At Earth Warrior, we know that building a better world takes more than ideas, it takes people. People who care. People who collaborate. People who keep showing up.
And that’s why we love Green Drinks, a global grassroots movement that thrives on one simple premise: when people who care about the planet gather, good things happen.
But what makes Green Drinks Edmonton so special? It’s the perfect blend of local action, community connection, and meaningful conversation, with just the right touch of inspiration from guest speakers who are shaping the future of sustainability in our city.
Whether you're a student curious about eco-careers, a small business owner pushing for change, or just someone looking to live more sustainably, Green Drinks Edmonton is your space.
Let’s dive into what it is, how it works, and why we believe every changemaker in the city should experience it.
What Is Green Drinks?
Green Drinks began in London in 1989, started by a group of environmentalists who wanted a casual space to share ideas and build networks outside the formal conference or meeting setting. What started as a small gathering has blossomed into an international social movement with chapters in hundreds of cities around the world.
The concept is beautifully simple: invite environmentally minded people to get together for drinks and conversation. No formal agenda. No pressure. Just a space to connect, talk, and spark action.
Green Drinks Edmonton, hosted by A group of non profits, carries on this tradition, but adds its own uniquely local twist: two short presentations at each event that spotlight real people doing meaningful work right here in the city.
This approach builds a bridge between the global ethos of Green Drinks and Edmonton’s dynamic sustainability scene, creating a hub where ideas meet action.
The Structure: What to Expect at Green Drinks Edmonton
When you walk into Green Drinks YEG, you’re walking into more than an event—you’re stepping into a community gathering for the climate-conscious.
Here’s what a typical evening looks like:
-
Welcome and mingling: The room buzzes with conversation as people grab drinks, check out pop-up tables, and introduce themselves to others in the space.
-
Two guest speakers: For about 15 minutes total, two local changemakers briefly share their work, ideas, or projects—offering insight, inspiration, and sometimes calls to action. This part of the night gives attendees a pulse on what’s happening in Edmonton’s climate, sustainability, and social innovation spaces.
-
The rest of the evening? It’s all casual conversation, connection, and collaboration. There's no rigid structure, which means you can move at your own pace, ask questions, share your passion, or simply listen.
Why Earth Warrior Loves Green Drinks
We’ve been to a lot of sustainability events, and Green Drinks holds a special place in our hearts. It’s not a conference. It’s not a pitch fest. It’s not about hierarchy or perfection. It’s a space where people meet people—and the conversations that unfold are real, human, and often transformational.
1. Real People, Real Projects
The 15-minute speaker segment may be short, but it’s powerful. You’ll hear from people who are starting composting programs, running community fridges, advocating for Indigenous land stewardship, building green tech, or promoting sustainable fashion.
And the best part? These aren’t untouchable “experts.” They’re people you can walk up to afterward and have a real conversation with.
2. Casual but Meaningful Connection
After the speakers, the rest of the evening is yours to explore. You can join a deep chat about urban gardening or overhear someone explaining the benefits of electric heat pumps. You can grab a drink with a new friend, swap Instagram handles, or even discover your next collaborator.
The casual nature of the event is what makes it powerful. There’s no pressure to perform or “network.” You just show up as you are and meet people who care about the things you care about.
3. A Boost of Climate Hope
Sustainability work can be heavy. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the state of the world. But Green Drinks is a reminder that we’re not alone.
You leave these events feeling uplifted, motivated, and connected to a larger web of change-makers in Edmonton. Whether you're talking about textile waste, bike lanes, climate policy, or rewilding efforts, the shared energy in the room reminds you: we’re in this together.
Who Shows Up?
The crowd is always a mix—and that’s part of the magic.
You might meet:
-
Eco-entrepreneurs trying to make their businesses more circular
-
Teachers looking to bring sustainability into their classrooms
-
Nonprofit coordinators running environmental programs
-
Artists using their work to spotlight the climate crisis
-
Students exploring green careers
-
Elders sharing traditional ecological knowledge
-
Or folks just starting their low-waste journey
Everyone is welcome. You don’t need to “know enough” or “have something to offer.” If you care about the future of the planet and want to be around people who feel the same, this is your space.
The Role of the Guest Speakers: Inspiration Without Intimidation
Unlike big conferences where speakers dominate the schedule, Green Drinks Edmonton keeps its presentations short, sweet, and deeply local. Each event features two speakers who take the mic for just 7–8 minutes each.
This format keeps the evening grounded in storytelling and community, rather than lectures or panels.
Past speakers and featured organizations have included:
-
Northern Alberta Land Trust: Advocating for the protection and stewardship of natural lands around Edmonton, inspiring sustainable land use and conservation efforts.
-
Change Toothpaste: Makers of sustainable, zero-waste oral care products, bringing circular economy principles to personal care.
-
Goodwill Industries: Working on innovative textile diversion programs to reduce waste and create jobs for marginalized communities.
-
Earth Warrior: Sharing insights on textile upcycling, circular fashion, and how to create a zero-waste lifestyle business.
-
Good Note Community Farm: Demonstrating how urban farming and community involvement can regenerate soil health and increase food security.
-
Rewaste: A grassroots initiative promoting waste reduction, repair cafes, and community education on circular living.
-
Alberta Environmental Network: The province-wide coalition amplifying the voices of numerous environmental groups and connecting grassroots action to policy change.
-
The Secret Tree Society: Indigenous-led efforts restoring sacred lands and sharing traditional ecological knowledge.
These voices represent the wide range of work being done across Edmonton, from grassroots to entrepreneurial to Indigenous-led initiatives.
Often, the speaker segment sparks just enough curiosity that you want to go talk to them afterward, and you can. They're right there in the room, drink in hand, ready to continue the conversation.
Earth Warrior at Green Drinks
We’ve had the privilege of attending and even showcasing Earth Warrior at Green Drinks Edmonton. And each time, we leave with something new - a connection, a collaborator, or a fresh idea.
We’ve met people who:
-
Wanted to host textile upcycling workshops
-
Had ideas for circular packaging systems
-
Were starting refill stations in their neighborhood
-
Were doing research on waste-to-resource initiatives
-
Needed help diverting corporate uniforms from landfill
- And everything in between
These weren’t formal pitches or cold intros, they were organic conversations that began with shared values.
That’s the power of Green Drinks: it turns community into opportunity, and ideas into action.
The History and Global Impact of Green Drinks
Green Drinks began as a small gathering of environmentally passionate individuals looking for a more relaxed and informal setting to share ideas, build networks, and ignite action. It quickly grew because it filled a need that traditional conferences and meetings often miss: genuine human connection without pressure.
Globally, Green Drinks chapters serve as grassroots hubs that have:
-
Fostered startups that became successful green businesses
-
Sparked community projects, such as community gardens, repair cafes, and zero-waste initiatives
-
Created lasting collaborations that have influenced policy and public awareness
-
Built inclusive spaces where all voices can be heard—from students to activists, Indigenous knowledge keepers to corporate sustainability leads
This worldwide impact is echoed locally in Edmonton, where the energy, diversity, and innovation at Green Drinks are nothing short of inspiring.
How to Join the Next Event
-
Join the Green Drinks Edmonton Group on Facebook
They post details about the next event location, including the link to book your tickets to attend, and they share the featured featured speakers. -
Come as you are
No need for business attire, or prior knowledge. Just bring yourself, and maybe a friend who’s into compost, recycling, conservation or anything to do with nature, clean energy, or local food systems. -
Bring your contact info
This could be a business card, a QR code, or even just your Instagram handle. If you’re open to connecting, make it easy for people to follow up.
Tips to Make the Most of It
-
Be open to conversations outside your usual bubble.
-
Introduce yourself to someone standing alone, they might be waiting for a friendly face.
-
Ask people what brought them there, you’ll be amazed at the stories.
-
Follow up with people you connected with after the event.
-
Support the featured organizations through social shares, donations, or collaborations.
Final Thoughts from Earth Warrior
In a world where climate news can feel heavy, spaces like Green Drinks Edmonton are where hope, creativity, and collaboration live. They remind us that the solutions aren’t out there waiting, they’re already being built, by people right here in our city.
If you’ve ever felt alone in your sustainability journey, let Green Drinks remind you: you’re not. The community is here. The conversations are happening. And you are welcome at the table.
Let’s keep gathering. Let’s keep building. And let’s keep raising our glasses to the kind of future we know is possible, one that’s rooted in people, planet, and purpose.
See you at the next Green Drinks?
—
Earth Warrior
For people and planet. Always.