Heart of Green

Saving Forests with Beauty

It was a historic moment at the GreenBiz State of Green Business Forum in San Francisco. “We want to be known as the company that is helping to end deforestation,” said Tod Arbogast, the Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility for Avon Cosmetics. This is the kind of visionary statement that will heal the world.

As Arbogast continued, a cheering section developed in the back of the room. “The depletion of nature is becoming an increasing issue of concern for women,” he remarked. “Our representatives can become champions of conscious consumption and a force for good to nurture nature." I think he is right. People are recycling and are ready for something more. They want to ensure their children will inherit a beautiful world.

The past Director of Sustainable Business at Dell, Tod Arbogast delivered an outstanding presentation on how to be a successful Chief Sustainability Officer and transform an institution, while improving the bottom line.

“I encourage companies to take action voluntarily before relevant issues escalate and become required,” instructed Tod. Which issues are poised to tip? He advised paying attention to deforestation, biodiversity, tar sands, palm oil, and nanotechnology.” This is clearly a man to watch.

Why does Avon care about forests?  "We are the largest print publisher in the world. We print 1 billion catalogs per year,” explained Arbogast. He gave a complimentary plug for ForestEthics with whom he worked at Dell to switch catalogs from virgin to recycled paper and save millions of trees.

Check out his Avon Paper Promise and Hello Green Tomorrow initiatives. Avon is committed to printing its catalogs on recycled and sustainable Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) paper. They are also switching to 100% sustainable palm oil to save rainforests in Indonesia. The world just got a little bit more beautiful.

“Focus on doing the right thing,” concluded Tod. “The rest will follow.”

WildAid Gala

Join us for an unforgettable night at the star-studded WildAid Gala honoring wildlife ambassadors and celebrating the movement to save endangered species like tigers, elephants, rhinos, and more for future generations.

WildAid Gala

WHEN:
Thursday, May 5, 2011
6:30 pm

WHERE:
Julia Morgan Ballroom
Merchant Exchange Building
465 California Street, 15th Floor
San Francisco, CA

Celebrity Chef:  Tyler Florence

Winemakers:  Rob Mondavi Jr. & Michael Mondavi

HONOREES:

• Yao Ming - NBA All Star, WildAid Ambassador
• Julie Packard
• Addison Fischer

CELEBRITY HOSTS:
Jackie Chan, Bo Derek, Leonardo DiCaprio, Edward Norton, Yao Ming, Holly Beck, Maurice Greene, Allen Johnson

CHAIRS:
Chairs:  Tod & Fiona Bensen, Beverly Spector & Ken Lipson
Co-Chairs:  Bill & Shannon Joy, Laney & Pasha Thornton, Rob & Lydia Mondavi, Michael & Xochi Birch, Dr. Jordan & Caroline Shlain, Peter Knights

HOST COMMITTEE:
Nadine Weil, Prescott Ashe, Ivonne Baki, Ashley Barrington-Mace, Jeff Bede, Ben Bleiman, Craig & Nancy Branigan, Samantha Campbell, Jonathan Conrad, Mark Cunningham, Tracey Durning, Rory Faber, Lisa Greenberg-Ferrero, Bryce Groark, Moira Hanes, Lea Haratani, David Haslingden, Shawn Heinrichs, Michael Horwitz, Robert Hunt, Lucie Jay, Richard & Carole Johnson, Phil Lamoreaux, Leo Lippi, Katie Martin, Shannon McElyea, Cathy McMurtry, Steve Morgan, Nancy Mueller, Larry Namer, Nicolette Oliaro, Cameron Phleger, Angelina Preza, Anthony Sandberg, Joakim Silvanderson, Eric Steinhauser, James Von Rittmann, Wesley Wang, Jamie White

SPONSORS:
Google, Alliance Bernstein, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Bank of America, Fenwick & West, Britex, Europenan Collision Center, Folio Fine Wine Partners, Partida Tequila, Tyler Florence Group, Heart of Green

ONLINE AUCTION:
The WildAid auction is live! Peruse a dazzling list of travel adventures, artwork and more at the WildAid auction site on charitybuzz

RSVP:
The gala is already 75% sold out. Reserve your tickets here:
www.wildaid.org/gala

ABOUT WILDAID:
WildAid reduces the demand for endangered species products by specifically targeting consumers with engaging public service announcements and education initiatives. WildAid runs global public awareness campaigns with celebrity spokespeople, field conservation programs, and the enforcement of marine protected areas. WildAid is headquartered in San Francisco, with programs in the United States, China, India, Ecuador, Canada, the UK, Galapagos, and Indonesia.

With its persuasive PSAs, WildAid is reaching over 1 billion people in China and over 500 million people in India per week. They work with over 80 international celebrity and sports star ambassadors and over 50 media partners to save tigers, elephants, sharks from shark finning, marine life, rhinos and much more. Watch the PSAs and learn more at www.wildaid.org

In recent news, Californian Assemblymen Paul Fong and Jared Huffman introduced a law this week (Assembly Bill 376) with WildAid that would ban the sale and distribution of shark fins in California.  "The overfishing and inhumane finning of sharks for soup is an ecological disaster on a global scale. This bill would be an important step towards conserving the health of our oceans for future generations," said Peter Knights, Executive Director of WildAid. The outpouring of support for this bill has been incredible and included even a tweet by @LeonardoDiCaprio to his 700,000 followers. The world is ready to protect nature before it is too late. Sign the pledge

We hope you can join us at this glamorous celebration to save wildlife!

Roam Free on St. Patty's Day

You are invited to experience a new kind of Green on St. Patrick's Day. Join us for a festive cocktail party and multimedia presentation on Freedom To Roam highlighting wildlife's critical need for movement by Rick Ridgeway.

Have no fear. Beer will be offered for eco-conscious revelers. Patagonia's VP of Environmental Initiatives, Rick is a world-renowned adventurer who has been called the real-life Indiana Jones by Rolling Stone Magazine.

St. Patrick's Day Party
for Freedom To Roam

DATE:
Thursday, March 17, 2011
6:30 PM

LOCATION:
Private Home in Mill Valley
(address upon rsvp)

HOSTS:
Rick Ridgeway, Zem Joaquin, Nadine Weil, Stuart Ruddick, Jason Kibbey, Juliet Lamont, Andrew Behar, Laura Rodormer, Clare Cooley

FEATURING:

• Delicious Organic Reception
• Eco-Friendly Cocktails by VeeV
• Multimedia Freedom to Roam Presentation by Rick Ridgeway
• MateVeza beer and Wente Vineyards sustainable wine
• St. Patrick's Day Celebration
• VIP Gift Bags by Patagonia
• Mingling with the who’s who of green in the Bay Area

RSVP:
rsvp at freedomtoroam dot org
An opportunity to support Freedom To Roam will be available at the event.

CRITTERS THAT ROAM:
The monarch butterfly, the infamous wolverine, pronghorn antelope, lynx, whales, sea turtles, bighorn sheep, salmon, pumas, and countless more iconic American species need to migrate to survive. Wildlife corridors are making this possible and enabling humans and animals to co-exist in harmony and prosper. Learn more about Freedom To Roam and wildlife corridors here at www.freedomtoroam.org

SUPPORTED BY: Patagonia, ecofabulous, Heart of Green, Clare Cooley, PACT, Mindful Investors

We hope you can join us! And don’t forget to wear eco-couture in the color du jour.

Migration photos by National Geographic Photographer Joe Riis

Green Pearls of Wisdom

The new Lt. Governor of California, green rockstar Gavin Newsom’s keynote address at the GreenBiz State of Green Business Forum was filled with countless pearls of wisdom. Here is the best of the best of Gavin Newsom on reinvention in California.

"We spend billions of dollars a year to buy things. Why don't we buy good things?"

“States are labs of democracy, but cities are labs of innovation"

"My job now is to take things we did in San Francisco and do it for California”

“The biggest game-changer is to retrofit existing buildings. With a $1 billion investment, you reduce energy costs and create 7,000 jobs. This is the biggest bang for the buck"

“Those highway rest stops should become EV charging stations”

“When you buy Dasani and Aquafina, you're really just buying a plastic bottle full of New York City tap water”

“Green is an economic engine”

“The state needs to get through the budget crisis, but it also needs to make investments in its economic fate and future. A lack of budget is not a good reason not to have audacious goals.”

Gavin Newsom also talked about the need to reconnect people to the environmental issues that they care most about, like air quality. I could not agree more and would add -- looking and feeling good!  Going green can enhance your life to the fullest.

Watch this excellent video of Gavin Newsom laying out his green vision for California while being interviewed by GreenBiz's Joel Makower. Stay tuned for more sizzling pro-planet action from this game-changing Lt. Governor.

Pre-Oscar Party with Global Green

You are invited to party for the planet like a rock star at Global Green's popular Pre-Oscar Party in Hollywood.

Come celebrate the environment with some of the biggest eco-celebrities and musicians at the Avalon Theater in Los Angeles. I can attest from personal experience that this party is not to be missed!

Global Green Pre-Oscar Party

WHEN:
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
5:30 pm Patron Dinner
8:30 pm Oscar Party

WHERE:
Avalon Hollywood Theater
1735 Vine Street
Hollywood, CA

HONORARY HOSTS:
Orlando Bloom, Miranda Kerr, Suzy Amis Cameron, Kate Bosworth, Jim Carrey, Rosario Dawson, Mia Maestro, Sharon Lawrence, Matt Petersen

FEATURING:

• Live Musical Performances
• Celebrity Guests
• Festive Cocktail Party with Newton Vineyard and 360 Vodka
• VIP Lounge
• Green Carpet Arrivals
• Smart Eco-Conscious Solutions

TICKETS:
All proceeds benefit the nonprofit Global Green and their efforts to create a secure and sustainable future through Green Schools, Green Affordable Housing, community-based clean energy solutions, successful policy work, and more at www.globalgreen.org

$55 General Admission
$100 General Admission plus Global Green Membership
$1,000 VIP Ticket with VIP lounge, hosted bar, seating, eco-gift bag

RSVP Required:
Tickets are going quickly. Please rsvp here:
www.globalgreen.org/preoscarparty

We look forward to seeing you in Hollywood!