Eco Fantastic Fashions

I love fashion.
There is no doubt about that but when I found a sustainable store, I had to be sure that these folks were not just green washing the market. The owner of the store, Nicole,  was very open to explainging that her store was more than fashion but about the greater good. All of the accessories benefit a country and its citizens directly, all of the clothes are manufactured in the United States/North America for the most part.

She was quick to make sure that it was realized that not all foreign clothes are made in sweatshops or that are bad. When it was asked if sustainable clothing is what attratcs her customers, she said no, it's a plus but it is really about the style for her customers.  She said when it comes to manufactures that can produce organiz tees, for instance, in large quantities it adversely affects the idea of sustainability. She inisited she ordered only what was needed in order to fulfill her clientel's needs. Body Politic is all about the politcs of fashion and being responsible. A body politic comprises all the people in a particular country considered as a single group - I believe the store owner wants people to understand we all have a responsiblity to shop when  necessary and buy quality. As Nicole said  you may pay a little more for our fashion but it is made righ here in North America.

I bought a pair of denimyoga jeans like the ones below from the store and to say they are comfie, is an understatement.

Vancouver Tales: Chapter 1- the Convention Center

Words can not express how dynamic the Vancouver trip was. The best part of Vancouver is that Sustainability is put into action. From the Convention Center, we saw the beauty of the Harbour and Green Park shown below but the real story is how the people have taken care of their City throguh responsible recycling and compost.  The Vancouver Convention Center complete with green roofs, efficient lighting and recycled wood was a site to see. The fish habitat was incorporated into the building structure foundation as to not disturb the natural habitat.

They have won the highest of the high as they are the first convention center in the world to earn LEED^® Platinum rating.













The really cool story was about the bees! They were so cool and the tour guide told us that people enjoyed watching the bees do what they do best, swarm and gather nectar to make honey. The honey is given away as a treat for dignitaries and guests. Super cool.

On another note, there were dignataries and children that were visiting the center and they too are having the chance to learn sustainable practices by merely being there. Guests are encouraged to walk versus taking taxis, recycle and make the most sustainable visit they can make.

Civil Rights Goes Green!

As I learned about all of the different organizations that are trying to sustain Seattle, I was disapointed on how it seemed as if there was a slight disconnect. We met with Michael Woo, Director & Green Jobs Organizer.
Poised with passion, Michael described his dream for a more sustainable Seattle and I could not help but wonder why he was not at the other tables where I sat. As he talked and the class observed, I grew to understand why.

Michael is concerned with the triple bottom line but with an emphasis on the social aspect. As sustainability grows as a "buzz word" he wants to be sure minorities have their place at the table of opportunity - that sounds about right to me.

However, the more he spoke the more it seemed as if he felt the sustainable, green movement, was leaving out the disadvantaged but if the foundation of sustainability is to attempt to equalize and diversify - this seemed like a huge contradiction to what we are learning about.

Michael's concern is focused on job creation and community development. Got Green opened my eyes to a different perspective. Got Green is saying hey we want our civil rights to have fresh good food and well-payong jobs so we can sustain!

When we offered up ideas on how to partner with other organizations in Seattle, Michael did admit he may be the organizations set back due to to some bad blood that had occured previously between the leaders of Seattle and the community that he was representing.

I learned quickly, interdisciplinary skills would have to come into play inthis situation, Everyone wasn't to have their own piece of the pie but it is critical to the success of the Green Movemen that forces are made to make changes. How could the ideals be so different? I recognized there was more to the story but I did hear loud and clear that Mr. Woo is standing up for the environment and the people by encouraging sustainable social parameters.

 “What started as an exploratory research group became an advocacy and organizing group with the goal of ensuring that low-income communities will fully participate in opportunities that the Green Economy creates… I tell our Got Greeners that the only way we’re going to fail is if we let ourselves down – and that’s not going to happen!”

Green Chamber of Commerce: Power Networking

Network for Business Innovation and Sustainability is a hub for ideas, which was the main theme in my opinion of the Seattle trip. The founder Dr. Karl Ostrom let us know the importance of networking and the gravitated levels of sustainability. He made a great observation and that is organizations are "paranoid about green business due to costs".

It is a perception and perception in some cases is reality so Karl and this non-profit took a more proactive approach. Inspired by the sheer fact that he wanted to provide a better future for his grandkids, he co-founded this organization. Understanding the business model that insists that sustainability also result in cost-effective methodology, Dr. Ostrom says that the that companies should earn the tax breaks and incentives should be provided at that point.

This dynamic organization has helped companies organize its own GRI reports and has attracted the attention of large companies that want to learn more about sustainability. As we sat around the roundtable I began to wonder about the goals of sustainability. If the bottomline is to continue to uphold the triple bottom line, then how can we convince companies that rate of returns may not always reflect huge profitability.   Dr. Ostrom explained that there are different initiatives such as the eco hour, a roundtable, that has approximately 40-60 business owners in attendance, who discuss varying topics of sustainability and of course, network.

 The goal is to become carbon neutral. This term confuses me because carbon dioxide is a must in order to live - remember, plants need carbon dioxide to convert it into energy  that includes protein and starch.  I know we breathe it out as humans, as a result of inhaling but this subject has a lot of grey area for me.  It is a case of too much of a good thing;therefore, reduction is needed. At any rate, I really liked the ideas of this non-profit because it looks at itself as a middle man or mediator. It is so interesting that our degree is in interdisciplinary studies, working how to work with different folks in order to reach a common good. Corporations are not embracing the term green or sustainability because the green that pops into their heads is not of trees and blooming leaves but of wasted dollars in a energy -efficient commode.

ISLANDWOOD EDUCATION

Discovery, Environment and Community.

The Graduate Residency in Education, Environment and Community at IslandWood program trains teachers to create learning environments that offer every child the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of both human and natural communities. Our docent "Judy" helped us gain a deeper appreciation for the facility.

The program setting reminded me of a scene out of Avatar, smack dab in the heart of the woods on an island - after all, it is appropriately called a "school in the woods". The furniture in the dorms and areas are made of recycled wood and the legs are leftover lumber remains. The classrooms are filled with students and educators, one set learning how to appreciate the naqtural beauty of Islandwood and how to conserve the surrounding environment; the teachers on the other hand learning how to effectively convey that message.  The roofs are "solar friendly" and engineered in a way that the direct sunlight can maximize the lighting in the rooms and the hall. The cafeteria had to be my personal favorite, next to the restrooms of course. Every room has a purpose.Students are encouraged to "weigh the wasted food" to see how much was wasted and it is used as compost for use in the gardens. The compost toilets were a bit much for me but it was a totally cool option and no, it did not smell.

The kids learn from the time they wake up in their luxiourious sustainable wooden dorms to  the time they march to lunch and back.

The mantra that "Sustainability is an attitude" is instilled with these children, That we have to start caring that everything we do has a consequence. Every strip of trash, every wasted energy, it all has aa start and an ending. It does not simply disappear.

Future Wise: Wise Guys of Responsible living

Lobbyists are at times seen as " the bad guys" but there are many special interest groups who have the best intentions in mind. After visiting Future Wise, a non-profit environmental group, I learned so much about the other side. I listend intently as April Putney talked about her sucesses and tracking bills that could adversly affect the organizations mission that she felt so passionate about. The interesting aspect of Future Wise is that it is backing its beliefs and walking the walk. The walk being legal ramification should the issue need it but that does not mean the organization is leading with the legal eagle threats first. They try to waork with legislators to understand the reasoning behind any amended environmental legislation. I was most interested in the organizations Transportation win in the State of Washington. According to their site:

Improving Transportation Choices
Futurewise convinced the Legislature to approve $750 million in new funding for transportation choices in 2005, including $58 million for a new safe routes to schools program, $50 million for special needs transit and a new Office of Mobility at the Department of Transportation.

• Futurewise spearheaded the successful effort to defeat I-745 (an initiative that would have diverted Washington's public transit funding into road construction) - Tim Eyman's first electoral defeat.
• Futurewise defended funding for light rail and other transit investments by defeating legislation aimed at forcing Sound Transit to spend nearly $60 million subsidizing utility companies.
• Futurewise successfully refocused state level efforts to spend billions of dollars on wasteful freeway expansions into critical safety and maintenance projects.

Could we get this in Texas, I wondered? Maybe we need a tough minded team like Future Wise to help us out with our Legislature as it relates to public transportation. I would love to see my I-35 communte eliminated and a railway or some sort of public transportation incorporated.

Walking the Walk - McKinstry: Backing Sustainable Innovation

McKinstry Innovation center was nothing short of amazing. Nestled in an unttractive industrial area, jaws dropped as we entered the floor that looked as sexy as a brand new apartment  - not what one would expect. As we walked down the halls of the chic 40,000 square foot facility, we were wowed with the possibilities that could come from the geniuses behind the different doors - garage doors that is.

On McKinstry's website, the company says its success isn't a matter of fate or luck. It's the natural consequence of our commitment to innovation. As Tony Stewert explained innovation is the heartbeat of the operation and the coprporate philosophy is reflected in everything they do.

Only serious fun, vetted people can be here according to Stewert. The opportunities are limitless as the political connections include President Barack Obama, is there a need to name more?  Came to Seattle and visited McKinstry. President Obama and Senators visited the "shop" and then Stwert dropped the buzz word of the year job creation. There are 100,000 union wage sheet metal type of jobs up for grabs. For every million invested in these opportunities, 20 million worth of jobs created.

It is obvious the facility is a great place to convene with local or national leaders regarding policies marketplace. What stood oout to me was the why don't you come live here versus work mantra - this is hard, core, chic sustainability. Stewart advised that potential innovators should have a good idea ready to go. This is a one stop shop, office space with a mix of engineers and folks are only chargse a fee for large amount of time. Consulting relational opportunities exist at the entrepreneur's disposal along with the klnwoedge and work from grant writers.   Steweart says McKinstry is "Building the brand of innovation."

The faciltiy in Seattle proved just that with a golf course on the roof along with energy efficient features, McKinstry definitely puts its money where its mouth is.

Their website was incredible and the real story here is that McKinstry believes in Sustainability and they also believe sustainable, innovating thinking will lead to job creation for all.

Sustaining Seattle through Green Initiatives

The spirit of mindset of sustainability is spreading like a wildfire in Seattle - from the non-profit sector to the municipal government sector, the ideals have buy-in.

Dr.Terri Butler's role at non-profit organization, Sustainable Seattle, was remarkable to me because her background was so diverse and embodied the priciples of Sustainability: Environment, Cost Benefit and the Environment.

Sustainable Seattle follows the United Nations Brundtland Commission’s definition of sustainability as, “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Bruntland Commission on Sustainable Development

Dr. Butler said that it is important to assess quality of life in a different manner.  There is a need for a "more efficient indicator of quality of life report -  look at breadth of indicators, not just the GNP."

Out of everything said, that stuck out to me. Well that and the tool library , as a single woman who likes to take on projects but not willing to invest in the tools - that notion is beyond brilliant. The thinking behind the tool library is fix it yourself and challenge our society to use our hands more but don't purchase new tools.  According to Dr. Butler, we as a society need to be able to "to train and accelerate people, we are having to roll up our sleeves and do that more..."

Back to the indicator of quality of life, especially the balance with sustainability and corporate America -  Dr. Butler said that business leaders have to set good examples. Part of Sustainable Seattle's mission is to act as   a conduit for change by hosting good corporate citizen workshops, fostering partnerships, ecetera. It is important to have a diverse pool of thinkers, no matter the demographic.  It is an appreciatetion for all.

Now interesting enough, that leads me to my next point, the GO GREEN a non-profit organization that was not far in distance but an organizations that feels left out of the sustainable fold of Seattle.