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Shopping Expo for the “Green” at Heart

by · March 12th, 2009
Chocolate, Compost, Events, Family & Kids

If you are looking to build a “green” home or are hoping to find organic cosmetics then the Go Green Expo might be the place for you this weekend in Philadelphia. This Expo is billed as a trade show for people who want to learn about environmentally friendly goods and services for use in modern everyday living. Apparently the idea for the Expo came from one of the organizers, a professional trade show producer, after he watched the film An Inconvenient Truth. Sweet, eh?

Anyone who has ever had to publicize an event promoting environmental issues knows that one must first question what one’s carbon footprint will be after publicizing and producing the event. Then one must weigh this with the myriad of positives that can come out of the event such as sharing knowledge and potentially having a lasting influence on many people. For one thing, I do know that this is a travelling show, being that it already occurred in LA and then will be trekking to Philly this weekend and then to NYC (4/17-19), and Atlanta (6/26-28) (i.e. vast carbon footprint). But there will be many local booths at each location and the convention site in Philly and the participants have promised to make environmentally responsible choices.

Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Looks like this is a green Expo for people who want to shop. To be fair there is some fun programming for children. They are having an eco-writing workshop, a musical performance and a kids yoga demonstration. Also, they have a slew of business people pitching their ideas on how to keep doing what they are doing but “greener.”

All in all, whatever it is that one does call it, the Expo organizers really are trying hard. The sponsor banners are all going to be compostable and staff travel and a portion of every ticket that is purchased will be carbon offset. Who thinks I should go?

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4 Responses to “Shopping Expo for the “Green” at Heart”

  1. Hannah Lee Says:
    March 13th, 2009 at 8:53 am

    You should go, Cecily! Also note that children under 12 and adults over 65 of age are admitted free.

    Difficult choices: cleaning for Pesach, prepping the yard for spring, or an educational event.

  2. Cecily Says:
    March 13th, 2009 at 9:24 am

    Thanks Hannah, there’s one vote and a good point.

  3. shev Says:
    March 14th, 2009 at 3:10 pm

    Go, go, go!
    You can’t judge a cookie by how it looks – you gotta taste it!

    While we want to change the world one soap, one bag or one organic local beer at a time, an Expo that is well organised and promotes green living at an industrial level can have a major impact on the earth.

    Go and be a spy for us, then tell us all. Have a great time!

  4. The Shmethicist Says:
    March 19th, 2009 at 6:53 pm

    Go wearing a shirt that says “We can’t consumer our way to sustainability,” and vocally question the blatant consumerism the event promotes. Because although there are some good ideas that may get shared, looking at the exhibitor directory on the Go Green website, it’s clear that a lot of this is plain old greenwashing.

    I have a friend who is on her second brand-new Prius in three years. She means well, but if she rode a bike or took public transit, she and the environment would be a lot better off. I have insulated my attic, kept my thermostat low, and bought EnergyStar appliances (though I skipped buying a clothes dryer at all and just hang my laundry). But redoing the tile in my bathroom or renovating my kitchen? That isn’t going to help the planet, no matter how “green” the products I choose would be.

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