Community Building in the Washington, DC area!!

SFP Editor: What is Live Green? Steve Ma: Live Green is all about making green living easier and more affordable. We offer our members discounts to businesses that are not only making planet-friendly choices, but also offer great products and services at competitive prices. We also support other green efforts including affordable eco-friendly housing and office buildings.

SFP Editor: What inspired you to start this organization?
Steve Ma: Not only is the planet in peril, but figuring out how reduce one's impact seems to be getting more and more confusing. We started Live Green to be a place where folks can go to connect with business owners, organizations, and each other in pursuit of a more sustainable lifestyle. It's not easy being green, but we're here to help.

SFP Editor: Explain the membership model and how it benefits Washingtonians.
Steve Ma: Live Green is an organization that, in cooperation with a carefully vetted network of green, local businesses in the DC area, provides discounts for our members. The discounts one can recieve be worth hundreds of dollars but the membership is only $13/year. It's a win-win model. Our members win because they save money and get a list of businesses they can trust spoon fed to them. And our business partners win because Live Green markets them to a large group of green-minded customers.

SFP Editor: What other cities are models for going green?
Steve Ma: Not only do San Francisco and other cities in the Bay Area have a large number of green businesses, they also have "green zebra guides" that save consumers money and inform people about those businesses in one handy book. But there are many aspects to naming a city green. For an interesting take on the 50 greenest cities in the U.S., click 50 greenest cities.

SFP Editor: What are your goals for Live Green in 2009?
Steve Ma: We plan to significantly increase the number of places our members can save money, hold a number of large community events, grow our membership ranks, support at least two affordable eco-friendly housing complexes, and continue to make green living more affordable and accesible for people in DC and beyond.

SFP Editor: What brought you to the DC area?
Steve Ma: I came to DC for a different job but quickly realized that there was a budding green movement here that needed to be encouraged and supported. As the nation's capital, we should serve as a model for the rest of the country. I have since quit my other job and am working for Live Green full time.

SFP Editor: What tips do you have for people to live a more green life?
Steve Ma: The first thing to keep in mind is green living is often much cheaper. It's about living simply, reducing the amount of "stuff" we accumulate, and getting back to baiscs. When you do need to buy something or draw on the earth resources, take a moment to think about it. Do you really need it? Is there a used version you could get instead? Is there a more efficient, less harmful product you could use instead? For more simple tips, click here.

SFP Editor: What do you think will be the biggest green challenge for the next administration?
Steve Ma: I think the biggest challenge is to keep environmental issues near the top of the agenda given all of the issues that face the country. However, when you think about it, environmental issues are intricately linked to economic issues, human health, violence, civil rights, agriculture, and global peace. One can't work on one appropriately without the other. Within the green realm, I think energy remains the top priority. It is an issue that is rife with obstacles but also has just as many opportunities for positive change.

SFP Editor: How can people get involved with Live Green?
Steve Ma: People can simply joini Live Green for $13 at www.livegreen.net. However, if folks are interested in volunteering or getting more engaged, they can contact me at stevejamesma "at" gmail.com.

SFP Editor: Have you made any "green" new years resolutions?
Steve Ma: My "green" resolutions are all about making Live Green better equipped to improve the ease and affordability of green living for DC-area residents and businesses.