Go green, buy local. Local food is more nutritious because nutrients are not lost during transit.
Fewer miles/materials from farm to plate translates to a smaller carbon footprint.Shop at farmers markets:Buy food that is in-season:
Check packaging labels for the "product of....." indication.
Green Athlete Companies
September 2008
September 24, 2008
September 23, 2008
Buying Carbon Offsets for my Trip To Kona
I'm headed to Kona this weekend to compete in the upcoming Ironman World Championships. As much as I'd love to drive the Green Athlete bio-diesal van....this is obviously not an option. So instead I'm going to buy carbon offsets from TerraPass which is a great organization helping to make a difference. Its really easy to do and makes me feel better about my upcoming trip. You can learn more about TerraPass and buy your own carbon offsets at their web site.
What is a carbon offset?
A carbon offset is a certificate representing the reduction of one metric ton (2,205 lbs) of carbon dioxide emissions, the principal cause of global warming. Although complex in practice, carbon offsets are fairly simple in theory. If you develop a project that reduces carbon dioxide emissions, every ton of emissions reduced results in the creation of one carbon offset. Project developers can then sell these offsets to finance their projects.
There are hundreds of different types of carbon reduction projects. For example, a wind farm generates clean energy, which reduces carbon emissions from coal-burning power plants. In order to finance its operations, a wind farm can sell these reductions in the form of carbon offsets.
September 22, 2008
Interbike - Green Steps
The Annual Interbike Conference is Going Green!
The Interbike Expo is 100% wind powered and uses 25% recycled carpet.
What is the Green Steps Program?
It’s simple: It’s reducing our negative impact on the environment—one step at a time.
There are two components of this program. The first is what Interbike does to make a difference and the second is what you, the exhibitors and attendees, do to make a difference.
The History of Green Steps:
Green Steps began three years ago when Interbike became aware of the negative impact that events can have on the environment. Minimizing that impact quickly became a priority of our business. We soon realized that there was so much that we didn’t know and that there was an incredible opportunity to make a difference. We decided to take “Steps” toward the three R’s—Reduce, Reuse and Recycle – with the belief that anything we did, no matter how small, would have a positive effect.
What Steps does Interbike take?
What’s new for this year?
The new Carbon Neutral Travel Program. Whether by plane, train or automobile, the CO2 emissions of your travel have a negative effect on the environment. You will now have an opportunity to offset those emissions by calculating your carbon footprint for travel to Interbike and purchasing REC's. Carbon offsets allow you to ensure that in the future, clean alternative wind energy is produced in lieu of carbon-intensive coal fired energy. You are offsetting the carbon that you have already emitted, reducing future carbon emissions, and helping to grow the availability of clean energy by supporting new wind energy projects.
OutDoor Demo Green Steps:
What is the Green Steps Program?
It’s simple: It’s reducing our negative impact on the environment—one step at a time.
There are two components of this program. The first is what Interbike does to make a difference and the second is what you, the exhibitors and attendees, do to make a difference.
The History of Green Steps:
Green Steps began three years ago when Interbike became aware of the negative impact that events can have on the environment. Minimizing that impact quickly became a priority of our business. We soon realized that there was so much that we didn’t know and that there was an incredible opportunity to make a difference. We decided to take “Steps” toward the three R’s—Reduce, Reuse and Recycle – with the belief that anything we did, no matter how small, would have a positive effect.
What Steps does Interbike take?
- Our first Step was to offset the energy used to operate Interbike by purchasing REC's (renewable energy certificates). This is equivalent to taking approx. 30 cars off the road for an entire year or planting 20 acres of trees. See page 2 for a detailed description of RECs.
- Work with the Sands, the City of Las Vegas, GES and other service providers to find out what they are doing and how we can work together to drive initiatives and support additional steps toward a healthier environment.
- Introduced recycled aisle carpeting.
- Offer recycled booth carpet to exhibitors.
- Switched to recycled paper badges printed with soy ink instead of plastic.
- Implemented “Yellow Bag” recycling program to collect cardboard off the show floor.
- Reduced use of paper printing with increase in use of electronic communication.
- Examples: online registration, online exhibitor service manuals and e-newsletters.
What’s new for this year?
The new Carbon Neutral Travel Program. Whether by plane, train or automobile, the CO2 emissions of your travel have a negative effect on the environment. You will now have an opportunity to offset those emissions by calculating your carbon footprint for travel to Interbike and purchasing REC's. Carbon offsets allow you to ensure that in the future, clean alternative wind energy is produced in lieu of carbon-intensive coal fired energy. You are offsetting the carbon that you have already emitted, reducing future carbon emissions, and helping to grow the availability of clean energy by supporting new wind energy projects.
OutDoor Demo Green Steps:
- Organic food and biodegradable foodware.
- Exhibitors provided with biodegradable trash bags.
- Recycle bins throughout event and "green teams" collecting trash around the event for recycling.
