Go Drive Electric Vehicle Day In LA

Posted on April 23, 2012 by quest

The public is invited to participate in the most extensive Ride, Drive & Charge event ever assembled, featuring a wide variety of electric vehicles, and learn about electric drive technologies during the 26th International Electric Vehicle Symposium at the Los Angeles Convention Center from May 6 – 8, 2012. On Sunday, May 6, the public will also have an opportunity to tour more than 160 exhibits on the show floor at the Symposium.

“We welcome local residents to test drive electric vehicles during EVS26,” said Brian Wynne, president of the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA), the U.S. association dedicated to advancing electric drive technologies and hosting organization for the symposium. “These events will provide consumers and local businesses with opportunities to learn more about how these vehicles and charging stations operate, as well as the environmental and cost-savings benefits of driving electric instead of a conventional gas-powered vehicle.”

A “Ride, Drive, & Charge” event will be open to the public on Sunday, May 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday, May 7 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Tuesday, May 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Participants can gain hands-on experience with electric vehicles, including riding, driving and learning how to use different types of electric vehicle chargers. More than 160 global companies will display electric vehicle technologies on the show floor, including: Coda Automotive, Coulomb Technologies, GM, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan, Siemens, Southern California Edison, and Toyota. Several educational sessions and presentations will be held for consumers to learn about electric vehicles and charging.

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Virgin Gets Its Green On In San Francisco

Posted on April 14, 2012 by quest

Virgin America, the only California-based airline, is partnering for the fifth consecutive year with the California State Parks Foundation (CSPF) for its 15th Annual Earth Day to support vital environmental restoration and clean-up projects across the state. Virgin America teammates (along with employees from presenting sponsor Pacific Gas and Electric Company) were pitching in today at San Francisco’s Candlestick Point State Recreation Area where they were planting native trees, installing new redwood garden boxes and landscaping to help restore and preserve the park. Virgin America teammates in other cities across the country are also participating in local environmental clean-up events throughout Earth month. In addition to Virgin America’s efforts on the ground, the airline was the first domestic airline to offer guests the ability to offset their carbon in-flight by using the Red seatback touch-screen entertainment system to make a donation to CSPF or to offset the carbon emissions of their flight via the nonprofit Carbonfund.org.

“We’re pleased to continue our partnership with the CSPF for the fifth year in a row, in order to support their efforts to protect and restore our state’s natural resources — especially those in underserved communities like Candlestick Point,” said David Cush, President and CEO of Virgin America. Candlestick Point State Recreation Area is the state’s first “urban” park and includes a community garden, open wildlife areas and other public spaces that support a better way of life in the underserved Bay Area neighborhood. “We are proud to continue our partnership with Virgin America – an airline that has long supported environmental work and our efforts on behalf of state parks,” said Elizabeth Goldstein, President of California State Parks Foundation. “Not only are Virgin teammates helping us on the ground by volunteering in state parks, Virgin also helps us from 35,000 feet by providing an in-flight donation option on its entertainment platform.

Virgin America’s efforts will also stretch across the nation with clean-up and restoration projects. “Our region has long been known as a model for the nation and the world in terms of championing sustainable best practices,” said San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee.” San Francisco which was named the “Greenest City in North America” will also be hosting a FREE Eco-Event for Everyone! Celebrating Earth Day in San Francisco, Sunday, April 22nd, in the event features two-stages of Music and Speakers, plus Workshops, Organic Chef Demos, Eco-Fashion Shows, Holistic Health, and Clean-Energy Zones, a Permaculture Village, Interactive Art, a Huge Kids Zone and much more. The festivities run 10am to 6pm at the Civic Center Plaza in Downtown San Francisco. Sponsored by SF Parks Alliance, Nissan.

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One Day On Earth To Screen Worldwide On Earth Day

Posted on April 13, 2012 by quest

A new feature-length documentary film — the first to include footage filmed in every country on earth captured all on the same day, and created with the help of the United Nations and an international community of filmmakers –is to debut on Earth Day, April 22, 2012 at screenings in more than 160 countries worldwide.

Four years in the making, “One Day on Earth” is a video time capsule of one day – 10 October 2010. More than 19,000 filmmakers, both professional and novice, contributed 3,000 hours of footage. The project, headed by Founder/Director Kyle Ruddick and Co-founder/Executive Producer Brandon Litman, donated video cameras to more than 95 UN country offices, which resulted in unusually intimate access to remote places including Papua New Guinea and South Sudan.

Featuring music by Paul Simon, Fela Kuti, Sigur Ros, and others, the film captures a dazzling array of human experiences, from the birth of a newborn in Mongolia to a clock collector in Rio De Janeiro’s favelas. The film fluidly shows how crises confronting the world – from water shortage to poverty – connects us all, and offers rarely seen images from life in North Korea, Iran, and Kosovo.

ODOE has utilized Tugg, a web-platform that enables individuals to choose the films that play in their local theaters. The film has been financed by sources including significant support from the Ford Foundation‘s JustFilms initiative.

Fela Kuti

One Day On Earth Video

FREE PUBLIC SCREENINGS On April 22, the film will screen for free in more than 160 countries.

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New York City Eco Friendly Yachts and Everything

Posted on December 9, 2011 by quest

To celebrate the debut of the Hornblower Hybrid, Hornblower Cruises & Events will cruise New York Harbor on New Year’s Eve 2012, departing at 10 p.m. from Pier 40 on the Westside. Set to the backdrop of Manhattan’s luminous skyline and epic midnight fireworks show, the three-and-a-half hour cruise features internationally-themed food stations, premium open bar, entertainment and a DJ. The celebration marks the cruise line’s maiden voyage in New York City, where it will launch four luxury vessels in 2012. New Year’s Eve cruise-goers will be the first passengers onboard the eco-friendly Hybrid, which is powered by multiple alternative energy sources. Guests can enjoy spectacular fireworks and scenic views from the vessel’s spacious upper deck and viewing atrium.

Terry MacRae, CEO of Hornblower Cruises & Events said, “We couldn’t think of a better time for the Hybrid’s inaugural cruise than on the evening that celebrates a renewed spirit and optimism for what’s to come in the new year. We invite locals and visitors to raise a toast and set sail aboard a yacht that represents the future of maritime luxury and sustainability.”The celebration marks the cruise line’s maiden voyage in New York City.

Hornblower Cruises & Events which operates cruises through out the United States is one of the largest charter yacht, dining cruise and eco-tour companies in the country. They operate America’s first hydrogen hybrid commercial vessel, the Hornblower Hybrid, and will launch a multi-yacht fleet in New York City in 2012.

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A real nice flow

Posted on April 18, 2010 by quest

Ja Ja Bolivar & Freddy Clarke

There was a nice flow to QuestPoints’ Appreciation & Rejuvenation reception at the Green Zebra Environmental Action Center last week. In celebration of Earth Day, QuestPoint invited a cross section of people interested in the green movement to share in Enkidu’s Wines new release: Rosso Fazekas, a blend of Sangiovese and Pinot from Napa Valley. A wine that has a rich, sexy fruit with a seamless balance and a long finish. Bay area guitarist Freddy Clarke entertained an eclectic turnout. All attending also received a CD of QuestPoint audio interview of Green Zebra’s Anne Vollen thoughts on going green which was reproduced by San Francisco’s Digital Revolution.

Founder and publisher of QuestPoint Solar Solutions, Richard Andrews announced a new event and speakers series to begin on June 17th, 2010. Look for details to follow.

Rissa Watson & Tim Ryan working up energy

Founder and publisher of QuestPoint Solar Solutions, Richard Andrews announced a new event and speakers series to begin on June 17th, 2010. Look for details to follow.

Paul Grippaldi & Joy Adams checking in.

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The Way Beyond Art: Sunny Memories

Solar panels are no longer just shiny boxes on roofs. With a new generation of solar cells capable of harnessing the energy from the sun through flexible, colored surfaces, there are now endless possibilities for solar innovation at the crossroads of design, engineering, and architecture. This innovation is on display in the exhibit, Sunny Memories, supported by EPFL+ECAL Lab and swissnex San Francisco and showing at the California College of the Arts’ Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts from April 16 to 24, 2010.

Sunny Memories presented students at four leading design schools with the opportunity to explore the broad new realm of technology, energy, and design made possible by new solar dye cells. Called Graetzel cells for the professor who invented them, Michael Graetzel of the Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), in Switzerland, the cells are inspired by photosynthesis in nature and use dyes to help transform the sun’s light into electricity.  Initiated and led by the EPFL+ECAL Lab, Sunny Memories workshops took place at the University of Art and Design Lausanne (ECAL), California College of the Arts (CCA) in San Francisco, the Royal College of Art in London (RCA), and the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Création Industrielle in Paris (ENSCI). Under the tutelage of design leaders such as Yves Béhar from San Francisco’s fuseproject, Jean-François Dingjian of Paris’ Normal Studio, Sam Hecht from London’s Industrial Facility, and Swiss designer Jörg Boner, the students were given the task of dreaming up solar goods that could be made using the flexible, colorful cells.

The 28 products they created included an energy-producing portable speaker, public park bench that glows at night, sensor-based mailbox that sends SMS when full, and a refrigerator that keeps cool off the grid.  “Sunny Memories signals a new relationship between technology and design: designers have the freedom to explore the multiple meanings that a new technology can bring about, and transform it into real user-centered experiences,” comments Nicolas Henchoz, Director of EPFL+ECAL Lab.

Public Events, Dates, Hours
April 16 – 24, 2010 – The Way Beyond Art: Sunny Memories
Kent and Vicky Logan Galleries (2nd floor) at CCA’s Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts*  Tues. and Thurs., 11 am – 7 pm;  Wed., Fri., Sat., 11 am – 6 pm

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New Spring Green Festival in San Francisco

Posted on April 9, 2010 by quest

Green Festival to return to Bay Area for first Spring event

SAN FRANCISCO – This weekend, Green Festival® offers more speakers and activities at San Francisco’s Concourse Exhibition Center, April 10-11, than ever before. In honor of Earth Day’s 40th Anniversary, half the hall will be devoted to programming, creating an interactive and engaging atmosphere for attendees.  Over the course of two days, attendees will explore 350 eco-friendly exhibits and 225 speakers covering the latest in clean technology, green building, socially responsible investing, eco-fashion, renewable energy, green careers, natural foods, groundbreaking films and ecotourism.

Sessions include Home Solar Energy, Edible City – Building a Sustainable Food System, Social Media for Social Change, Zero-Waste Strategies for Businesses and a Green Kids’ Zone with activities for the whole family.  San Francisco Green Festival highlights include:  • Climate Leadership: From Policy to Practice – Discussion on innovation in civic engagement for urban climate solutions with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and leaders from Sir Richard Branson’s Carbon War Room. Admission is free for all students and City of San Francisco employees. Reduced admission is available at the door for seniors, union members, bike and transit riders. Free Valet bike parking available to those who arrive by bicycle.  Partners include: Green Bash, Honest Tea, Marcal, CBS 5 and KPFA.  Weekend and one-day passes are available for advance purchase online. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.greenfestivals.org.

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QuestPoint Celebrates Earth Day with

Appreciation & Rejuvenation

Freddy Clarke to perform

San Francisco, CA (1888PressRelease) April 09, 2010 – QuestPoint Solar Solutions is your online multi media source for news, information, commentary, and knowledge in the solar, renewable energy and green economy.With all the tech talk about solar, climate change, smart grids and going green. It’s good to have a resource like QuestPoint that makes it fun, upbeat and easier to understand what the green movement is about. In the new green economy knowledge is key.

QuestPoint is celebrating Earth Day 8 days early. We look forward to building upon our partners and making new business friends as we serve the needs of consumers in the solar, renewable energy and green age.
Please join us on Wednesday evening April 14th from 5pm to 8pm at 50 Post Street, San Francisco’s Crocker Galleria, home of Green Zebra’s Environmental Action Center (the first space on the righthand side when you take the steps from Sutter Street to the ground floor).