If you live in the Pacific Northwest, be sure to take in the Green Festival April 12 and 13 in Seattle.
The emphasis is on how green means safe, healthy communities and a strong local economy.
More than 150 authors, leaders, and educators will speak and offer workshops. There’re also be films, activities for kids, organic beer and wine, great vegetarian food, and live music. More than 300 eco-friendly booths will offer natural personal care products, organic cotton clothes, and fair trade gift items.
Among the personalities attending will be Amory Lovins, Amy Goodman, Frances Moore Lappe, Gifford Pinchot III, Thom Hartmann, Caroline Casey, Jim Hightower, Jerome Ringo, John Perkins, Riane Eisler, David Korten, and Eric Liu.
For information, see SeattleCAN.org. You can get a coupon for free admission at the this site. The price of admission is $10 to $12.
What continues to amaze me about “being green” is the degree to which small changes in behaviors across large populations add up. It also amazes me that people do not make those simple changes. I saw a piece in the newspaper quoting consumers that now say they are combining errands into single trips so they reduce their driving given gas prices are at historic highs… Given all of the public awareness campaigns it is interesting that it still has to come down to market forces to cause people to change behaviors. Hopefully continued awareness campaigns such as the GreenFestival will start changing behaviors but it is frustrating to me as I’d like it to happen at a faster pace.
Hi Pete,
Thanks for writing. I’ve been shopping regularly at the local food coop, eating mostly organic food, using no pesticides in my yard, and using less toxic chemicals in my home for years. But, you’re right, it’s been the increase in gas prices that’s causing me to watch my use of the car even more. Now that I’m writing full time, I schedule days when stay at home and days for outings to reduce trips. I plan to do a post on how to save money on gas.
Rita