Current EcoTuesday Cities

Honoring Gaylord Nelson on the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day

View Nikki Pava's profile
Tags:
Sometimes, the efforts and passions of one individual can create significant change that is felt for generations into the future. There have been many incredible people in our history who have poured their hearts and talents into bringing cutting-edge inventions to the marketplace (such as Nikola Tesla and the electric car), focusing all of their energy on scientific research to change our relationship to chemicals (such as Rachel Carson in her book Silent Spring), or whose activism ensured that our natural habitat would be conserved (such as John Muir and his work in the California forests).

As we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day today, we are also celebrating Gaylord Nelson, one our many sustainability heroes. As a State Senator in Wisconsin in the 1960's, Nelson was incredibly active in environmental policy and protections. He felt as though others in politics weren't paying enough attention to these important issues. As a result, he decided to propose to the American people the vision of Earth Day in order to bring the environment into the political spotlight.

The first Earth Day took place on April 22, 1970, marking an important day when people made it clear that they were concerned about the deterioration of the planet and the unconscious use of resources. More than 20 million people in schools and communities across the nation demonstrated their support for climate change legislation, food security, health, energy supplies and clean water. It is known as one of the most significant grassroots efforts in American history. Today, Earth Day is celebrated in over 140 countries.

Gaylord had a long-term vision for creating this Earth Day: to show the political leaders of the United States that it's citizens truly wanted to see action and policy changes that would conserve and protect the earth's precious resources. This movement and increase in awareness of environmental concerns have encouraged Congress to pass some of the most important legislation that affects all of us today, such as the Clean Air Act and the Environmental Education Act. Additionally, Nelson saw that environmental protection and economic prosperity were not mutually exclusive; to conserve the environment would contribute to a decrease in poverty.

The same issues and concerns that we are facing now are the same concerns that the first Earth Day celebrators faced in 1970. Since then, there have been many more sustainability heroes to join the group of distinguished people mentioned above. We invite you to honor everyone in the past that took steps to create a better future; to honor your colleagues and friends who are adopting new habits and patterns that are better for the planet; and to honor yourself for fully embracing sustainable practices.

There are many ways that you can participate in Earth Day today. Plant a garden in your yard, participate in a community activity, or take a walk in your neighborhood. You can always go to the Earth Day website for information on activities and events in your area.

"A Day in the Life of an Ecopreneur"

View Kevin Pile's profile
Tags:

A Day in the life of an Ecopreneur March 25th, 2010

Good Morning Portland!  I step foot outside the front porch ready to brave the unpredictable weather; listening to the stories of the Radio Cab night crew about to clock out of their shift.  They seem anxiously ready to go home to their families, or go feel like men after a hard nights work sharing a beer at a local brew pub.  I walk down the steps of an old historical, Slab town home;   grinning to the new day ahead.  My morning walk I appreciate.  One mile to the office, plus or minus of course.  I get to take into account the city grid offering so many daily whimsical routes.  My free transportation, exercise, meditation, and my community connection are all completed before I even start my routine day. 

“A Day in the Life of an Ecopreneur,”  Good Day 

Time To Celebrate: It's Our Three Year Anniversary!

View Nikki Pava's profile
Tags:

This month we are celebrating EcoTuesday's Anniversary!

Nine New Ambassadors Join The EcoTuesday Family!

View Nikki Pava's profile
Tags:

I'm happy to to introduce the new EcoTuesday Ambassadors!

 

We're closing the year by bringing on NINE new Ambassadors. That's pretty amazing, isn't it? We have six Ambassadors for our three new cities, and three others will join the Ambassadors in our current cities.

 

Thanks so much to everyone out there for joining me in welcoming the new family members!

 

Also, Heidi in Silicon Valley will be transitioning from an official Ambassador to a "support role", going forward. Thanks for all of your help, Heidi!

 

HERE GOES - OUR NEW AMBASSADORS!

 

Cleveland
Sudhir Raghupathy
Since graduating with an MBA from Case Western Reserve University, Sudhir has focused on organizational development and social enterprise consulting. He often leverages sustainable design to help uplift and empower stakeholders in under-served communities.  In his spare time Sudhir enjoys the cultural and natural delights Cleveland has to offer and serves as an active member of the Cleveland Bridge Builders, Sustainable Cleveland 2019 Steering Committee, Club at Key Center (Green Committee Co-Chair), and Entrepreneurs for Sustainability.

 

Kimberly Hist
Kimberly is currently the Membership Director at The Club at Key Center and has organized hundreds of events ranging from intimate gatherings to groups of 350.  A native Clevelander, Kimberly studied Biology and Business Management at Trinity University and the University of Texas, San Antonio. Kimberly co-chairs the Green Committee, chairs the Ambassadors Council and the Networking Committee at The Club at Key Center. She also serves on the GO! Generation OPERA Committee, an affiliate of Opera Cleveland, and the Membership Committee of the Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club.  
 

 

Dallas
Anna Clark
Anna Clark is president of EarthPeople, a consulting and communications firm that helps clients bolster their brands through profitable green strategies. A writer on topics from sustainability to creation care, Anna is a featured blogger for Greenbiz.com and SustainLane.com.  Her first full book, Green, American Style, is scheduled for release in April 2010. Anna is a member of the Greenbiz Intelligence Panel and sits on several boards.  Anna lives with her family in Dallas in one of the first residences in Texas to earn a platinum LEED-certified rating from the US Green Building Council. For the more on all things green, visit www.annamclark.com.

 

Karen Eubank
Karen is a professional writer and media consultant with an emphasis on sustainability. She grew up a nomad. From Paris to Peshawar, Athens to Amsterdam she’s roamed the world. Travel created a global awareness and an early interest in the necessity of sustainability as a way of life.

 

 

Los Angeles
Amit Jain
Amit has been a business developer at various companies including start-ups and small to mid-sized organizations. Amit's experience includes Sales and Marketing Management, Marketing Strategy, Business Development, Business Planning, and Project Management.  Amit completed his undergraduate studies at Loyola Marymount University in Information Systems & Management.  He also completed his MBA from LMU with a double emphasis in Entrepreneurial Organizations and Marketing Management.  He was recognized in 2005 as the Graduate Student of the Year.

 

 

Minneapolis
Carol Guy
Carol has five years of experience working in the environmental field as an environmental scientist and consultant. Her work includes developing greenhouse gas inventories and management plans, conducting environmental compliance and management system audits, providing training on sustainable strategies, and conducting field research on a variety of wildlife species ranging from bats to sea turtles. Originally from South Africa, she loves to travel. In her spare time, she plays squash with the UMN Squash Club and enjoys coaching the Squash Scholars kids. Carol lives in St. Paul with her husband, Seth, and their funny mutt, Smudge.

 

 

Portland
Ann Stovel
Prior to joining the EcoNexus team, I sold commercial real estate and participated as a project manager in developing urban land and retrofitting buildings in California, Oregon and Washington. In my current role I've had the opportunity to connect with players in the clean technology fields and delve more deeply into how technology supports our efforts to build sustainable environments. In my spare time I enjoy exploring cities without a map (on foot and public transit!), and studying Mandarin.

 

 

Kevin Pile is a leading expert in green career pathways for America’s workforce. He is recognized as a green business leader with his recent Green Career Guide Publication. He has over 17 years of  “eco” interest, and this is evident when you hear the passion in his voice. Kevin’s entrepreneurial vision to promote sustainable development is catalyzed through the existing economic system to innovate competition with more appropriate, creative, & social business models. He enjoys meditating, family, friends, outdoor adventures, gardening, walking, traveling, chess, ping pong, social scenes, people, & more.

 

 

 

Silicon Valley
Rohini Batra
Rohini is an entrepreneur who joined the green business community by starting `Urban Hues’, specializing in earth-friendly, handcrafted designer linens. Rohini is very passionate about the environment & has adopted eco friendly sustainable practices to manufacture these products. Besides the deep interest to help the environment she is very motivated to support the artisans from India and to bring their masterful work alive in the international marketplace.

San Francisco Speaker in August :: Ahmed Rahim/Co-Founder of Numi Tea

View Nikki Pava's profile
Tags:

Ahmed Rahim is the speaker for EcoTuesday in San Francisco in August. Please join us on Tuesday, August 25th.

 

Green Software Unconference - EcoTuesday Participants Get 10% Off

View Nikki Pava's profile
Tags:

I have good news for you, EcoTuesday participants!

You get 10% off the registration price for the upcoming Green Software Unconference. The event takes place on August 19th in Silicon Valley.
 
An Unconference is a participant-driven conference centered around a theme or purpose and is a forum for creativity, engineering, and innovation. The Green Software Unconference in Silicon Valley gathers technologists and business people together to collaborate and share green software best practices, and innovate new products and services to benefit companies and the planet. For more info and to register, click here.

Who will attend:
  • Software Companies
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Venture Capitalists
  • Software Developers
  • Marketers and Business Strategists
  • Engineers
  • Sustainability Professionals
Please drop us a line and tell us what you learned at the conference.