Heart of Green

Wangari Maathai - Tree Planter Extraordinaire

This Earth Day, I was thrilled to be able to meet a woman with a legendary heart of green:  Wangari Maathai, the founder of the Green Belt Movement and winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize. Picture Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Wangari Maathai and Shaklee CEO Roger Barnett all standing together. It was quite a sight to behold. The joining of three worlds - government, nonprofit and business - for a brighter future.

Wangari Maathai was on hand to plant the one millionth tree at the beautiful Shaklee headquarters.  It was the capstone of Shaklee's A Million Trees, A Million Dreams campaign started just 3 years ago. Wangari, the Governor, and Roger Barnett all rolled up their sleeves, picked up a shovel, and planted the triumphant tree. The Governor talked about his bodybuilding days and how he used to rely on Shaklee nutritional products. Now we know. "What you are doing here is extraordinary," he said. "One million trees would fill Disneyland 18 times over. I don't know how I figured that out." He also rallied support for top green businesses like Shaklee as a vital engine of growth for the economy of California.

 

Wangari plants the 1 millionth tree with a little help from her friends Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Shaklee CEO Roger Barnett 
[photo by Photo Retouch Design]

Shaklee has an impressive history as a green company. Founded in 1956, Shaklee helped to invent eco-entrepreurship by introducing nontoxic, biodegradable cleaners and creating a social marketing model with 750,000 members. In 2000, Shaklee became the first Climate Neutral company to offset all of its greenhouse gas emissions. I can also testify that their eco-friendly cleaning products really work. No "greenwashing" here. It must be that 50+ years of experience. Shaklee is now launching a new program to give one million people an opportunity to become Eco-Entrepreneurs.

Dr. Wangari Maathai is a force of nature. Her Green Belt Movement has planted more than 45 million trees in Kenya to date. It began in 1977 with a simple idea: nourish the land and sustain the people by planting trees. Africa is being deforested, with devastating affects on the water supply, the soil, and the people's quality of life. "By starting with the simple step of digging a hole and planting a tree, we plant the seeds of change for ourselves and for future generations." Her movement inspired the United Nations to launch the Billion Trees Campaign with Wangari's help.

See the brand new The Challenge for Africa book by Wangari Maathai. As she says, let's plant trees and let's also save the trees and the forests that we have left. Let's plant a tree and save a tree. One of the easiest ways to save a tree is to use recycled paper for everything. Let's bring sexy treehugging back. No granola, I promise. Visit www.greenbeltmovement.org

Return To The Wild

Before seeing Mofilms' brilliant new movie Return To The Wild: A Modern Tale of Wolf and Man, I must say that I was not fully on top of wolf current events. I am now. What happens when you re-introduce gray wolves into the Northern Rockies for the first time?  Excitement, friction, love, hate, compassion, conspiracy.

This balanced masterpiece of a film does an excellent job showing both sides and the vast open space of compromises available in a fast-moving 27 minutes. In one memorable scene, a rancher says in a thick accent with a twinkle in his eye, "If the wolves are now bringing in $35 million in eco-tourism revenue per year, then why now kick back a small percentage of that into wolf management?"  It is hard to argue with such logic. 

You can currently watch or download the Return To The Wild film on Mofilms complimentary. If you like the film, please consider supporting these passionate, dedicated and talented filmmakers. They are the real deal and have a huge heart of green. Don't miss their other award-winning films Justicia Now and Freedom Fuels.

For an excellent look at where we are with wolves (the political situation is changing rapidly!), see Defenders of Wildlife and NRDC's BioGems Wolves and take action to help save the Yellowstone wolves.  www.mofilms.org

Happy Earth Day

Heart of Green wishes you a Happy Earth Day!  Just like every day is Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, every day is Earth Day, but today we take a special moment to celebrate our planet and give thanks. In honor of Earth Day, I wanted to share with you a few things that inspire me on a daily basis.

Redwood Forests

The trees first showed me that all life on Earth is interconnected and for that I am grateful.

Chambered Nautilus

The stunning chambered nautilus is one of my great loves. It is over 400 million years old and embodies the golden ratio of 1.618.

Butterflies

 

I am inspired by the butterfly’s ability to transform itself from a caterpillar into a cocoon and then emerge as a beautiful flying creature.

The forests, the oceans, the butterflies and bees.  They do more for us than we even know. We could not survive without them. In 2009, I am committed to helping save the forests, restore the oceans, and create habitat for butterflies and bees.

As the famous song from The Sound of Music goes, these are a few of my favorite things. I would love to know what inspires you.  If you have a moment, check out the new group founded by Julia Butterfly Hill called What’s Your Tree that helps people discover their passions in life and others who share them.  

Today I will be attending the San Francisco Mayor’s Earth Day Breakfast and then the planting of Shaklee’s One Millionth Tree with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. Wangari Maathai.  As Wangari says, “When we plant trees, we plant the seeds of peace and the seeds of hope. We also secure the future for our children.”  Planting 1 million trees in 3 years - what an incredible achievement by Shaklee. Next up will be the Kiehl's launch of their new Limited Edition Superbly Restorative Argan Body Lotion in partnership with Adrian Grenier, Erykah Badu and Kelly Slater, with a whopping 100% of the proceeds going to the Waterkeeper Alliance. I will be finishing the day at the ecofabulous goldiehome party at the Spring store. Please stop by and I hope you have a nice Earth Day!

Celebrate Earth Day with Global Green

Global Green has launched the Leonardo DiCaprio eBay auction with a chance to bid on exclusive items donated by DiCaprio in support of Global Green.  The ultimate prize is an eco-friendly experience with Leonardo himself consisting of a meet & greet and photo opportunity at the upcoming red carpet premiere of Leonardo DiCaprio's new film Shutter Island. 

The auction includes signed memorabilia such as DVDs and movie posters, plus the incredible  Antarctica: The Global Warning photography book signed by both Leonardo and former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev.  

"By bidding on these items at ebay.com/globalgreen, people will help Global Green combat climate change and pursue important environmental imperatives, such as greening our nation's schools, housing, cities and more," says Leonardo DiCaprio, Global Green USA board member.

The auction ends on Earth Day April 22, 2009 so get ready to bid green for green in the final hours! 

Don't miss the Virtual Flower Garden Campaign with Kelly Ripa in which Electrolux Appliances  is donating $1 to Global Green for every flower planted. Planting a virtual flower helps Global Green raise funds to create healthier, more energy-efficient green schools for children. Thousands of flowers have already been planted. Plant a virtual flower

Bookmark May 30 in Santa Monica when we will be celebrating the Global Green Millennium Awards. It is always an amazing night for the planet!

Been There Done That Eco-Fashion Show

Next Sunday evening April 26 starting at 7 pm, don't miss the Been There Done That Eco-Fashion Show benefiting Victory Gardens at Temple in San Francisco. Combining eco-fashion with victory gardens - now that is a first and worth supporting!

This event will feature head-turning recycled and sustainable fashions and every penny will go to supporting Victory Gardens+. The show is organized by bright light Zoe Fisher of Zoe Alexander Couture. I expect to see some gorgeous patriotic organic fashions on the runway. After all, green is the new red, white and blue. Did I mention that adult tickets are only $15? 

See also The Way We Wore auction on eBay starting April 22 for more out of the ordinary eco-fashion made from repurposed vintage clothing, all benefiting Earth Pledge's Future Fashion Initiative. Old is the new new!

Earth Day Party

This Wednesday April 22nd, you are invited to celebrate Earth Day in San Francisco with ecofabulous at a festive party commemorating the anniversary of the Spring store and the launch of goldiehome's new line of modern eco-conscious homewares. Enjoy VeeV acai spirit cocktails, organic goodies from Sellers Markets, and general eco-chic fun. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to Healthy Child Healthy World.

Ecofabulous Earth Day Party
April 22, 2009
5 pm - 8 pm
Spring Store
2162 Polk Street, San Francisco

Hope to see you there!  Please RSVP to rsvp at vie pr dot com

Clean Air Awards

Clean air is essential to our survival. That is why I am thrilled to be co-chairing the 19th Annual California Clean Air Awards this year on April 17, 2009 - the top award for air quality and climate protection in California. The awards are hosted by Breathe California, now in its 100th year fighting for lung health and clean air.

19th Annual
Clean Air Awards
2009 Focus:  Global Warming

WHEN:
Friday, April 17, 2009
11:30 am Awards Luncheon

WHERE:
Westin St. Francis
Alexandra's Room on 32nd Floor, San Francisco

CO-CHAIRS:
Nadine Weil, founder of Heart of Green, VP of ecofabulous
Rod Diridon, Mineta Transportation, father of Silicon Valley's modern transit system

HONORARY HOSTS:
Mayor Gavin Newsom, Senator Mark Leno, Steve Westly,
PG&E's Nancy McFadden, Assemblymember Jared Huffman, Carl Guardino, the Rev. Canon Sally Bingham

FEATURING:

• 19th Annual CA Clean Air Awards presented to 6 winners
• Keynote Speech by Congresswoman Jackie Speier
• Reception and Organic Luncheon
• Remarks by PG&E Green Czar Nancy McFadden
• Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger 
• Jack Broadbent, CEO, Bay Area Air Quality Management District
• Roberta Gonzales, CBS 5 News Weather Anchor
• VIPs from the business, government, and nonprofit communities

RSVP:
http://www.cleanairawards.org
(650) 994-5868

ABOUT BREATHE CALIFORNIA:
Since 1908 for over 100 years, Breathe California has advocated for clean air, fought against lung disease, and worked to advance public environmental health. Helping to stop global warming is a major priority for Breathe California because warmer temperatures caused by greenhouse gases lead to higher rates of asthma, respiratory illness, and lung disease. Breathe California currently runs education and advocacy programs in the areas of Clean Air Public Policy, Asthma Education & Management, Cigarette Smoking Cessation, Global Warming, and Improved Air Quality. 
www.cleanairawards.org

I won the Clean Air Award for Public Awareness in 2007 for Heart of Green. When giving my speech, I joked that I when I first received word, I thought I had won for calling in the most number of vehicles to 1-800-EXHAUST. This used to be my favorite pastime, and I still like to keep my hand in by chasing down cars with dirty tailpiples and reporting their license plates to www.800exhaust.org. 

To me this points to a very serious question:  how can others have the right to pollute the collective air?  I love to walk places instead of driving, but as a walker, I am frequently subjected to puffs of exhaust smoke and cigarette smoke and find myself holding my breath. In talking with others, I have found that I am not alone in this predicament. We all need clean air to survive and breathing in clean air, rather than dirty air, makes the day so much more enjoyable and healthier for all.

Update:

Congratulations to the 2009 winners of the Clean Air Awards:

• Silicon Valley Leadership Group and Carl Guardino for the Bay Area Climate Change Collaborative
• The Better World Group & The Diesel Rule Coalition
• San Jose State University and Genentech for their alternative transportation programs
• Shaklee for its carbon neutrality and A Million Trees-A Million Dreams program
• Cool The Earth and Carleen & Jeff Cullen for their in-school climate education programs
• Dr. Anthony Iton, Alameda County Public Health
• City of Berkeley for the Berkeley FIRST solar financing program
• Milpitas Unifed School District for installing 3.4 megawatts of solar power on 14 sites

See the impressive list of all past winners here, and as Congresswoman Jackie Speier says, "Don't forget to breathe!"