What We’re About

Since its inception in 2007, EarthWorks Expo has been Denver’s most informative and empowering annual green-living event. Our exhibitors represent a Who’s Who of Colorado-based green businesses and advocacy organizations; and our workshops and keynote speakers provide high-quality, practical guidance in all aspects of sustainable living. EarthWorks Expo is also an authentically local event, meaning it is organized exclusively by local citizens, features locally-based exhibitors and presenters, and seeks to serve the residents and small businesses of Denver Metro, Boulder and surrounding Colorado communities. At EarthWorks Expo, we believe local is the essence of green.

The core vision of EarthWorks Expo can be expressed in three interrelated themes, and our educational message falls into seven primary subject areas.

Our Three Major Themes:

1) Reduce Our Ecological Footprint
In a sustainable world, society's demands on nature are in balance with nature's capacity to meet those demands in terms of resources consumed and waste products returned to the environment. But today, humanity as a whole is consuming at least 23% more biological productivity than the Earth can sustainably produce, while the average U.S. citizen is consuming and producing waste at a vastly higher rate. If everyone on Earth consumed at the U.S. average, we would need at least five “Earths” to sustain today’s population. In short, we must reduce our Ecological Footprint soon or face disastrous consequences. Luckily, there are many things each of us can do to improve the situation.

2) Relocalize
Climate change, rising energy costs, global financial turmoil, growing unemployment. In the face of such destabilizing threats, relocalization calls upon individuals and communities to reclaim the self-sufficiency, resilience and security that comes with producing the essentials of life locally. This means more investment in local renewable energy; more reliance on locally grown food; more local craftspeople and small manufacturing companies producing essential goods and meaningful jobs; all toward minimizing dependence on energy, resources and goods from far away, and optimizing the sustainable productivity of local land, resources and people.

3) Green the Economy
Depending on who you ask, greening the economy could mean adjusting the present economy to be more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, or it could mean a great deal more. EarthWorks Expo imagines a green economy that will one day measure value in terms of quality of life delivered rather than quantity of stuff produced and sold. This economy will be genuinely sustainable and will support full employment without requiring persistent growth. It will reward less consumption rather than more, and greatly reduce unjust and dysfunctional income disparities. It will function in synergy, rather than destructive competition, with the natural world. Such an economy is predicated on major changes in societal values and priorities, and such changes take time. But they are beginning to occur.

Our Seven Primary Subject Areas

RENEWABLE ENERGY
We can meet future energy needs and be good stewards of the planet by using all forms of energy more efficiently while making the broadest possible use of renewable energy sources, including photovoltaic and thermal solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, biofuels and more.

GREEN TRANSPORTATION
Hybrid cars reduce exhaust emissions and improve fuel efficiency without sacrificing utility. Better: all-electric cars and trucks, neighborhood electric vehicles, electric scooters and human-powered vehicles. Also important: mass transit, ride-share and vehicle-share programs.

GREEN BUILDING
Our homes and buildings can be far more efficient users of energy, water and other resources. Strategies include optimizing insulation, foundation to roof; use of innovative and recycled materials; super-efficient windows; solar hot water and electricity; geothermal heating and cooling; low-flow showers and toilets; xeriscaping.

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Farming based on monoculture crops, chemical fertilizers and pesticides is ruinous to soil, over-dependent on fossil fuels and less productive than some traditional methods. Sustainable agriculture includes broad adoption of organic farming, permaculture principles, mixed crops, super-efficient irrigation and judicious use of mechanized equipment coupled with appropriate animal and human labor.

GREEN CONSUMER PRODUCTS
Many consumer products are now available in green, socially responsible versions: paper and plastic goods with recycled content; clothing made from organically grown fibers; fair-traded, sweatshop-free goods; non-toxic cleaning products; organic food; E*Star appliances, etc.

RESOURCE CONSERVATION
As society outgrows its throw-away habits, we can greatly reduce waste and conserve water, soil, timber, metals and other key resources. Most disposable materials are recyclable. Decaying waste can produce energy. Organic matter can be composted. The list goes on.

RELOCALIZATION
Today, much of our food, fuel and consumer goods originate thousands of miles away. A promising alternative is relocalization: bringing production of food, energy and basic necessities back to our communities, thereby creating jobs, promoting local commerce and enhancing local self-sufficiency, resilience and security.