Eco fashion runway at Yellowstone National Park

Posted on October 12, 2010 by quest

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Talk about green pioneers, Anna & Carl Herman have made a mark not just in the small town of Deer Lodge, Montana but also in the eco fashion world. Fall is a big season in the world of fashion and so it is in eco fashion as well. Eco fashion shows in New York, London and Vancouver just wrapped up so it’s refreshing to see it’s not just those cities that have eco swagger. Anna Herman Eco has been designing clothes most of her life and went green some time ago as a result of an interest in making clothes that are fair trade, safe, well made and fashionable.

Anna Herman Eco just put on The Green Eco Show on location at Yellowstone as the backdrop and runway. “We’re considered a bit colorful in our little town. We run the local general store, do recycling, run a small organic farm and do composting. Not only do we do well with our hemp clothes online with customers in the US, we also sell and ship around the world. Every time we sell our mens’ yoga pants we mark it on a map we’ve posted on the wall in our studio, which is located in the attic of an old white victorian we also live in. If someone in town wants to buy any of our clothes they just go around to our little retail store and buy it there.”

ANNA HERMAN ECO FASHION SHOW AT YELLOWSTONE

This is the second year of The Green Eco Show but the first at Yellowstone. The models are friends and family…and yes that’s Carl and Anna “struttin their eco stuff” in the video. Work it!

See some other eco fashions

Google feels which way the wind blows

Posted on October 12, 2010 by quest

When the lens of history looks back on this time this maybe one of the moments when people could see clear signs wind power 300x218 Google feels which way the wind blows of the green movement in action. Googles‘ game changing move into the renewable energy business comes at a pivotal moment. The old guard is trying to demolish California’s Climate Act, kill off solar programs just beginning to see the light and the wind power business just catching some new energy in its sales. The BP oil rig explosion has not evaporated from public consciousness; so Googles’ investment in the Atlantic Wind Connection project may further aid the White House on behalf of the American people to move the country to a new national renewable energy policy. In laying out its plans Google reported

Solar Power in LA

Posted on October 12, 2010 by quest

As North America’s largest solar conference Solar Power International begins today in Los Angeles, market research firm, iSuppli reports that Germany accounts for approximately half of all photovoltaic (PV) systems installed worldwide in 2010. How did this happen? Germany’s Renewable Energies Act (EEG), established ten years ago, requires power companies to buy renewable energy from system owners at the corresponding feed-in tariff rate for 20 years, guaranteeing an inviting payback time and high returns. Increased demand in the rooftop segment corresponds with installations by private users who overwhelmingly prefer high-quality systems. By 2013 energy from PV sources is expected to be competitive with conventional energy sources in the private consumer electricity market.

Companies that manufacture PV systems and components in Germany not only have easy access to a large and growing market, they also benefit from a competitive advantage through a local brand presence and reputation for high quality products. Germany boasts a well established industrial infrastructure, large equipment supplier base, and qualified and experienced workforce. The country’s PV industry also features the highest density of R&D institutes in the industry. These factors have led to a 300% higher demand for photovoltaic systems over the same period last year.

Germany Trade & Invest representatives will be on hand at this year’s Solar Power International to tell their story. Germany Trade & Invest is the foreign trade and inward investment promotion agency of Germany. The organization advises foreign companies looking to expand their business activities in the German market.

Solar Power International will feature state of the Industry addresses by Julia Hamm, President & CEO, SEPA and Rhone Resch, President & CEO, SEIA. Biz Stone, co-founder of Twitter, will talk about his visionary business practices and creation of cultural shift at Tuesday’s General Session. On Wednesday Secretary Kenneth Salazar will outline the administration’s efforts to make a rapid and responsible move to large-scale production of renewable energy on public lands.

NEW SOLAR ENERGY INTL ONLINE COURSE

Eco leader Marriott reduces energy & greenhouse gas

Posted on October 11, 2010 by quest

Since 2007, Marriott International has reduced its energy consumption by 11 percent, reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 10.7 percent, and is on track to meet its aggressive goal of a 25 percent decrease in energy and water consumption per available room by 2017. These results are among those reported to shareholders, customers, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), associates and other stakeholders in the company’s first official Sustainability Report using the guidelines set forth by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), making Marriott the first major U.S.-based hospitality management company to report in accordance with this initiative. J.W. Marriott, Jr., Chairman and CEO, Marriott International, Inc. said

UNWTO leaders see greener global ecotourism

Posted on October 11, 2010 by quest

Almost 500 tourism ministers, and tourism officials and academics from over 30 countries, who gathered deliberated about the best ways to manage their national tourism industries. The World Tourism Conference, held in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia last week, called for a greener global tourism sector.There was a major focus on ecotourism and environmental protection in all the opening speeches and throughout the course of the two-day event many of the tourism ministers present emphasized their country’s green credentials.

Said Malaysia’s deputy prime minister, Hon. Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Muhyiddin bin Mohd Yassin, in the conference opening speech– “While we want to put tourism at the forefront in terms of generating income for the country, we want to ensure, there is no harm to the environment. That’s why there is a need to establish specific guidelines on how green tourism is to be managed by the government and the various stakeholders,”

The tourism industry is again on a growth path after a bad 2009, due to the global economic crisis. However, attendees heard it is still too soon to count on a return to sustainable, regular increases in tourism arrivals. High unemployment continues to be a major cause of concern and the austerity measures and the rise in taxation implemented in several advanced economies to fight public deficits represent a clear challenge to many leading outbound tourism markets.

Said Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary General: “ We are gratified by the take up of sustainable tourism throughout our membership, it has been a major focus for the UNWTO for some years and holds significant benefits for tourism destinations and tourists alike.”On the opportunities for renewed tourism growth, he commented: “It is extremely troubling that certain governments appear to be looking at taxing outbound tourism as a source of revenue. In particular the United Kingdom and the Federal Republic of Germany have instituted such taxes.”

“For tourism to deliver its enormous advantages – economic, social, cultural and environmental development – to the full, it needs to benefit from enabling environments. Both tourism facilitation policies and enabling legislative environments have been major factors in tourism’s success.”

ECOTOURISM MALAYSIA

Asia tourism has, however, bucked the negative trend and has been seeing regular consistent growth. Asia, currently the second most visited region in the world, has 181 million annual international tourist arrivals (21% of world total) and saw international tourism receipts of US$ 204 billion (24% of world total) in 2009.The conference, the second World Tourism Conference, was held at the Magellan Sutera, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Mal.

Green Globe University New Sustainability Training

Solar power for the people

Posted on October 10, 2010 by quest

When you think about green jobs it’s sort of impossible not to come across the ongoing accomplishments of Solar Richmond. The photo you see has become a symbol of opportunity within the green jobs movement that has spread around the bay area and the world. It’s always good to recognize people who are making a positive difference. Have no doubt that’s what Solar Richmond is all about.

Founded by Michele McGeoy a former Silicon Valley executive, McGeoy approached City of Richmond politicians, businesses and local non-profits to address the eco-divide in the solar industry, a divide that she also witnessed in her previous work in the hi tech world of Silicon Valley.With support and advice from Richmond’s Mayor, Gayle McLaughlin, and other civic and community leaders, Michele started a program which is now considered a national model. But the story doesn’t stop there. Solar Richmond provides students with comprehensive technical training, reflective innovative digital career assessment and holistic development. These methods have been championed by Solar Richmonds’ Kumari Fabio Program Developer, which places heavy emphasis on cultivating emotional intelligence, self-awareness, resiliency skills, and the capacity for personal growth and transformation.

On Wednesday November 3, from 5-7 p.m Solar Richmond is inviting you to CELEBRATE SOLAR! This is a fundraising event to benefit Solar Richmond’s Internship Program. While there is no charge to attend, contributions are gratefully accepted. Celebrate Solar will be held at the gorgeous historic Richmond Memorial Auditorium which has been greened up, newly renovated and is now Gold-LEED Certified! At Celebrate Solar you’ll be able to network, find out more about Solar Richmond and meet current Solar Richmond trainees who will be on hand to answer questions about their programs and going solar! The top solar companies and solar-installed building owners for large-scale solar projects in Richmond will be honored. Event location: 403 Civic Center Plaza Richmond, California . Free, secure parking is available. RSVP required by October 26, 2010. For more information, call (510) 253-2218