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Berlin Trendwalks on sustainable consumption Feel the change!  |
How do I live ecologically correct without being unindulgent as a city slicker? Which consumer trends am I subject to, and how do I deal with them? – These problems formed the leitmotif of the first two Trendwalks organized by the ecoShowroom together with Dr. Willer. 15 persons each, all of them interested in trends and with most varied backgrounds – among them entrepreneurs, journalists and students; old-established Berliners as well as foreign tourists – set off for one exciting afternoon across the city under the expert guidance of the consumer sociologist. Together, the most thrilling spots on all different areas of life – among them clothes, food, sports and living –, were visited. During the first walk, the co-owner of the presumably hippest location for frozen yogurt, efa’s in Prenzlauer Berg, explained how he and his partner adapted his partner’s family tradition of icecream manufacturing and this way helped establishing biological frozen yogurt in Berlin. Obvisouly, this stop involved a (yummy!) tasting. At trainingslager, an exclusive fitness concept, the participants learned everything about the desire for individuality in sports. Indiviualism instead of mass processing was also the message of the minimalistic bikes decorating the walls of bike showroom stilrad°°. Whilst visiting Jan Kath's exceptional showroom during the second walk, the participants learnt about the elements that make a rug sustainable: If it is made from discarded Indian sarees or dyed with stinging nettle color, for example. On Oranienburger Strasse, the group got the chance to touch century-old stones that now form part of modern bathrooms. Give boxes, vertical gardens, Random Acts of Kindness, grey water recycling systems: Dozens of more ore less ecological trends were examined carefully, Dr. Willers expertise was soon becoming apparent. Needless to say that no one was starving during the walk since the physical well-being was supported by food bags with yummy bio snacks. Upon their return to the ecoShowroom, the groups were welcomed with cremant or respectively mulled wine and a tasty fruitbuffet (biological, of course) and got the chance to discuss their new impressions and socialise. The next Trendwalk will be taking place on March 16, 2012. According to requirements, it can also be offered in English this time. Also, individual dates can be arranged. For more information, please contact us via veranstaltungen@ecoshowroom.de. |
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events
| ecoShowroom series of events on sustainable subjects |  blog |
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Social Banking information session What harm does our money do? |
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Social Banking information session What harm does our money do? |
The financial education of many people can be summed up in one phrase: „The money lies in the bank and increases“. Few know that it actually works there. Even fewer know that it works in projects that can hardly be supported from an ethical point of view. On February 6, 2012, after two earlier dates in September and October 2012, Dr. Happe visited the ecoShowroom to talk about the work of her organization. Urgewald represents the interests of people in developing countries and newly industrialised countries who suffer from the consequences of ecocide. Quite often, German companies and banks are involved in these damages. The expert explained the highly disputable practice of many of the conventional banks to finance the building of nuclear power plants or to lend investment capital to the producers of cluster munitions. To learn about these affairs, you obviously have to inquire critically, a thing that investors hardly ever do. Not even on purpose, but out of nescience. Dr. Happe commended a closer look on the activities of one’s own bank and illustrated green alternatives. Besides the conventional banks, alternative banks such as GLS, Triodos, Umweltbank or Ethikbank have been experiencing ever greater growth for some years. This growth results from transparence in the usage of funds and because these banks only invest in projects that are ecologically or ethically defensible. With some alternative banks, the investor can decide himself whether to invest money in an educational project or in wind energy plants. The expert talk was followed by a question and discussion session with a focus on consumer topics: Do green funds offer yields as high as conventional funds? How do I find out which green bank works best for me? This was a particularly successful evening in a crowded ecoShowroom. |
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Berlin Trendwalks on sustainable consumption Feel the change! |
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Berlin Trendwalks on sustainable consumption Feel the change! |
How do I live ecologically correct without being unindulgent as a city slicker? Which consumer trends am I subject to, and how do I deal with them? – These problems formed the leitmotif of the first two Trendwalks organized by the ecoShowroom together with Dr. Willer. 15 persons each, all of them interested in trends and with most varied backgrounds – among them entrepreneurs, journalists and students; old-established Berliners as well as foreign tourists – set off for one exciting afternoon across the city under the expert guidance of the consumer sociologist. Together, the most thrilling spots on all different areas of life – among them clothes, food, sports and living –, were visited. During the first walk, the co-owner of the presumably hippest location for frozen yogurt, efa’s in Prenzlauer Berg, explained how he and his partner adapted his partner’s family tradition of icecream manufacturing and this way helped establishing biological frozen yogurt in Berlin. Obvisouly, this stop involved a (yummy!) tasting. At trainingslager, an exclusive fitness concept, the participants learned everything about the desire for individuality in sports. Indiviualism instead of mass processing was also the message of the minimalistic bikes decorating the walls of bike showroom stilrad°°. Whilst visiting Jan Kath's exceptional showroom during the second walk, the participants learnt about the elements that make a rug sustainable: If it is made from discarded Indian sarees or dyed with stinging nettle color, for example. On Oranienburger Strasse, the group got the chance to touch century-old stones that now form part of modern bathrooms. Give boxes, vertical gardens, Random Acts of Kindness, grey water recycling systems: Dozens of more ore less ecological trends were examined carefully, Dr. Willers expertise was soon becoming apparent. Needless to say that no one was starving during the walk since the physical well-being was supported by food bags with yummy bio snacks. Upon their return to the ecoShowroom, the groups were welcomed with cremant or respectively mulled wine and a tasty fruitbuffet (biological, of course) and got the chance to discuss their new impressions and socialise. The next Trendwalk will be taking place on March 16, 2012. According to requirements, it can also be offered in English this time. Also, individual dates can be arranged. For more information, please contact us via veranstaltungen@ecoshowroom.de. |
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Breathwalk® Finding balance in the heart of the city |
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Breathwalk® Finding balance in the heart of the city |
Having been popular for quite some time in the USA, the Breathwalk® is slowly gaining popularity in this country too. The holistic practice program, a combination of walking, yoga exercises, meditation and conscious breathing, can have both a rather energizing or a rather relaxing effect, depending on the exact combination. All walks have in common that they help improving ones mindfulness towards ones own self and towards ones environment. They may rebuild the emotional balance and create mental clarity. Our teacher was Fateh Singh, a well-known yoga instructor of the Kundalini Yoga according to Yogi Bhajan®. Both Yoga-experienced and complete beginners were present at this event. During the warming-up in the ecoShowroom that followed the walk, thoughts on the walk could be shared whilst enjoying a warm cup of tea. Unanimous opinion: That was great! A report (in German) can be found here. We will definitely host another Breathwalk® in the future. If you are interested, you can already register via veranstaltungen@ecoshowroom.de. |
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„Dinner of dimensions“ Integrated dinner at Pappa e Ciccia |
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„Dinner of dimensions“ Integrated dinner night at Pappa e Ciccia |
While the guests were enjoying delicious cremant with quince and rhubarb juice, six ecologically orientated producers presented their groceries, all of them ingrediences of that night’s dinner, at Pappa e Ciccia’s deli. Whether it being shiitake mushrooms of Magdeburger Pilzmanufaktur, edible flowers of Bio-Kräuterei Oberhavel, monkfish of Deutsche See, Original Beans’ chocolates, wine and cremant of Wein Riegel or Thönes Natur beef: During the diverting presentations even those who had been eating organic food for years could learn a lot. For example, why organic fish is always bred in aquaculture, how fresh shiitake mushrooms can look like (that is to say, much better than the greyish, flabby fungi commonly sold!) or how to treat stinging nettle so they become edible. Needless to say that the treats could be sampled rightaway!
Not only the ecological, but also the social and economical dimensions of sustainability were touched in a speech held by Prof. Dr. Gudrum Kammasch in her capacity as Analytical Chemistry scientist and UNESCO member. She referred to her project of permanently installing an oil-press in an Ethiopian village, thereby making the inhabitants self-sufficient and strengthening local infrastructure. Philipp Kaufmann, CEO of Original Beans, illustrated the problems of cocoa bean farming in South America and his company’s efforts to support peasants and sustain the rainforest. Finally Benjamin Joon Richter, host and owner of Pappa e Ciccia, contributed a few thought-provoking impulses on an integrated lifestyle and social equity. After these inspiring speeches and presentations, the guests stepped on to Pappa e Ciccia restaurant next door where the social part of the evening took place. On long wooden tables, delicious bread with olive oil could be enjoyed before the three-course set meals were being served. Whether with meat – filet of the Limousin beef –, with fish – monkfish caught with a fishing-rod -, or vegan – choice mushrooms on spinach -, as usual at Pappa e Ciccia, taste and freshness of the ingrediences enthused the guests. This was far more the case since every course brought new eureka moments: Those are the flowers from Oberhavel! Yummy, chocolate mousse from wild-growing cocoa beans! – The guests sat together for a long time and enjoyed wine and food. Additionally, the night offered many possibilties for socializing and networking since quite a few journalists and professional audience were present. Going home that night, one not only had a full belly but also a head brimming with ideas about the dimensions of good food. Due to the success oft he event, Benjamin Joon Richter is planning another dinner night. For more information, please contact us via veranstaltungen@ecoshowroom.de. Due to the success of the event, Benjamin Joon Richter is planning another dinner night. For more information, please contact us via veranstaltungen@sieben-siebzig.de. |
Foto: Gaia Marturano |
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Nature Walk with Ecological Picnic Back to the Roots |
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Nature Walk with Ecological Picnic Back to the Roots |
The outward journey was characterized by Gunnar Lammert-Türk’s (of Möbelwerkstatt Werder) explanations about the Prussian king, the Berlin woods and Fontane’s journalistic intuition. In fact, during his lifetime, Fontane had done research on the Brandenburg Woods regarding tree thievery, poachers, bug collectors and snake hunters. Bagow Church, an Art Noveau gem beyond comparison, was the starting point of the hike. District forester Ralf Bärthel then led the group on to a patch of steppe, eastern Asian steppe to be precise. In the heart of Brandenburg, seeds from far-off Asia germinated and turned this particular hill into a special place. From there, the group went into the woods, passing by rye and barley fields, canola, not yet in bloom and the last remaining houses. With the help of a special map, the participants learnt how well the goal of mixed forests has yet been achieved and if it is even wise to achieve it at all. Which oak trees can be felled, and how do the fellers know which ones to spare? To whom does the forest belong anyway? To whom do the trees belong? And why are some trees marked with graffiti numbers? Obviously, you learn even more at the edge of the woods, for example about the size of a stork egg, the fact that forest ants can be quite aggressive and that a brick house picnic is a lot of fun, even in the pouring rain. Wolfgang Frederick of Möbelwerkstatt Werder made his appearance towards the end of the ”Prussian mile“ (which is more than 7 km long): He explained how boards are made out of trees and how premium furniture is assembled from those boards. The participants’ appreciation for solid wood furniture had gone sky high during the hike, and so had the wish to own such a gem. We will definitely host another hike. If you’re interested, please register via wald@ecoshowroom.de |
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www.moebelwerkstatt-werder.de
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| sieben&siebzig GmbH |  |
almstadtstr. 35 . 10119 berlin . tel: +49 (030) 68 81 206 -40 . fax: +49 (030) 68 81 206 -44 . info@sieben-siebzig.de |