If you’ve been reading my blog or Tweets for a while, you know I’m not a fan of plastic. Well David de Rothschild, founder of Adventure Ecology, has found a way to make plastic work. After being inspired almost four years ago by a United Nations Environment Program Report, de Rothschild had an idea to build the world’s first boat made completely of recycled plastic bottles. David and his crew, heading from San Francisco to Sydney, set sail on the Plastiki last week.

The Plastiki, a 60-foot catamaran, is named after the Kon-Tiki -- the raft used by Norwegian explorer and writer, Thor Heyerdahl, in his 1947 expedition across the Pacific Ocean from South America to the Polynesian islands.

The Plastiki is made of 12,500 reclaimed plastic bottles. She will travel 11,000 nautical miles across the Pacific to both raise awareness about the condition of our oceans as well as to see first hand the impact we people having on the environment. The Great Eastern Garbage Patch is one of the destinations prior to completing the journey three months later in Sydney.

I was lucky enough to be invited to the Plastiki’s press unveiling a few weeks ago. I met the crew and was even able to go on board and check her out myself. David de Rothschild’s passion for this project and the environment is

obvious. For the past several years his life has been dedicated to saving our planet – even at great risk of his own.

Jo Royle, the Plastiki’s award-winning Skipper (hear my interview with her), was super-sweet and very enthusiastic about spreading the message about plastic and other pollutants in our oceans. Jo shared something that really made such an impact on me- and makes no sense to her: The boating industry is responsible for producing incredibly toxic waste, even though their own captains and crews see the effects first hand. Isn’t it time to change?

Another interesting person (and crew member) I met was Olav Heyerdahl -- Thor Heyerdahl’s (Norwegian explorer, writer and Captain of the Kon-Tiki mentioned above) grandson. Olav shared some of his own experiences sailing the world, comparing his journeys to those of his grandfather’s, via diaries and logs meticulously kept by the elder Heyerdahl. Since his grandfather’s travels, the condition of our oceans has changed drastically. Where sharks made it nearly impossible for his grandfather to swim, Olav said he has seen only a few. Where his grandfather was able to eat tuna daily, Olav only had one such, because there just wasn’t any tuna to be caught. Olav, unfortunately, has seen an abundance of trash, especially plastic; his grandfather, however, saw none. In fact, his grandfather never recorded seeing any man-made debris.

The Plastiki

Not that I’m an expert on boat building, but my first impression was how sleek she is. Nothing I saw made me think she was built from recycled materials. Actual bottles make up the body of the boat and provide nearly 70% of her buoyancy. The glue, made especially for the Plastiki, is a special mix of cashews and sugar (ok, yum!). The sails are one of the first to be made from recycled plastic and the masts are constructed from aluminum irrigation piping.

Matthew Grey, the Expedition Coordinator, demonstrated one of the most unique and interesting features of the boat – the on-board bicycle. The bike has a dual purpose: 1) to help prevent loss of muscle mass, and 2) to generate power.

One of my most favorite features was the vegetable garden. As a nutritionist and vegetarian, I thought this was such a great idea. Having on-board access to fresh, organic greens will no doubt help keep everyone healthy.

It took immense effort to make the Plastiki as sustainable as possible and if it’s possible for a boat, it’s no doubt possible for any building or structure. The homes we live in, the cars we drive, the offices we work in can all be made less toxic! The technology is out there. It takes commitment, but as David de Rothschild, his crew and the developing team have proven, it’s possible.

I commend them all for their dedication. David said that one of his goals was to show that it could be done. the Plastiki will definitely inspire other industries to head in the same direction.

Now I ask, how can you raise awareness and have a positive impact?

Live natural. Live well.

Heather

Check out Heather's site, www.getnaturalgetwell.com

Look in tomorrow's Los Angeles Times (12/2) for extensive news and information about Project Angel Food's Divine Design event starting this week December 4th through the 8th, our unique shopping extravaganza with fabulous fashion, home beauty and gift items at 50-90% off.

Help Project Angel Food by telling all your friends and neighbors about Divine Design too. What a better way to spread good cheer than by supporting one of LA's most loved and effective non-profits while getting fantastic prices for holiday gifts (and gifts for yourself too)?!

VIP Shopping Party – Thursday, December 4th, with food by Jackson Catering, cocktails, music, great shopping and special guest Hello Kitty!

General Shopping Days - December 5, 6,7, & 8, 11am - 8pm. Please visit divinedesign.org for ticket information and/or a coupon.

9900 Wilshire Blvd. (formerly Robinson's May), Beverly Hills

Nearly 300 leading designers and stores include: ABS • Alberta Ferretti • Angel City Press • Babystyle • Barbie • BCBG • Between the Sheets • Brown Jordan • Chip & Pepper • Claudia Benvenuto • Contents • DKNY • Diane Von Furstenberg • Diesel • Elie Tahari • Gail DeLoach • Hurley • Illume Candles • Jill Stuart • Jimmy Choo • Jouer Cosmetics • Junior Drake • l.a. Eyeworks • Libertine • Minotti • Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams • Monarchy • Moschino • Nicole Miller • Oscar de la Renta • Rag & Bone • Rebecca Taylor • Sanrio • Sean John • Smashbox • Tadashi Shoji • Ted Baker London • 3.1 Phillip Lim • Wilton Cordrey Collection •
and many more

Opportunities are aplenty for our Rainmakers who are seeking to align their career objectives with worthy and progressive causes.

From Amgen to The Village Voice, Network Partner positions have been posted on The Rainmaker Network's exclusive database. Some noteworthy posts include partners seeking a Creative Director (based out of France for Apple), a Diaspora Development Officer (based out of Atlanta, GA for Habitat for Humanity) and a Product Manager/MBA Candidate (based out of Thousand Oaks, CA for Amgen).

There are lots more posted on our site.
Join the network and make it rain!

It's only one day til Turkey Day...

FarmSanctuary.org best puts it -- A compassionate world begins with you. As you give thanks to the last year, why not remember the turkeys?

Since 1986, Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt-A-Turkey Project has encouraged people to save a turkey at Thanksgiving through sponsorships that helps them rescue animals and provide care for them at their sanctuaries, as well as educate and advocate for turkeys, and other farm animals, everywhere. Now is your chance to join us in saving even more lives this year.

The Rainmaker Network is pleased to to announce that we have sponsor-adopted two turkeys this year--Serendipity and Faye.