Changing the environment, one drink at a time
Green Drinks, an informal gathering of like-minded environmentalists lured by a bit of the bubbly, began in London nearly 20 years ago. Today, there are more than 350 chapters worldwide, including the newly formed Rogue Valley Green Drinks.
Jason Zook, an architect with ORW Architecture in Medford, and Fred Gant, an Earth Advantage representative out of Ashland, organized the group in an effort to bring together local professionals, policy makers, interested citizens and even skeptics to discuss green building and sustainable living.
Green Drinks meets on the last Friday of each month on the outdoor patio at Standing Stone Brewing Company, 101 Oak St.
"It's an exchange of ideas over a pint," Zook said. "We hope that by bringing all of these people together on a regular basis, that we can share resources and solve problems together in a more efficient and immediate way."
Gant said about 40 people — including politicians, contractors, trade workers, publishers, real estate brokers, bankers, attorneys and even a veterinarian — turned out Friday for the group's second meeting.
Lane County Commissioner Pete Sorenson spoke to the group about Eugene's green strategies. The Green Guide, an environmental newsletter, ranked Eugene as one of the most eco-friendly cities in the United States in 2006.
Sorenson said that in order for the sustainability movement to make progress, both the public and private sectors need to work together.
"Electing the right leaders will lead to a sustainable future," he said.
The group embraces the idea of creating change by influencing and impacting government-controlled measures.
"It's one thing to get together and have a drink with the local solar guy, but real change is going to have to come from public policy and legislation at all levels of government," Zook said.
Zook also said Green Drinks was an important networking tool because there are many people in the Rogue Valley working toward sustainability, yet many aren't aware of each other.
Chris Bourne, who owns the eco-building portion of Phoenix Organics in Phoenix, said sustainability has been a passion of his for the past 20 years.
He said attending Green Drinks is a great way to promote his products and learn what people in the community want and need from the industry.
"Plus, there's great beer," Bourne said.
Gant said last Friday's gathering was a "smashing success," and the next event on June 27 could be even better.
Organizers plan to bring in a group from Trail that converts vehicles into vegetable oil-powered automobiles.
For more information, contact Zook at Jason@ORWarch.com or Gant at fgant@earthadvantage.org.
Reach reporter Michele Mihalovich at 482-3456 x226 or mmihalovich@dailytidings.com.
