Announcements

July 8, 2010

Green Business Seminars at the Fall Green Festivals —FREE

Join Green Business Network members and staff at the upcoming Green Business Seminars at the Green Festivals this fall. Business-related workshops and seminars will feature financing, marketing, and partnering. Networking with other business leaders is high on the agenda. (These replace our annual Green Business Conference in November in San Francisco.)

The Green Business Seminars will take place in the Green Business Pavilions inside the Green Festivals in Washington DC, October 23 -24 and San Francisco Nov 6-7.

They will be FREE to all Green Business Network members.

If you have a topic that you would like to present, e-mail Denise.

See you there!

Denise Hamler and Mayor Daley at Green Building Supply booth at Chicago Green Festival

Reserve Your Fall Green Festival Booths

Make plans now to attend the upcoming Green Festivals in Washington DC, October 22 and 23 and San Francisco, November 6-7. Excellent early-bird discounts are available.

To reserve your booth, call 828-236-0324 x 300.

Last Chance to Renew and Advertise

If you have not yet renewed your membership, please call or e-mail Desiree today—202-872-5330.

To place your ad in the upcoming National Green Pages and Green American, please call or e-mail Sandy today—202-872-5315.

To Boycott OIL or NOT?

Are you wondering what you can do to make a difference for the Gulf Coast? Wondering whether boycotting BP—one single company—can really make a difference, given America's addiction to fossil fuels?

BP's disaster is simply the most visible and the most current. More oil is spilled in the Niger Delta every year than has yet been spilled into the Gulf, reported the Guardian. The impacts we're seeing on the local communities in the gulf region are felt by locals in Nigeria all year round. The solution is to turn away from dirty fossil fuels altogether, and address our coming climate crisis head-on, through clean energy solutions—solar, wind, and energy efficiency.

At Green America, this is what we are recommending:

Boycott oil – Make one new choice every week to use less fossil fuel.
Join us on the Climate Ride—Boycott oil with a team of Green Americans and join us on the “climate conference on wheels” September 21 -25
Boycott BP—Join the Public Citizen sponsored BP boycott and CREDO’s call to have BP lose their federal contracts.
Contact BP and demand meaningful action to make reparations to the damaged communities of the Gulf Coast, to fully fund the clean-up effort (no caps on damages), and to reframe their business model to invest in renewable energy.
Stop using BP credit cards or buying their retail products. (Check out the Green America credit card.)
Use your investor power – If you own stock in BP, you can divest or use your shareholder power to demand changes in their business practices.
Support community development financial institutions that benefit the Gulf Region. For example, Hope Credit Union has been investing in the region hard hit by the oil spill (they were also instrumental in investing in Katrina repair). Jewish Funds for Justice is collecting funds. Check out www.community invest.org.
PLUS—Get President Obama to put an end to offshore drilling—Tell him you appreciate the six month moratorium on drilling and ask him to expand it FOREVER!

Join our Climate Ride

Join our Climate Ride team and bike through Northern California. For five days (Sept. 21 – 25) and 300 miles, join Green America staff/members and Board Member Bernard Brennan on the ride of a lifetime!

Travel through beautiful scenery and each evening hear experts on the climate crisis and the green economy. Funds raised support Green America's Climate Action Program and the great climate work of Rails-to-Trails and 1Sky.

All meals and lodging are provided and a veggie-van accompanies the riders carrying gear and providing meals.

Check out our team page »

Join the team! Contact Team Captain Bernard Brennan at or Kathy Harget (Green America staff and team member) at or 202-872-5349.

Vote for the Top Ten Green Grants

Thousands of members nominated their favorite charities and green endeavors in Green America's first-ever Green Grants contest!

Now is the time to vote for your favorite!

All finalists combine both halves of the green-economy equation—social justice AND environmental sustainability—community AND ecological health.

Among the final ten are projects that include recycling, organics, Fair Trade, ethnic and cultural diversity, local foods, clean energy, youth involvement, energy efficiency, green buildings, green transportation, and low-income communities.

Vote now »

There’s still TIME!

Don’t miss being in Green America’s next Guide to Socially Responsible Investing! This is an excellent place for all socially responsible investment companies and practitioners to promote their services to conscious investors.

Call Sandy at 202-872-5315 or send Sandy an e-mail.

Become a Green Business Networker and earn GREEN!

When you recruit new green businesses to the Green Business Network—you can gain some green!

It’s easy—take a Facebook page, blog or a web site, post a button directing businesses to us, and for every business that joins, you earn a commission (up to 20%.).

With dues starting at $85—this adds up! Plus you’ll be helping us build the green economy.

Sign up now »

Report on our first Business Mentoring Program

Based on member demand, this spring we launched a pilot mentoring program. Due to its success, a second program will launch in January.

What did we learn? From Cara Saunders, “This was an excellent way to connect with an experienced business owner who could provide me with guidance, support, and a wealth of great ideas.” Cara was among five pairs that were matched this spring in the Mentoring Program.

Led by Joan Friedlander, owner of Lifework Business Partners and GBN volunteer with staffer Tish Kashani, each pair developed their own goals, from re-branding to new product launching and attracting capital.

Beth Remmes reflected on her experience, “I had the chance to collaborate and take steps towards my goals… it was so energizing and affirmed I was on the right path.”

A second mentoring program will launch in January. If you are interested in participating, contact Tish.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Faces Final Vote

On June 30, 2010 the House passed the financial reform bill by a vote of 237-192. The Senate vote on the bill is expected the week of July 12.

Green America worked with the American Sustainable Business Council and Americans for Financial Reform on a specific key component of the bill—the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The Bureau will protect consumers and small businesses from predatory financial products and services, including mortgages, credit cards, debit cards, and pay day loans.

According to Fran Teplitz, our public policy expert, “Green America recognizes that the overall package of reforms includes important provisions, but falls short of the broader Wall Street overhaul needed to truly safeguard our financial future. But we have achieved some key protections for consumers and small business on which to build.”

“Thanks to our many business members the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is poised to become law.”

Get more information after the Senate vote »

Sign the Business Leaders’ Letter for Safer Chemicals

Green America, with the American Sustainable Business Council, urges our members to support the Safe Chemicals Act.

It provides an opportunity for an overhaul of the federal law that ensures the safety of chemicals, which has not changed in 34 years. The 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) —intended to give the EPA the power to identify and regulate dangerous chemicals—does not work.

More than 80,000 chemicals have been used in the U.S. and the EPA has required testing on just 200 of these.

According to Fran Teplitz, "Comprehensive TSCA reform is good for business. It will increase consumer confidence, expand markets, create new jobs, and make U.S. businesses more competitive. Designing new chemicals to be inherently safer from the outset will reduce the costs of regulation, hazardous waste storage and disposal, worker protection, and future liabilities."

A growing number of business owners, executives, professionals and investors are adding their voice for reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act.

Add your name to the Business Leaders’ Sign-On Letter »

Green Business Seminars at the Fall Green Festivals—FREE