First-Ever Environmental Issue for Vanity Fair

I’ve always known the writing of Vanity Fair contained some of the best journalism in the world, but now I’m even a bigger fan when I saw its first "Green Issue". The issue marks the beginning of VF’s “increased commitment to reporting on the threat to our precious environment”.  

I read the magazine cover to cover in one night – each article more fascinating than the next. 

Here's some highlights:

• Hank Paulson, chairman and C.E.O. of the Goldman Sachs Group, for exploiting the resources of his office in the service of capitalism and environmentalism. After defaulted loans left Goldman in possession of 680,000 acres of old-growth forest and peat bog in Tierra del Fuego, the bank chose not to sell the land and recoup its investment but to donate it to the Wildlife Conservation Society on behalf of the people of Chile in September 2004.
• The Natural Resources Defense Council, who, with the backing of its 1.2 million members and online activists, its $60 million annual budget, and its team of top-notch scientists, lawyers, and economists, goes up against those in power who would foul the air, land, and water.

• Bette Midler, singer, actress, and founder of the New York Restoration Project, whose goal is to restore thousands of acres of neglected city parkland, especially in poor neighborhoods. Since she started the organization in 1995, it has hauled out roughly 80,000 tons of trash, kept more than 400 acres of riverfront land and 50 city-owned lots from the clutches of developers, and tilled the soil of many community gardens gone to seed.

• Yvon Chouinard, founder and owner of Patagonia, who donates 30% of his annual salary to activist environmental groups and promises to post bail for employees arrested for nonviolent civil disobedience (after receiving protest training) in support of environmental causes.

Wow, what an issue.  Enjoy every word.  I did.

Have a great weekend!

by
Erin Swanson
ESwanson@enviance.com