Eco Fashion World

Gotham Gets Green, a new green technology event held at New York City’s Empire Hotel Rooftop on January 13, was where “top brands in the outdoor industry join forces in NYC to discuss green trends, their green products and how global climate change is affecting the industry as a whole.” Ethical outdoor clothing and accessories brands, including The North Face, San Francisco-based Rickshaw Bags, and Polartec clothing among others, were all in attendance to discuss green trends in the outdoor industry and learn how global climate change is affecting the industry.

Besides showing off the latest in eco-adventure clothing and accessories to attendees, Christina Thomure, director of Sustainable Operations at Grand Targhee Resort, had some interesting thoughts on sustainability during her lunch presentation. For the past three years, Christina has been working to establish the Grand Targhee Resort in Wyoming’s Teton Mountains as an environmental leader in the ski industry. It is with this experience and passion that she discussed how the “New Economy” is emerging as a result of the consequences of globalization, and that the principles driving the New Economy have the ability to create radical change. A few of the basic principles that Christina outlined include:

1. Account for Externalities

Often referred to as the triple bottom line, this concept takes into consideration not only the dollar value of a product or service, but also the social and environmental costs associated with providing that product or service. Triple bottom line accounting recognizes that without happy, healthy staff, a vibrant community and the natural environment able to sustain those people and resources, business will be unsustainable in the long term. “People, Profit, Planet” is the mantra.

2. Closed Loops

Systems and processes that strive for zero waste, zero emissions and zero toxicity -- a movement away from “Take, Make, Waste” to “Borrow, Use, Return.”

3. Systems Thinking

Systemic thinking encourages us to see beyond the confines of our own organizational boundaries and solve multiple problems with a single solution -- a movement away from operating in “silos.”

4. Organizational Learning

This is the idea that we possess all of the knowledge, creativity and tools within our own organizations that we need to compete. If we can create a learning environment, harness the skills and creativity of our employees, engage in ongoing dialogue, collaborate and share resources, and create an inclusionary decision-making process, we can optimize our efficiency.

What do you think of Christina’s principles of the New Economy? Here, a few more of our favorite designers l that use sustainable materials for their outdoor gear!

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