What Can You Do?

I am always interested in finding out more about innovative and creative solutions for sustainable business and living. I recently heard about a lecture to take place locally later this week:

Lewis and Clark's Dr. Eban Goodstein will be speaking this Wednesday night, May 21st on "Four Things You Can Do in the Next Five Minutes to Save the Planet" at the South Waterfront Discovery Center (0680 SW Bancroft, Portland, OR 97239). Dr. Goodstein's work investigates global warming's effect on the economy, and he has authored texts on the topics of the environment and the economy, including:

The Trade-Off Myth: Fact and Fiction about Jobs and the Environment
Fighting for Love in the Century of Extinction: How Passion and Politics Can Change the Future
articles published in the Scientific American, The New York Times, The Economist, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and USA Today.

If you end up attending the presentation, I would love to hear your thoughts. Where can I find access to more local events or resources highlighting actionable steps toward sustaining environmental and social resources?

RiverFest

Portland's new city-wide, sustainable event focused on beautifying the Willamette river. It will take place the last week of August and first week of September, sanctioning other community events. Stay tuned for more details...

Earth Day

Yesterday's Earth Day event was a success. I stood outside in the rain with my friend Patrick from Guayaki and sipped yerba mate, while talking with people about the rainforest, sustainable business and other topics of intrigue. I believe global warming was mentioned here and there, as well as the health benefits of mint, mate, and other healing plants.

I have two questions for you today:
1.) Why is April 22nd the only "Earth Day;" should we not be striving for good environmental stewardship daily?

2.) If everyone is polluting anyway, and we find out about major violations to the Earth ten, twenty or even fifty years down the road, why even bother with sustainability?

PSU Net Impact

We at PSU Net Impact will be attending Earth Day, April 22nd on the South Park blocks, and are hosting Patrick from Guayaki. I encourage you to stop by and find out what we are all about!

Will there be any other Earth Day events in town? I would love to hear about them.

Nepalese Paper

What if making paper was as harmless to a tree as making yarn is harmless to sheep? It can be. In the making of traditional Nepalese paper, the a bush called Lokta is stripped of its bark for processing into pulp, but it is left to regenerate. Harvesting the bark is actually beneficial for the long-term health of the plant. Generations have used this paper for centuries, although scholars differ on when and where it was first used.

I recently met a representative from NepalesePaper.com, and I encourage you to look into the paper products. Take a look at their products, and let me know what you think.

Guayaki's Reforestation

I am a tea drinker, not a coffee drinker. Some are often surprised as I was a barista for nearly two years. One of my favorite tea beverages is yerba mate. The plant, Ilex paraguariensis, is grown in the Amazonian rainforest of Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil. Unfortunately, with the deforestation of the rainforest, the area where yerba mate is grown is rapidly shrinking.

One of the leading vendors of the drink, Guayaki, has a unique business plan. As the company grows, they invest in reforestation of the rainforest. This is not only in the best interest of company stakeholders, but also in the sustainable interest of the company, as it is dependent on the continued supplies of the leaves.

Have you heard of any businesses with similar programs, either reforestation, other environmental replenishment programs, or social sustainability initiatives? If so, I would love to hear about it!

Better Living Show

Friday and Saturday night I visited the Better Living Show at the Portland Expo Center. Has anyone else been to the show yet? There is one day left: today, Sunday the 30th of March. There is no cost for admission. I highly recommend the event, and will be writing about a number of the vendors in upcoming posts.