DSW Collective’s Thoughts On Go Green 09

On October 7, 2009 the DSW Collective team (Darcy Winslow, Jenna Forstrom and Inbar Morag) attended Portland’s second annual GoGreen 09.  What a great turn out of dedicated people, all sharing the stories of what their organizations are doing in the field of sustainability.  Portland continues to set the bar high, as we heard from 2 members of the Eco-Visionaries panel, moderated by Darcy, who joined from Atlanta and Seattle.  Did you know that Portlanders drive 4% less than the average city dwellers nationwide?

Darcy Winslow led a panel called “Eco-Visionaries: Creating the New Sustainable Business Landscape” which featured some close friends: Sarah Severn (Nike), Joyce LaValle (Interface) and Sheri Flies (Costco).  There were some great take-a-ways from this panel, including:

• A new reading list, check out DSW’s recommendations here.
• Interface’s Seven Step Plan towards sustainability; Interface plans on being “off oil” by 2020. For more information check out MissionZero.org.
• “Systemic change happens only through seemingly insignificant shifts in habit.” – Molly Baldwin, ROCA.
• Sarah Severn stated “We have the technology, we need the political will power now” around climate change to make a difference.
• Right now the average US citizen lives approximately a 19-ton/year carbon lifestyle. Scientists estimate that if we are to stabilize atmospheric CO2 at a safe level, the global population would need to average 2-ton/year carbon lifestyle.  What would that look like?

When asked what their personal piece of advice would be to those in the audience these ladies said:

“Stay true to your highest intention,” Sarah Severn.

“Meet people where they are,” Sheri Flies.

“Way more collaboration,” Joyce LaValle.

“Check your ego at the door,” Darcy Winslow.

We loved the other panels as well.  Our team checked out the 2009 Most Sustainable Business Showcase.  Elephants, Sokol Blosser Winery, EPSON and Refind Furniture are all local companies making positive impacts.  Scouted the competition in Improving Your Sustainability Credentials, where our friends Carrie Farrar and Mike Mercer were panelists.  Listened to James Curleigh’s “give a hoot, don’t pollute” mantra in Writing Your Sustainability Plan.  Researched our Carbon Footprint Analysis.  And learned about Social Media and Your Sustainable Message, got DSW Collective on Twitter now!  (Follow us @DSWCollective).

Did you attend Go Green 09?  Let us know what you thought of the conference!

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