GoGreen Expo, save the planet and yourself

By Tom Wright

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 1/21/10 - Hollywood Today asked Jen Boulden the  Top Ten Eco Green Questions. Boulden will appear at the GoGreen Expo on Sunday 24th 3:30pm “Eco-Fashions & Lifestyle”

1.       Why are you green?

In 11th grade, I randomly chose “Destruction of the Brazilian Rainforest” as my term paper topic. It was a VERY niche subject matter back then (1989), and I had absolutely no idea how much it was going to change my life.

Sitting amongst piles of microfilm copies and scientific journals in the library, I remember the exact “a-ha” moment. I connected the dots between the slash and burn techniques for clear cutting, and the fact that it not only created more carbon dioxide but also removed the natural “sinks” (or trees) for taking it away.

From that point forward, I have been an eco-warrior in my own ways…. Recycling here, volunteering there, and then finally devoting my professional life to saving the environment in 2001. I recently wrote my high school teacher to tell him about how that assignment absolutely changed my life, for the better.

2. Where do you see green going, would you run for a political office?

Green is certainly going mainstream, and “soon” it will go away – meaning it will just be ubiquitous. There’s no other way.  Problem of course is can we get there fast enough? Which leads you to believe you can effect macro level change by running for office.  Personally though? I love efficiency, effectiveness, crazy-smart thinking – and so therefore I might be driven insane by joining the ranks of the government.  Sure, if we turned the whole thing over, fired everyone, and started fresh by hand-selecting the best instead of getting the leftovers from the private sector, then I would join. But not until that happened.
3. Is there one area that they are working on or  a group that they support, are you a member of any green organizations?

Jen Boulden is an environmentalist, entrepreneur, journalist, public speaker, and media talent.

Jen spent the early part of her career leading business and marketing strategies for a wide range of corporate and nonprofit organizations including IBM, Hearst, World Resource Institute, and Rocky Mountain Institute.

Being a visionary, in 2001 Jen decided to dedicate her life’s work to creating true value by helping to catalyze the green business movement.  After receiving her “green MBA” she founded The Anavo Group, one of the first successful sustainable-business consulting firms in the country.  Then a few years after, the idea for the eco-email company, Ideal Bite, was born – and Jen fell in mad love.  It’s been said that Jen “ran to create Ideal Bite like her head was on fire and she was running towards a well.”  Sending out one smart and sassy green tip a day, Ideal Bite quickly took off, amassed a loyal following of over a half-million subscribers, and was bought by The Walt Disney Company in 2008.

Known for her joie de vivre, Jen became a regular on the national television circuit. Through her media platform she helped raise awareness to things like the stupidity of bottled water, eating bison if you had to have a burger, and wearing vintage clothing for the hottest “green” look around.

To keep it real Jen hangs with a bevy of egg-laying chickens on her urban Los Angeles property, a corgi (who’s got so much personality you’d almost swear she was human), several shelter-rescue cats, and her horse named Lou-Girl. Driven and dynamic, Jen throws dress-up parties at the drop of a hat, takes sabbaticals that kick her ass, and was a finalist applicant for the television show Survivor. (Turns out you do need to watch the show if you want to get on it.)

When not speaking at events, writing, or competing with her horse, Jen participates in the NRDC Leadership Council, is eco-renovating her house, and serves on the Board of the Pollinator.org, a nonprofit that helps ensure our food sources by supporting pollinating species. Jen has a degree in Economics from William & Mary, and went on to receive a “green MBA” from George Washington University.

Today Jen is ever-more impassioned to help pioneer the next, more meaningful phase of the green movement, one that will be defined by a regenerative economy that respects all living things.  Equipped with the hard-won knowledge that we need more than small steps to correct our course, Jen is now inspiring bold moves… well, if she’s had a strong cup of coffee, that is.
4. When did you commit to becoming green?

As a young girl I was commit to helping save the rainforest and too protect the planet from destruction.
5. What changed your mind about going green?

I’ve always been green I guess because I’ve always loved nature, and not wanted to work against it.
6. Are you off the power grid do you drive EV cars or Hybrids?

Not off the grid, but I do drive a Jetta TDI (Turbo Diesel) that has a bumper sticker that reads:  BIODIESEL TURNS ME ON.
7. Do you believe in global warming?
Carbon concentrations in the atmosphere have been increasing exponentially for the past 50 years – that’s not in question.  Whether you believe man is responsible is another matter.
8. Any prediction as too the future of the planet if we don’t change ?

It will get really bad, and then everyone will join together and finally start to act less selflessly, and for the greater good.
9.  Who is your green hero and why?
I have so many, but I’d have to say Paul Hawken.  He is a true pioneer, starting the age of 20 devoting his life to changing the relationship between sustainability and businesses  – and he walked the talk… starting many successful businesses of his own, Smith + Hawken as one example.

http://www.paulhawken.com/paulhawken_frameset.html
10. One defining moment that changed you by going green.
I have been living this life for a very long time. I am more out of my zone when forced to do things that aren’t green – like choose paper or plastic because I forgot my bags!
11. Do they feel an obligation because of your green star power to speak for change.

Yes, but a healthy obligation. It is more like a calling.
Do you have a web site were you speak, myspace, youtube or facebook/

Yes, jenboulden.com

Thank you, Jen!

Presentations from the GoGreen Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

GO GREEN SPEAKERS

Ed Begley Jr: Presented by .Life Source
http://www.edbegley.com/environment/

John Picard: Green Building Grow Profits
http://www.johnpicard.com/

Jen Boulden, Eco Fashion & Lifestyle
http://www.jenboulden.com/

Mariel Hemingway: How to Green Your Life
http://www.marielhemingway.com/

Ralph Avallone: Eco Green Jobs: International Green Energy Council
http://www.greenenergycouncil.com/bod.htm

GoGreen Expo Los Angeles
The Nation’s Premier Friendly Events

http://www.gogreenexpo.com/index.php

Jan 22-24th 2010

Open to Public
Saturday, January 23, 2010 • 10am – 6pm
Sunday, January 24, 2010 • 10am – 5pm

The Los Angeles Convention Center
1201 South Figueroa Street, South Hall J
Los Angeles, CA 90015