Prior to the video project, we produced an audio story about Quesada Gardens Initiative.

Alisa Gravitz, Executive Director of Co-op America, shared that “One of the intentions we (Co-op America and Global Exchange) set for this event is that everyone here might come up with one new commitment, one new idea, one new connection to go deeper into the solutions for justice and sustainability.”  She followed by asking how many people are willing to take on that intention.  Lot’s of hands went up in the air and hopefully many who attended during the three days took away some good ideas and take some positive actions.  Two of my commitments: having our family see a green dentist and donating money and energy towards elephant protection (see previous post for info on both).

Jahi is an Oakland based hip hop musician who writes lyrics about “love and respect, honor, politics, and encouraging peace, unity and having fun.”  That’s great, because we all could use more critical thought and uplifting through song.  One good line: “Eat to live, okay to give, some of these rappers like babies with no bibs.”  Yes, food should be about nourishment, the universe is infinitely abundant so give more than you receive, and the musicians writing songs about greed/disrespect/violence are making messes and not cleaning them up.

Also from Jahi: “Reduce your carbon footprint.  Get the word out.  Put it in a conversation.  Ain’t no better time than now, so stop waistin.”  We all need to have conversations about what we’re doing/can do to change for the better.  Personal commitment is the first step, but communicating about it and getting others to consider new approaches is an important next step.  I’m very leery of being preachy and so tend to keep it to myself.  That’s a change I need to make.  It’s totally possible to share ideas without being pushy; a big part of that is also listening with respect.

Mutabaruka is a highly regarded Jamaican poet and musician who’s been performing since the early 70s.  In his poems and lyrics he examines revolution, spirituality, and survival.  He didn’t wear any shoes on stage!  In our modern society it is so rare to actually see someone’s feet, except at the beach and at home.  It got me wondering when he does/doesn’t wear shoes.  My preference is to have as little on my feet, as little separating me from the earth, as possible, and it’s not an easy thing to accomplish on a regular basis.

He opened with a question to us Americans,relating to the election of Obama as our new leader.  “Now that we found love, what are we going to do with it?  And that’s the question right now.  Because we understand the excitement and the joy but, now that we found love what are we going to do with it?  Because we’ve seen it happen in history many time before.  When Mandela came out of prison and he became president, the euphoria was excitement.  But when you go to South Africa today, the people are still crying.  And their yearning for that freedom and liberation that Mandela brought when he came out of prison.  So coming from outside, looking on the inside, we say “Now that American people found love, what are you people going to do with it?”  That is the Question.”  This gets back to the theme of take action, harness the potential during this time of great hope.

Regarding humanity’s future: “The environmentalists are talking about “save the planet”.  What the hell are you talking about “save the planet?”  Man is so arrogant that him think that him can do something to destroy the planet.  Save yourself.  Because all of this is about man trying to live on this planet with good air, good food, and good things.  It’s not about the planet really, because the planet have a way for recycle and regenerate million of years over and over and over.  And we have a phrase in Jamaica ” have no fear of atomic energy cause none of then can stop the time.”…Man will never be able to destroy this planet.  What is going to happen is that it will be very miserable for man to live on this planet.  So we have to change the language.  It’s human beings who have to save man’s fate on the planet.”  I’m not sure I agree that humans are incapable of annihilating the planet, but it’s certainly true that the earth is full of wisdom and has a better chance for survival than we do.

It is sad, and unnecessary that “The drugs that are legal kill more people than the drugs that are illegal.”  Strengthen your immune system and pay close attention to what your body is telling you.

Chuck D - co-founder of Public Enemy, hip hop producer, radio talk show host, writer, activist - wants to see musicians using their platform for good.  “…people…when they use the culture (music) it’s supposed to be used to as communication, to go back into the people, to progress the people, to progress mankind, as communication.”  He’s very engaging and humorous.

Talking about the importance of personal growth: “…my involvement in hip hop says, you know what, “Fight the Power” has meant a lot of different things.  Does it mean the same thing it meant for me when I first started my career?  No.  Things change every year…Whoever the fuck doesn’t change in 22 years, something is wrong.  But you change for the better because you realize your surroundings and you you realize every year it’s like your playing sports, the defense changed so you adjust the offense, or the offense changed so you adjust the defense.  Your conversation should be engaging to build around you.”  Change is so necessary.  It’s frequently not easy, but so worthwhile.

He says hip hop should speak to caring about who you are (how you represent) and the planet we call home.  It’s just “common sense” and if hip hop isn’t speaking to that there’s “something the fuck wrong with that.”  Jahi is one positive example.  He also says hip hop is “lacking the collective voice of women.”  So going forward he’s fighting for “women empowerment through hip hop.”

He talked about the importance of recognizing the value of the natural world, and paying attention to it, vs. looking to machines (technology, products…) as our saviors, as much of corporate America would like us to do.  “For the first time in my life, I’ve really been able to notice schools of birds on poles in the street…like 50 on a pole…and they all choose one pole…almost like they’re just laughing at us and saying “they (humans) are fucking us up, they’re fucking us up.”  ….My wife says the animals are going berzerk.  All we have to do is pay attention to the animals and they are speaking a language that’s telling human beings that “you know, time is running out.”  Yep, in addition to paying attention to your body and listening with respect to other people, tune in to the animal energy.  A lot of them are a lot smarter than a lot of us.

Talking about how the approach those in power have been taking - competition and greed at the expense of others - needs to change to one of collaboration, if we are to survive.  “They’re like “Oh, I’m sorry but the United States ain’t number one…It ain’t no damn football team.”

And this shows real wisdom and foresight: “…fresh water, which is the oil of the future.  So wars for oil, into wars for water, we’re starting to see the bleeding areas….and we’ve got to say and do something about this, to not have corporations have the same say so…If Exxon starts delivering bottled water, we got something to worry about.”  He’s not the only one talking about this, but so many more people need to wake up and realize that humans are sucking the planet dry, and without clean water we die.  It is an absolute shame that millions of people on this planet don’t currently have access and that number is rising.  There are so many great innovative technologies out there for reducing water consumption and recycling what is used.  Embrace them and also just conserve.  And, get other people thinking/talking about it.  It’s Really important.

And finally, the guy with the megaphone in the parking lot: “The arctic ice is melting now, and it’s not freezing back again, so the polar bears are left with no ice.  They’re drowning.  And this was supposed to happen years from now, so there’s no time to waste.  And I’m not telling you to do this (wake up, stop harming and start healing the planet), the United Nations is, the International [Intergovernmental] Panel on Climate Control [Change].  So google that.”

I have mixed feelings about blasting your message around.  It’s kind of noise pollution.  But, free speech is a right and privilege and people are free to keep walking if they don’t wanna listen.   His point was that you don’t need to “buy a Prius or change a light bulb, just stop eating meat.”   While I agree that a vegetarian diet consumes far fewer resources, I don’t agree that it is The Best approach.  There are many good approaches to living lightly on the planet and everyone is different.  So, let’s think critically, question the status quo, listen to our inner wisdom along with the wisdom of the planet, the creatures, and the people we interact with, and act wisely in ways that make sense for us.  And, keep in mind Chuck D’s point that things are always changing and so should we.

It’s a well organized event which really strives to practice what they’re preaching: economic, social, and environmental responsibility.    To that end, almost all byproducts of the event are recycled or composted (only 2% went into landfills last year.)  The “Resource Recovery Stations” were impressive, including bins for liquids to be cleaned/reused, and volunteers to assure that the right stuff went in the right spot.  Speaking of volunteers, there were tons of them, and they all seemed approachable and like they were having a pretty good time.  That’s nice to see.  There was also a free bio-diesel shuttle from Market St, free bike valet (!), and discount for bikers.  So they encourage non-fossil fuel transportation to and from.  Seven-Star, Inc, “Green Event Experts”, has partnered with Green Festival since the beginning.  Good job to them and the producers.

A series of events/activities took place during the week leading up to the main festival: Green Business Conference, Solution Tours, Green Film Festival, and Yoga Festival.  And during the 3 days of the main event, there were many, many speakers (all free with admission), musicians, childrens’ activities, and youth workshops.   So there were lots of ways to engage in this broad topic.

With over 400 exhibitors (all screened for “leadership in social and environmental responsibility…and commitment”), and big crowds, the Exhibition Center was pretty packed.  We explored on both Friday and Saturday (afternoon through evening.)  While a majority was goods for sale, there was also substantial representation by service providers and organizations.  A few of my favorites:

• Green Dentistry - digital vs. x-ray tooth imaging; laser vs. x-ray decay detection; Waterlase instead of shots and drills (!); steam vs. chemical instrument sterilization; biodegradable exam area sterilization; environmentally sound mercury disposal; biocompatible fillings; Preserve toothbrushes (that’s great!); and an energy efficient office made up of green building materials and committed to using clean green products.  What’s not to like about that?  I think all of the things I’ve been disliking about the dentist experience have been eliminated by Dr. Patel and her team.  Let’s hope many more dentists embrace these technologies and practices.  Very nice website, too.
• Mr. Ellie Pooh - recycling elephant poop (the average adult elephant lets loose 500 lbs per day) into paper; the paper is also handmade into journals, photo albums, stationary, etc; they are working hard to provide economic incentives for the native Sri Lankans to live in harmony with the elephants, instead of killing them when they graze on crops (which they are doing because, guess what, humans are encroaching on their roaming land); no toxic chemicals, bleach or acids involved in production.  This is the kind of innovative thinking the world needs much much more of if we are to coexist peacefully and sustainably.  Big props from me because I have a HUGE softspot for elephants and a goal of helping them thrive as they deserve.
• Computer Recycling Center - there’s nothing positive about millions of pounds of plastic and toxic chemicals going into the earth in the form of old electronics; these guys are doing something to help that; they accept all unwanted electronics, promoting reuse first, recycling second; and, their service is free.  Highly commendable.

Up Next: Green Festival SF - Takeaways, Part 2: Mutabaruka and Chuck D (including video snippets)

Their response: “In terms of the filter innards, the details about the internal carbon and ion exchange resin are a little vague because Brita and Preserve are still working toward an exact solution. Brita wants to be sure they choose the most environmentally sustainable solution possible. Testing for the best method is in progress and we will have more information to announce early next year. I’ll be sure to fill you in as soon as the details are confirmed.”

We’re glad to know they are committed to keeping the Whole package out of the landfill.

We are most excited to report that as of January Brita filters will be accepted for recycling!  In a deal between Clorox (parent co of Brita) and Preserve, the #5 plastic component of each used filter will become raw material used in Preserve’s products (and the other components of the used filters will be “regenerated for alternative use or converted into energy”.)  This is great news.  In our opinion, this positive change is largely due to the efforts of the folks at Take Back the Filter, so kudos to them!  Now instead of sending our bucket of used filters over to them to make a statement, we’ll hold onto them until January and then send them over to Preserve.  (This explains Preserve’s recycling program and gives some detail, with more to come, about how to get your used filters to them.)

Positive reinforcement is a great way to encourage more positive actions, so we just sent a letter of thanks to Clorox.  This is their feedback form if you would like to do the same.

We’re big fans of Preserve (located in Waltham, MA, just down the street from our last home in Lexington, MA.)  If you don’t buy their toothbrushes already, please start.  They (and all of their other products) are made from 100% recycled material (and they look and work great, too.)  AND, when it’s time for a new toothbrush, you simply print off one of their return mail labels, send the old toothbrush (and razor handles, and tongue cleaners) back and it will become plastic lumber, used to create other products.  What an awesome example of a company doing good for the planet on both ends of the product spectrum - cradle to grave.

If we humans want to continue living healthfully on this planet for generations to come, designers and manufacturers must all adopt full-product-lifecycle thinking.  There are many terms for this concept (Take Back the Filter provides a good outline of Extended Producer Responsibility) but they all essentially come down to this:  For many, many producers there is only one bottom line: profits.  We consumers need to use our power to advocate a triple bottom line which gives equal, if not priority, attention to the environmental and social impacts of products.  We do this by supporting (through purchases) companies who take this approach and not supporting companies that only care about increasing profits.  Additionally, we must encourage the latter to change for the better.  This is done by shining a light on the environmental and social impacts which they are not addressing.  This new filter recycling program is evidence that companies do listen.

Thanks to the cooperation of several friends, we bring you this reenactment, a docudramedy.

Amidst the native plants flourishing in his Santa Rosa, CA yard, are many of the sculptures he has created over the years, on his own and with his students.  This is where he sorts through abundant stockpiles of junk to create pieces ranging from airplanes with spinning propellers, to large robots, to flying horses and dragons, to whimsical faces, all made from scrap wood, door pulls, bottle caps, corks, rainbow colored telephone wires for hair, and whatever else catches his eye.

He trained as an oil painter, and is quite talented in that medium as well.  But working castaway items into creatures full of life perfectly channels his vision and craftsmanship.  And, through his work with youth, he is sharing the joy of listening to the materials, and letting them guide the creative process.

He’s a fun, mellow dude, with a big heart, who’s making some really cool stuff.

Have a look at the marketing/informational video we produced for him.

They’re building community by giving residents a voice, access to information, and multiple projects and events to participate in.  Positive change is occurring through public art projects, outdoor film screenings, fruit harvesting, dances, backyard edible gardening, community gardens, and more.  Jeffrey Betcher, James Ross, and Shane King took the time recently to tell us about what it takes to grow a community.

Take a listen.

We made this video in the style of the Brita ad campaign (sorry, this is the only place these ads can be found) which focuses on the negative environmental impact of plastic water bottles.   The message of the campaign is ‘X minutes in a meeting, or at the gym, etc. A lifetime in the landfill’.  We find it rather ironic considering that the filters end up in those same landfills.

The message is repeated in our video with the filter taking the place of the plastic water bottle.

We recommend checking out the Take Back the Filter site.  They are lobbying to get Clorox (the parent company of Brita) to take back the used filter cartridges.  (Ideally what should happen is for the filters to be refillable/reusable.)  Beth Terry is doing a great job sharing the facts and building momentum.  Beth liked our little vid so we have branded their web address onto the end.

Take a listen.