Another reason I like Patagonia.  What other retailer do you know that would say “don’t buy new?”  OutsideOnline.com reports that eBay and Patagonia have formed an partnership called the Common Threads Initiative. 

“Together, they asked owners of fleece and Gore-Tex everywhere to pledge to reduce consumption, reuse old gear, recycle, repair what’s broken, and reimagine a world where people don’t stress the earth with purchases.”

As part of the initiative they have established a website for trading gear.  Check it out here.  The only catch is you have to agree to the 5-r’s (Reduce, Repair, Reuse, Recycle, Reimagine) to partcipiate.  Go to eBay.com/Patagonia and take the pledge today.  Look out conference logo gear.  You’re on the block!

Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 9:52PM

South by Southwest Conferences and Festivals has announced it will host its inauguralSXSW Eco Conference in Austin on October 4-6. See their announcement here. Good see a conference like this in Austin!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 9:15PM

Gas prices crimping your style? Not enough time to get your exercise? No worries, it’s bike month… Save money… Lose weight!

May is National Bike Month and cities across the US including Austin are participating to encourage folks to bike to work, school, or any other destination you may have in mind.

This Friday is Bike to Work day as well!  In Austin, there will be breakfast stations (i.e. Breakfast Tacos) along many bike routes and you can check out designated locations on the City of Austin website.

Hope to see you on the trail!

Bike Month Video… http://youtu.be/d93O0hjk_RE 

Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 11:10PM

Spring came to life with Eeyore’s annual birthday celebration. Folks walked, biked, and some drove to Austin’s Pease Park today to celebrate and welcome Spring. As usual, kids and adults alike enjoyed nature and a great Spring day. Drums and music left many dance g while others enjoyed food and “other” treats throughout the day. this year was smoke free in the park because of the fire ban, and I was glad to see and Eco friendly environment where people more than ever utilized reusable bottles for drinking. This is surely a tradition that will last as youth took part and are sure to return for many years to come. Truly a great event to leave behind for the next generation to enjoy and where they will learn to embrace nature and all it’s glory.

Friday, April 22, 2011 at 5:22PM

Earth Day is here!  We love seeing cOnservitude play out in other organizations andearthday.org is doing just that.  The billion acts of green campaign his year, Earth Day’s theme is “A Billion Acts of Green.”  Its people-powered campaign to generate a billion acts of environmental service and advocacy before Rio +20. 

Just highlights that you may feel like you can’t make a difference, but imagine all the “small” acts as measured in a community, it really can make a difference.  Check out their cool facebook ap today and make your pledge.  We’d love to hear about it too!  

A Billion Acts of Green

What will you leave behind?  We’re driving for a green economy!  

Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 6:59PM | tagged Mining, nuclear, wind

Nuclear, Solar, Wind, and Mining… Seems every day their is new on GE and its tough to call whether to love ‘em or hate ‘em.  Just this week for example they were mentioned in ways that would lead environmentalists to applaud them for their work in Solar and Wind technology.  But at the same time their financing arm has supported some pretty environmentally distructive projects and the design was behind the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster. 

Against?  See…

• Citigroup, GE Slammed Over Mining Deals
• Mango Farmers Invoke Japan Crisis to Fight India Nuclear Plant

For? see…

• GE makes $600 million push into solar energy
• GE Supplying Water Recycling Technology to First US Power Plant
• Cleantech venture funding hits $2.57 billion in quarter

Not an easy case to make either way, but I like to look on GE favorably given where they are headed.  Their financial segment is on the decline and becoming a smaller component of what they do and they are clearly leading the charge in renewable energy and clean tech initiatives.  My guess is that in 10-15 years, they will be market leaders in every component of clean technology and renewable resources. 

Their are signs that GE is leading the way in clean tech.  Just in November, Vinod Khosla talked to Forbes and picked 7 guys that matter in clean tech, and  Jeffrey Inmelt of GE was one of them.  The article is here.  His Kior investment just filed for an IPO.

I’m not sure what the ultimate result of nuclear power will be in the future.  Finding a nuclear answer to the worlds energy needs is coming at extreme cost to the public.  Three (Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, Fukushima) disasters in 33 years is taking too much of a toll.  But I also understand technology has come along way toward improving.  Even with this is it worth the risk?  Should we continue to spend billions on a technology that has huge side-effects?  I’m counting on innovation and firms with the ability to design innovation for the future to continue paving the course for us.

First and foremost, however, lets all work on…

(i) Optimizing our consumption through better demand side management.  I’m reminded of a facebook posting a friend in Tokyo made the night of the disaster.  “Finished preparing dinner early, going to candlelight to save electricity and help avoid another blackout.” If you don’t need it, don’t use it!

(ii) Promoting those technologies that are at our doors and sustainable? If you see something cOnservitude worth, let us hear about it!

Kids at WAYA family day filled up reusable water bottles via this monster water tank. Not a plastic bottle in site!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 9:53PM

Now environmentally-minded  people can put their money where their heart is.  Green Bank is  a new bank focused on sustainability.  

They also aim to support green organizations with promotions:

• 50k/$50 CD — For every $50,000 invested in 12-month or longer CDs, Green Bank will donate $50 to any non-profit that is a member of the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition. View PDF
• Check Out Houston’s Green Groups — Open a business or personal checking or money market account and Green Bank will donate $50 to any non-profit that is a member of the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition.
• Green incentives - We offer a new mortgage option for LEED and Energy Star homes that rewards home owners who invest in money-saving new-construction homes and townhomes that meet “green” standards. Depending on the size of the home mortgage, clients will receive an annual gift ($1,000 or $500) for the first five years of green home ownership

You can also save when you choose our innovative products and service options that conserve resources and reduce waste. Green Bank was the first local bank to offer paper-free account options and is now the first to launch green mortgage and home improvement loans.

This is a great opportunity to set up an account for your kids.  You can save toward their future and know that you are banking with a group that also aims to leave something behind for future generations.  I’m planning to set up an account this weekend!

Monday, March 14, 2011 at 2:53PM

Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 9:13PM

I wish we had thought of this!  see the article on TechCrunch.

Great idea for Uber to advertise with Austin’s Pedicab for South by Southwest this week.  Pedicab is just one way to go green for SXSW.  Utilize Pedicabs to get where you need to go with old fashioned pedal power and get a bike ride to the best SXSW has to offer.