Greenfest 06, social investing, and a glass of merlot please
This past Friday, I took the opportunity to head up to San Francisco for Greenfest 2006. Now, let me go on the record by saying that there are far better people to ask about green issues than I. In fact, on the spectrum of green knowledge, I probably come in at a pretty unimpressive level of consciousness. And it’s exactly for this reason that I decided to attend.
So, I hopped into my Jeep Wrangler and headed up the US101. I specifically mention the Wrangler because it feels somewhat oxymoronic to be driving an inefficient mini-SUV to a convention on sustainability. But at the same time, I have to admit that I've always been drawn to the truck because it has come to symbolize virtues like independence, ruggedness, and nonconformity... qualities not so foreign to those critical of the status quo. Symbols aside though, I have come to appreciate the impact of gas-guzzlers on both my wallet and the environment, and one day my Wrangler will go bye-bye.
Back to Greenfest… I have to admit that I was not sure what I would find. For one, it’s only in the past year that I have been able to reconnect on a consistent basis to explore sustainability issues. Much of this has to do with my migration back to Northern California (Norcal), as well as my re-engagement with a Philippines-based NGO to promote sustainable economic development. These are wonderful stories in and of themselves, and I promise to return to these topics in the near future.
What I found at Greenfest though was a far cry from the stereotypes of tree-huggers, ganja farmers, and faith healers that less environmentally conscientious people like to propagate. Attendees represented all varieties of age, race, gender, and socio-economic class. What bound them together was an interest and hope for a healthier planet. Some people focused on food innovations from soy, others on sustainable home construction. Indeed, the breadth of green exhibitors and industries was eye-opening.
Given my background, I was particularly interested in a field that I did not know existed – SRI, or socially-responsible investing. These are basically managed funds, like any other mutual fund that invests in a portfolio of businesses. The difference is that SRI invests in companies that meet social- or environment-friendly criteria. So in theory, prudently managed funds will accomplish two mutually beneficial goals: 1) provision of capital to socially-responsible businesses and 2) financial returns to socially-responsible investors. Killer.
Another area that I quite liked was the organic wine and beer section. Yes, all work and no play makes this grooter a boring boy. And aside from achieving a pleasant organic wine buzz, I also learned a great deal about organic viticulture. Although I have not done enough personal research to validate the benefits of organic farming (I don’t believe things just because people tell me so), the logic of practices that limit exposure to potentially hazardous pesticides and additives makes sense, as do techniques that limit the erosion of soil or pollution of water.
But the other thing that I found fascinating (and I apologize to the more learned readers out there who find my discoveries elementary or boring) is that organic wine growing can further enhance the natural health benefits of red wine. Resveratrol is the compound identified as a cancer fighter, and the less it is molested by other additives, the more cancer fighting goodness it can provide.
Yes waiter, another glass please... in fact just leave the bottle and pull up a chair. Salud!