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For the third year, Teton Gravity Research (TGR) and Protect Our Winters (POW) have partnered to offset the carbon footprint of TGR’s filming. This year’s offsets represent the entire carbon output from all activities emitted during the film production process, which includes global commercial travel, helicopter and snow machine use.
A carbon offset is a reduction in emissions to compensate for carbon dioxide emissions made elsewhere. The offsets were provided by EarlyBird Power, an energy market expert that provides energy management and sustainability solutions to commercial, municipal, and industrial clients across the country. EarlyBird is the low cost provider of carbon offsets to POW and donates a percentage of all its proceeds to POW.
TGR has supported POW since 2008, as part of its larger sustainability strategy to reduce its carbon footprint, while also supporting other environmental organizations such as Surfrider Foundation and 1% For The Planet.
The carbon dioxide will be offset by Methane Waste Avoidance at a facility in Joslin, IL at which a wastewater stream has been capped, preventing the release of the emissions of greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide and methane. When biomass waste accumulates, it can dissolve in the wastewater stream. This dissolution can produce the aforementioned greenhouse gasses.
"We’re excited to continue our partnership with TGR,” says POW founder and TGR athlete Jeremy Jones. "They’re such valuable partners in our mission to unite and mobilize the winter sports community and now, with EarlyBird, we can help them credibly reduce their annual carbon emissions."
About Teton Gravity ResearchOne of the world's leading action sports brands, TGR has produced 30 award-winning feature-length films, numerous television series, and national television commercial spots. Known for its cutting edge media and lifestyle product, TGR works with the top athletes in their respective disciplines, capturing, celebrating, and bringing to life the passion and enthusiasm associated with action sports. TGR is a proud member of 1% For The Planet and strongly believes in protecting the environment in which the team works and plays. For more information on TGR, please visit tetongravity.com, one of the leading online destinations and communities in the action sports industry.
About EarlyBird PowerEarlyBird Power is an energy market expert that provides energy management and sustainability solutions to commercial, municipal, and industrial clients across the U.S. A licensed broker in natural gas and electricity in every deregulated market, EarlyBird uses its energy market expertise and key relationships with many wholesale suppliers to help clients save money and go green. EarlyBird continually monitors market opportunities or risks, market trends, and pricing to serve clients every step of the way. For more information, visit earlybirdpower.com.
About Protect Our WintersProtect Our Winters (POW) is the environmental center point of the winter sports community, united towards a common goal of reducing climate change’s effects on the sport and local mountain communities. POW's focus on is education, activism and community engagement. Visit protectourwinters.org.
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Story by Transworld BusinessI Ride I Recycle, an international skate deck recycling movement, is debuting its inaugural I Ride I Recycle “Green Zone” at Surf Expo, September 6-8,2012 at the the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. The “Green Zone” will bring together ‘green’ brands that have made it their mission to promote sustainable business practices and products.“There is something about being one with the environment when you’re surfing or skateboarding that makes you in tune with nature,” says Doog Becker with Surf Expo, “I think for that reason, most surfers and skaters care about the planet and want to make a difference and do what’s right. That’s why having a Green Zone is perfect for the Surf Expo. We are showcasing companies whose products are made from recycled materials or are otherwise environmentally friendly, thereby keeping waste out of our landfills.”Foothill Ranch, CA – I Ride I Recycle, the FIRST-EVER international skate deck recycling movement is debuting another first for the action sports industry this September 6 through 8, 2012 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL – the I Ride I Recycle “Green Zone” at Surf Expo.The “Green Zone” at the global water sports and beach lifestyle tradeshow is a newly designated area of Surf Expo this year where a consortium of like-minded, “green” brands have come together under the I Ride I Recycle name to promote sustainable business practices and products ranging from swimwear, flip flops and skate decks to sunglasses and retail surface tile made from broken, recycled skate decks.“I Ride I Recycle is the action sports industry’s recycling and sustainability umbrella,” says co-founder Bruce Boul. “We’re really excited to evolve and include more companies to become part of a movement that’s not only doing good for the environment, but also creating community and supporting charities.”Started by Bruce Boul and Rich Moorhead, founders of Art of Board, a company that creates hard tile surfaces and retail displays, peel and stick wall graphics and printed textiles from discarded skateboard decks, the movement’s goal is to encourage skate and surf shops, skateboard manufacturers, skate parks and individual riders to join the movement and recycle their broken decks.“There is something about being one with the environment when you’re surfing or skateboarding that makes you in tune with nature,” says Doog Becker with Surf Expo, “I think for that reason, most surfers and skaters care about the planet and want to make a difference and do what’s right. That’s why having a Green Zone is perfect for the Surf Expo. We are showcasing companies whose products are made from recycled materials or are otherwise environmentally friendly, thereby keeping waste out of our landfills.”Though IRIR was birthed out of and remains rooted in skateboard culture, it’s becoming more apparent that whether you ride a skateboard, surfboard, boogie board, wake board or snowboard, you want to “ride and recycle.”“Our goal is to have an even larger pavilion at next year’s Surf Expo and be known as the industry standard to provide action sports brands with sustainable certification,” says Boul. “We’re thrilled to align with the International Association of Skateboard Companies (IASC) and the below brands to deliver a comprehensive recycling service to skate and surf shops at no cost while bringing an incentive to the customer to come through their doors.”Tribu, a company that makes sandals from recycled materials will be launching their “Sole Initiative” in the Green Zone. The “Sole Initiative” is an effort to keep used rubber tires out of landfills. Their “Upcycled” line of flip-flops has soles made from discarded tires from landfills. To get this initiative off the ground, they have started a Kickstarter campaign to help raise the money needed to display at the expo and raise awareness of their efforts. To contribute to this cause, please visit http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/627705205/tribu-sole-initiative-sandals-made-from-discarded.BambooSK8, an ecologically based brand/manufacturer of skateboard decks made from bamboo harvested from sustainable managed bamboo forests, will be in the Green Zone at the Surf Expo. “We have supported this movement for a few years and are excited to be at the forefront of the expansion of sustainable practices in the skate industry,” says Mark Olson with BambooSK8. For more info, visit http://bamboosk8.com.Eqo USA is closing the recycled product circle with sunglasses made from recycled-broken skateboards. This company will be launching some new collaboration shades at the Surf Expo, so come by the Green Zone to check them out. To see how it’s done visit, http://eqo-optics.comOdina Surf brings eco-stylish swimwear using recycled, reclaimed and organic fabrics. “Designed for girls who want to rip and look fabulous doing it”, says Aaron from Odina, with the likes of Alison Teal rocking the suits all over the world on her adventures. Check out, http://odinasurf.com
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Story by Transworld Business, Illustration by Bill StreckerOutside Magazine recently released its newest incarnation of the ‘Best Places To Work.’ For five years, the mag has sought out companies that encourage a work-life balance in all they do, and for those they employ. Businesses that allow their workers to strive for success, while making time to travel, give back to their families and communities; essentially, companies that make it possible to maintain a full life outside of the office.Outside began this endeavor with just 30 spots to fill, but by 2010 discovered such a vast field of quality companies that it was forced to recognize the top 50. Now, for 2012, the list has extended to encompass 100—an extremely promising trend.Companies rooted in and supported by the world of action sports made their mark upon this coveted list, a testament to the values and goals of the industry as a whole. Click HERE to see the inside scoop on a few of the companies we were stoked to see make the cut.
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Story by Transworld BusinessReef and SIMA Humanitarian Fund Founder Fernando Aguerre recently passed the torch of the SIMA Humanitarian Fund, which has raised over $1.58 million dollars since it was founded in 2006 to benefit causes such as spinal cord injury treatment, malaria prevention, and urban youth outreach, to Ross Garrett, an icon in the surf media world and VP of surf product at Surfline. Over the years, the major fund-raising push for the Fund has been the Liquid Nation Ball at Aguerre’s La Jolla home, but Garrett is taking a new approach to raising funds and setting a lofty goal of raising $210,000 by the end of October and trying to position the organization to raise $1 million in 2013 by democratizing its efforts. To read more click HERE!
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Mt. Abram Aligns with MRA to Launch Crowdfunding Campaign in Support of a Sustainable Ski IndustryJACKSON, WY – August 23, 2012. Mountain Rider’s Alliance (MRA) has partnered with Mt. Abram to promote a cooperative business model and convert Maine’s authentic ski area into an MRA Mountain Playground. The joint effort aims to boost regional visitation, increase sustainability awareness, and create a business model for other community-oriented ski areas worldwide.MRA is dedicated to creating and supporting a sustainable ski industry model, which focuses on keeping environmental, community, and rider concerns ahead of short-sighted decision making. This partnership with Mt. Abram represents MRA’s first conversion of an existing ski area. Mt. Abram will remain open to the public without significant changes to its operating plan. As part of this partnership, membership shares will be available via MRA, which will offer a variety of benefits and privileges, reciprocation at other Mountain Playgrounds, as well as allow for elections to represent membership in dialog with ski area management.“We started this movement in 2009,” said MRA co-founder Jamie Schectman. “Since then, we’ve seen thousands of passionate folks around the world support the preservation of our sport. It’s about the local communities, generating our own energy, reducing our carbon footprint, and most importantly sliding downhill on snow. With Mt. Abram’s dedication to the community and environment, we couldn’t ask for a better partner. Supporting this mission is just the beginning. We’re building a replicative model to save what we love about skiing, and offer a new direction for ski areas around the world.”Mt. Abram is a 560-acre privately owned and operated ski area that recently won the 2012 Golden Eagle Award for Environmental Excellence by the National Ski Areas Association. Mt. Abram is located 90 minutes from Portland, Maine, and offers 1,150 feet of vertical drop, affordable access, and an alternatively laid-back vibe to nearby mega-resorts. Mt. Abram is owned and operated by Maine businessman and recent Maine Sports Hall of Fame inductee Matt Hancock.“Mt. Abram’s greatness doesn’t have to be restricted to Maine,” said Hancock. “There are a number of other independent ski areas that would fit well into this model. Mt. Abram’s collaboration with MRA is about skiing, plain and simple: a thriving business model away from the commercialized, overpriced, factory outdoor experience at the mega-resorts. Mt Abram's niche – soulfulness, great terrain, skier-centricity, and enjoying the outdoors with family and friends – is what attracts people to the sport. MRA was founded to instill and promote these same characteristics in an industry that is moving away from what we love about skiing.”About Mountain Rider’s Alliance:Mountain Rider’s Alliance (www.MountainRidersAlliance.com) is a group of like-minded people dedicated to making a positive change in the ski area industry. The mission of MRA is to develop values-based, environmentally friendly, rider-centric Mountain Playgrounds that encourage alternative energy creation while reducing their carbon footprint. It is MRA’s priority to develop sustainable Mountain Playgrounds that offer an authentic riding experience, help the environment thrive, and promote prosperity in our local ski towns. In addition to Mt. Abram, MRA has entered into the permitting process to restore Manitoba Mountain, a ski area that last operated in 1960 on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. Manitoba Mountain would offer terrain for all ability levels via three surface lifts and access to 10,000 acres of world-class terrain (www.skimanitobamountain.com).MRA has recently launched “Support the Future of Skiing”, skiers and riders who wish to support this crowdfunding campaign are invited to visit: http://www.indiegogo.com/SupportTheFutureOfSkiing. All media inquiries, please contact Jamie Schectman of Mountain Rider’s Alliance at shecky@mountainridersalliance.com.
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Protect Our Winters and Grassroots California have collaborated to bring you a super sick snapback hat. Check it out!
Protect Our Winters is a global nonprofit fighting climate change on behalf of the winter sports community. Their mission is to engage and mobilize the winter sports community to lead the fight against climate change. Our focus is on educational initiatives, activism and the support of community-based projects. Protect Our Winters (POW) is a non-profit organization started by pro snowboarder, Jeremy Jones who’s mission is to bring the winter sports community together to fight climate change and its effects on our mountains. We’re a community individuals, pro riders, resorts and corporations who share the same concern.
Grassroots California is a progressive clothing line that makes quality merchandise at affordable prices and donates a percentage of its proceeds on every purchase. It was our vision to create a company that gives back to the communities we live in and around the globe.
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Story by Cam Walker, greenoutdoorgear.wordpress.comThe ‘Higg Index’ was launched recently.Several years in the making, the index seeks to provide a way for individual companies to get a clear view of where to make improvements in their supply chains to reduce the environmental (and eventually, social) impacts of their products. It also provides a consistent framework and language that companies can use to assess and compare product sustainability.Avery Stonich, the communications manager at the US-based Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), has written a summary of where these developments came from, and where they might need to go in future.She explains that:“nearly six years ago, several leading outdoor industry companies recognized that they could make more meaningful progress toward sustainable business practices by working together. So these competitors sat down together and started hammering out quantifiable, measurable ways to create more sustainable products, starting with apparel.As this effort gained momentum, these companies and OIA formed the OIA Sustainability Working Group (SWG) to put even more muscle behind the work. In 2010, the industry finalized and piloted the OIA Eco Index, a standardized way to assess product sustainability. It went so well that another group—the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC)—adopted the open-source index last year, blended it with a tool Nike developed, and created a more robust indexing tool”.This has evolved into the Higg Index.You can also check the OIA website for details.You can download the Index (and give feedback) here.
