A Greenbuild Conversation with Lisa Ling
At the recent Greenbuild conference, I had the chance to interview television journalist Lisa Ling. A special correspondent for The Oprah Winfrey Show and host of National Geographic’s Ultimate Explorer, she’s tenacious about reporting the stories of those who often don’t have a voice. She’s also an advocate for environmental sustainability—as we are—which led to her interest in attending the show.
“Everyone I’ve talked to is so enthusiastic about what they’re doing,” she says about the exhibitors. “Our country is in the midst of an economic catastrophe and this green movement is the answer to our economic woes. That’s why Greenbuild has the highest attendance numbers ever. People are intrigued by what’s going on here.”
Ling is no stranger to building green. She’s about to move into the first energy-neutral home in Santa Monica, California–it’s a place she hopes will inspire others to make their homes more environmentally friendly.
“I try to be the vehicle from which people hear about a situation, with the hope that they want to effect change,” she adds.
Catch Lisa Ling in her new series called “Our America” on the Oprah Winfrey Network, beginning in February 2011.
It’s interesting to know that Ling’s home will be the first energy neutral one in her area. I think there’s a perception in the rest of the U.S. that California is a lot more advanced as far as sustainability is concerned. There’s still a long way for all of us to go. Ling is correct in pointing out that the more people are willing to pay the extra cost for building “green”, the more affordable it will actually become.
Daisy McCarty
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