It’s August, and it’s time for the Southern Energy and Environment Expo, or SEE, held each year at the WNC Agriculture Center just outside of Asheville. The Expo links the interested public to vendors and information regarding renewable energy technologies and sustainable economics. New Life Journal recently had a chance to sit down with Ned Doyle, the event’s founder and coordinator, and pick his brain about what he’s done to go green (personally and with the Expo), what we can all do to live green ourselves, and how we can help others make sustainable choices.

NLJ: What do you think is/are the best way/s to educate the public and get the word out about their sustainable options?

ND: There’s nothing to suggest there is a “best” way to educate the public about the rewards and positive impacts of a sustainable approach. Many approaches are excellent, such as Evergreen Charter School’s award winning programs in K-12 education and similar educational programs from folks like the NC Solar Center. In the public arena, there are dozens of incredible efforts from regional nonprofits—from Dogwood Alliance to the WNC Alliance. So, it’s not an issue of the best way, but of multiple efforts covering many aspects. Getting past the idea of a best way is rather central to integrating sustainable options, because it requires a mix of approaches in our energy systems, agriculture and community planning, for example.

NLJ: How have you seen response and support of the green movement change on a national scale and local scale as more information has been disseminated to the public?

ND: In many ways, it was the green movement that fueled the expansion and popularity of the educational system. Many of the leaders in sustainability are in the educational system, so it has been more one hand working with the other as citizen awareness has grown. I find it fascinating that there’s a significant disconnect between regional and federal efforts and their commitments. By its very nature, sustainable planning means looking at the local environment and economy as your starting point and then weaving that into the larger state or federal picture. The realization that the federal government, Washington and so forth have consistently left regions and states high and dry in the last decade has spawned a very positive regional movement. After all, if you’re no longer getting any support or rational leadership from “big government,” the only option is to do it yourself. In this case, it’s actually a good outcome, since it means starting from the local issues, challenges and potential where all the real solutions exist.

NLJ: What do you think it means to “go green” at a grassroots level? And/or, what do you think it means to be a “green activist?” Do you consider yourself an environmental activist?

ND: First, “go green” is the current buzzword, one that has been abused by many corporations and businesses that are in no way green and in fact part of the problem. But, it does convey much of what we all need to learn in a simple phrase and idea. Each person simply has to pick the ways that work for them to get started. Driving less helps everyone, plus your bank account. Buying local produce and goods. Buying Energy Star appliances to save energy and money. Getting your home insulated and air sealed to reduce energy and cost. Getting involved in local issues that impact everyone, like restricting developments, water issues or coal and nuclear power plants. These are all grassroots ways to go green, all of which are equally valuable and all of which make anyone a “green activist.” As for myself, yes, at the core I’m an environmental activist who happens to highlight clean energy and sustainable economic models that benefit the environment. It’s impossible to deal with the environmental issues of climate change and so forth if you don’t deal head on with energy and economics.

NLJ: How long have you been involved in the sustainable movement and in what capacity?

ND: My adventures in sustainable issues began back in the mid 70’s, well before that phrase was ever around! In those “olden days” it was solar energy and alternative energy for the most part. In my years with the original Mother Earth News Eco Village Project, we built solar systems from recycled materials, solar homes, wind systems, composting toilets, small scale hydro systems, organic gardens based on permaculture and much more. I’ve been living this way for all these years, and it’s wonderful. The big difference then was that we were worried about the impacts to come, which were clear, and today those very negative impacts are here.

NLJ: Why did you decide to create the SEE Expo, and when was the first event held?

ND: The original SEE Expo was held in October of 2001 after nearly two years of planning. The WNC Alliance and BackHome Magazine were the two critical sponsors that made things come together. The SEE Expo was not really a decision but the end result of many conversations in 1999 and 2000. People in the environmental and sustainable community back then noticed the loss of our federal government to big oil, nuclear lobbyists and special interests. So, we thought the best thing to do was to bring together the fairly separate efforts in the region, the conservation organizations and the green businesses, and work together to educate the public with an event that showcased the fact that our energy policies (or lack thereof) were directly impacting the environment.

NLJ: How do you feel the SEE Expo and its educational tools have contributed to the public’s understanding of and the popularity of the green movement here locally and regionally?

ND: I think the SEE Expo has been a significant fraction of this public understanding, but I hasten to add it’s only a part. The folks who have come over the years have told me that it was often an eye opener for them to see the options, the products and the services we already have in the region. Green builders and energy companies in particular have been able to reach “new” converts to better housing and clean energy sources. We’ve found that folks not only come back year after year to see what’s new but also bring new friends along to show them. Much of the success of the SEE Expo is directly related to this grassroots networking, connecting more and more folks every year. Once someone is curious and has an introduction to something, like solar hot water, they are far more motivated to investigate it in more detail and to learn more later.

Be sure to check out the center of this issue for this year’s Official SEE Expo Guide, filled with all the information you’ll need to make the most out of your visit to the event!

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