350.org Events: Green & Tonic

This Saturday, October 24 is 350.org’s International Day of Climate Action. Artfulchange will be hosting a carbon neutral online concert fundraiser all day on our website and an after-party that night at the Box! We hope you can all come. Many other Bay Area organizations are doing great events that day as well and we are doing a series this week to highlight those projects.

I had the chance to talk with Velvet Volez from Green & Tonic about how they are teaming up with Carrotmob to put on a 350.org event this Saturday at Shotwell's.

1. What is the mission of your organization?

Green & Tonic's mission is to grow a dynamic ecosystem uniting green bars, green beverages, and green drinkers into a cocktail of action.

2. How did you get involved in the 350.org International Day of Climate Action?

We have been working with bars to become more environmentally sustainable and decided that we wanted to throw a Carrotmob event (we asked bars to bid on the percent of profits from the event that they would donate for environmental retrofits in their bar). Carrotmob approached us about combining the event with a 350.org action on October 24th. We thought it would be a great way to make positive change in the community as well as educate people about climate change and possible solutions.  

3. Tell us about your Climate Action Project.

We had 4 bars bid against each other and Shotwell's (3346 20th St., San Francisco) won by agreeing to contribute 25% of their sales from the event to making green changes. Some of their green goals include composting, changing to eco-friendly cleaning products, replacing light bulbs with those that are more energy efficient, changing over to post-consumer recycled paper towels in the bathrooms, and using compostable straws. The event will be from 6pm to 9pm. 

4. What do you need people to do to help make a difference?

The idea is to "mob" Shotwell's on the 24th to patronize their establishment and reward them for their commitment to going green. That means the more people that come out in support, the more changes they will be able to make! Why go out and drink somewhere just for the heck of it when you can go drink with a purpose?

Our goal is to get 350 tweets about the event, you can re-tweet this to help get the word out: "Join Green & Tonic for our Carrotmob at Shotwell's on October 24th from 6pm-9m! Drink with a purpose and use your consumer activism to help them go green! http://tinyurl.com/yf3gbbv"

5. Where can people learn more about your organization and project?

They can go to: www.facebook.com/greenandtonic