The Fall '08 SEED line includes men's and women's apparel, accessories and shoes made from organic or sustainable, pesticide-free and chemical-free textiles. With rainforest-inspired graphics and materials ranging from hemp to bamboo the collection calls attention to the Amazon. etnies will donate a portion of proceeds to Sambazon's Sustainable Acai Project, which promotes preservation of the Amazon Rainforest through sustainable agro-forestry. Learn more at Sambazon.com and the SEED Project Blog.

We, at etnies & Sole Tech, are celebrating Earth Day with the announcement of a project already years in the making; etnies is committed, and well on its way, to becoming the action sports industry's first carbon neutral company!

Whether or not you get what that means, you're probably familiar with the concept of carbon dioxide emissions and their devastating effect on global warming. The idea of carbon neutrality is to offset ALL emissions in various ways, so that the total is a big, fat, neutral zero. Makes sense, right? Being the realists that we are, we know it's much easier said than done... so what have we done so far? One major step we've taken is the completion of our first corporate eco-audit to measure the company’s overall carbon footprint.

“Corporate responsibility and environmental conservation have been at the forefront of our philosophy for many years and our commitment to making an impact on the consumer, the industry, and the planet is stronger than ever,” said Pierre Andre Senizergues, CEO and founder of Sole Technology. “As we release the results of our first eco-audit, we look to our team, our customers, and our partners in the action sports world to help us become a carbon neutral company that will pave the way for a greener future.”

Led by the company’s environmental affairs manager, Roian Atwood, the eco-audit examined the organization’s activities over the course of more than seven years, focusing predominantly on its carbon emissions, waste and consumption, and water usage. In addition to this detailed study, etnies has executed the installation of 616 solar panels, the conversion to water-based cement manufacturing, corporate wide-recycling efforts, and the creation of a seasonal sustainable footwear and apparel collection, the etnies SEED Project.

“We are confident that the future looks bright for eco-conscious corporations, and we strive to be a leader in the field every day,” said Atwood. “By sharing our findings and making a conscious effort to use the results to alter our business practices and impact on the environment, we hope to play a key role in changing today’s corporate culture for a stronger tomorrow.”

The Sole Technology eco-audit found that in 2007, the company generated 40,000 tons of CO2, equivalent to volume of 2.5 billion shoe boxes 58 percent of which came from footwear manufacturing and the emissions released in the development process through the use of coal-burning sources and electricity. Another 18 percent of its carbon emissions are attributed to the making of the brand’s cardboard boxes, and 8 percent is related to logistics and shipping.

In terms of waste and consumption, Sole Technology found that of the 72,000 pounds of internal trash it consumed, the company recycled 57 percent, exceeding the country’s national average of 30 percent, and California’s average of 50 percent. By 2010, Sole Technology’s goal is to recycle 70 percent of their waste with assistance from the Blue Bin Brigade, an internal committee of department executives whose goal it is to increase awareness and find environmentally-friendly means of conducting business.

“Given the harsh abuse on a skateboarder’s shoes, our industry is constantly challenged with the issue of consumption, which is why we strive to make the most durable, quality products in the market,” said Senizergues. “Building long lasting products that are sturdy and have a longer life with consumers is an important element to consider in the eco discussions related to manufacturing and consumption.”

The eco-audit determined that 95 percent of Sole Technology’s water usage is attributed to the company’s apparel development, an industry-wide concern among clothing manufacturers that is a leading cause of damage to the environment. By taking immediate actions on business offices such as installing waterless urinals that save 325,000 gallons of water annually and dual flush toilets, the company is already affecting its internal water usage as it continues to research innovative technologies that will also benefit the manufacturing process.

Senizergues’ personal commitment to the environment and ecologically conscious lifestyle has made him a trailblazer in the industry, having implemented green practices many years ago. In addition to his professional goals, Senizergues practices green living at home as well, and has been honored by Global Green USA with a Corporate Environmental Leadership Award for his environmental practices and corporate responsibility. He was also an executive producer with Leonardo DiCaprio on the documentary The 11th Hour about the effects of global warming and how society can prevent further damage.

Stay tuned for more news this week, including further details on our eco-audit results...

It's really that simple. We don't have to be vegetarians or vegans...but it helps the planet if we just cut down on the meat we eat. On the topic of carbon emissions and global warming, we usually hear about cars and commuting as the big culprits, but they're not the biggest; cow farts are. Not cow farts alone, but cow fart methane coupled with nitrous oxide from their manure... not to mention collateral damage from the deforestation to make room for pastures, fertilizer emissions from raising feed crops, plus the energy used to run meat packing plants.

So eat your veggies and enjoy a longer, healthier life for yourself and the planet.

More Green Scene tips to come! Meanwhile, check out the rest of The SEED Project Blog.

For Spring 2008, etnies collaborated with San Diego-based artist Gary Benzel for new SEED Project line, which now also includes some stylish and eco-friendly options for us gals. Check out the new goods and learn more about SEED here.

Stay tuned to the SEED blog for more "love the planet" stuff, including everyday tips on going green.

Friends,

P.S. Please feel free to use the code to embed the trailer on your website!

As one of the most celebrated names in the action sports industry and founder and CEO of Sole Technology, parent company of etnies, etnies girl, eS, Emerica, Altamont and ThirtyTwo, Pierre Andre Senizergues’ passion for the environment has remained true to his roots and shown in the company’s success.

Teaming up with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tree Media as Executive Producer for The 11th HOUR, Senizergues hopes to create awareness around the environmental issues we are currently facing. Opening officially in theaters this August, The 11th HOUR describes the last moment when change is possible. The film explores how humanity has arrived at this moment – how we live, how we impact the Earth’s ecosystems, and what we can do to change our course. The film features dialogues with experts from all over the world, in addition to over 50 leading scientists, thinkers and leaders who present the facts and discuss the most important issues that face our planet.

The 11th HOUR is produced and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by Leila Conners Peterson and Nadia Conners.

Turn things off! TV’s, computers, stereos and video game units all draw power, even when turned off. By attaching your electronic devices to power bars & turning them off when not in use, you’ll help reduce your impact on the environment.

Skateboard, surf, snowboard…go outside! By exploring the great outdoors you’ll learn about nature and save electricity at the same time.

Grocery Shopping: The next time you go grocery shopping with your family, choose foods grown on local farms. You’ll help reduce pollution from food transportation.

Choose at least one day a week to eat “meat-free” meals. Raising animals such as cows, pigs and chickens, uses a lot more water and energy than growing grains and vegetables.

Is bigger really better? Generally, larger cars use more gas and create more pollution than smaller ones. Learn which types of cars and trucks use less gas and share what you’ve learned with your family before they buy a vehicle.

How do you get around? Skateboard, walk, bike, carpool or take the bus to get around. You’ll have fun and get some exercise too!

Explore your neighborhood! Make a map showing all of your regular stops such as schools, grocery stores, libraries and community centers. Find ways to avoid having someone drive you to these places.

Express yourself! Write, paint, draw or make a video – use your imagination to express how you feel about nature.

Did you know?

Replacing your light bulbs at home with compact fluorescents, will reduce 250 lbs. of CO2 annually.

Maintaining your car’s tire inflation properly will save $57 annually and 357 lbs. of CO2.

Carpooling once a week saves about $75 a year and 480 lbs. of CO2.

A two-degree difference in home heating and cooling will save $115 annually on your electricity bill.

Junk Mail contributes to 290 gallons of water, $276 and .34 trees annually. Have your name removed from junk mailing lists.

Adaptation: A special feature or behavior developed by organisms to help them survive in a particular environment.

Agriculture: The process of preparing the land to grow food, producing crops, and raising animals.

Atmosphere: A thin layer of gases above and around the Earth. It is between outer space and the Earth.

Biodegradable: The property of a substance that permits it to be broken down by bacteria and other microorganisms into simple, stable products that will not harm the environment.

Biodiversity: The variety of life on Earth. "Bio" means life and "diversity" means difference.

Biosphere: The part of the Earth’s crust, water and atmosphere where living organisms can survive.

Carbon: A chemical element that is found in all plants and animals. Carbon is found in fossil fuels - coal, oil and natural gas. When fossil fuels are burned the carbon is released into the air and can join with oxygen to make carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.

Carbon dioxide: A colourless, odorless, tasteless gas that is produced when animals exhale and when fuels burn, and is used by plants to make food. Carbon dioxide is a "Greenhouse Gas."

Certified: Means that the food has been grown according to strict standards (e.g. no pesticides), verified by an independent organization.

Climate: The pattern of weather in a region year round.

Composting: The process of turning organic wastes into a nutrient-rich mixture that can be used to condition soil and feed plants.

Conservation: The use of natural resources in a way that assures their continuing availability to future generations; the wise and intelligent use or protection of natural resources.

Decompose: To rot or decay; to break down into simpler parts or elements.

Deforestation: The complete destruction and total clearing of all forests within a region.

Ecological Footprint: Measures human impact upon the environment - how much space or productive land is needed to support an individual's lifestyle. The larger the footprint the more impact the individual has on the Earth.

Ecology: The study of the interrelationships between living organisms and their environment.

Ecologist: A scientist who studies the interrelationships of living things to one another and their environment.

Ecosystem: A group of living organisms that, along with their abiotic environment (e.g. air, water, rocks), interact with each other over a period of time. Energy from the sun is used to feed this web of life.

Endangered: Describes a species threatened with immediate extinction throughout all or most of its range owing to the actions of people.

Energy: The capacity to do work or the ability to make things move.

Environment: All of the natural and living things surrounding us (including air, water, vegetation, climate, wildlife, humans…) that have an influence on us and our physical and biological existence.

Forest: A complex community of plants and animals in which trees are the most prominent members.

Global Warming: An overall increase in the Earth’s temperature, which may be caused by reduced numbers of trees and increased levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

Greenhouse Effect: The warming of the Earth's surface. Gases trap heat between surface of the Earth and the atmosphere.

Habitat: The place where any plant or animal naturally lives and grows; a place that provides food, water, space to live and shelter for an interdependent community of living things.

Kilowatt-hour (kWh): The amount of energy present in one kilowatt of electricity supplied for one hour of time. Electricity is sold as kilowatt-hours. People pay for electricity by the number of kilowatt-hours used.

Landfill: An enormous pit where trash is buried under shallow layers of dirt.

Non-biodegradable: Incapable of being broken down naturally into substances that will not harm the environment.

Nonrenewable: Nonliving resources (such as rocks and minerals, petroleum, coal, copper, gold…) that cannot be replaced, replenished, or renewed by natural processes or by human planning and practices.

Organic: Related to living things; made by or gotten from plants or animals.

Pollutant: Any substance that can make air, land or water dirty or impure.

Processed: To change something with a series of steps. Example: crude oil has to be processed into different oil products before it can be used.

Produce: Fresh fruits and vegetable grown for the market; same as "crop."

Recycle: To process and treat discarded materials so that they can be used again.

Resources: Substances that support life and fulfill human needs, including air, land, water, minerals, fossil fuels, forests and sunlight.

Restoration: To work on changing something back to the way it was before.

Solar Energy: Energy from the sun that can be used for heating or to make electricity.

Socially Responsible: This term usually describes businesses. Being socially responsible means that businesses operate in ways that do not harm the environment, provide good salaries and benefits for its employees and generally contribute to the welfare of their communities.

Steward: A person who takes the responsibility of making decisions that will allow resources to be maintained for future generations.

Sustainable: The ability to continue/maintain into the future.

Sustainable Development: Environmentally friendly forms of economic growth activities (agriculture, logging, manufacturing, etc.) that allow the continued production of a commodity without damage to the ecosystem (soil, water supplies, biodiversity or other surrounding resources). Meets the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Wildlife: Describes all native, non-domesticated animals and plants living in the wild.