California Senator Barbara Boxer has just posted her statement at a hearing she convened. She is Chairman of the Senate’s Committee on Environment and Public Works. Here it is. It’s not too long to read.

I just recently did an article on Green Collar Jobs, and how this is great way to fight global warming and poverty as well. Many politicians are also starting to promote this idea and it is spreading rapidly across the US.

What’s going on on the other side of the pond? I tend to find Europe always ahead of the game on green issues, or is this one issue the US has finally taken the lead?

For the few readers who may not have heard of Burning Man, it is a HUGE week long festival in the desert.  It started out on a small beach here in San Francisco and has grown to thousands of people gathering in Black Rock, NV to create a makeshift city.  It’s all about art, self-expression, creativity, music and how self-reliant you are because there are no modern amenities around (e.g. electricity, plumbing).  I could never really do Burning Man justice by trying to explain it with mere words, it’s an event you would have to experience in order to fully grasp its true meaning !

This year however the art theme for Burning Man is: The Green Man.  They have a new environment section on their website which has links to valuable resources, how to green your art installation, and any other info you may need to green your stay at the Playa.   

Burning Man is unique in that they are a “leave no trace” event.  After all the thousands of party goers have left, it is their hope that there is no evidence they were even there!  I like to classify this event as one of those items you put on your “100 things to do before I die” list! 

This year the man will be burned on Saturday, September 1, and if you’re scratching your head trying to figure out what I mean I invite you to attend and see for yourself!

Sep 20 – Sep 22, 2007
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
San Francisco, California
United States
(800) 724-4880
http://www.westcoastgreen.com

West Coast Green represents the largest milestone yet in the residential green building movement. Never before has a conference and expo provided access to such comprehensive state-of-the-art resources, impacting presentations, and rewarding opportunities. You’ll find over 275 exhibitors showcasing the latest in resource-efficiency among a stunning array of green and healthy building products. 250 experts and visionary leaders will be presenting their latest developments, insights, and inspiration. Over 12,000 attendees are expected, including the entire chain of professionals and decision-makers rarely reached by other conferences. West Coast Green is a feast of innovations, ideas and opportunities designed to expand your ideas of green building, widen your vision, and stimulate your thinking. The event takes place at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, CA.
Homeowners are welcome to attend the final day, Sept 22.

By Laura Reed for West Coast Green

So our governor wants to bring the sexyback to the environmental movement! 

 He spoke recently at our nation’s capital regarding how we can intice more people to focus on environmental issues by making it “hip and sexy”!  He used the bodybuilding industry, an area he is extremely familiar with, as an analogy:

[Weight-lifting was once considered a pursuit for weirdos, he said, carried out in dungeon-like gyms by people embarrassed to admit to doing it.

But with positive marketing "it became mainstream, it became sexy, attractive, and this is exactly what has to happen with the environmental movement", he said. (BBC.com)]

And speaking of muscles he also told the crowd about how he was recently a guest on MTV’s show Pimp My Ride.  They turned a Chevy Impala into a fierce biodiesel muscle car!  vroom, vroom

Although I like the Governor’s stance on the issue, it’s not a big revelation.  Sex sells is Marketing 101! Wait – I know some of you may think I’m missing the point, I’m not, I get what Arnold was really saying, its just we have been saying this all a long!  Most enviromentalists I know aren’t your stereotypical dippy hippies, and this is coming from someone who lives in San Francisco-home of the original hippy!  They are instead well dressed, articulate, polished, eco-minded citizens.  High-end luxury has long started going green and last year green was the new black…..the Governor means well, he really does, and I get the point he was trying to make, but in the words of musical artist Prince to another MTV crowd,”I’m here to tell you sexy never left.” 

The Energy Star program was started in 1992 by the EPA as a way to help consumers and businesses protect the environment through energy effciency.  Last year alone with the help of the program Americans saved $12 billion and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to those from 23 million vehicles. (EPA)   

In order to qualify for Energy Star, buildings must demonstrate superior energy efficiency and must also be professionally verified to meet current indoor environment standards.

California is leading the country in the number of Energy Star buildings nationwide, as well as in energy cost savings and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the program.  California also led the nation with more then 1.5 billion pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions saved annually and with $149 million in energy savings.

California demonstrates its leadership in addressing energy and air quality issues through the adoption of innovative and practical approaches such as Energy Star, said Wayne Nastri, administrator of the U.S. EPA’s Pacific Southwest Office in San Francisco. (EPA)

California isn’t alone Texas and North Carolina also make the top three.

The Energy Star program isn’t just for those of us working on large commerical or residential construction projects.  It’s also for the homeowner interested in how to make their home more energy efficient.  In fact as I wait for USGBC (US Green Building Council) LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Standards for Homes pilot program to conclude and launch (I hear it’ll be in the summer) I often times refer my clients to look into the Energy Star program, as a good place to start. 

Keep buying those Energy Star rated appliances, it really does make a difference!

The Oprah Winfrey show is currently looking for folks to share their stories on what they are doing about global warming:

“Are you worried about global warming? Have you and your family made changes around your household to save energy and cut carbon emissions? Do you recycle and set your thermostat to energy saving cycles? Do you use public transportation to help reduce your fuel consumption? Have you found a way to make a difference in your home or in your yard that you could share with our viewers? What are your specific ideas to reduce global warming in your home? Tell us what they are. The Oprah Winfrey Show is looking for families who are making a difference in reducing global warming that can share their stories and creative ideas. Please only respond if you are willing to be on television.”

The deadline is fast approaching, so click here if you want more information.

Ciao,
Arcadia

So if you are ever in need of a quaint place to meet friends do as the sign says a

We here in San Francisco tend to be a little spoiled when it comes to good wine selections. After all we do have Napa Valley just a stone’s throw from us. So when I heard another wine bar had opened in the city I kind of turned my head and yawned, but when I heard it only serves organic wines I thought it might be worth my time to at least poke my head inside!

Yield wine bar, located in the up and coming dogpatch neighborhood is not your typical super sleek, trendy looking wine bar you see so frequently here. It’s in fact more laid back, with a very casual and inviting atmosphere. I immediately noticed the furniture. No chairs that look like they belong in a museum instead I sank into a long couch with a wooden table that definitely was made with recycled wood from what could’ve been a fallen tree. It was very rustic.

The wine selection is very diverse with a large selection of “green” wines from Europe and the USA. They only serve wines that are biodynamic, organic and sustainable. The food menu is very complimentary to the wine list. I sampled sparkling wine all evening with a fruit and cheese plate!

So if you’re in the neighborhood pull over and Yield.