Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability -- Version 14

BOULDER, CO - When's the last time you attended a conference and one of the keynote speakers was only 16 years old? This was but one of the thought-provoking subject matter experts we were treated to at the 14th annual LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) Conference, held at the super green St. Julien Hotel here.

Child prodigy Alec Loorz, age 16, gave us hope for the current generation as they will be the first Americans to really grow up on green. He reminded us not to be too preachy to our kids, yet in my view was a bit fatalistic in tone himself, as in, "if we don't all go green the planet will end...." Either way, a provocative presentation and thesis from a gifted young man.

Another top notch keynote came from Suzanne Shelton, a green advertising expert who was armed with relevant data. Did you realize that:

• Consumers don't go green to save the planet. They are motivated by the same things that cause them to buy "regular" products. For comfort, convenience, aesthetics and saving money -- surprise, the same reasons they buy most products and services;
• Home health is also a key driver, keeping toxins away from children and making healthy choices for the family are also highly ranked motivators;
• How do people determine if a product is green? They get their info from labels and look for third party verification;
• How do customers evaluate whether a company is truly green? First, if they recycle company-wide. Next, if they eliminate toxic chemicals from the manufacturing process. Third, if their facilities run on renewable energy;
• And finally, getting kids talking to their parents about change is powerful - 68% of adults say they have adjusted their buying habits because of their kids' encouragement.

I spoke on social networking in the green space, which was a very popular subject, we had an overflow crowd. My presenting partner was Mallika Chopra, author and blogger extraordinaire who happens to be the daughter of spirituality and wellness guru Deepak Chopra. I gave an overview of how to build and maintain a successful blog (by the way, "My Inner Green" also appears on LOHAS.com in addition to HuffPo and SIerraClubGreenHome.com), and Mallika talked about the role of social responsibility in the blogging community. Her site is called Intent.com, give it a visit, and of course, follow me at SCGH.com or on Facebook and Twitter. Lots of questions from aspiring bloggers. A lively discussion and a great audience ranging from early 20s to 60+.

LOHAS founder and organizer Ted Ning was very pleased with this year's conference, as attendance held about even in a recession year. Participants came from as far away as Singapore, Australia, Peru and France, among others. Key sponsors were Mohawk Flooring, makers of bamboo and other sustainable materials, and Icestone, maker of recycled countertops and related materials.

Boulder Colorado itself is a perfect setting for LOHAS. One of the first cities in the world to be truly green, Boulder is a pioneer and leader in all things sustainable. The St. Julien Hotel is one of the first and best green hotels in America, leaving no stone unturned in its construction, operations and food and beverage service to be a top to bottom sustainable organization.

Overall, LOHAS does not have the corporate heavy hitters I met at Fortune Brainstorm Green or the Dow Jones Eco-Nomics conference. It does, however, provide a true cross section of leading green citizens from all walks of life, all meeting to exchange ideas and promote sustainability. A worthwhile event indeed.

 

Follow Jennifer Schwab on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SCGreen_Home

Comments

[Nantucket00]

02:45 PM on 07/13/2010

I would never want my child to be around toxins, which was my main reason to be more sustainable and smart with my purchases. No off gassing, no bpa or even potent cleaning agents. Going green definitely takes place within the home and family first.

[zaytoon12]

06:16 PM on 07/16/2010

i agree.

[greenfacemcgee]

02:40 PM on 07/13/2010

I think that Suzanne lady made some good points. Its important to go green within your family and educate your kinda but scare tactics are just inappropriate.

[KatieDell]

02:31 PM on 07/13/2010

I agree, most people and even companies go green because it saves them money. But over all, I think people should realize that saving money is great but if we dont have a planet then it doesn't matter what the total in your checking account is.

[zaytoon12]

06:16 PM on 07/16/2010

saving money is a good motivation

[BignChunky]

02:24 PM on 07/13/2010

I think it's important for our younger generations to grow up with the right mentality and for our older generations to change and be more aware of their choices. Being green is easy once you consider all the things you don't really need. Besides, our lives are so cluttered now.

[BignChunky]

02:23 PM on 07/13/2010

And finally, getting kids talking to their parents about change is powerful - 68% of adults say they have adjusted their buying habits because of their kids' encouragement.

How was this survey taken?

[Nantucket00]

02:59 PM on 07/13/2010

This was probably done at a school during a parent teacher conference, since students and their parents participated. Good survey tests are actually difficult to do unless its definitely unbiased and properly staged without influence.

[earthb0und11]

02:06 PM on 07/13/2010

Boulder Colorado is great city. I love going on vacation there because people are so environmentally aware and you don't have to explain yourself when you go to the grocery store and decide to use your own reusable bags. I love it!

[KatieDell]

02:31 PM on 07/13/2010

I went there for the first time to visit Estes Park last year and it was great, but I didn't see a whole ton of green things. I'm not even sure that I saw a recycling bin.

[Nantucket00]

03:02 PM on 07/13/2010

I've been there before and I love the atmosphere and the conservational mentality. Visit their website, the info is all on their. http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=208&Itemid=489

[missrosie]

01:18 PM on 07/13/2010

I sometimes read the blogs from LOHAS, they're pretty good.

[earthb0und11]

02:06 PM on 07/13/2010

They also have a magazine or a journal or something, that's how I learned about them from a friend.

[zaytoon12]

06:16 PM on 07/16/2010

i hope they dont print it bc thats pretty hypocritical if they try to push sustainable living to folks

[KatieDell]

02:32 PM on 07/13/2010

Isn't Lohas just a huge composition of various writers and topics, like a mass blogger connection hub?

[zaytoon12]

06:15 PM on 07/16/2010

yes, they have a variety of different types of bloggers. its a pretty cool site.

[Slorisb]

06:55 PM on 07/08/2010

In my mind, this is what we can do that really can make a difference
From my point of view on the world, the only issues that matter are:
• World population/global poverty
• Global climate change
• Carbon based fuel energy (peak oil, the Gulf oil release is a symptom).

All else is just distraction. Working on anything else is like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

Looking at our political system, expecting anything useful from a politician, a lobbyist, a big business
person or experts is like waiting for Godot.

All meaningful change begins at the individual level. For the individual, focus on doing what can be
done effectively for yourself and your friends/family/community, and what is best for the world, and
don’t be distracted by things that are beyond your control.

Always vote; pick the least damaging politician or policy, but always vote. Even though government is
totally ineffective on these most important issues, maybe the potential for damage can be minimized.

Also, vote with money. I cast my money votes in this order 1) Co-ops & Credit Unions, 2) Employee
owned businesses, 3) locally owned small businesses, and 4) the “greenest” “large” businesses I can
find. (have to do my homework here)

As the hippies used to say, think globally, act locally.

[missrosie]

01:20 PM on 07/13/2010

"Think globally, act locally" is truly the way to go. It's important to make a change regarding your surroundings and your community first. That will pursue others to follow and be more sustainable and aware.

[BignChunky]

02:25 PM on 07/13/2010

I don't think voting makes a huge difference in environmental issues because policy is more controlled by large corporations and the flow of money. But being firm and positive sure does help, I love to rally troops to protests a good cause whenever I can.

[KatieDell]

02:32 PM on 07/13/2010

I think if any environmental issue gets enough votes and attention then the right people pay attention to it and change takes place. It's important to practice your right to vote.

[blackheart1977]

03:38 PM on 07/08/2010

honestly, i dont think Mohawk Flooring is very eco-friendly. but maybe there is something that i dont know about them or their philosophy changed.

[earthb0und11]

02:07 PM on 07/13/2010

I think many companies want to be green but some things that are a trade secret may have non-ecofriendly adhesives or mixtures. I think it's good to thing to strive to be green not many of us can be 100%.

[KatieDell]

02:33 PM on 07/13/2010

I've recently read that bamboo flooring is actually not that ecofriendly because despite it being renewable, the over harvesting of it is damaging.

[ryleighmae]

03:20 PM on 07/08/2010

"How do people determine if a product is green? They get their info from labels and look for third party verification"

I totally do that, but I also think it's a good idea to try to make your own products whenever possible too.

[blackheart1977]

03:39 PM on 07/08/2010

i most definitely agree with you, it so easy to make detergent, floor washing liquid, soap, body scrub, shower gel, etc... i highly recommend everyone attempts to make either own. its so much fun anyway!

[BignChunky]

02:29 PM on 07/13/2010

You dont even have to make your own, you can totally just wash with oatmeal, grain, flowers, and all types of other things.

[earthb0und11]

02:08 PM on 07/13/2010

I make my own soap and detergent! Everyone says our home smells so good and fresh from all the home made pouperi and stuff too.

[ibejamin]

06:54 PM on 07/07/2010

who was that hotel eco-friendly? does anyone know much about it? ive never even heard of it.

[ryleighmae]

03:25 PM on 07/08/2010

i just went on their website and found nothing about them being eco-friendly.

[zaytoon12]

03:57 PM on 07/08/2010

i think they use local produce, but i dont see anything else, just waste

[KatieDell]

02:34 PM on 07/13/2010

I looked at their website too and I didn't see any initiatives or green missions. Perhaps they're new at going green and being more responsible or they think that they don't have the audience to publish that information to. IDK

[opi3271]

06:53 PM on 07/07/2010

We should totally stress the seriousness of global warming and environmental crises to our children because they are the once who will see it worse. I'm sure that prodigy child only said for them to avoid pestering the young generation because he's tired of it himself!

[zaytoon12]

03:58 PM on 07/08/2010

i agree

[missrosie]

01:26 PM on 07/13/2010

I think pestering is not the right word, we should be strong advocates for a more sustainable lifestyle because it saves resources and money. Both which are very admirable, pestering people only makes them more frustrated and annoyed... but in reality it does work. That's what protesters do after all.

[naturalady]

06:51 PM on 07/07/2010

i dont think i agree with that boy.... scare tactics work very well, especially for our children. and they should should be afraid because if we don't fix this the earth will end.

[missrosie]

01:27 PM on 07/13/2010

If people fall for scare tactics they only get paranoid and can only get worse, the number one thing is proper education.

[greenfacemcgee]

02:43 PM on 07/13/2010

I couldn't agree you with you more. Uneducated people are those that can't even detect scare tactics, let alone learn from them.

[earthb0und11]

02:09 PM on 07/13/2010

Scare tactics work very well... have you seen Wallie (subtle, but still a scare tactic).

[greenfacemcgee]

02:43 PM on 07/13/2010

Funny. That movie had a positive ending and at the end children learned the importance of caring for plants and each other. Great movie.

[environman]

06:51 PM on 07/07/2010

It's always so shocking that those green conference have people from all over the world attend. Why? How eco-friendly is that? If this was a conference on blogging and stuff they could have made it live online... not traveling.

[blackheart1977]

03:39 PM on 07/08/2010

but what if they buy carbon offsets, doesnt that make it atleast a little bit better?

[zaytoon12]

03:58 PM on 07/08/2010

co2 offsets are a joke

[earthb0und11]

02:10 PM on 07/13/2010

carbon trading is so irrelevant, you're still releasing green house gases into the atmosphere.

[zaytoon12]

06:49 PM on 07/07/2010

I don't really think that this is the first generation to go green! People have been living eco-friendly way before things like plastic and our serious dependence on oil in general. But, it's nice that people are listening to someone so young and thoughtful.

[opi3271]

06:53 PM on 07/07/2010

Seems like him missed the hippie era! =)

[blackheart1977]

03:39 PM on 07/08/2010

lol =)

[blackheart1977]

03:40 PM on 07/08/2010

well back in the day, during the days of the cayahoga river burning, we didn't have such rules and environmental laws... so in a way i agree with the boy

[earthb0und11]

02:11 PM on 07/13/2010

I agree, we may have more policies and enforcements now but it's because of the hippie revolution and movement.