The Greenest Show on Earth
By Gail Nickel-Kailing on July 4th, 2008
Regardless of your political persuasion, the Democratic National Convention is an event to examine from both the good and bad side of “Green” events.
The efforts being made to turn this into the “greenest convention ever,” as described in the Wall Street Journal article, The Greenest Show on Earth, sometimes involve stretches and contortions that don’t quite work, but overall there are ideas that can be implemented by most businesses.
Most important, every facet of the event was examined, just as every facet of a business can be examined to uncover opportunities that make sense. Bottom line: take a holistic approach and do what makes sense…
Some things to consider:
- Event registration - go online for “paperless sign-up”
- For snacks - compostable utensils, though the jury is still out on “whether it is better to have china delivered to an event and then use hot water to wash it, or is it better to use petroleum-based disposables?”
- Goody bags - fewer paper flyers and practical/usable tchotzkes.
Pushing things to the extreme, the host committee “wanted 15,000 fanny packs for volunteers. But they had to be made of organic cotton. By unionized labor. In the USA.” Which, unfortunately, are not available.
Lest anyone of the opposing political persuasion think their party is doing things differently, Republicans are also taking a green stance for their convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Convention organizers are cutting down on printing by doing as much work as possible by email; using recycled office furniture; and urging employees to walk or take public transportation to work.
Clearly it’s a bi-partisan issue!
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One Response to “The Greenest Show on Earth”
By Bubba Williams on Jul 8, 2008 | Reply
It’s funny the apparent hypocrisy of both parties…they clam “green” yet both of their own carbon footprints will be greater than most third world countries through this campaign. When both candidates and their staffers start biking around the country or driving hybrids then they can begin to start to talk about “green” issues. They will all fly in to their respective conventions…say what the sheep want to hear and then fly back off to their next stops. And no, I’m not some crazed tree hugger…I seldom bike and I own a gas guzzling truck and SUV. The point is conservation and not crazy extreme environmental reform is the answer. Most printers I know want to use lower voc products when applicable; most inks are soy or vegetable based already and don’t get me started on recycled paper and how that is supposed to be better for the environment then a well managed virgin forest. I’ll end my rant with this…in my option, it is a shame that we the people (myself included) should have to choose the best of the worst candidates because we (again myself included) have allowed the two party system to dominate our political landscape…baa.