Greenr - Accelerate the Change!

On October 20th, The Biomimicry Institute in conjunction with the annual Bioneers conference will be holding a one-day conference “Biomimicry’s Climate-Change Solutions: How Would Nature Do It?”

This landmark one-day intensive reveals the leading edge of biomimetic solutions to climate change, modeled on nature’s operating instructions. It’s designed for action-oriented professionals from the fields of business, finance and investment, science, technology, public policy, education, media and civil society.

Find out more and sign up now!

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Here at Greenr I don’t usually installation art, but then my friend Sean sent me this:

Twelve aluminum shafts rise from the grassy hill in front of the Waterloo Regional Operations Centre. Their graceful shape reflects the angles of the sun through the year. The tallest shaft is perpendicular to the sun at winter solstice, when the sun is low in the sky. The flattest shaft faces the high sun at summer solstice.

Check it out: http://www.solarcollector.ca/

Launch party and performance June 21st. (if you happen to be in Ontario)

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It was a relatively small event in downtown San Jose, but still a number of green products on show, and a great daily one hour introduction to green building and remodeling by Joshua Foss of Thrive Design Studio - check out his blog that goes by the name “Metro Hippie“.

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This closing slide says it all!

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Dang! Two important events crossing over. Web2.0 Expo and EcoCity World Summit. I recommend the later if you can make it - runs through Saturday in San Francisco.

A Green City is an ecologically healthy city. No such city presently exists. ..

…Instead of trying to improve an unhealthy automobile and oil based infrastructure, this conference calls for the city, town and village to be redesigned around the measure, needs and potential of the human being and based upon ecological principles.

…Specifically it calls for urban diversity at close proximity, instead of scattered uniformity. It calls for land uses, architecture and a steadily and rapidly growing infrastructure for pedestrians, bicyclists and transit, powered by renewable energy sources and balanced with preservation and restoration of natural and agricultural lands and waters.

I’ll be at Web2 till mid-day Friday, then down to San Jose for the Home Show and back in SF for EcoCity on Saturday - if you’re attending any of these let me know and lets connect!

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I’m just back from the annual Kitchen and Bathroom Industry Show and I’m pleased to report that green was the theme. Of course much of it is ‘light green’, but many of the exhibiting companies are taking the work seriously.

More signs of the time: http://picasaweb.google.com/DavidWFox/KBIS2008GoesGreen

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This weekend I’m attending the 2008 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show and Conference (K/BIS). I was booked on American Airlines and my flight was cancelled so I missed the Friday morning opening keynote, but here’s what I’ve gleaned from other reports:

Christine Todd Whitman, former administrator of the EPA delivered the keynote address focused on sustainability. She said that kitchen and bath professionals can play a key role in educating the public about lessening environmental impact. “…selling green kitchen/bath design and products is very similar to selling eco-sensitive public policy: it’s about getting people to do something for the common good.”

By explaining the long-term benefits derived from an upfront financial investment, architects and designers can help open their clients’ eyes to green design “…they aren’t sacrificing anything by going green.”

A green theme is said to be present around the vast show floor and I’ll be checking out the “Implementing Sustainability” seminar Saturday to see just how quickly this old, old industry is taking the message to heart.

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This sounds like an interesting event if you’re trying to stay at the leading edge of the cleantech:

California Clean Innovation 2008 (CACI) provides an unprecedented opportunity for attendees to expand their knowledge of the clean technology landscape, network with industry leaders, and participate in a fast pitch business case competition.

• Get an inside look at the latest research within leading California universities & global businesses
• Participate in a multi-disciplinary discussion that addresses key challenges in Clean Technology
• Observe early-stage entrepreneurs as they compete in a dynamic Fast Pitch business case exercise
• Develop new partner, financing, employment and investment relationships from a diverse network of private & public sector professionals

The conference has been organized by MBAs and Faculty/Staff from the following university programs: the UCLA Anderson School of Management, the Center for the Science & Engineering of Materials at Caltech, and the Rady School of Management at UCSD.

See my earlier post for other upcoming events of interest.

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A great list of events care of Sustainlane:

Natural Products Expo West
The largest trade show about natural and organic products. Over 2,800 exhibitors showcase new products, and cutting-edge trends. Watch engaging speakers, and attend informative seminars amidst endless networking opportunities.
March 14 - 16
Anaheim, CA
expowest.com

Down 2 Earth
D2E is Boston’s sustainable living expo. D2E is committed to promoting a smarter, greener way of life by connecting eco-friendly businesses with eco-minded consumers.
March 28 - 30
Boston, MA
d2eboston.com

Better Living Show
A consumer show highlighting eight core topics including: lifestyle, home/garden, transportation, food/beverage, clean tech, eco-adventure, recycling and conservation with food, speakers, and more.
March 28 - 30
Portland, OR
betterlivingshow.org

Green Festival Seattle
The largest green event in the country hits Seattle for the first time!
April 12 - 13
Seattle, WA
greenfestivals.org

EcoCity 2008 World Summit
Convening an international community of inspired change-makers; courageous individuals who are addressing problems of the world’s environment with thoughtful long-range solutions that are truly sustainable, ecologically healthy and socially just.
April 22 - 26
San Francisco, CA
ecocityworldsummit.org

All Things Organic
An event focused exclusively on organic products–all products on display must be certified organic, made with certified organic ingredients or be approved for use in organic products.
April 27 - 29
Chicago, IL
organicexpo.com

Social Venture Network’s Annual Member Gathering
SVN’s 2008 Annual Member Gathering will bring together visionaries in business, economic justice, and social enterprise, and to reconnect and inspire each other.
May 1 - 4
Vernon, NJ
svn.org

Green Street Fair
To promote global interest and personal well-being, the Green Street Fair will blend companies, artisans, entertainers, and speakers together in a friendly and family-oriented outdoor environment.
May 3 - 4
Plymouth, MI
greenstreetfair.com

Green Living & Energy Education Expo
The three-day event is dedicated to demonstrating sustainable living through ideas and technologies that promote renewable energy and promote energy conservation in the Florida Keys.
May 5-9
Marathon, FL
keysglee.com

Investors Circle Spring Conference and Venture Fair
A premier meeting place for angel investors, professional venture capitalists, philanthropic investors, and entrepreneurs who are using private capital to promote the transition to a sustainable future.
May 5 - 9
San Francisco, CA
investorscircle.net

Green Car Journey

See electric, hybrids, biodiesel, and fuel cell options up close as we visit dealers and manufacturers.

May 5 - 9

Starts and ends in Olympia, WA

yellowbearjourneys.com

Greener Homes and Gardens Expo
This year’s show features Green Home Building & Remodeling; Sustainable Landscaping & Gardening; Renewable Energy & Conservation; Alternative Transportation; speakers, hands-on workshops, food, live music and more!

May 17 - 18

Portland, OR
GreenerHomesandGardens.com

Q Jam: An Environmental Sustainability Fair and Music Festival
To educate and inform the citizens of Albuquerque about the benefits of living green. We have exhibitors ranging from alternative fuels, to recycling, to green building practices and more.
May 24
Albuquerque, NM
qjam.com

Sustainable Brands ‘08
Sustainable Brands is where top brand leaders meet to discuss sustainability as the new frontier for driving revenue growth and enhancing brand equity.
June 2 - 5
Monterey, CA
SustainableLifeMedia.com

LOHAS 12 Forum
A four-day business conference that brings together leaders from Fortune 500 companies, LOHAS businesses, the entertainment industry, and celebrities to focus on how to educate, shape and influence consumer behavior and purchasing decisions while promoting lifestyles of health and sustainability.
June 18 - 21
Boulder, CO
LOHAS.com

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Ahead of next weeks Cleantech Forum in San Francisco cleantech.com’s David Ehrlich reports on recent cleantech funding deals:

LED and solar power companies pick up some cash, along with deals for waste treatment, lithium ion batteries and wind power. Palo Alto, Calif.-based Ausra, Tel Aviv’s Pythagoras Solar and Cool Earth Solar in Livermore, Calif., all pulled in financing this week for team sun power, with Boulder, Colo.-based Albeo Technologies grabbing some cash for artificial lighting with its LED technology. Continued at: media.cleantech.com.

Its always good news to see cleantech companies funded - but we need to see more, a lot more…

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