Green biz forum highlights achievements and challenges

The 3rd Annual Marin Green Business Forum featured the only green chamber of commerce in Marin, a nationally recognized environmentalist and dozens of small green business owners and leaders in the County.

The Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce, which has been at the forefront of sustainability in Marin, was one of the event sponsors.  Carol Misseldine, Mill Valley's Sustainability Director outlined the challenges facing Marin and the rest of the country with regards to climate control, pollution and sustainability. 

She also spoke about two new city-wide green initiatives; the Environmentally Preferable Packaging ordinance and  the completion of the Greenhouse Gas Inventory for Mill Valley. 

One surprise of the evening was the 2009 Green Entrepreneur Award which went to Lisa Max (photo left) of GoSolar Marin, who we profiled last year as one of our Focus on Green businesses.  Lisa, who had no idea she was going to receive the award for starting the successful residential solar panel installation network, quipped that she began it as a way to 'avoid paying retail' for her own solar panel installation.

Other speakers were Marin County Supervisor, Charles McGlashan and Stephanie Rico with Wells Fargo's Environmental Affairs unit. Nationally recognized environmental activist, author and educator Hunter Lovins gave the keynote speech.