My celebration of Earth Day started nearly one month ago with a guest invitation to Seattle International Interior Design Association’s (IIDA) Leadership Breakfast. And how fitting that the honoree, from Seattle, is Denis Hayes. He rose to national prominence in 1970 as the coordinator of the first Earth Day. Hayes founded the Earth Day Network and expanded it to more than 180 nations.

Adding perspective, the keynote speaker, Vincent Stanley of Patagonia, emphasized that of the 4 R’s - Recycle, Reuse, Reduce and Restore, the most important is to REDUCE. Vincent is the author of “The Responsible Company,” a gem of a book.

“Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.” - Patagonia Mission Statement

The messages of these two leaders were inspirational as both truly “walk their talk.” Denis as leader of the Bullitt Center, “The Greenest Commercial Building in the World,” envisions this building as a living organism.

“To safeguard the natural environment by promoting responsible human activities and sustainable communities in the Pacific Northwest.” - The Bullitt Foundation Mission Statement

Vincent, with passion and eloquence, implored guests to “understand what we’re doing when we make things” as we cannot solve the problems of climate change until we reduce.

For more information on Earth Day 2013, click here.