Southern Green Living Expo is September 14–16
Story by Leah Shapiro
People who stay informed regarding environmental issues can expand their knowledge and pick up some great “green” tips by attending the Southern Green Living Expo (SGLE) September 14–16 at the U.S. Cellular Center in Asheville. There will be exhibitors, seminars, and demonstrations to help save money while becoming even kinder to our planet.
“This is a good way to showcase the positive aspects of a sustainable economic framework for the area,” explains Ned Doyle, coproducer of SGLE and coordinator of the green living seminars. “[This expo] will encourage what is already working really well in terms of local agriculture, energy efficiency, builders, and energy providers … and [show] that it makes sense to invest locally.
SGLE is the largest green living, renewable energy, and sustainable lifestyle expo in the South. With over 200 local and regional exhibitors and 48 green living seminars, it will provoke your curiosity and answer your questions about alternative transportation, sustainable agriculture, eco-friendly living, and carbon footprint reduction.
This solutions-based, interactive, and family-oriented event is an evolution of the annual Southern Energy & Environment (SEE) Expo, which successfully focused on environmental issues for ten years. This first annual SGLE will put economic concerns at the forefront of its approaches through the theme “Growing Regional Economic Enterprises Now” (GREEN).
The longer a behavior can feasibly occur, the more sustainable it is. “We can provide sustainable energy from the sun and from wind power for another three billion years. It’s pretty sustainable,” explains Doyle. “We can’t keep blowing up mountaintops, because it’s just not sustainable.” When we consider economics, he says, the same thing is true. For a few extra dollars, you can put your money back into the green region and financially support the practice with which it was produced and the economic stability of your community.
The price of admission for the expo will grant attendees access to the seminars in categories of green building, energy, transportation, environment, agriculture, and economics. Marcus Renner of Green Opportunities will present on weatherization and the economics of energy efficiency, increasing the value of buildings and decreasing energy costs. Ask questions about electric transportation from a panel of regional experts. The benefits of native plants are even covered by Tom Mainolfi of Carolina Native Landscapes, Inc. Visit online for a full schedule with descriptions.
Booths, like that of Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, Harmony Motors, and AB Tech, will be run by businesses and organizations dedicated to the mission of the expo.
“We’re making every effort we can to make sure that the exhibitors, participants, and sponsors that are part of it really do have some legitimate green aspect to what they are doing,” says Ned. Varied exhibitors specialize in different areas because, as Doyle explains, “there are various aspects and shades of green.”
The expo itself will feature recycling, biodegradable food ware, as well as other green initiatives.Electronic waste disposal will be available on-site as a complimentary service with admission to the show (no televisions or large computer monitors, however).
Tickets are $8 (for seniors 55 and over), $9 (for adults), $5 (for children 13–21), and no charge for children younger than 12. For more information, including times and seminar schedules, visit southerngreenlivingexpo.com.
