By Eric Carbonnier, AIA, LEED AP / Environmental Analyst
The LA office is currently sampling a variety of burnt beans that have traveled thousands of miles and consumed countless infinite resources to satisfy a self-induced ritual—note my obvious cynicism for I am neither a coffee drinker nor connoisseur. However, I do see myself as a deep green junky that simply wants to know more about the history of this burnt bean and its impact on our global community. What is the carbon footprint of a latte and have we explored our options?
The Green Machine is the LA studio’s sustainability advocate and I’d like to share a recent discussion regarding the coffee bean we have come to cherish so much and is ingrained in our daily ritual. The following is an email thread that captures some of our quest to find a local bean that can be responsibly brewed in our downtown LA office.
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June 8, 2011
Hi coffee connoisseurs,
Looking deep into the darkness of a rich pot of coffee I ask myself, what is the embodied energy in this coffee? I know it’s a bit silly, but how much energy went into producing this bean and how far did it have to travel to find itself in our mechanized barista? Having said that can we add one more coffee to the taste challenge? Jing explored local grown coffee and found a plantation in the Ventura/Santa Barbara area that might be of interest. I realize that taste alone is a critical factor in this challenge, but if those Ventura beans are tasty then maybe we can have really good coffee, support local enterprise, and reduce our carbon footprint.
Bean for thought,
Article from Good Land Organics
Eric Carbonnier – Green Machine
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Hi,
I emailed Jones coffee in Pasadena to see if they have a service. They roast all their coffee in their store.
I also found a link for Peet’s coffee as another consideration.
I actually keep my coffee consumption to one cup at home each day but thought I’d pass these options on in case you need a few to choose from.
They would probably be too expensive for the office but next time you’re in SF, go to Philz, the original store in the Mission.
Great coffee and a great guy.
Regards,
Seena
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Eric, this is a fantastic find. I never knew local beans existed! If we went a more traditional (imported) route, I would propose we at least get Fair Trade Certified coffee. My two cents.
David Aine
