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This past weekend I attended the Opportunity Green Conference at UCLA with co-founder Lauren Johanson.  We’ve decided to share our experiences in a two-part article that will finish tomorrow with Lauren’s impressions and takeaways from the event.  To read more about who was at the event, check out our ydt article by Danielle Davis here.

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“Do good by the earth, and do good by your business”, is what Rick Rigdeway of Patagoina opened up his presentation with, and the conference as a whole carried out this theme as well.  During his presentation Rick laid out the 5 “Noble Truths” of Patagonia’s Mission:

1.    Lead an example life
2.    Clean up your act
3.    Do your penance
4.    Principle to support civil democracy
5.    Influence other businesses

While I thought these were great for business to model themselves after (and many have started too including corporate giants Nike & Walmart), what I took away is that this is something we as Green Consumers can model ourselves after as well.

1.  Our strongest tool in demanding for green goods, alternatives, or even just more environmentally aware practices from businesses is our purchasing power.  The more we led the demand with our dollars, the more the market will fill the demand for what we want.  (*note:  Clorox Green Works earned more in profits this year than conventional Clorox Cleaning products, Clorox now knows that Green Sells.)

2.  We can all do better about what we do daily to Green up our act.  Whether you leave the car home one day a week, take your own bags to the store, switch out light bulbs, buy recycled paper products, organic food, or less toxic cleaning products.  All of these things are small changes, but can add up if we commit to doing them.  Take this attitude into the work place as well (I got my company to begin using 100% post consumer recycled paper, and am working on biodegradable utensils).  Check out this list for everyday greening here if you want more inspiration.

3.  If you’re a big flyer, purchase carbon offsets.  If you’re a big driver, volunteer your time to help plant trees or clean up the local beaches and rivers.  There are a lot of easy ways we can all give back to the Earth, considering what we take from it every day.

4.  Support companies and organization that are doing good around the world.  Check out companies like Patagonia, Clif Bar, musicians like Jack Johnson, and even local L.A. companies like BTC Elements.  All of these companies participate in the non profit 1% For The Planet, where 1% of their total sales goes to a variety of groups working for the environment.

5.  Inspire others!  Share what you are doing and why, but not in a forceful way.  Be an example, but don’t be obnoxious about it.  People are willing to do the green things if it’s easy, and doesn’t become an inconvenience to them.  If you drive a Prius, share about how great your gas mileage is, show off your BYOB (they have some pretty cool ones these days).  Start a recycling program at your school or work.  Simply turn off your lights, when you leave a room.  Your simple actions can inspire others and WILL!

Overall I learned a lot from all of the different companies and speakers who came to share what they are doing to make a better impact on our planet and our people.   Patagonia did stand out to me as a pioneer in the industry, promoting organic cotton since the 90s (and now sharing this information with Walmart.)  They also never tire of thinking up new ways to make a change.  If you’re curious to learn more, check out their Common Threads program to learn more about recycling your old clothes into new clothes.

*Also we want to thank Karen Solomon & everyone at Opportunity Green for putting on such a meaningful event!

Tags: Causecast.org, clif bar, ecofabulous.com, Nike, opportunity green, Patagonia, social Media