In tandem with Nokia, SXSW has provided a Green Zone for festival goers.  They can recharge cellphones using solar pumps and human-powered hamster wheels, refill their water bottles, and relax on benches made of recycled cellphones.

Here's Beth Ferguson to tell us a bit about the Green Zone:

EnergyHub is a Brooklyn-based startup company with some cool and unique products to help people save energy and money at the same time.  Eric Fleming was on hand at Austin's Convention Center to tell us about the company and give us a demonstration of what they offer.

Brown Paper Tickets is a rarity--a fair trade ticketing company.  They call themselves a "not-just-for-profit" business, donating 5 percent of their proceeds to charities, including environmental groups.  A bit more about the not-just-for-profit philosophy can be found here.  Meanwhile, William Scott Jordan spoke to Audubon Magazine about the history of the company.

Rock the Earth is a unique environmental group, dedicated to bringing together music fans and activists.  When they aren't working to protect natural resources, they're educating concertgoers at shows all around the country--including Ozzfest.  Marc Ross tells us more.

Going green is easier than it looks.  It can mean sharing what you have, building a sense of community, and reducing unnecessary consumption.  Acts of Sharing, now based in Austin and Dallas/Fort Worth, has a very simple philosophy: it's "built on the fact that we have more TOGETHER!"  Brian Boitmann explains more.

Joulebug is a clever new game app that teaches the player to save energy while having fun and earning badges.  (This should be familiar to former Boy and Girl Scouts!)  Grant Williard told Audubon Magazine a bit about the history and mission behind Joulebug.

Taking a stroll among the exhibitors at the Austin Convention Center, you'll find some organizations with cool and interesting ideas to help the environment.  Among them is a new nonprofit group, The Thirst Project.  Seth Maxwell explains the history of the project, as well as its goals for the future.

Leslie Uppinghouse, South by Southwest's Production Manager, talks to Audubon about the greening of SXSW.  Even their swag bags are more environment-friendly.  And they're also hoping to reduce their carbon footprint at their offices.

Heather Kennedy
As a music journalist, I'm looking forward to five days of songs, fun, and 70-degree weather in Austin, Texas. Yes, it's South by Southwest's Music Festival (SXSW), and this year, I'll be covering green initiatives.