Since several friends had attended the Seattle Green Festival and described it with a flat “eh,” I was not very eager to attend the Denver Green Festival. But I was curious enough to accept a free ticket. Here are the top 5 things I learned:

1. Denver has energy – and it’s contagious. This was the festival’s Denver debut and you could feel the enthusiasm upon stepping into the convention center. Compared to Seattle, Denver is new to some aspects of “green” but its zeal will help drive results. Fast.
2. According to Alan Weisman, author of The World Without Us, every four days, one million more people are on the planet. That’s a significant strain on our resources. It re-inspires me to think about adopting a U.S. child instead of having one of my own. 
3. Burt’s Bees is now owned by Clorox. The purchase took place in 2007 but I didn’t hear about it until one of the festival organizers explained why Burt’s Bees was not one of the exhibitors. All Green Festival™ exhibitors are screened for their commitment to sustainable business practices using Green America’s green business standards. Being owned by Clorox kept Burt’s from meeting those standards. 
4. While I love supporting my local bookstore Tattered Cover, sometimes I need access to the kind of inventory only an online bookseller can have. Better World Books is a different kind of online bookstore – and one of my new favorite bookmarks. With an inventory of more than two million used and new books, they also help fund high-impact literacy projects in the United States and around the world. And in case you’re concerned about your eco-footprint, every order is shipped carbon neutral with offsets from Carbonfund.org. 
5. Amy Goodman is my storytelling hero. I’m embarrassed to admit that I hadn’t heard much about Amy but knew someone special was speaking as the biggest festival venue became standing room only. Amy kept about 1,000 (or more) listeners riveted with her stories of being arrested – while wearing full press credentials – at the Republican National Convention. I’m so inspired by her approachable style and stories that carry a punch (sometimes literally). 

No “eh” here. I’m glad I went and hope 2010 means year two for the Denver Green Festival™. If a Green Festival isn’t planned for your city, you can see some of the speakers at Green Festival TV. Have you attended festival or checked out Green Festival TV? If so, what did you learn?