Is Economics a Green Issue?

“Green and the Economy — Make it work for you,” the new message topping the Bethesda Green website, is a particularly timely theme, given the political emphasis evident from President Obama’s State of the Union address.

We offer a unique take on the question, Is Economics a Green Issue?  Much more so than you might suspect, according to Susan Belchamber, who submits a thoughful feature essay for your consideration.

Belchamber explores the interrelationships among “four forms of capital”:

• Financial — cash, stocks, bonds, intellectual property
• Physical — buildings, roads, infrastructure, ports, bridges
• Social — community/family, social networks, quality of life
• Natural — clean water & air, biodiversity, renewable resources

Read the article then come back and submit a comment.

 

Debriefing Copenhagen

Rabbi Warren Stone (seated, right) with part of a Bethesda Green group discussing the recent Copenhagen Climate Conference.

Rabbi Warren Stone from Temple Emanuel in Kensington, MD, led a fascinating lunchtime discussion Jan. 19 at Bethesda Green about his experience as an official delegate at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

While his presentation touched on some of the troubling outcomes of climate change — rising ocean levels, leading to loss of arable land and resulting evacuations of small island nations in Micronesia to much larger threats in densely populated areas such as Bangladesh — Stone sounded a note of optimism.

In fact, one of the highlights for Stone was the opportunity to sound an awakening call with a shofar, a ram’s horn, in a symbolic gesture at the world’s largest offshore wind farm — a call to action for all to consider how they can do their part to address global environmental issues.

Bringing it back to the local level and our efforts to build community around sustainable living practices, one of the key pieces of advice Stone offered was to include a “joyful component” in our activities and events.

Sounding the shofar at an offshore wind farm in Denmark.

Having fun, according to the rabbi, is an important part of any learning experience.  We couldn’t agree more.

For more information about Copenhagen and Stone’s experience there, see the blog posting from Lee Chottiner, executive editor of The Jewish Chronicle.

 

Recycle old sneakers at Bethesda Green

Here’s an easy way to help the environment.  Rather than throwing out your old, worn-out athletic shoes for a date with the landfill, you can recycle them at Bethesda Green.

As a community partner with Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program, Bethesda Green is collecting old tennis shoes which will be

Leave your old athletic shoes in the recycling container located in the lobby of Bethesda Green.

turned into new, high-quality sports surfaces like basketball courts, tennis courts, athletic fields, running tracks and playgrounds for young people around the world.

We’re introducing the program over the next four weeks, through Feb. 12, to assess interest and response.  Old shoes can be left in the container found in the Bethesda Green lobby, next to the recycling display.

We’re located at 4825 Cordell Avenue in Bethesda, at the corner of Woodmont and Cordell, second floor above the Chevy Chase Bank branch.  Please send an email to info@bethesdagreen.org to let us know you’re coming by to drop off shoes.

 

Join Bethesda Green Happy Hour at Redwood today

Toast in the New Year!  Join Bethesda Green today, Thursday, January 7, 5 – 8 pm at the Redwood Restaurant, one of the new Bethesda Row restaurants within the Bethesda Lane pedestrian mall, 7121 Bethesda Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814.

Enjoy casual conversation, social networking, learn about upcoming programs and events, and help support Bethesda Green.  Redwood is donating 10% of sales.

See you this evening, or at a First Thursday Happy Hour in the future.  Check our Events page for updates.

 

Start the Decade With a New Green Routine

We just posted a great article by Kristin Finley, who provides a new twist on the ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ theme. Find out how you can break bad habits and get into a new green routine that’s better for your home, your body and your life!

Once you’ve read the article, post your comments and ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ tips here!

 

MoCo launches GreenBiz Certification Program

Bethesda Green proudly received recognition as one of the first businesses and organizations to be certified by Montgomery County’s Green Business Certification Program.  County Executive Isiah Leggett announced the program at a December 16 media event (see News Release).

“Many businesses are taking steps to incorporate environmentally sound practices into their operations, thus creating a greener environment and economy and improving their bottom lines,” said Leggett.  “With the Green Business Certification Program, the County is encouraging environmental responsibility, and customers will have a way of recognizing which businesses are going green.  Businesses are telling us that our comprehensive program is actually motivating them to further expand their green activities.”

Ralph Smith, a Bethesda Green volunteer and President of Smith Design/Construction, accepted the certification on our behalf.  Ralph and volunteer Cindy Powers took lead roles in guiding us through the process.

“This certification process has helped us to focus our attention on continuing improvement and to celebrate the achievements we have accomplished,” said Ralph during his acceptance remarks.  “Just as Montgomery County is leading the state to an important goal of sustainably operating businesses, Bethesda Green is leading the way as a model of sustainability for businesses and residents.”

Bethesda Green volunteer Ralph Smith (center) receives the county's Green Business Certification with (L-R) County Executive Isiah Leggett, County Council President Nancy Floreen, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce President Gigi Godwin, and Montgomery College Interim Dean Steve Greenfield.

Bethesda Green was among the first 11 businesses, nonprofits and organizations to be certified, a list that includes our friends from Honest Tea, Calvert and Clean Currents.

To view the online certification application and other information about the program, go to http://mcgreenbiz.org.

Interested in becoming a green certified business?  Montgomery College is now offering courses to help you through the process.  For a listing of offerings,  click here.

 

Making Green Choices During the Holidays

The winter holidays are upon us and with them come many dilemmas for the eco-conscious: Real Christmas tree or fake tree? Are there alternatives to wrapping paper? If I receive new electronic gifts, how can I recycle my old ones?

Well, we have some answers for you in our Making Green Choices During the Holidays article. Plus we’ve added some info about local merchants offering green products.

So, if you’re still making some decisions for Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, check out the story — and if you have some green holiday ideas you’d like to share, leave a comment on this post!

Happy Holidays!

 

E-cycling, Sunday, Dec. 13 at Whitman H.S.

Get rid of your old TVs, computers and electronics — e-cycle them this Sunday, Dec. 13, noon 4 pm at Walt Whitman High School, 7100 Whittier Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20817.

Recycle your old electronics including: Small electronic appliances, calculators, camcorders, CDs and floppy disks, CD players, cell phones, computers & computer-related items, consumer electronics, copiers, cords & cables (including chargers), digital cameras, electronic typewriters, fax machines, microwave ovens, personal digital assistant equipment, printers, projection equipment, scanners, telephones, small electronic toys, televisions and VCRs.

For more information, see our flyer or go to Montgomery County’s website.

Sorry, we cannot accept compact fluorescent lights or appliances containing Freon at this event. Please bring these items to the drop-off sites at the Transfer Station (16101 Frederick Road). Our program for electronics recycling is open to all Montgomery County residents and businesses.

 

Join Bethesda Green for Dec. 3 Happy Hour

Kick off the holiday season this Thursday, Dec. 3, with Bethesda Green.  Plan to join us at the Hard Time Cafe for our First Thursday Happy Hour — casual conversation and social networking — starting at 5 pm.

Learn more about our programs, upcoming events, how to get involved, and support Bethesda Green.  Hard Times Cafe is donating 20% of sales that evening to Bethesda Green.

Hard Times Cafe, 4920 Delray Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814.

 

First ‘Green’ Pro Team Gets the Ball Rolling

The Maryland Greenhawks basketball team – the nation’s first “green” professional sports team — held its inaugural press conference November 18 at the Bethesda Green offices.

Formerly known as the Maryland Nighthawks, the team plays in the Premier Basketball League (PBL). This year the team embraced environmental conservation and changed its name.

Their uniforms will be made from environmentally friendly materials, such as bamboo or recycled plastic, and the team will work with Carbonfund.org to offset the carbon footprint created by its home games, travel and corporate headquarters.

In addition, the Greenhawks will conduct a sneaker recycling program with Nike. The public may be able to participate in this; stay tuned.

At the press conference the Greenhawks introduced their first two draft picks — Byron Mouton, a former member of the University of Maryland’s national championship team in 2002, and Travis Lay from American University – as well as players Scooter Sherrill and Daniel Artest.

League president and CEO Tom Doyle described the Greenhawks as the “first sports franchise that’s green,” and said the team will be going into the schools to bring the green message. Doyle said the team’s outreach to kids will go a long way to creating a generation of conservationists.

Mouton said kids seeing the Greenhawks on the court as a green team will help the youngsters realize environmental conservation is a priority.

The Greenhawks will play their games at Wootton High School; their first home game is January 16. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.