The Year Ahead with Danny Seo
by Meaghan O'Neill, Newport, R.I. on 01. 2.08
This post is the first in a month-long series.
New year, new to-do list. To help inspire us to get our own optimistic resolutions underway, TreeHugger has asked several of our heroes about what they aim to accomplish this year and what they see happening the world of green in 2008. You’ll find new profiles introduced daily among our blog posts, or bookmark “The Year Ahead,” where we’ll be rounding up the group as each profile goes live.
Who: Danny Seo, green-living guru and author of the Simply Green book series.
Eco-resolution: I recently purchased a mid-century modern home set in a gorgeous preservation area. I'm intent on doing the restoration and upgrades as green as possible. Most recently, I ordered a bunch of Bosch energy-saving and water-smart appliances from Lowe's--that was easy. But now for the hard part: Because the home has a flat roof, I'm determined to make it a green roof with palettes of sedum. This will help extend the life of the roof and cool the home in summer months. I’ll be blogging about all the tricks and tips I learn from the renovation at the Huffington Post; I really want to help people go green at home as simply as possible.
Outlook for '08: Going green will be easier, more affordable, and more stylish than ever. How do I know? I'm working with JCPenney to create Simply Green home and fashion lines made from renewable and sustainable materials, including a spa-like, eco-friendly mattress called the Simmons Natural Care by Danny Seo. It's made from natural latex, which is inherently dust-mite, mold, and mildew resistant. I love it! Truly green products for things people really need is something I'm passionate about right now.
Want more Danny Seo? Check out TreeHugger contributor Erin Courtenay’s Interview With Danny Seo or read our book reviews of Simply Green Giving and Simply Green Parties.
This guy isn't really that green. someone gave me his book about wrapping presents, and it had advice like "find a book and cut a big hole in it!"
He also said that if he had a choice between a thoughtful gift and a new car, he'd take the car.
I do agree with the comment above.
I've seen Danny's blog for quite a while and I think most of the things he says are "green" are just garbage that he can't stop from buying. Being sustainable is not about buying a bunch of stuff just to only buy stuff, which is what his whole bog seems to be about.
I do think green roofs and other sustainable practices should be touted, but his whole blog seems too consumerist to the point of being ridiculous.
Fake Plastic Fish, EnviroWoman and other blogs are good alternatives that address"green" issues better than Danny's, but unlike his they really don't tout consumerism. Well, that's probably why you don't hear about them as much!
I love this guy. The mattress sounds like a cool thing. At least it's something you can try out in the story. I have been so unhappy with the organic cotton mattress I bought. It's UNCOMFORTABLE!
I think it is important for everyone to think green but we need to be cautious of people who are just buying junk because it is "green." I've noticed that the items for sale at Whole Foods have flourished. Just because it is green doesn't mean we should consume it! If we have a bed that is not green - and we get rid of that bed now or later it doesn't really matter. You shouldn't consume another bed just because the new one is green - what happens to the old bed is still an issue. My point is that people shouldn't just start consuming crap because it is green and I'm hearing and seeing a lot of that going on.
I don't get these comments at all. People eventually need to replace their mattress (unless really green people sleep on the floor), so isn't it better to have an alternative that's the greenest and easiest to find? I don't think Danny is saying throw everything away and buy all new..just buy green when you need to buy green.
Danny sucks.
Buy Nothing New.
http://web.1.c3.audiovideoweb.com/1c3web3536/StoryOfStuff.mov