GreenBuild 2011!
At Thumbprint Endeavors LLC, we continue to learn about and educate others about the economics in efficient green buildings and sustainability. We also develop plans for building occupants to incorporate Green Living Strategies into their daily lives. I’ve just returned (no thanks to the debacle at Toronto Airport) from 2011 GreenBuild Conference. Attendance was up, exhibits and presentations were top notch and the conference was very well organized. I especially enjoyed the sessions on building sustainable communities and Kudos to the Green Schools group for a relaxing and informative space, well done.
Thomas Friedman’s remarks, in his keynote speech, were to the point and well worth a listen if you could not heard him in the arena or if you just want to know how 1979 was such an incredible turning point in U.S. history and how those decisions and others are still impacting us today.
While waiting for hours at the airport, I had many conversations but the one summed up much of the overall take away that captured the mood of the conference. While the Green Building community is trying to keep our footing, it is easy to become discouraged as we look at all of the economic indicators. Instead Ian McKee with EcoArenas commented that we should not get down or give in, rather we need to envision what is possible. Our focus needs to be the best outcome for the future of the planet and her inhabitants. While much has been accomplished, there is still so much to be done building-wise and people-wise. So, for me and for Thumbprint Endeavors, it is this continuing collective wave of sustainability and Green Building, gathering strength and washing over the Earth as we engage and build community. Seriously, what other alternative do we have if we believe in a future for our children, our country, our planet?
I am really looking to attending the AASHE (Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education conference in Pittsburgh PA next week. Here’s hoping traveling will be smoother and that the conference will be informative and a good networking opportunity.
