Earth Pledge introduced the Green Roof Stormwater Model at the Green Roofs for Healthy Cities Annual Conference and Trade Show in Boston on May 12. This analytical model simulates stormwater management performance of specified green roof systems. Earth Pledge developed the model with support from the New York City Water Board to assess the potential impact of green roof development on stormwater pollution in lower Manhattan. The model projects retention and detention rates for green roofs and their effect on Combined Sewage Outflow (CSO) volume and frequency on a specific sub-basin. Earth Pledge is preparing to expand the model to include other drainage basins in New York and 16 other U.S. cities. This model will be particularly useful in developing green roof policy rationale to mitigate stormwater problems and quantify proposed green roof retention and detention to meet regulations.
Learn more about EP's Green Roofs Initiative

Works by internationally acclaimed artists investigating the theme of shelter in a variety of media form an art exhibitition to benefit Earth Pledge. Organized by independent curator Megan Riley and inspired by the sleek design of noted industrial artist and architect Mike Latham's residence, the works will be on display by appointment (917.627.8892) through Labor Day in the three-story modern structure and on the surrounding landscape, a forested hilltop in historic Shelter Island Heights.

With 33 million umbrellas purchased each year in the U.S., designing a more sustainable earth-friendly version could have quite an impact. Earth Pledge Is a sponsor of Treehugger's Umbrella Inside Out competition, which is soliciting creative ideas for re-thinking the ubiquitous accessory and figuring out what to do with broken and discarded ones.
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Earth Pledge joined the CitySol summer music and market series on Sunday, July 23 at SolarOne's solar-powered green energy, arts and education center. The all-day event included renewable energy-powered live music, interactive exhibits and a green marketplace, all intended to showcase sustainability in the world's greatest city. Earth Pledge provided information on green roofs, their benefits, and policy needs for implementing green roofs throughout the city to attendees. Earth Pledge also consulted on Situ Studio's installation of a green roof for the event. Earth Pledge will take part in the third and final CitySol celebration on Sunday, August 13 at SolarOne on E. 23rd and the East River.
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Executive Director Leslie Hoffman was recently driven to a speaking engagement in a shiny silver Prius, fully equipped with a laptop, wireless Internet access and Sirius satellite radio. This was Earth Pledge's first encounter with OZOcar, the car service that is offering its fleet of fuel efficient, low-emission, Wi-Fi-enabled hybrid vehicles to New Yorkers on-the-go. Considering Leslie's elated reaction to sending off e-mails while riding in a car with serious eco-credentials, let's hope word of OZOcar's unique service, style and sustainability gets around town fast.

Leslie presented the work of EP's four initiatives, in particular FutureFashion, as well as her experiences as an architect and green builder to an audience of architects, engineers, and industrial and interior designers at the Terra Matter design symposium on May 19. The event was hosted by Material ConneXion, a global consultancy and resource library helping design professionals and manufacturers connect with innovative materials and applications. She later participated in a panel discussion and Q&A session with Sami Hayek, a designer creating innovative and sustainable housing for low- to middle-income residents in Mexico City; and Sergio Palleroni, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin who leads a program to involve architecture students directly in the design and construction of community-based, environmentally-sensitive projects around the world. With many other interesting and informed speakers and a dynamic audience of professionals from across the design industries, the event brought Earth Pledge's work into sharp focus for an influential and creative group, and was also a valuable learning experience for the Earth Pledge staff members who attended.
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EP Executive Director Leslie Hoffman addressed the junior class at Parsons The New School for Design on April 21 in an effort to raise student awareness of the environmental and social issues surrounding conventional textile and garment production, as well as of the alternatives that are currently available or being developed. The overwhelmingly positive response from students and faculty has resulted in a collaboration between EP's FutureFashion Initiative and a group of these students developing senior year collections. By sharing information, material resources and support with up-and-coming designers, Earth Pledge hopes to help shape and inform their future decisions regarding the environmental and social impacts of fashion and to inspire them to embrace the opportunities and innovations that are developing in their field.
Learn more about EP's FutureFashion Initiative

Dresses from the 2005 FutureFashion Runway Show, designed by Oscar de la Renta, Halston, and Elisa Jimenez and made with Ingeo™ corn-based fibers, were exhibited during the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) 2006 Conference held in Chicago in April. The response was so great that BIO requested they once again be put on display, this time at the World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing, organized by BIO, held July 11-14 in Toronto. The dresses, along with two additional designs from the FutureFashion show by Stephen Burrows and Heatherette, were shown and Earth Pledge's COO, Greg Loosvelt, spoke on bioplastics at the event.
Learn more about EP's FutureFashion Initiative

Our summer interns are completing work and heading back to their academic lives, having made invaluable contributions to the Earth Pledge initiatives. Two of them are taking small-scale anaerobic digestors back to local high schools, where they will continue to experiment with feedstocks. Even as the interns depart, the Earth Pledge team is growing in anticipation of several exciting projects this Fall. We welcome your ideas, support and involvement as we move forward. Please help us continue to bring innovative approaches to communities, and the professionals who service them, to create a healthier planet for tomorrow.