On February 27th, Jessica Appelgren helped produce a fantastic panel discussion as part of her role as SPUR (San Francisco Planning and Urban Research) Young Urbanist Host Committee member. The topic was “Green in the City” and the 150 capacity room at the Pacific Energy Center on Howard was packed.

The discussion captured an in depth look at innovative green practices, cleantech and the link between economics and the environment. Moderated by the San Francisco Business Times’ reporter Adrienne Sanders, the panel featured Anne Vollen of Green Zebra, a green consumer guide, Peter Liu, Initial Founder and Vice Chairman of New Resource Bank, Nikki Martinez of EcoTuesday a sustainable business leaders networking forum and Johanna Partin of SF Environment. The links between values and business were explored, as well as how products and services need to distinguish themselves as superior apart from any green message to appeal to savvy consumers overwhelmed with green marketing tactics. Johanna’s recounting of the aggressive plan San Francisco has to reach 50 MW of the city’s energy sourced from renewables by 2012 was also a high point of discussion.

About SPUR Young Urbanists
SPUR Young Urbanists, a new SPUR initiative that seeks to attract people 40 and under who appreciate San Francisco and are interested in deepening their involvement in civic affairs.