• Hear the report from the Green Queen.

Baby, it’s cold outside … and if your house is feeling a bit drafty, your hard-earned money is flying out the window.

So grab some caulk and start sealing.

Sealing the cracks around outlets, windows, light switches and door frames can keep the cold out, the warm in and the money … in your pocket.

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Guest column by Diane Brossart, president of Valley Forward Association.

Perceptions sure have changed since our nation recognized the first Earth Day in 1970. Next month – April 22nd to be exact – will mark the 40th anniversary of Earth Day as founded by former Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, who wanted to shake up the political establishment and force environmentalism into the national agenda.

No longer are industrial pollution and resource depletion causes for protests in the U.S. However, early activism was effective and led to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts.

While environmentalists and business were enemies at the onset, the 1980s saw industry join the movement with many voluntary CFC reductions and other environmental protection initiatives brought on by consumer protests.

The idea of sustainability took root in 1983 with the Brundtland Report identifying three general policy areas
now commonly referred to as the triple bottom line – economic growth, environmental quality and social development.

Interestingly, the 1990s saw a period of public apathy on environmental issues. People just didn’t see it as needing attention – the crisis for the most part was over and the environmental movement was in need of a marketing make-over.

Some say we’re now on the cusp of a fourth wave of environmentalism. Sustainability is shifting to both an economic and environmental movement – two interlaced issues that vastly impact our quality of life. Green collar jobs are good for the environment and the economy.

Green business and education now equates to 265 billion dollars, reaches 1.6 million people with a five percent growth per annum – a sector that was closer to zero just 10 years ago. Spending habits are fueling the eco-friendly product market. And surveys show people are willing to spend more, even in financial hardship, if it means purchasing something “green.”

Valley Forward’s Livability Summit will take a forward looking approach to the notion of sustainability and how it will shape the next decade in our region, throughout the nation and globally.

Economic futurist and sustainability expert, Jeremy Rifkin will headline at the Earth Day event on April 22 with a keynote on the impact of scientific and technological changes on the economy, the workforce, society and the environment.

The region’s oldest, most influential organization focused exclusively on the balance between economic growth and environmental quality, Valley Forward was founded in 1969 – one year before the nation’s first Earth Day!

There are numerous organizations working to promote a healthy environment and a healthy economy both here and around the globe. Whether your focus lies in nature, conservation, beautification, green building, livability or sustainability, there are ample ways to get involved.

Collaboration and partnerships are keys to keeping the sustainability movement going forward in the right direction. Today’s tree huggers are vast and as varied in our make up as the projects we’re creating. Our outcome will mark the balance we strive to create between economic growth and environmental quality.

Happy Earth Day!