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My favorite panelist on the Environmental Leadership Panel at the GoGreen Expo NYC was the Lazy Environmentalist, Josh Dorfman. The night before, I had done my homework by visiting his website. His blog about how to better articulate the concept of sustainability definitely struck a chord with me so I knew I was in for a treat on Sunday.
First of all, I agree with Josh that the current definition of sustainability is pretty uninspiring: meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. When I speak to groups, I usually just explain that sustainability is “making Earth’s resources last forever.” While my definition is simple to understand, Josh takes it a step further and makes it also sound appealing: to live as well as we possibly can while bringing our lifestyles into balance with nature.
Josh pointed out that it doesn’t matter if we “green” folks do everything we can to live more sustainably; it’s much more important what the other 90% of the population - the “mainstream” are motivated to do. In terms of how to get the mainstream to go green, he suggests appealing to people’s self interest: it’s better for you and for the planet.
One small example of this would be getting Back2Tap by using a reusable stainless steel bottle and drinking tap water instead of bottled water. You’ll save money and reduce your impact on the planet.
Later in the afternoon, there was a premiere of Josh’s first Sundance Channel TV reality series episode that will air in June. In this episode, he visits a typical American family and tries to green up their lifestyle. I was LOL in no time – the family actually uses disposable dishes for lunches and some dinners on a regular basis, the son thinks global warming is a girl issue, and the father thinks there’s plenty of room for all our trash in all that open space in Texas! I won’t spoil the outcome of that green “makeover”!
The Lazy Environmentalist blog and show are now some of my favorites!
Mariel Hemingway and Ann Whitman, a co-founder of Back2Tap
I just spent a perfectly spectacular spring Saturday inside the Hilton Hotel in New York City at the GoGreen Expo. Not surprisingly, the turnout was low. Most rational green folks were probably out enjoying nature and soaking in the abundant solar energy, or at the very least, planting trees or picking up litter in honor of Earth Day. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the worthwhile events at the Expo today.
Fashion photographer Nigel Barker showed his new documentary film “A Sealed Fate?” which is about the the annual massacre of baby seals in Canada. When it comes to baby seals, there is something that inspires sadistic humor in all but tried and true humanitarians. Upon entering the lecture hall, I remembered more jokes about clubbing baby seals than actual facts about the issue. It was an informative film that managed to convey the gravity of the atrocities without exposing viewers to anything terribly gruesome. The coverage of the actual seal hunt was shot from helicopters at a distance.
All in all, Nigel made a compelling argument for boycotting Canadian seafood in order to pressure the Canadian government to stop licensing these hunts. It seems there is reason to believe the Canadian government may be swayed to ban this barbarism someday soon.
The problem with the hunt is the inhumane tactics, not the overall reduction in the seal population. There are about 5 million of these seals so they are not an endangered species. During the first 12 days of their lives, baby seals are unable to swim and simply hang out on the ice nursing. Sadly, 200,000 baby seals drowned this spring due the earlier thawing of the ice sheets, likely caused by global warming.
Nigel was unsure which channels would be airing the documentary due to the expected reluctance of viewers to watch such material. I did wonder why people would be OK seeing people getting shot on TV, but couldn’t watch seals being clubbed? I had to work hard to restrain myself from suggesting that he ask the Military Channel to air the show, if not Discovery. There I go again!
When I got home from the expo this evening, my 11 year old son was thrilled to receive an adorable white baby seal stuffed animal. When I asked him what he planned to name it – he responded “clubber”. I’m afraid that name is going to stick because he saw me crack a smile before I was able to summon the thoughtful response and decry his choice. All joking aside, if you’d like to support this worthy cause, visit protectseals.org.
I didn’t have the opportunity to hear Mariel Hemingway’s inspiring talk, but she signed a copy of her new book for us – Healthy Living from the Inside Out. At first glance, it looks like a great book, full of practical suggestions for slowing down and enriching your life through diet, exercise and relaxation.”
One more day at the Expo. I’m praying for rain!
If you’re in New York this weekend, you might want to check out the GoGreen Expo NYC. See over 200 booths & learn from industry professionals, best selling authors & eco-celebrities on how to “green” your life & business; Mariel Hemingway, Nigel Barker, Josh Dorfman (the Lazy Environmentalist) Jen Boulden (founder of Ideal Bite), Ken Rother (President of Treehugger) Gay Browne (founder of Greenopia) Sarah Beatty (founder of Green Depot) Julie Edelman & Seth Leitman (best selling authors) and many other leaders will be joining us for this annual event. Details: www.GoGreenExpo.com. Admission is only ten dollars. Students & Seniors are free.
Today there was a pretty good turnout for the Business to Business day. The variety of exhibitors was impressive – from green cars, green storage facilities, green chips, sustainable cheese, green turf, green cosmetics, to green beds – you name it! GreenTV was on-site interviewing people (including Back2Tap). CNN was there covering energy-related exhibits, and Martha Stewart Living was also there. We expect the Expo to be much busier on Saturday and Sunday when it’s open to the general public.
Back2Tap is at booth 225 and will be offering delicious free NYC tap water to all who visit. With the assistance of Food and Water Watch, we’ll be running a Tap Water Challenge over the weekend. Come see if you prefer tap water to bottled water in a blind taste test. Four out of five people do – how about you?
