Paul HawkenIf you haven’t heard of Paul Hawken’s work, it’s not because he hasn’t tried. In fact, his bio reads like that of someone on a mission, which of course he is. One of this country’s strongest voices on the relationship between business and the environment, Hawken is known as a tireless environmentalist, author, and entrepreneur. The shear scope and volume of his work are remarkable.

His newest book, Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Movement in the World Came into Being and Why No One Saw It Coming is Hawken’s first title in eight years. Billed as an “…examination of the worldwide movement for social and environmental change” the author explores the movement based on a decade’s worth of research into those involved. Personally, as if Hawken’s reputation isn’t enough, the book’s promise to “inspire and delight” those who despair the fate of the world makes me want to read it. After all, who among us has not felt this despair on occasion?

In support of his new work, Hawken has integrated a cross-country book tour into his already crowded speaking schedule. Fortunately for those in the So Cal region, there are three opportunities to hear him speak from May 13th – 15th in the Pacific Palisades, Santa Barbara, and Pasadena. The events also feature a book signing.

Though perhaps most easily recognized as the founder of Smith & Hawken, the catalog and retail company that specializes in gardening products, Hawken’s involvement in social activism is long and varied. He worked as a Press Coordinator for Martin Luther King, Jr.’s staff before establishing the country’s first natural foods company in 1966.

Hawken went on to author books and articles numbering in the dozens, and lead several companies. Since 2003, he has served as the CEO of The Pax Group, sister companies that, among other things, provide quieter cooling systems for PCs, while using less energy. Hawken also heads the Natural Capital Institute, based in Sausalito, California, and has served on many boards, including that of The Natural Step.

Details on speaking dates can be found at: www.paulhawken.com

Photo credit: www.paulhawken.com

Let’s face it: networking is hard. Striking up conversations with total strangers can be uncomfortable. But, if you’ve ever been to an industry-specific networking event, then you know that it always helps to have something in common with the other folks in the room.

That’s why the monthly Green Business Networking event in Santa Monica is such a great place for the shy among us to break out of our shells and meet like-minded people.

Designed to serve the Los Angeles area’s ever-growing green business community, GBN provides a forum for connecting the owners and decision-makers of socially- and environmentally-conscious businesses. Like another well-known event, Green Drinks, GBN attracts a wide variety of people from a range of industries. At recent events I’ve met people from almost every industry imaginable, including real estate, entertainment, advertising/marketing, energy, printing, hospitality, event planning…the list goes on and on, which always makes me wonder who I might meet next.

Having recently celebrated its one-year anniversary, GBN meets the second Tuesday of every month (this month’s GBN falls on May 8th) from 6-9pm. The event is hosted by several local business people who are active in the green business world in industries ranging from organic food to socially responsible investing. The hosts themselves are fun to talk to, and they also go out of their way to help connect people and make everyone feel comfortable – signs of expert networkers!

Of course, it’s easy to feel comfortable at the Ambrose Hotel, where GBN is held. As Santa Monica's only award-winning, sustainable hotel, it is a fitting locale for the green community. And though there is a $10 entry fee for the event, it gains you access to the wine bar, which features tasty organic wine along with organic snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Maybe networking isn’t so hard after all.

For more information, email greenbusinessnetworking@gmail.com.

With the eyes of much of the world focused on China these days, even a cursory review of the news reveals two themes. First, the country is experiencing enormous economic growth accompanied by a massive urban migration. Second, China has a long way to go towards protecting the environment and the health of its people, and will encounter many roadblocks along the way.

To address these two conflicting issues, UCLA’s Sustainable Resource Center is hosting a panel discussion, “China’s Urban Sustainability Challenges”, on Wednesday, May 2nd. The event features four speakers who will discuss the difficulties of reconciling China’s tremendous growth with the protection of health, environment, and quality of life. They will also focus on the role of the U.S. and the rest of the world in this crisis. The speakers include:

• Woodrow Clark, Senior Foreign Energy Advisor from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, PRC
• Todd Maurer, Managing Director, Sinica Advisors, LLC
• Perry Wong, Senior Economist, Milken Institute, and
• Michael Woo, LA City Planning Commissioner and Professor of Urban Planning

The Sustainable Resource Center, housed on the UCLA campus, was established “to promote sustainability through facilitating the provision of resources, information, and education to the graduate student body, campus and community.” The Center focuses on building connections and collaboration between business, government, and nonprofit sectors. Services include a library, online resource site, educational events, and career services.

The panel discussion will be held at the UCLA Anderson School of Management in Korn Hall at 7:30pm. The session is free and open to the public, though an RSVP is required. Coffee and desserts from Organic to Go will be provided after the panel.

Editor's note: Please welcome our newest writer, Cassie Walker. Cassie is an independent marketing and strategy consultant who's very involved in the Los Angeles green scene. She'll be covering that scene, and other things SoCal for us.

If the thought of a cross-town commute from the Valley has stopped you from checking out a Los Angeles area Green Drinks event, April 26th is your lucky day! This Thursday marks the inaugural LA Green Drinks, Valley Edition at The Sapphire in Studio City.

For those of you unfamiliar with Green Drinks International, it’s described as an “organic, self-organized network” of people interested in environmental issues. The organization now sports groups in 26 countries, including 215 locations across the US. This newest Los Angeles location completes the monthly circuit of Green Drinks held each Thursday of the month. The other locations include Culver City (1st Thursday), Hermosa Beach (2nd Thursday), and Silverlake (3rd Thursday).

In my own experience, Green Drinks events are a great way to meet like-minded people in a relaxing, casual atmosphere. The events draw from a cross-section of the green community, including people from all areas of business and non-profits, environmentalists, and even some folks just looking for good conversation and a stiff drink.

The benefits of attending Green Drinks are as varied as the people. On April 5th at the Culver City event, I met the new owner of Whole Life Times magazine and received a free subscription, reunited with a copywriter friend, and made three new business contacts. Plus, I got to do all of this with a cocktail in my hand. What more could you ask for?