It was a crisp, fall morning with the sun shimmering on the San Francisco Bay—what a way to start off my first of three days at West Coast Green on October 1, 2009. As I walked through the exhibit hall to reach the keynote session, I could feel the buzz of excitement as exhibitors were putting on the finishing touches at their booths.
At front and center of the exhibits was PlanetUp’s net full of black balloons that represented the amount of carbon created by burning one gallon of gas. I was quickly reminded of the seriousness of what we all need to confront immediately—finding ways to change our habits and business strategies to lessen the impact on our earth.
“These times force you to take a step back to re-evaluate your core mission.” Christi Graham, President and CEO of West Coast Green, truly hit the nail on the head on what we must do in these times of economic uncertainty and imminent climate changes.
West Coast Green was the perfect arena to educate oneself on matters that could positively impact the built and natural environments, and beyond. As I crisscrossed between seminars, tradeshow exhibits, showcases, and the Green Jobs Pavilion, I soaked up as much information as I could so that I could re-evaluate my own core mission.
The opening session for each day was filled with leaders and visionaries of green innovation, building, business, and design. Each speaker spoke with purpose, honesty, and a sense of urgency. I share with you some of my favorite quotes and hope that they can become food for your thoughts as well.
Dan Kammen, Professor at U.C. Berkeley’s Goldman school of Public Policy, Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory, and Transportation Sustainability Research Center:
“Energy efficiency must become a global priority for all nations and communities.”
“Energy security without the environment will fail and vice versa; energy concerns, environmental concerns, and security concerns need to work together.”
Andrew Winston, Founder of Winston Eco-Strategies and Author of Green Recovery:
“Keys to Green Recovery: get lean, get smart, get engaged, and get creative by re-designing and asking dumb questions.”
Cameron Sinclair, Co-founder of Architecture for Humanity and Author of Design Like You Give a Damn:
“Design as a mechanism for building strong communities……Design is the ultimate renewable resource.”
Bill Reed, President of Integrative Design Collaborative:
“To fall in love with nature, you need to date nature. How do you do that? You need to be concerned with not one part but the whole system and integrate all the parts.”
To close, as Professor Kammen said, we “have to find ways to collaborate cross platforms.” West Coast Green exemplified that philosophy, bringing together people from different industries and interests so that cross pollination of innovation and ideas could occur.
For videos of keynote speakers, photographs, and other information, please check out www.westcoastgreen.com.
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