The Goods On Green

Radio Ojai Interview with Watershed Activist Paul Jenkin

2009-06-19T14:30:00.000-07:00

Radio Ojai Interview:
with watershed activist Paul Jenkin, who discusses the documentary "Watershed Revolution:" http://tinyurl.com/lfbbgw

Lisa interviews Paul Jenkin, Environmental Director of the Ventura County Surfrider Foundation and watershed activist, about the documentary, Watershed Revolution. The 30-minute film will be shown at Chaparral High School Auditorium on June 24th at 7:00 p.m. and will follow with a panel discussion with Paul, the filmmaker and other experts. The event is hosted by the Ojai Valley Green Coalition, and a $2.00 donation is being requested at the door. Also, June 18th is International Surfing Day; click here for more information about the day's events.

FILM PREMIERE OF THE "WATERSHED REVOLUTION" IN OJAI

2009-06-19T14:16:00.000-07:00

WATERSHED REVOLUTION DOCUMENTARY New Film Answers the Question “What Is a Watershed?”

Stunning high–definition cinematography will be featured in the film premiere of Watershed Revolution on June 24 at Ojai’s Chaparral High School Auditorium.

The 30-minute documentary film, which is being shown by the Ojai Valley Green Coalition, profiles our Ventura River watershed and the community members and organizations working to protect and restore it. It highlights the unique challenges faced by a river that is this community’s main source of water. The film emphasizes the need for floodplain protection, sustainable agriculture, and community awareness of local water resources.

After the film there will be a discussion along with a question and answer period, featuring local watershed activists such as Paul Jenkin of the Surfrider Foundation; Steve Svete of the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy; Rick Bisaccia, Preserve Manager for the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy; Steve Sprinkel, organic farmer; Sara Benjamin, “Once Upon a Wetland” educator; Shawn Kelly of the State Coastal Conservancy Wetlands Recovery Project; and Ben Pitterle, with the Ventura Stream Team of Santa Barbara Channelkeeper.

For a preview, log on to http://watershedrevolution.com/trailer.html. World-class outdoor photographer Rich Reid is the documentary filmmaker. Reid is a resident of the Ojai
Valley and a photography instructor at the Brooks Institute. His photographs have been featured by National Geographic Books, Backroads, the New York Times, The Territory Ahead, and the Trust for Public Land. Reid also conducts photo tours and workshops in Alaska.

Watershed Revolution promises to change forever your definition of a watershed. It will be shown at 7:00 p.m. on June 24 at the Chaparral High School Auditorium, 414 E. Ojai Avenue.

For further information on the event or the Ojai Valley Green Coalition, visit www.ojaivalleygreencoalition.org or call (805) 653-8445.

The Passive Design Revolution

2009-05-09T20:55:00.001-07:00

For the May event in its “Ecology and Community” series, the Ojai Valley Green Coalition will share smart, time-tested heating and cooling strategies of architectural design as the new way to control indoor temperatures.

A presentation entitled “The Passive Design Revolution” will be given on May 27 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Chaparral High School Auditorium, 414 E. Ojai Avenue. Wintertime solar gain, summertime solar shading, efficient insulation, and natural ventilation are all elements of the passive- design methodology now being used internationally.

German-speaking countries and Scandinavia have been leading the movement, and so far more than 15,000 “passive houses”have been built. As more and more homeowners are asking for passive design, more and more architects and contractors are learning how to offer it. With passive design, even the need for solar panels and wind turbines is virtually eliminated, because in passive-design houses indoor climate control can be as much as 90 percent self-sustaining.

The presentation will show that passive design is today’s single most significant way to reduce energy waste in the Ojai Valley and around the world. The evening will feature a PowerPoint photo slideshow, period will follow. The presenter, Wayne Pendrey, is a member of the Green
Coalition’s Building and Construction Committee, serves on the Board of Directors of the Ventura County Contractors Association, and is the chair of that association’s Green Building Committee. Pendrey is also chairman of the Strategic Partner Committee for the California Central Coast Chapter of the United States Green Building Council.

For more information contact: www.ojaivalleygreencoalition.org

OJAI VALLEY GREEN COALITION: Making a difference

2009-04-02T21:12:00.000-07:00

http://www.ojaivalleygreencoalition.org/

The mission of the Ojai Valley Green Coalition is to bring together community organizations, government, schools, businesses, and people of all ages to make the Ojai Valley a model green and sustainable community.

The Ojai Valley Green Coalition is a gathering of residents and friends of the Ojai Valley actively working together to create an environmentally sustainable community in Ojai.

In the spirit of "think globally, act locally," they exist to educate themselves and others about ecological issues; to promote sustainable practices to their local businesses and organizations; to advocate environmental responsibility as a priority to their elected officials; and to bring green consciousness into the lives and homes of the Ojai Valley.

With over 400 members (and counting), they welcome your comments, suggestions, involvement in any of their special committees, or attendance at one of their scheduled events. With a greener Ojai they contribute to a greener, healthier and more equitable world!

NEXT EVENT:

“Advocacy 101,” as the presentation is called, will be held from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on April 22 at the Chaparral High School Auditorium, 414 E. Ojai Avenue.

Mohandas Gandhi once said, “We must become the change we want to see in the world.” But how can one person influence change here in the Ojai Valley?

Improving the quality of life here is often a matter of advocacy: active support of an idea or cause, or promotion of a change in governmental policy. It’s often easy to see what needs to be changed, but difficult to actually make that change happen.

In years past, citizens of the Ojai Valley have come together to stop Caltrans from building a freeway right through the middle of our valley. They’ve also worked together to convince the Ventura County Board of Supervisors to locate a landfill elsewhere than in Weldon Canyon at the mouth of the Ojai Valley. Other efforts have influenced zoning codes, noise ordinances, and the introduction of chain stores. How were these feats accomplished? The answer is citizen advocacy: working within the established system to create change.

Michael Brune to Speak About Strategic Solutions to America’s Energy Crisis

2009-02-17T00:14:00.000-08:00

Author of “Coming Clean: Breaking America’s Addiction to Oil and Coal”

(Ojai, Calif. – February 23, 2009) “Strung out by high gas prices? Melting ice caps give you the sweats? Coming Clean is a roadmap to recovery, a smart, heartfelt guide to building a better world.” That’s from Rolling Stone writer Jeff Goodell, praising Rainforest Action Network executive director Michael Brune’s new book called Coming Clean: Breaking America’s Addiction to Oil and Coal. On March 25, 2009, at 7:00 p.m., the Ojai Valley Green Coalition’s “Ecology and Community Series” will feature Michael Brune, who will read from his book and start a conversation about the tangible and innovative actions we can take for a clean energy future. The event will be held at Chaparral Auditorium, 414 E. Ojai Avenue, with a $5.00 suggested donation. This gathering is part of Brune’s nationwide organizing tour to bring together diverse people and organizations to promote solutions to the energy crisis.

Michael’s book, Coming Clean: Breaking America’s Addiction to Oil and Coal, doesn’t just talk about climate change and our addiction to fossil fuels, and certainly doesn’t just say we need only to change light bulbs and vote every now and then to solve these problems. This is a book about systemic solutions, and more importantly, exactly how we can get those solutions implemented. Pulitzer Prize winner Ross Gelbspan calls it “a thoroughly engaging, reader-friendly analysis of our energy dilemma,” adding, “Brune’s empowering book tells us how to take back our future from the energy bullies leading us down a path to climate chaos.”

Michael Brune is the executive director of Rainforest Action Network (RAN) and a founding board member of Oil Change International, an organization dedicated to dissolving the political barriers to a clean energy transition. At age 26, Brune joined RAN to direct its campaign to convince Home Depot to stop selling wood from endangered forests. After a year of creative protests, celebrity activism, and shareholder advocacy, Home Depot agreed. Time magazine called it the top environmental story of 1999, and the announcement led to the protection of 5 million acres in British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest. Under Brune’s leadership, RAN has successfully campaigned to change the environmental policies and practices of some of America’s largest corporations, including Citi, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Kinko’s, Boise, and Lowe’s. RAN has been referred to as “some of the savviest environmental agitators in the business” by the Wall St. Journal. For further information on the Ojai Valley Green Coalition, visit www.ojaivalleygreencoalition.org.

RADIOOJAI.NET INTERVIEWS "CLIMATE JEDI" GRETCHEN LEWOTSKY

2009-01-23T16:25:00.000-08:00

IS IT TOO LATE TO STOP THE CLIMATE CRISIS?

LISTEN TO “CLIMATE JEDI”, GRETCHEN LEWOTSKY ON RADIOOJAI.NET
http://radioojai.com/2009/01/23/lisa-interviews-gretchen-lewotsky.aspx

TRAINED BY AL GORE TO PRESENT THE UPDATED SLIDE SHOW VERSION OF
“AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH”
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28TH AT 7 PM
IN OJAI, CA
AT THE MATILIJA JUNIOR HIGH AUDITORIUM
CONTACT: Ojaivalleygreencoalition.org
(805) 653-8445

SPONSORED BY THE OJAI VALLEY GREEN COALITION.

The Green Business Bible

2009-01-02T12:53:00.000-08:00

Renowned Environmental Expert, Gareth Kane, releases “The Green Business Bible” eBook: Secrets On Making Your Business Green While Increasing Profits

(Ojai, CA USA – January 2, 2009) Renowned environmental and green business expert Gareth Kane has released “The Green Business Bible” eBook. Gareth, managing director of environmental consultancy Terra Infirma Ltd in the United Kingdom, has distilled over 10 years experience working with the public and private sectors into the eBook. The result is a strategic framework that any business can follow to produce environmental and economic benefits along with over 200 hints and tips of how to make that change.

Today, business is coming under increasing pressure from Government, customers and campaigning groups to improve its environmental performance. Soaring oil, utility and compliance costs are hitting companies where it hurts - on their bottom line. "Many businesses may see 'the environment' as a low priority in the current economic climate", said author Gareth Kane, "but there's two proven ways a company can survive a recession - cut costs and develop innovative new products and services. The green agenda is an opportunity to do both, and “The Green Business Bible” will show you how."

By producing “The Green Business Bible” in the form of an eBook, Gareth is practicing what he preaches - eliminating the physical resources required by a traditional book (paper, glue, fuel for distribution, energy for retail stores) and providing only the purpose of the book - the information it contains. According to Professor Graham Street, Emeritus Professor of Environmental Technology, "The Green Business Bible provides business, whether large or small, with all the information necessary to be at the forefront of sustainability. This publication is more than a handbook, it will lead to a change in philosophy for any company that takes the time to read it and implement its ideas."

“The Green Business Bible” is suitable for company directors, managers, consultants and students who want a comprehensive but practical guide to greening business. The eBook is available online for £17.99+VAT (approximately $27.00 US dollar) from: http://www.greenbusinessbible.co.uk. You can contact Gareth Kane or read more about his services and views at: http://www.terrainfirma.co.uk.

About Gareth Kane: Gareth Kane has worked with a vast range of clients from micro companies through to trans-national corporations, across many sectors. He is an engaging public speaker, an experienced facilitator of events, and writes regularly on sustainability issues. Gareth is an approved Envirowise adviser, a reviewer of EU Interreg Projects, a co-coordinating reviewer of consultancy outputs for the UK Government and has been appointed to the pool of experts for the URBACT EU urban development program. He has appeared as a media pundit on energy and climate change issues on the BBC Six O’Clock News, Countryfile and The Politics Show. In 2008, The Journal newspaper named Gareth as a ‘Rising Star, Future Leader’ for his work on tackling climate change.

Available for interviews, articles, columns or content

Review copy available on request:
SVMediaRelations@gmail.com

HAVE YOURSELF A GREEN LITTLE CHRISTMAS..

2008-12-23T15:18:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays to all!

I came upon a wonderful video for Christmas holiday that I want to share with you. It's from the site: http://www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces/doonething/

According to the website:
The idea is to make this the year you do one thing for nature.
Simple, easy to do things really can make a big difference.
And if we all did just one simple thing, we'd be making a big difference together.

The BBC has been out talking to animals all over the UK to discover exactly what they'd like for
Christmas... watch our video to find out what they had to say! And why not send it on to your
friends and family to get them doing one thing for nature this Christmas?

AL GORE'S "INCONVENIENT TRUTH" UPDATED

2008-12-07T00:28:00.000-08:00

“CLIMATE JEDI” GRETCHEN LEWOTSKY TO PRESENT UPDATED VERSION OF Al GORE’S AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH FOR OJAI VALLEY GREEN COALITION

(Ojai, Calif. – December 1, 2008) As part of their Ecology and Community Series, the Ojai Valley Green Coalition is proud to welcome “Climate Jedi” Gretchen Lewotsky to present an updated and expanded slide show and discussion version of the Academy Award-winning documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth.” The event will be on January 28, 2009, at 7:00 PM at Matilija Junior High School Auditorium, located at 703 El Paseo Rd in Ojai. A donation of $5.00 at the door is suggested. For more information, call (805) 653-8445 or visit www.ojaivalleygreencoalition.org.

Ms. Lewotsky was personally trained by Al Gore as part of the Climate Project, a nonprofit organization based in Nashville, Tennessee, which began operations in June 2006 with the mission of increasing public awareness of the climate crisis at a grassroots level in the United States and abroad. As of October 2008, the project had delivered nearly twenty thousand presentations and reached a combined audience of two million people. Gretchen Lewotsky, who is also Vice President of State and Local Government Affairs and Environmental Operations for the Fox Entertainment Group, will share her information and discuss personal solutions we can all move toward in our communities.

On November 8, 2008, Al Gore wrote in the New York Times, “The world authority on the climate crisis, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, after twenty years of detailed study and four unanimous reports, now says that the evidence is ‘unequivocal.’ To those who are still tempted to dismiss the increasingly urgent alarms from scientists around the world, ignore the melting of the north polar ice cap and all of the other apocalyptic warnings from the planet itself, and who roll their eyes at the very mention of this existential threat to the future of the human species, please wake up. Our children and grandchildren need you to hear and recognize the truth of our situation, before it is too late.”

For further information on the Ojai Valley Green Coalition, visit www.ojaivalleygreencoalition.org.

Tips For Greening Your Office

2008-12-02T18:56:00.000-08:00

Ten+ Tips for

Greening Your Offices

Pick up more practical solutions at: www.CaliforniaGreenSolutions.com

1. Optimize LIGHTING for productivity and savings:

a. Replace bulbs with high efficiency alternatives (CFLs or LEDs)

b. Replace switches with dimmers or timers

c. Use low ambient light (dimmer) and task lights at each workstation

d. Turn lights off when not in use. Behaviors can save 50%...immediately!

2. Green your PAPER choice and use:

a. Request higher recycled content in printing and office papers

b. Set printers for two-sided printing (immediate 50% savings!)

c. Print less – use email, CDs, audio, etc. instead.

3. Greenify your TRANSPORTATION choices

a. Keep your tires properly aired.

b. Encourage carpools and use of public transportation

c. Make spaces for bikes and alternative fuel vehicles

4. Reduce PACKAGING

a. Buy in bulk, request less packaging from suppliers

b. Use reusable bags or containers to carry purchases

c. Consider reducing your own product packaging - size, layers, printing

5. Reduce WATER use

a. Provide filtered water pitchers/tanks to replace bottled water

b. Use easily carried, reusable cups/tumblers

c. Install dual flush stools, waterless urinals

d. Reduce irrigation – most landscaping is over-watered

6. Go ORGANIC and LOCAL

a. Locally grown organic food is usually fresher and healthier because of less pesticides

b. Local farming supports your local economy, and your local schools, roads and neighbors

c. Organic production reduces water pollution, uses less water, and improves soil fertility.

7. Use SUNSHINE

a. Solar Thermal and Solar Photovoltaic are becoming very cost effective for energy savings

b. Light is free – open your windows for daylighting! It's healthier, too!

c. Enjoy the dark, too. We have lit up the globe – turn off lights at night and enjoy sleep!

8. Grow PLANTS for oxygen

a. Indoor plants filter pollutants out of your air and improve oxygen, which gives energy!

b. Green is relaxing and reduces stress in an office.

c. Seeing even a bit of scenery out of a window gives a sense of reality, which we need these days!

9. OUTDOOR AIR is better than indoor air

a. We spend an average of 90-95% of our time indoors. Get outdoors and enjoy fresh air!

b. Cleaners, plastics, finishes, etc. degrade air quality, bring in outdoor air that's filtered by nature

c. Open windows or vents for ventilation – our lungs need fresh air for alertness and energy

10. SMILE!

a. Make work congenial and respectful – positive teamwork wastes less!

b. Health improves when you smile!

c. Community is more sustainable when you share hope and care

The Goods On Green

2008-12-02T18:50:00.001-08:00

Welcome to "The Goods On Green"!

We hope to provide some necessary information to journalists, writers, businesses and the public.

We will feature articles, events, products and all manner of things that have to do with the Green Community in hopes of helping to turn the world "Green" and sustainable.

Please include us on your rss feed and if you would like to contact us about being on our press email list or to interview one of our clients you can reach us at: SVMediaRelations@gmail.com.

Please let us know if you would like to add an article to our site or need help to promote your business or project.

Digital Artwork by Jeff Foster at www.NaturesSpirits.com