneurs and projects in global warming, oceans, youth environmental leadership, conservation, restoration, organic farms, nature education in schools, and more. Their New Green Leaders Initiative is the beneficiary of the Brower Youth Awards and has motivated thousands of young people to care for the planet. Check out the new LEED-certified David Brower Center

"People have alleged that I have inspired many young people over the years, but I say, it was just the opposite." -- David Brower

On a separate note, vote for your favorite green girl contestants in Greenloop's Project Green Search. There are some amazing entires, and the future is bright.

This Old Bag Party 2009

2009-10-05T15:59:07-07:00

Watches may be performing an incredible disappearing act thanks to cell phones, but handbags are still all the rage. Don't miss the fun purse-centric party of the year This Old Bag on Friday October 16 at the W benefiting the very worthy cause of the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund.

Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and entertainment while perusing over 150 new and vintage bags donated by some of Hollywood’s favorite actresses, famous designers and local philanthropists. Autographs are included! We recommend the vintage bags because they are the most eco-glamorous.

This Old Bag: The Power of the Purse Party
Friday October 16, 2009
6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
W Hotel
181 Third Street, San Francisco

Event Co-Chairs: Hilary Newsom Callan, Dame Bella Farrow

Celebrity Emcee: Jason Lewis

Don't let somebody else snag your bag. Reserve your spot at www.thisoldbag.org

Dinner Honoring Dr. Steven Chu

2009-10-03T13:28:57-07:00

You are invited to a very special dinner with the Honorable Dr. Steven Chu celebrating a secure and clean energy future. I am thrilled that the HBS Association of Northern California will be honoring this Nobel Prize-winning physicist as its forty-first Business Leader of the Year.

2009 Business Leader of the Year - Dr. Steven Chu

Introductory remarks by Google CEO Eric Schmidt

WHEN:
Monday, October 26, 2009
6:00 pm - Champagne Toast (Crimson & Patron)
6:30 pm - Cocktail Reception
7:30 pm - Award Dinner, Program and Networking

WHERE:
The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
600 Stockton Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

INVITATION:
View the invitation

TICKETS:
Single tickets and tables are available.
Rsvp here

STEERING COMMITTEE:
Chair: Mike Speiser, Co-Chair: Tony Kiehn
Host Committee: Sally Aldridge, Kristen Badgley, Cathy Benko, Jeremy Burr, Steve Carter, Richard Decker, Ben Dubin, Bruce Erickson, Annie Fishman, Ping Hao, Steve Harrick, Jeff Holland, Sean Jacobsohn, Dev Khare, Don Nelson, Scott Raney, Spencer Rhodes, Mark Stevens, Gillian Verga, Bill Tai, Nadine Weil - Heart of Green

GREENING:
We are working to make this award dinner as eco-friendly as possible including serving local organic produce, printing on recycled paper, encouraging clean transportation, and carbon offsetting the event via Native Energy's Greensburg Project.

ABOUT DR. STEVEN CHU:
The Honorable Dr. Steven Chu has devoted his recent scientific career to the search for new solutions to our energy challenges – a mission he continues with even greater urgency as Secretary of Energy. He is charged with helping implement President Obama's ambitious agenda to invest in alternative and renewable energy, end our addiction to foreign oil, address the global climate crisis, and create millions of new jobs. Dr. Steven Chu, distinguished scientist and co-winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics (1997), was appointed by President Obama as the 12th Secretary of Energy and sworn into office on January 21, 2009. Prior to his appointment, Dr. Chu was director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and professor of Physics and Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California. Since 2004, motivated by his deep interest in climate change, he led the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab in pursuit of new alternative and renewable energies. Previously, he held positions at Stanford University and AT&T Bell Laboratories. He received an A.B. degree in mathematics, a B.S. degree in physics from the University of Rochester, and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of California, Berkeley as well as 10 honorary degrees

In announcing Dr. Chu's selection as the Secretary of Energy on December 15, 2008, President Obama said, “The future of our economy and national security is inextricably linked to one challenge: energy. Steven has blazed new trails as a scientist, teacher, and administrator, and has recently led the Berkeley National Laboratory in pursuit of new alternative and renewable energies. He is uniquely suited to be our next Secretary of Energy as we make this pursuit a guiding purpose of the Department of Energy, as well as a national mission.”

The Business Leader Dinner of the Year Award dinner honors the leader who, as determined by the leadership of the Harvard Business School Association of Northern California, has had the greatest impact on the San Francisco Bay Area business and service communities. Energy policy is at the center of both government and business right now, and the Honorable Dr. Chu's perspectives will be highly informative against this backdrop.

This will be an incredible moment celebrating the intersection of the economy, energy policy, business, national security and the environment – and I hope you can join us! View invitation

Celebrate the Amazon

2009-09-30T16:47:18-07:00

I am always happy to serve on the host committee for the Amazon Watch celebration event. Led by bright light Atossa Soltani, Amazon Watch is making a big difference for the indigenous people, trees and animals that call the majestic and imperiled Amazon rainforest home.

Please join us at the Amazon Watch gathering on October 7 in the Green Room in San Francisco. Enjoy a delicious luncheon, celebrate the recent victories in protecting the Amazon and the indigenous peoples who live there, and hear a special vocal performance by the very talented activist actress Q'orianka Kilcher. She got her start singing which most people do not know, and it will be a rare treat to hear her sing!

Amazon Watch Celebration Luncheon
October 7, 2009
12 noon - 1:30 pm
The Green Room, War Memorial Veterans Building
401 Van Ness Avenue, Second Floor
San Francisco

Space is limited. Complimentary entry. Donor's Choice.
RSVP at amazon watch dot org or to 415-487-9600 x356
Ask to sit at one of my tables if you like. We will have fun!

The Amazon rainforest is one of the most extraordinary places on earth. Its rainclouds supply over half of the water for America's farmlands. The Amazon basin stores over 85 billion metric tons of carbon and is working overtime to keep our warming planet cool. It gives us over 20% of the world's oxygen for breathing. Net net, we could not currently survive without this tropical paradise and need to treat the Amazon as the precious and invaluable resource that it is.

If you like movies, you are invited to attend the San Francisco premiere of the film CRUDE about the $27 billion lawsuit against Chevron in Ecuador. It is playing in San Francisco starting September 25 for just one week, and it is a riveting motion picture experience not to be missed! www.crudethemovie.com

Learn more about Amazon Watch's brilliant work at www.amazonwatch.org

Are Nanoparticles Safe in Beauty Products?

2009-09-26T23:20:34-07:00

I am becoming alarmed by the number of new high-end skin cream using nanoparticles and had to speak up. Nanoparticles are untested and likely to be dangerous especially when ingested or applied to the skin. It is irresponsible of skin care companies and department stores to be marketing and selling beauty products with nanoparticles. Someday I suspect they will be banned due to their harmful, irreversible effects on human health.

You see, once a nanoparticle enters your body, good luck finding it and getting it out. A recent case in point is a paint factory in China that was using nanoparticles. In August 2009, two Chinese workers at the factory died and five more young women suffered permanent lung damage from breathing in nanoparticles. Their lungs all contained nanoparticles about 30 nanometers in diameter.

Even though they have left the factory, the five women’s lungs are still in trouble. Why? Because it is impossible to remove nanoparticles once they penetrate human cells. "Their tiny diameter means that nanparticles can penetrate the body's natural barriers, particularly through contact with damaged skin or by inhalation or ingestion," said Yuguo Song from the Chaoyang Hospital in Beijing.

Once a nanoparticle goes in, it is unlikely to come out. The effect is cumulative over time, and eventually the body cannot cope. "There may be some novel mechanisms for toxicity that nanoparticles might produce," says Kevin Ausman, executive director of the Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology at Rice University.

This is why I am so mortified by the increasing presence of “luxury” nanoparticle face creams. Using the precautionary principle, no one should use these creams. They could do permanent damage to the unsuspecting citizens who buy them. At least 70% of what you put on your skin is absorbed into your body. If you put garlic on your feet, you will taste it in your throat within five minutes. Would you eat nanoparticles for dinner? If not, then let’s just say no to nanoparticles in beauty products.

Here are some of the products to avoid:

Chantecaille Nano Gold Energizing Cream ($420): “Pure 24 karat gold is wrapped around silk microfibers and delivered directly to your skin”

Euoko Eye Contour Nanolift ($300): Contains synthetic bio-engineered ingredients. The founder Dr. Rammal was previously involved in nanotechnology R&D for cosmetics with Dow Corning.

Christian Dior DiorSkin Forever Compacts and Extreme Wear Flawless Makeup: “Inspired by nano-technology”

L’Oreal Revitalift: Contains patented Nanosomes that “transport the Pro-Retinol A deep into the epidermis.” L'Oréal is one of the largest nanotechnology patent holders in the US.

Lancome Renergie Morpholift (owned by L’Oreal)

Kerastase Nutritive Oleo Fusion Treatment: “Penetrates the hair fiber thanks to the Nano-Emulsion technology” (owned by L’Oreal)

Sunscreens: This is the most prevalent area of nanoparticle use to date. According to a Friends of the Earth report, many sunscreens are adding nano-sized titanium dioxide and zinc oxide particles to provide a clear, rather than white, finish. Offenders include Avon, Pond’s, Nivea, and The Body Shop.

Say No to Nano, Say Yes to Eco

A certain luxury department store in San Francisco told me this week, “The demand for these nanoparticle creams is high.” Ok but so is the demand for cigarettes and guns. This reminds me of the line General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner used to say: “The demand for SUVs is high. We are just building the cars that people want to buy” -- regardless of their impact on the planet. He is now out of a job.

The nano defense normally sounds like this: “Because the particles are so small, they are absorbed much more into the skin.” That is precisely what makes them so dangerous. No company has studied the long-term effects of this experiment. We need more tests and regulations now. Companies should have to indicate on labels when their products contain nanoparticles.

It is time to stand up for human health. Just as we can eat organic food without pesticides, we can use many ecofabulous beauty products that harness the best of nature’s rejuvenating talents. My favorites to date are Amala, Ila, Eminence, and Jurlique. For example, the Amala Rejuvenate Cocoa Bean Treatment Oil contains 98% organic ingredients. You don’t have to star in a horror movie to be beautiful. You can be a natural beauty and protect your health at the same time.

For more information about nanoparticles in sunscreens, please see this Friends of the Earth report.

See also "Nanotech An Environmental Threat" posted in Popular Science on 9/28/09. It is good to know that I am not the only one worrying about this! We will continue to follow this issue closely.

ForestEthics 100 Million Trees Party

2009-08-30T23:00:32-07:00

Thank you all for attending the 100 Million Trees Party and making this the most successful event in ForestEthics' history! Together we sipped, savored and helped to stop junk mail and save endangered forests in North America.

100 Million Trees Party
A Party to Stop Junk Mail

WHEN:
Thursday, September 10, 2009
6:00 pm VIP Reception with Celebrity Hosts
7:00 pm Doors open for Cocktail Party

WHERE:
Canopied Terrace at W San Francisco
181 Third Street, San Francisco

CELEBRITY HOSTS:
Actress Annabelle Gurwitch, David de Rothschild, Producer Peter Glatzer, Darren Moore

HOST COMMITTEE:
Co-Chairs: Nadine Weil, Marika Holmgren

Hosts: Jenevieve Randall, Zem Joaquin, Dorka Keehn, Michael Klein, Lani Alo, Stephanie Alston, Murat Armbruster, Josh Becker & Jonna Hunter, Tzeporah Berman, Jessica Brittsan, Adam Browning, Scott Bryan, Andre Carothers, Andy Leebron Clay, Jim Clay, Sheryl Cohen, Neal Gorenflo, Peter Henig, Kevin Johnson, Tracy Lloyd, Marianne Manilov, Todd Paglia, Warner Phillips, Andrea Rudominer, Stephanie Russell, Heather Sarantis, Julie Bergman Sender, Stuart Sender, Jewell Sparks, Michael Uehara, Crystal Vann Wallstrom, Francesca Vietor, Pamela Wellner & Eugene Dickey, Thomas Van Dyck, Mark Westlund

ATTIRE:
Cocktail Attire

FEATURING:

Celebrity Guests and VIP Reception
Eco-friendly cocktails courtesy of VeeV
Top biodynamic wines by Quivira Vineyards
Delicious organic hors d'oeuvres
In the Company of Giants Award presented to San Francisco Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi
VIP Eco-Chic Gift Bag
Best of Eco Silent Auction
VIP PACT table
Chocolate tasting by TCHO
Eco-Beauty Station by Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics
Green Forest Decor
DJ Entertainment & Festive Cocktail Party

RSVP:
All proceeds benefit the nonprofit ForestEthics
Reserve at www.forestethics.org/event
415.863.4563 ext. 326

WHO’S THERE – THANK YOU'S:
HP Eco Solutions, Urban Revision, VeeV, Quivira Vineyards, PACT, Greenhouse Capital Partners, Jane Iredale - The Skin Care Makeup, International Orange Spa, Urban Hardwoods, Brand Neutral, Live Earth, Alter Eco, Chico Bag, Popchips, Good on Paper, Ecoist, Aveda, TCHO chocolate, Cavallo Point, Pangea Organics, Numi Tea, Blueprint Studios, Green Is Green, OCSC Sailing, Spring Store, Jurlique Biodynamic Beauty, New Leaf Paper, Epi Center MedSpa, Adam Boucher & Ethos Green Energy Asset Finance, St. Regis, Darren Moore's ecovations, Organic Events, ecofabulous, Heart of Green

Special thanks to David de Rothschild. Visit the Plastiki Expedition's Mission Control at Pier 45 in San Francisco featuring interactive displays that delve into the depths of this pioneering adventure and re-imagine waste as a resource on our planet for fellow adventurers.

About ForestEthics:
Based in San Francisco, ForestEthics is a lean green nonprofit organization that has helped to save over 67 million acres of forests ~ over 45 billion trees. ForestEthics has helped Victoria’s Secret, Dell and Williams-Sonoma switch to recycled and sustainable paper in millions of catalogs. ForestEthics has launched the campaign for a national Do Not Mail list that would be similar to the successful Do Not Call list. 100 million trees per year are at stake, and 100,000 signatures have already been collected. In March 2009, ForestEthics achieved a historic victory when SF passed the first-ever Do Not Mail resolution. www.forestethics.org

Insider tips for getting off junk mail lists from ForestEthics

Thank you for joining us at this glamorous party to help stop junk mail!

Post Party Wrap Up

Check out the fabulous Party Photos by Drew Altizer here

Sign the Do Not Mail petition for a national junk mail registry

SF Philanthropist Gallery

Wonderful write-up by GreenByDesign here titled "Saving the world 100 Million Trees at a time"

SF Chronicle Sunday Style Section features 100 Million Trees

Receive 25% off a pair of hip PACT organic undies via code "FEparty25"

944 Magazine Editor's Letter and Photo Gallery

High Impact Underwear

2009-08-23T11:24:45-07:00

They say that you can't change the world by sitting around in your underwear. Thanks to PACT, you now can.

A collaboration between visionary designer Yves Behar and PACT founders Jason Kibbey and Jeff Denby, PACT has knocked it out of the park from every angle, including the backside.

PACT blends high design and sustainability with support for social and environmental causes in a brand new category: undergarments. "The category of underwear was sorely lacking with too many large branded labels," said Yves Behar at his inspirational design studio fuseproject. Jason, Jeff and Yves made a pact to change it up and create the most forward-thinking underwear brand in the world.

Here is why PACT is creating waves:

New: It is not another organic cotton t-shirt or canvas bag.

Hot Design: It comes in three hot patterns and three hot styles for women and men, with more on the way. Feeling like a thong in red today to help the forests? Done. Or how about a boxer brief in blue to benefit the oceans? No problem. Even though I am a tree girl, I will admit that I am crazy about the Japanese wave pattern. You can order solid colors too.

Eco: It is eco-friendly by virtue of its organic cotton ingredients and low-impact dyes. PACT underwear feels good to the touch and also holds its shape well over time due to a small helping of elastane. No annoying stretching out after washing. Just pure sexy or sporty underwear with high eco cred.

Gives Back: PACT donates a whopping 10% of its revenue (not profit) to organizations that are making a real difference starting with ForestEthics for the forests, Oceana for the oceans, and 826 National for literacy. That is a huge deal. I love that PACT has started with three causes that are essential for planetary survival and prosperity but often overlooked.

Bright Green: When ordered online, PACT arrives in a green envelope that is remarkably 100% compostable, even down to the label and the adhesive on the stamps.

Made Responsibly: You do not receive a plastic bag with your intimates. Apparently, everything made in China is sealed in a plastic bag to make it through customs. PACT circumvented this by going to a top organic cotton factory in Turkey where the entire supply chain is located within a 100-mile radius. No pesticides and no unsustainable trucking of materials all over Timbuktu to produce a finished product. Note to the United States: we need to work on this if we want to bring garment manufacturing back home.

I am coveting my new pairs of PACT underwear, and I am already thinking that they will make perfect holiday gifts. I highly recommend them because it's what's on the inside that counts, but if you look good in your PACTs, that won't hurt the movement either. Change starts with your underwear. www.wearpact.com

A Common Green

2009-08-11T07:36:06-07:00

On Thursday August 20 in San Franicsco, green movers and shakers will gather at A Common Green at the majestic Bently Reserve for a special night of mingling, collaboration and co-creation.

At this first annual Conservation Consortium, attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy organic wine by Hallcrest Vineyards and sustainable hors d'oeuvres by Paula LeDuc Fine Catering, while socializing with fellow eco-conscious leaders. Hosted by the LEED-registered Bently Reserve and the LEED-certified Orchard Hotels, A Common Green is guaranteed to be a lively and inspiring evening where one will indeed find common ground. www.acommongreen.com

Here are a few photos of the great event held in the gorgeous Bently Reserve Conference Center taken by Drew Altizer:

Hosts Amber Marie & Christopher Bently Joslin Van Arsdale

The Cove Movie Premiere

2009-08-02T12:20:36-07:00

This Friday night, don’t miss the San Francisco opening premiere of the eco-adventure film The Cove. It will have you on the edge of your seat! Winner of the coveted Audience Award for best documentary at Sundance, the movie is unforgettable. Join us for the film and after party in SF.

The Cove Movie
Opening Night & After Party in San Francisco

WHEN:
Opens Friday, August 7

WHERE:
Landmark Embarcadero Theater
1 Embarcadero Center (Battery & Clay)
San Francisco
www.landmarktheaters.com

SF Showtimes:
12:00, 2:25 pm, 4:45 pm, 7:10 pm, 9:45 pm

* The 7:10 pm features Q&A with VIP special guests. Please arrive early.

AFTER PARTY:
Friday, August 7
9:00 pm - midnight
For Cove movie ticket holders from August 7th

Aventine
582 Washington Street at Montgomery
San Francisco
www.aventinesf.com

A short walk from Landmark Embarcadero cinema, celebrate opening night of the highly-anticipated movie The Cove with special guests and the local eco-glitterati at the After Party at the hip Aventine.

Entry: Show your The Cove ticket stub from August 7 for entry and receive the first drink complimentary hosted by Heart of Green that night.

Directions: Walk three blocks from the theater or ample street parking.

TICKETS:
Buy your The Cove ticket for August 7 here:
www.landmarktheaters.com or www.moviefone.com

* Advanced online ticket purchase is recommended to ensure a seat!

LINKS:
Check out these excellent links about the film and the oceans.

The Cove Movie

Take Part: Sign the Save the Dolphins petition and more

Save Japan Dolphins

Oceanic Preservation Society

Surfrider Foundation

Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL)

Deep Search Foundation with Dr. Sylvia Earle

The Cove is playing everywhere starting August 7. Find a theater near you. Let’s make it a huge The Cove weekend and help to save dolphins and the oceans. After all, we can't have green without blue. www.takepart.com/thecove/

Read more about the film here on the Participant Facebook Event page.

Post Event Wrap Up:

The Cove premiere in San Francisco received some wonderful coverage from local publications, and Drew Altizer was on hand to snap photos.

Photos by Drew Altizer

944 Magazine Editor's Letter on The Cove premiere SF

Nob Hill Gazette

Photo Essay by 7x7 Magazine

Ideal Bite Feature on The Cove opening

San Francisco Chronicle The Cove premieres in SF

SFGate The Thin Green Line

CBS5 11 o'clock News feature on The Cove premiere in San Francisco

Yahoo for Ya Living

2009-07-26T11:41:26-07:00

Sometimes I find something so eco-beautiful I want to shout from the mountaintops. The Ya Living ayurvedic organic scarves are that gorgeous.

They are made with hand-loomed 100% organic cotton and infused with up to 40 ayurvedic herbs according to a time-honored Indian tradition.

The pretty yellows, blues, and greens are mixed from natural organic herbs. What is your desire – building immunity, anti-aging, detoxification, curing insomnia, having glowing skin, general wellness? Each ayurvedic scarf has restorative properties. I am personally in love with all of them. They have the most beautiful, calming and majestic energy. You can tell that an incredible amount of care went into the design and creation of each one. Each scarf is made by hand and is a unique work of art.

Ayurvedic fabric has been used by the royal families of India for over a thousand years. It is revered for its beauty and rejuvenating properties. Importantly, Ya Living scarves are completely fair trade and supportive of the local communities. The cotton and herbs used in the scarves are organically grown in a lush garden in Kerala, India pictured here.

I cannot think of a more beautiful gift to give than a Ya Living scarf. They arrive in a magical gift box that is sewn by hand and painted with traditional Indian art. It could be a present by itself! Anyone lucky enough to receive a Ya Living scarf is guaranteed to shout yahoo from the hilltops. Available in boutiques across the country. www.yaliving.com

This Heart of Green post was featured on the great site Fashion, Evolved.

Plug-ins, Pinots and Progress

2009-07-11T14:20:18-07:00

I am thrilled to be co-hosting an eco-event for Plug In America this summer. You have heard of the 3 R's. Well, this is the 3 P's. You are cordially invited to Plug-ins, Pinots and Progress at the magnificent Thomas Fogarty Winery in Woodside. We will toast to accelerating the EV movement, enjoy organic hors d'oeuvres and wine, and experience cool plug-in cars.

Plug-ins, Pinots and Progress Party

When:
Sunday, August 9, 2009
4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Where:
Thomas Fogarty Winery
19501 Skyline Blvd, Woodside, CA
www.fogartywinery.com

Host Committee:
Sherry Boschert , John Balbach, Joan Blades, Julie Blunden, Dale Djerassi, Andy Frank, Tom Gage, Bill Green, Lisa Gelfand, Marc Geller, Steve Kirsch, Michelle Kirsch, Felix Kramer, L. Hunter Lovins, Richard Lowenthal, Michael Martella, Laura Marion, Chris Paine, Chelsea Sexton, Jessica Switzer, Jeanne Trombly, Peter Walbridge, Nadine Weil

Invitation & RSVP:
Reserve your spot here: Plug-ins, Pinots and Progress

About Plug In America:
Plug In America is driving the clean vehicle movement towards widespread adoption of plug-in electric vehicles recharged by clean, domestic energy. Let’s support a regenerative plant through green cars because we all want to get 100 mpg while going 80 mph and looking eco-good.
www.pluginamerica.org

Don't miss the fabulous Online Auction now open.

If you can't wait for the plug-ins to hit the showrooms, visit Luscious Garage and have your hybrid tricked out with advanced eco-features. In other words, pimp your Prius.

Heart of Green is a proud supporter of this event. I hope to see you at the party where you can have your plug-in car and your pinot too.

Fashion Show in the Redwoods

2009-06-14T23:42:11-07:00

I have always said that my dream event is an eco-fashion show in a forest. Thanks to the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden, my dream is coming true!

Join us for their Green Gala on Sunday afternoon June 28, 2009 featuring a runway fashion show of top Bay Area sustainable fashion in the stunning Redwood Grove Amphitheatre. The eco-fashion designers Mr. Larkin and Ocelot Clothing will rock the house. Stroll through the lush botanical garden, enjoy organic delights, sip on biodynamic wines from Quivira Vineyards and take in the beautiful sights and sounds. Heart of Green is proud to be a sponsor, and all proceeds benefit the Botanical Garden’s living collections. It will truly be a dream green day.

Reserve your bench under the trees at UC Botanical Green Gala Party

Change Starts at Home

2009-06-10T12:45:28-07:00

This week Heart of Green and our favorite leading man, Kermit the Frog, are being featured on the wonderful new web site Change Starts at Home started by Laura Rose. It is so true. Little changes at home add up to a lot and can lead to so much more.

Change Starts at Home published Heart of Green's How To Go Green Guide which tries to clear up that age-old question: is it easy being green or not? I wrote the first rendition for Earth Day in 2007 and continue to update it as more exciting choices become available. Kermit is one happy frog these days because it is getting easier to live the glamorous green life every day. Just wait until next year!

See Change Starts at Home for more helpful advice about money and life. Also see Britt Bravo's great write-up on Change Starts at Home.

Best of Trash Into Treasure

2009-06-05T12:05:30-07:00

A sold-out crowd of over 500 gathered at the Lincart Gallery in San Francisco for the opening of the SMART Art - Trash Into Treasure Exhibition.

A project of David de Rothschild's daring Adventure Ecology, the competition invited artists to show how discarded items can be transformed into works of art. Judging by the dazzling winners, the competition succeeded. One person’s trash is another’s person masterpiece.

These were not your average rusty backyard junk sculptures. The winning art works blended style with sustainability, mind-bending creativity with regenerative design, and ultimately, trash with beauty.

Pictured here, the purple Crown Royal Gown by Colleen Miezejeski is designed from all-reclaimed fabric. Looking like eco-royalty, here she is gazing peacefully through the winning "Certain is Nothing Now" installation made from layers of junk mail collected by the artist Julia Goodman.

Speaking of junk mail, ForestEthics was on hand to help people get off junk mail lists. See their Do Not Mail web page for insider tips and the chance to sign the petition to create a national Do Not Mail registry, which would save an awesome 100 million trees per year.

Marie Antoinette

This crowd favorite Tim Dey's Ghost of Versailles is made from used bubble wrap, proving that you can have your eco-fashion-cake and eat it too.

Circuit Runway Necklace

This necklace by Christine Dhein is so handsome you would never guess it is made from reincarnated circuit boards.

Grass

Eco-artist Harriete Estel Berma took first place with her spectacular lawn sculpture made from 32,400 individual blades of colorful recycled steel containers. The video of her making the piece is a must-watch and a hilarious commentary on American lawns.

Many party-goers took turns riding Ocean Beach surfer Kathleen Egan's Plastic Wave, made entirely from plastic bottles collected from her friends. Watch this great video here of Kathleen and her surfing community making the wave. The best picture of the night goes to New Leaf Paper founder Jeff Mendelsohn seen here surfing inside the sea of plastic.

Event chair Heidi Quante wore a striking short black dress designed by Drew Kleiner made out of reclaimed bicycle tires. Here she is below with Lincart gallery co-owner Holly Fouladi, who is wearing an eye-catching necklace by Judith Selby Lang. Eco-adventurer David de Rothschild announced the winners and said that he was impressed by the outpouring of time and creativity these artists brought to the cause – naming specifically Grass and Scott Oliver’s found Chair turned Hetch Hetchy Valley.

I was thrilled to serve on the Host Committee for the opening because I believe that re-imagining trash is one of the most important things we can do. What if there were no trash? What if we viewed everything as having some purpose? In nature, everything has its place and its value. Don't miss artist Tim Gaudreau who photographed everything he threw out for 365 days. The resulting art exhibit must be seen to be believed. As the ultimate example of turning trash into treasure, Back To Earth’s Ari Derfel saved his trash for a year, received a flood of media attention, and is now the subject of a highly-anticipated work of art by Kuros Zahedi called Finding Away.

Visit the Lincart Gallery online and offline and see the works of art until June 25, 2009. You will never look at trash the same way again.

Photos by Drew Altizer

Celebrities rally to save Peru's Amazon

2009-05-29T22:48:11-07:00

This week Hollywood celebrities lead by Q’orianka Kilcher gathered in front of the Consulate General of Peru in Los Angeles to protest an urgent environmental and human rights situation in the Peruvian Amazon. They marched, they danced, and they urged the media to break its silence because what happens in Peru shouldn’t stay in Peru.

So just what is happening in Peru? The Peruvian government under President Alan Garcia is auctioning off the indigenous peoples’ lands to oil, mining and logging corporations without their consent. Peru has already opened 75% of its Amazon territory to oil exploration. In the last month, Garcia has signed contracts for 15 more oil concessions in the Amazon.

The protests are on. Over 50,000 local people are conducting peaceful demonstrations in Peru to defend their rights and protect the environment. The President has since sent in the military. The situation has turned violent. Innocent people are being killed. It is tragic because the people are just defending their home and the rainforest, which benefits all of us.

President Garcia's decrees make it easier to transfer indigenous peoples' land rights to international corporations. They also set the stage for the privatization of water. We all know what will happen if this is allowed. The corporations will exploit the natural resources, destroy the rainforest and the community, and then move on.

The celebrities supporting this cause include Q’orianka Kilcher, Alex Meraz, Colin Farrell, Jesse Garcia (Quinceañera), Woody Harrelson, and Esai Morales.

The Peruvian people are fighting for a cleaner world and for their home in the Amazon - the lungs of the planet - for future generations. We all know that 20% of greenhouse gas emissions come from deforestation. The rainforest is essential to life on Earth. However, the Peruvian government seems to be taking a big step backwards by selling out to the oil and logging companies and even resorting to violence to do so. This will lead to the irreversible destruction of virgin rainforest and increase global warming. This shows the true cost of oil. This is going backwards at a time when the world is moving forwards to a clean energy future.

The indigenous peoples in Peru are heroes of the planet. Their courage to fight for their homeland and for the rainforest is awe-inspiring and needs our support.

Read the excellent blog of Q’orianka Kilcher about the situation. Watch the YouTube video of the Hollywood protest this week. Sign the petition. Take part and spread the word. Let’s stand up for our people and our planet.

Update: The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues released a statement on June 2 calling on the Peruvian Government to:

Immediately suspend the state of siege against indigenous communities and organizations,
To avoid any action, such as military intervention, that could increase the conflict,
To abide by its national and international obligations regarding the protection of all human rights, including the rights of indigenous peoples and human rights defenders.

Read the full statement here and please let them know you support it. To save the indigenous people and the Amazon forests in Peru from takeover, it is going to take a united global village.

Update: The news has gone viral, and the public is outraged. Today June 8, 2009, there are two Emergency Demonstrations of Solidarity and Protest - one at the Peruvian Embassy in Washington, D.C. at 12:30 pm EST and another at the Consulate General of Peru in Los Angeles at 3:30 pm PST. Join one if you can. We are rooting for you, Peru.

Q'orianka Kilcher is preparing to go to Peru this week. Heart of Green wishes her a safe, successful and did we mention safe journey. May good green karma be with you. Thank you for being so courageous on behalf of all of us and the planet!

Links:

Ecorazzi article with Heart of Green

Q'orianka's acceptance speech at Young Hollywood Awards

Heart of Green Most Popular

2009-05-28T23:14:40-07:00

People ask me which are the most popular posts on Heart of Green. The drum roll please. As selected by your clicks and searches, here are the Most Popular Articles on Heart of Green since 2006:

1. Are Starbucks Cups Recyclable? (the short answer is no)

2. FSC vs. SFI Forests

3. Paper, Plastic or Planet? (on plastic vs. paper bags)

4. How To Go Green featuring Kermit the Frog

5. Are Tetra Paks Recyclable?

6. Eco-Fashion

These results surprised me too. Where are the Leonardo DiCaprio posts? Isn't he hot anymore? But seriously, your feedback is encouraging me to write more investigative articles. I love digging in and getting to the bottom of issues that affect us all. Thank you for being part of the Heart of Green community - and please stay tuned for more!

Weaving The World Together

2009-05-20T11:25:46-07:00

What is combining the earth, women, micro-credit and cleantech with amazing results?

The Women's Earth Alliance, a spectacular global organization that connects and supports environmental leaders. For instance, they are helping African women gain clean water technology and Indian women launch sustainable agriculture in their communities. Join us at their gala appropriately titled Weaving The Worlds in San Francisco's gorgeous Presidio. Men are most welcome!

Weaving The Worlds 3.0 Gala
The Next Generation of Connectivity

When:
Thursday June 4, 2009
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Where:
Golden Gate Club
Presidio of San Francisco

Featuring a cocktail reception, delicious seasonal organic dinner, live music, dancing, and notable guests including Paul Hawken.

Invitation & RSVP: Weaving the Worlds Gala

For more inspiring women, please see the www.womensearthalliance.org

Le Clubbing for Le Congo

2009-05-18T20:48:10-07:00

Recently over 250 fashionable eco-ladies and gents poured into Le Club on Nob Hill to support the Sowing Hope: EcoMom Congo Project. Due to current mining-related conflicts, the Congo has become a very dangerous place for women. The situation is urgent, and the crowd at Le Club rose to the occasion.

On board for this important cause are Robin Wright Penn, Rosario Dawson, Diane Lane, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Katie & Todd Traina and more.

Helge Hellberg of Marin Organic said, “When a woman is harmed on the other side of the world in the Congo, it affects us all.” You could have heard a pin drop. It is a moment that will not soon be forgotten.

My friend Kimberly Pinkson is the founder of the EcoMom Alliance, a wonderful group that helps women sustain themselves, sustain their families and sustain the Earth.

I was happy to serve on the host committee for the party. Since I am not technically an eco-mom and don’t have little ones to take care of directly at the moment, I view the entire planet as my family – and my responsibility! Learn more about the Congo situation and the vibrant EcoMom club.

See all the party photos on the site of Drew Altizer.

Smart Art Reception

2009-05-11T21:15:05-07:00

They say that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Well, in this case, one person’s trash is another person’s masterpiece. You are invited to the Opening Reception of the SMART Art Trash Into Treasure Exhibit & Competition on May 28, 2009 at 6:00 pm at the Lincart Gallery. Enjoy delicious organic cocktails and appetizers, mingle with top eco-artists, and see how once-discarded items have been transformed into works of art.

SMART Art Trash Into Treasure Exhibit
Opening Reception & Awards

When:
Thursday, May, 28 2009
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Where:
Lincart Gallery
1632 Market Street, San Francisco
www.lincart.com

Featuring:
Complimentary organic wine, beer and gourmet appetizers. Live entertainment. The competition's finalists and their winning works of art.

Host Committee:
Hope Bryson, Yosh Han, Heidi Quante, Nadine Weil

Judges:
David de Rothschild, Paul Hawken, Annie Leonard, SFMOMA, YBCA, Artist in Residence Program at SF Recycle, Independent Film Channel, Current TV, Sundance Channel, and MTV International.

RSVP to heidi at smart art competition dot com

Special Thanks To:
Adventure Ecology, Sculpt the Future Foundation, Blick Art, Fat Tire, Flax Art & Design, Frey Vineyards, Bryan Ousdahl Awards, TCHO Chocolate, Urban Ore, Zuni Cafe, Rickshaw Bags, Whole Foods Market, Heart of Green.

For more smart art on the web, please visit www.smartartcompetition and for courageous eco-adventuring worldwide, please visit www.adventureecology.com

Plug-in Party at Google

2009-05-10T11:04:53-07:00

I am thrilled to be co-hosting the GRID Alternatives Plug In To Grid party featuring none other than electric cars and plug-in hybrids at the famed Google Solar Carport. You are invited to join us for an exclusive afternoon event that will undoubtedly leave you charged up about the future of clean cars and solar energy for all.

GRID Alternatives presents
Plug In To Grid Party

When:
Sunday, May 31, 2009
1 pm - 4 pm

Where:
Google’s Solar-Powered Carport
Mountain View, CA

Featuring:

Hors d'oeuvres and cocktails
EVs, plug-in hybrid conversions, and scooters
Sports cars like the Tesla Roadster
Ride and drives
Prototypes by Stanford and PG&E
Silent auction
Remarks by industry experts
Mingling with the who’s who of solar energy and clean cars

RSVP Required:
Space is limited. Reserve your ticket online or by calling:
www.gridalternatives.org/plugin
Tracie Troxler at (510) 652-4730 x316

All proceeds benefit the nonprofit GRID Alternatives and their work to bring solar energy to low income families.

Host Committee:
Robyn Beavers, Hill Blackett III, Karen Decker, Loretta Gallegos, Mardina Graham, Kent Halliburton, Emilie Hung, Joseph Karp, Shuja Keen, Ron Lloyd, Ric Lucien, Gillian Moxey, Anthony Ravitz, Nadine Weil

Special Thanks To:
Google, 3Prong Power, Electric Motorsport, Ethical Approach Electric Vehicle Center, Green Wheelin Scooters, Green Vehicles, CalCars, Lloyd Wise Motors, Make Mine Electric, New Belgium Brewery, Pacific Coast Motors, PG&E, Parducci Wine Cellars, Tesla Motors, Stanford Solar Car Project, Heart of Green

Google & Clean Cars:
Kudos are due to Google for their long-time support of clean cars, including giving employees an incentive to purchase hybrids, installing EV chargers at their campuses early on, and launching the RechargeIt program to further plug-in vehicle research.

About GRID Alternatives:
Since 2004, GRID Alternatives has been bringing solar electric systems to low-income families throughout Northern and Southern California. They have also trained over 2,030 community volunteers and job trainees on solar electric installation and provided them with opportunities to gain hands-on experience with real-world solar projects. www.gridalternatives.org

Back in the Day in Detroit:
In 1996, I went to General Motors to work on the EV1 electric vehicle. It was an awesome experience that taught me much about advanced technology vehicles and how drivers view electric vehicles. GM ended up awarding me the Global Intern of the Year Award. You could say that the experience brought out my inner eco-geek.

My dream green car is a plug-in hybrid vehicle that I can charge up via solar panels. Now that would be living off the sun in a futuristic way. Allow me to go fast and far on battery power alone. No token battery assisting please. Enable me to sell stored power from my car battery back to my local utility too - Vehicle To Grid or V2G this is called.

I view the plug-in as a wonderful bridge car, a bridge from the world of gas-powered to electric-powered transportation. For most trips around town, you could scoot on pure electric power. Then, when you would need to drive to Vegas suddenly, you could flip to the internal combustion engine. This is the best of both worlds. My experience at GM showed me that you have to offer this drive-to-Vegas-ability, even if a consumer is never going to use it. Range matters, especially if a car is going to cost at or above the market price of a similar non-EV model.

You also have to give consumers the ability to charge up the car anywhere, not just at fancy rapid EV-charging stations that sound good at press conferences. A household plug has to work as well. Extra extension cords would be nice. Any new garage should be built with sockets near every parking spot. This will help us avoid the infrastructure chicken-and-egg. Make sure the car has 4 seats plus trunk space, emphasize the rapid acceleration due to instantaneous torque (an unrestricted EV can beat a Ferrari any day), and provide a government tax incentive for purchasing one – and we will be well on our way to whirling around town.

Of course, the car has to look darn good, and it is all about the batteries ultimately. Battery technology will determine the future of EVs, and I am still holding out hope for a cost-effective, lithium-based, large-scale automotive battery. Weight and drag also matter. To get the best range performance for our batteries, we need sexy aerodynamic cars made from high-strength, lightweight materials.

On the upcoming clean car front, two vehicles I am particularly excited about are the Mini-E EV and the Aptera 2e. The third generation 2010 Prius model is rumored to have both an Eco Mode that reduces acceleration (less fun) and an EV mode that allows drivers to go up to 25 mph via the battery electric motor alone. The Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE also has 111 teams registered from 25 states and 11 countries, all competing to exceed 100 MPGe and win a $10 million prize.

In five years, we should be able to buy a plug-in version of every car on the market today. This just makes sense. Raising average American fuel economy standards to 35 mpg by 2020 is nice, but let’s make and drive plug-in models that get 100 mpg each. See the cool real-world results of Google’s RechargeIt test drives here. 93.5 mpg is the average high to date. China is already requiring fuel economy standards of 43 mpg in 2009.

Modular production at car companies would be a partial panacea for current ills. Build cars from a consolidated number of global platforms and be able to swap out body styles and propulsion systems, such as battery electric motors, plug-in hybrid technology, and more. This would enable consumer choice and economics of scale, which are critical to economically-viable automobile manufacturers. To generate funds, small car companies can have aggressive technology licensing plans in place to sell their cleantech to the big car companies who need it the most.

I look forward to the day when I can drive my plug-in vehicle around the San Francisco Bay Area. In the meantime, come to the GRID Alternatives party on May 31 at Google and experience the best of breed in action. Don’t forget your G-force-suit just in case an EV shows off and goes 0 – 60 mph in 3.6 seconds.

For related posts, please see Clean Cars - Heart of Green

Stewart+Brown Trunk Show

2009-05-05T11:24:39-07:00

You are invited to the first ever Stewart+Brown Eco-Chic Trunk Show in San Francisco on Friday May 8 at the Eco Citizen Boutique from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm located at 1488 Vallejo Street at Polk in San Francisco.

Meet the pioneering organic eco-fashion designers Karen Stewart and Howard Brown, ogle their colorful Stewart+Brown Spring and Summer styles, get a sneak peak at their ecofabulous Fall 2009 Autumn Collection, and enjoy delicious libations courtesy of Organic Vintners (don’t miss their new Prosecco) and Blue Angel Vodka. Proceeds benefit the like totally awesome Teens For Safe Cosmetics and Teens Turning Green.

Eco-fashion has been one of my passions since starting Heart of Green. In 2005, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to co-chair the Catwalk on the Wild Side Eco-Fashion Show for U.N. World Environment Day. Seeing 1,000 people in the audience pumped up about the imminent fashion show is a moment I will never forget. In less than 48 hours, we had gone from 100 ticket sales to 1,000. And they were all here to see eco-chic fashion? No doubt that the flowing cocktails and DJ Donovan’s thumping bass were helping. Still, that was it. I was hooked on eco-fashion for life.

Opportunity Knocks Party

2009-05-03T14:13:52-07:00

On St. Patrick's Day this year while the leprecons were out and about, local thought leaders celebrated all things green at the Opportunity Knocks party thrown by ecofabulous, Opportunity Green and Heart of Green.

Hosted by Zem Joaquin, Nadine Weil, Karen Solomon and Mike Flynn at a private penthouse in the SOMA, the party brought together over 150 innovators in the sustainable industry, including San Francisco Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, Cameron Sinclair of Architecture for Humanity, architect Michelle Kaufmann, Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster, Mark Dwight of Rickshaw Bagworks, Josiah Raison Cain of Design Ecology, and leaders from Eco Citizen, Sungevity, Organic Bouquet, SunPower, Current TV Green, Inhabitat, O Organics, X PRIZE, and Google Green.

The crowd nibbled on organic foods from Mixt Greens and Le Colonial, enjoyed clover cupcakes from the new Peace Love & Cupcakes, and got special tastings from 479 Popcorn, TCHO chocolate, and popchips. The very popular VeeV acai spirit cocktails were in the house, and guests were treated to Casa Barranca organic wine, Bionade, and LIVE Energy Drinks. The new company from Lauren Gropper - Repurpose Now - launched their hip compostable cups for parties. The requested attire was "green dress to impress" and the crowd did not disappoint with many vintage outfits, green bow ties, and eco-fashion ensembles on display.

One of the highlights of the evening was the Green Wish Board on which guests wrote their personal wishes for the planet. The wish voted most inspiring was that of Katy Saeger of Neighbor Agency who said, “I wish that green becomes the rule, not the luxury.” The first runner up was submitted by Joann Lee at Esurance who wrote, “I hope that that the economy, instead of hindering green advances, makes each of us more creative and efficient in the approaches taken to create a sustainable world.”

At the party, I learned that EcoTimber has been rocking good wood for over 15 years. Led by Lewis Buchner, EcoTimber has enabled forest conservation by selling sustainably-harvested wood flooring since 1992. EcoTimber works closely with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and produces products free of toxins for healthy indoor air quality. Thanks to their FSC-certified factory, 172,000 acres of forest were just saved in Bolivia. Now that is a green business making a difference.

Opportunity Green is a must-attend conference, and the only conference I missed last year. I won't make that mistake again. Opportunity Green is not only a convergence of innovators driving today's green economy, it is also hip and fun. The summit aims to inspire a collaborative culture of new and unconventional thinking that pushes change in unexpected ways. It will take place this November 7-8, 2009 at UCLA and will again be a 2-day chance to immerse oneself in the thought-leadership of sustainability. www.opportunitygreen.com

See all of the festive party photos by Drew Altizer, and let's hear it for the Irish who have been celebrating green since before the 17th century!

Wangari Maathai - Tree Planter Extraordinaire

2009-04-29T12:22:26-07:00

This Earth Day, I was thrilled to be able to meet a woman with a legendary heart of green: Wangari Maathai, the founder of the Green Belt Movement and winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize. Picture Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Wangari Maathai and Shaklee CEO Roger Barnett all standing together. It was quite a sight to behold. The joining of three worlds - government, nonprofit and business - for a brighter future.

Wangari Maathai was on hand to plant the one millionth tree at the beautiful Shaklee headquarters. It was the capstone of Shaklee's A Million Trees, A Million Dreams campaign started just 3 years ago. Wangari, the Governor, and Roger Barnett all rolled up their sleeves, picked up a shovel, and planted the triumphant tree. The Governor talked about his bodybuilding days and how he used to rely on Shaklee nutritional products. Now we know. "What you are doing here is extraordinary," he said. "One million trees would fill Disneyland 18 times over. I don't know how I figured that out." He also rallied support for top green businesses like Shaklee as a vital engine of growth for the economy of California.

Wangari plants the 1 millionth tree with a little help from her friends Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Shaklee CEO Roger Barnett
[photo by Photo Retouch Design]

Shaklee has an impressive history as a green company. Founded in 1956, Shaklee helped to invent eco-entrepreurship by introducing nontoxic, biodegradable cleaners and creating a social marketing model with 750,000 members. In 2000, Shaklee became the first Climate Neutral company to offset all of its greenhouse gas emissions. I can also testify that their eco-friendly cleaning products really work. No "greenwashing" here. It must be that 50+ years of experience. Shaklee is now launching a new program to give one million people an opportunity to become Eco-Entrepreneurs.

Dr. Wangari Maathai is a force of nature. Her Green Belt Movement has planted more than 45 million trees in Kenya to date. It began in 1977 with a simple idea: nourish the land and sustain the people by planting trees. Africa is being deforested, with devastating affects on the water supply, the soil, and the people's quality of life. "By starting with the simple step of digging a hole and planting a tree, we plant the seeds of change for ourselves and for future generations." Her movement inspired the United Nations to launch the Billion Trees Campaign with Wangari's help.

See the brand new The Challenge for Africa book by Wangari Maathai. As she says, let's plant trees and let's also save the trees and the forests that we have left. Let's plant a tree and save a tree. One of the easiest ways to save a tree is to use recycled paper for everything. Let's bring sexy treehugging back. No granola, I promise. Visit www.greenbeltmovement.org

Return To The Wild

2009-04-26T11:35:30-07:00

Before seeing Mofilms' brilliant new movie Return To The Wild: A Modern Tale of Wolf and Man, I must say that I was not fully on top of wolf current events. I am now. What happens when you re-introduce gray wolves into the Northern Rockies for the first time? Excitement, friction, love, hate, compassion, conspiracy.

This balanced masterpiece of a film does an excellent job showing both sides and the vast open space of compromises available in a fast-moving 27 minutes. In one memorable scene, a rancher says in a thick accent with a twinkle in his eye, "If the wolves are now bringing in $35 million in eco-tourism revenue per year, then why now kick back a small percentage of that into wolf management?" It is hard to argue with such logic.

You can currently watch or download the Return To The Wild film on Mofilms complimentary. If you like the film, please consider supporting these passionate, dedicated and talented filmmakers. They are the real deal and have a huge heart of green. Don't miss their other award-winning films Justicia Now and Freedom Fuels.

For an excellent look at where we are with wolves (the political situation is changing rapidly!), see Defenders of Wildlife and NRDC's BioGems Wolves and take action to help save the Yellowstone wolves. www.mofilms.org

Happy Earth Day

2009-04-22T00:03:17-07:00

Heart of Green wishes you a Happy Earth Day! Just like every day is Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, every day is Earth Day, but today we take a special moment to celebrate our planet and give thanks. In honor of Earth Day, I wanted to share with you a few things that inspire me on a daily basis.

Redwood Forests

The trees first showed me that all life on Earth is interconnected and for that I am grateful.

Chambered Nautilus

The stunning chambered nautilus is one of my great loves. It is over 400 million years old and embodies the golden ratio of 1.618.

Butterflies

I am inspired by the butterfly’s ability to transform itself from a caterpillar into a cocoon and then emerge as a beautiful flying creature.

The forests, the oceans, the butterflies and bees. They do more for us than we even know. We could not survive without them. In 2009, I am committed to helping save the forests, restore the oceans, and create habitat for butterflies and bees.

As the famous song from The Sound of Music goes, these are a few of my favorite things. I would love to know what inspires you. If you have a moment, check out the new group founded by Julia Butterfly Hill called What’s Your Tree that helps people discover their passions in life and others who share them.

Today I will be attending the San Francisco Mayor’s Earth Day Breakfast and then the planting of Shaklee’s One Millionth Tree with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. Wangari Maathai. As Wangari says, “When we plant trees, we plant the seeds of peace and the seeds of hope. We also secure the future for our children.” Planting 1 million trees in 3 years - what an incredible achievement by Shaklee. Next up will be the Kiehl's launch of their new Limited Edition Superbly Restorative Argan Body Lotion in partnership with Adrian Grenier, Erykah Badu and Kelly Slater, with a whopping 100% of the proceeds going to the Waterkeeper Alliance. I will be finishing the day at the ecofabulous goldiehome party at the Spring store. Please stop by and I hope you have a nice Earth Day!

Celebrate Earth Day with Global Green

2009-04-21T16:49:54-07:00

Global Green has launched the Leonardo DiCaprio eBay auction with a chance to bid on exclusive items donated by DiCaprio in support of Global Green. The ultimate prize is an eco-friendly experience with Leonardo himself consisting of a meet & greet and photo opportunity at the upcoming red carpet premiere of Leonardo DiCaprio's new film Shutter Island.

The auction includes signed memorabilia such as DVDs and movie posters, plus the incredible Antarctica: The Global Warning photography book signed by both Leonardo and former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev.

"By bidding on these items at ebay.com/globalgreen, people will help Global Green combat climate change and pursue important environmental imperatives, such as greening our nation's schools, housing, cities and more," says Leonardo DiCaprio, Global Green USA board member.

The auction ends on Earth Day April 22, 2009 so get ready to bid green for green in the final hours!

Don't miss the Virtual Flower Garden Campaign with Kelly Ripa in which Electrolux Appliances is donating $1 to Global Green for every flower planted. Planting a virtual flower helps Global Green raise funds to create healthier, more energy-efficient green schools for children. Thousands of flowers have already been planted. Plant a virtual flower

Bookmark May 30 in Santa Monica when we will be celebrating the Global Green Millennium Awards. It is always an amazing night for the planet!

Been There Done That Eco-Fashion Show

2009-04-20T11:55:51-07:00

Next Sunday evening April 26 starting at 7 pm, don't miss the Been There Done That Eco-Fashion Show benefiting Victory Gardens at Temple in San Francisco. Combining eco-fashion with victory gardens - now that is a first and worth supporting!

This event will feature head-turning recycled and sustainable fashions and every penny will go to supporting Victory Gardens+. The show is organized by bright light Zoe Fisher of Zoe Alexander Couture. I expect to see some gorgeous patriotic organic fashions on the runway. After all, green is the new red, white and blue. Did I mention that adult tickets are only $15?

See also The Way We Wore auction on eBay starting April 22 for more out of the ordinary eco-fashion made from repurposed vintage clothing, all benefiting Earth Pledge's Future Fashion Initiative. Old is the new new!