FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEVancouver sustainable development advocates and the green business community come together at the GreenStream Sustainability Showcase
Vancouver, BC, Feb. 7/
Alongside Olympic visitors Vancouver residents can learn about the latest trends in sustainable business development, tour a state-of-the-art showcase of Green building technologies, and at the same time meet some of the city’s most innovative business professionals and sustainability advocates at GreenStream 2010: Making Green The Mainstream. GreenStream 2010 will take place on Thursday, February 11th from 5 pm to 8 pm at the Light House Sustainable Building Centre, 2060 Pine Street, Vancouver. Admission is free, but a $ 5.00 donation is suggested at the door.
GreenStream 2010 is a wonderful opportunity for visitors and Vancouverites to learn why our theme is “Making Green the Mainstream.” The key to a safe future is a sustainable future. "Vancouver is perfectly positioned to become a world leader in sustainable development,” points out GreenStream organizer Danielle Bédard of the popular grocery delivery service, Green Earth Organics.
Several keynote speakers known for their commitment toward environmental and community activism will give presentations including: Juvarya Warsi, Strategist of the Light House Sustainable Building Centre; Maureen Cureton of Vancity’s Green Business; Brady Dahmer and Lindsay Nahmiache, Founders of the Projecting Change Film Festival; as well as Cease Wyss, Food Activist, Filmmaker, Educator and Subject of the film Indigenous Plant Diva.
Green ribbons provided by TB Vets, a BC-based organization funding respiratory equipment, research and education will be worn by participants to signify that they welcome conversation on the topic of sustainable solutions. Live music from Vancouver jazz guitarist Dave Ivaz will set the mood as guests will have the opportunity to interact with some of Vancouver’s most famous non-profit organizations and green business leaders. Between featured speakers there will be gift basket drawings, samples and giveaways for participants.
Guests can also tour the Light House Sustainable Building Centre. The first interactive centre of its kind in Canada, Light House is a "one-stop-shop" for innovation and is dedicated to advancing sustainable, residential and commercial building. The centre is Vancouver’s premiere resource on the latest developments in sustainable building for homeowners, building industry professionals and government officials.
GreenStream 2010 was made possible by members of Vancouver’s local green business community including contributions from the Development Director of the Car Co-op, Tanya Paz which is known by locals for it's company car; Development Manager, Rebecca Fry of the Green Zebra Guide, a fundraising guidebook for sustainable businesses, as well Ed Taylor, Director of Partnerships for the Light House Sustainable Building Centre.
“Beginning with Vancouver, we’re working to bring together the world’s green community—activists, business owners, non-profit organizations and government,” says Danielle Bédard. “Together, we can learn from each other by becoming aware of the impact of our lifestyles and by choosing healthy living so that we can meet our needs without compromising those of our planet or generations to come.”
For more information on the GreenStream 2010 Event, any of the organizations or featured speakers involved in the February 11 event, contact Danielle Bédard at 778-288-7318.
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BACKGROUNDER: Greenstream 2010 Participants
(Feb. 11, 2010)
Creativitree Copywriting - www.creativitreecopywriting.com
Copywriter and environmental activist Julie Boton serves fresh ideas daily, providing communications solutions that enable manufacturers in the organic food, sustainability and natural products industries to build brand awareness and market share.
Dave Ivaz Music – www.daveivazmusic.com
Guitarist and bandleader Dave Ivaz is known for his driving sound, eclectic repertoire and support of progressive causes. Hailing from Chicago, Dave now proudly calls Vancouver home.
Earthsave Canada - www.earthsave.ca
This non-profit educational organization promotes awareness of the health, environmental and ethical consequences of our food choices. They advocate the move towards a plant-based diet for environmental sustainability and compassion toward non-human animals.
eatART - HYPERLINK - www.eatart.org
eatART fosters new media art research with a focus on large-scale, kinetic and robotic sculpture. Their projects use art to educate people about the role energy plays in our lives and to raise questions about the social and environmental impact of energy use.
ECO-audit - HYPERLINK - www.eco-audit.org
Innovators who are raising environmental awareness while providing new perspectives on what a “green” lifestyle is. The Eco-Audit Program trains student R&S groups how to perform an environmental audit to help people and communities reduce waste and reduce their “carbon footprint” in home, school and office settings.
EYA Environmental Youth Association - www.eya.ca
This dynamic, youth-driven agency is building a better society, one initiative at a time. EYA provides young people with rewarding experiences in diverse projects that benefit local communities—from backyard food systems to recycling and more—and support our environment socially and ecologically.
EPIC - HYPERLINK - www.globe.ca
In 1993 the GLOBE Foundation, a not-for-profit private business Foundation, was established in Vancouver to carry forward a mandate to promote the business case for sustainable development, based on this core philosophy: Companies can do well by doing good—without sacrificing the bottom line.
Flux Design - www.members.shaw.ca/fluxdesign
If activism has a face, chances are it’s expertly drawn by artistic genius Murray Bush. The designer of the GreenStream logo was referred by his work with the Canadian Union of Public Employees' Strong Communities Campaign. With aligned objectives both CUPE and the participants of GreenStream 2010 believe in building strong communities through investment in public service. www.cupe.bc.ca/campaigns/strong-communities
Green Collar Association - www.greencollar.org
Green Collar Association advocates for harmonious engagement between industry and environment, and provides educational and communications resources for business on environmental issues. Members include corporations, non-profit organizations, governments and labor movements that champion forward-looking solutions to climate change.
Green Drinks - www.greendrinks.org
Every month in cities throughout the world people who work in the environmental field meet up at informal sessions known as Green Drinks. This non-profit organization fosters informal networking sessions featuring a lively mixture of people from NGOs, academia, government and business.
Green Earth Organics - www.greenearthorganics.com
Canada’s premier eco-friendly, socially responsible home/office organic grocery delivery service, headquartered in Vancouver and Toronto, is dedicated to wholesome food, organic family farmers and manufacturers and local communities. By working with other green-focused organizations and non-profits that serve people and planet, GEO nurtures a healthy environment and healthy communities.
Green Zebra - HYPERLINK www.greenzebraguide.ca
These popular coupon books and guides to sustainable living feature exclusive offers from eco-friendly and community-minded restaurants, markets, spas, wellness centres, bike shops, bookstores, theatres, and more. Schools and non-profits use Green Zebra Guides as healthy fundraising tools in the US and Canada, while savvy book purchasers use them to buy green, shop locally and save thousands of dollars.
Hollyhock - HYPERLINK - www.hollyhock.ca
Set in the spectacular beauty of British Columbia’s Cortes Island this internationally renowned "refuge for the soul" has been Canada's leading learning centre/retreat for over 26 years. Hollyhock unites revolutionary teachers and thinkers, experts in their field, in a curriculum with subjects as diverse as wellness and wisdom, arts and culture, business and leadership development.
Light House Sustainable Building Centre - www.sustainablebuildingcentre.ca
This enterprising non-profit society is dedicated to advancing sustainability in the built environment. Light House features education, training and outreach programs while providing a "one-stop" integrated service shop that connects people with inspiration, information, services and skills they need to implement sustainable "green" residential and commercial building solutions.
Momentum Magazine - www.momentumplanet.com
Published six times a year, Momentum focuses on transportation cycling and bike culture in North America. Here urban cyclists find inspiration, information, solutions-based editorial and resources to help them fully enjoy their riding experience and connect with local and global cycling communities. Momentum is distributed for free in 20 cities across North America.
Nature's Path - www.naturespath.com
North America’s best-selling brand in the organic cereal category remains true to the principles the company was founded on: to advance the cause of people and planet along the path to sustainability. One of the few remaining large organic cereal companies not owned by a multinational conglomerate, Nature’s Path donates substantially to charitable and environmental causes and is consistently rated one of Canada’s best places to work.
Potluck Café & Catering - www.potluckcatering.com
This Vancouver leader in social enterprise is both a respected catering company serving corporate and non-profit clients, and a registered charity. Potluck directly improves the quality of life for Vancouver’s Downtown East Side residents through programs that offer job training and needed meals for those with mental and physical health challenges.
Salt Spring Coffee Company - www.saltspringcoffee.com
The fertile beauty of BC’s famous Salt Spring Island gave birth to BC’s original fair trade and organic coffee company. One of Canada’s largest and most respected micro-roasters, they lead the way with sustainability practices that include “Farm Direct” trade which ensures farmers receive the best possible price for their beans, carbon-neutral coffee and partnering with local organizations involved in combating climate change.
SPEC Society Promoting Environmental Conservation - www.spec.bc.ca
Founded in 1969, The Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) is a non-profit organization addressing urban environmental issues in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland and Georgia Basin. Through their on-going environmental projects, education programs and advocacy work, SPEC encourages policies and practices that build healthy, sustainable cities.
The Car Co-op - www.thecompanycar.ca
This local not-for-profit co-operative was incorporated to foster car sharing and raise awareness about environmentally responsible and economically sound alternatives to personal ownership. Now offering The Company Car, an innovative car sharing service for business, The Car Co-op has been providing transportation for thousands of people in B.C. and since 1996.
Vancity - HYPERLINK - www.vancity.com
Canada’s largest credit union is driven as much by environmental and social sustainability as it is financial success. Vancity was the first financial institution in Canada to contribute Visa* credit card earnings to community environment projects with the launch of the enviro Visa in 1990. Their many initiatives support activities that reduce energy consumption, combat climate change and strengthen local communities.
VACC Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition - www.vacc.bc.ca
The Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (VACC) is a volunteer-run non-profit society working with municipal, provincial, and federal authorities to improve conditions for cyclists in the Lower Mainland. Bicycle commuting helps reduce traffic congestion, improve health and enhance the urban ecosystem.
UNYA Urban Native Youth Association - www.unya.bc.ca
Metro Vancouver's only Native youth program-providing organization empowers Native youth through programs that include education & training, personal support, residential programs and sports & recreation. Their work also includes community development, research, advocacy, and cultural learning opportunities.
Wilderness Committee - www.wildernesscommittee.org
Canada’s largest membership-based, citizen-funded wilderness protection group is a non-profit society with tens of thousands of members from coast to coast. Through strategic research and grassroots public education the Wilderness Committee works to protect Canada’s biodiversity. They have successfully protected millions of hectares of Canadian wilderness in over 40 key wilderness areas.
SPEAKER BIOS FOR GREENSTEAM EVENT FEBRUARY 11, 2010
Juvarya Warsi, Strategist of the Light House Sustainable Building Centre
Juvarya is an accomplished environmental economist with experience expertise in real estate development, green buildings and the growing low carbon economy. As strategist for Light House, Vancouver’s resource centre and showplace for BC’s green building industry, Juvarya leads policy development and carbon reduction strategies for a range of public and private sector clients.
Maureen Cureton, Vancity’s Green Business
Maureen began her career working with an organic recycling company. Today she brings her commitment to sustainability to her work as Green Business Manager with Vancity’s Social Finance division. An accomplished educator and author, Maureen was a project manager at Rocky Mountain Institute—world renowned for research and consulting in support of natural capitalism and sustainable development. She designs and teaches courses and workshops in studies in sustainability for several universities and has co-authored three books including Green Development: Integrating Ecology and Real Estate Development.
Brady Dahmer and Lindsay Nahmiache, Founders of the Projecting Change Film Festival
Projecting Change is an innovative organization founded by Brady Dahmer of Brady Dahmer Design and Lindsay Nahmiache of P.R. firm Jive Communications. Projecting Change promotes green and sustainable living through engaging, entertaining educational films and inspiring speakers. Brady Dahmer is one of Vancouver’s leading graphic designers working in print and interactive media. Lindsay Nahmiache has a wide range of international and national expertise working in the North American, European and Indian Film Industries.
Cease Wyss, Food Activist, Filmmaker, educator
Cease Wyss has been an important activist working with food activism issues, and with Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside for many years. In addition to her work as a media educator, filmmaker, illustrator and artist, she was the subject of the film Indigenous Plant Diva. Cease also works at the Vancouver Native Health Society on their Good Food Box and Garden Mentoring programs.
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
February 7, 2010
Join Greenstream 2010 February 11 at Light House Sustainable Building Centre
Help B-C’s Green business and non-profit community “Make Green the Mainstream” Thursday February 11 at GreenStream 2010 at the Light House Sustainable Building Centre in Vancouver. Sample locally-made products and learn how you can help make Vancouver the world’s greenest city. Admission is free, with a five-dollar donation suggested.
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