History of Greenheart
Early Years
The history of Greenheart commences on the captivating island of Ibiza, when in 2003, a group of dedicated environmentalists coined the term "Greenheart" as 
a symbol of love and respect for planet earth. In only a short time, the symbol of Greenheart transformed into a movement aimed at increasing connections between people and planet. This was made possible by the leadership of Chris Dews, of Ibiza Ecologic founded in 1996, and his partnership with the Foundation for the Future, established by Emanuel Kuntzelman and Laura Rose in 1995. Together they worked to create and sustain Greenheart projects around the island. These include a model ecological center called the Casita Verde, a nature inspired music company, an eco-education program, a green media company, ecotourism and the very first Greenheart fair trade shop, which opened in July 2006. These projects continue to thrive in Ibiza today.
Greenheart, the U.S. and Center for Cultural Interchange
Inspired by the efforts in Ibiza, Emanuel and Laura took the decision to bring Greenheart to the U.S. In 2004, they incorporated Greenheart as the environmental and social initiative of their not-for-profit cultural exchange organization, Center for Cultural Interchange established in 1985 by Emanuel. Greenheart’s inclusion in CCI naturally added an environmental element to the CCI mission of promoting cultural understanding, academic development and world peace.
On a micro level CCI put Greenheart to practice in its daily operations by increasing recycling in all offices, ordering materials and supplies from eco-conscious distributers, offsetting carbon emissions for employee travel, increasing building energy efficiency, and promoting Bike to Work Week. On a macro level, the Greenheart initiative was implemented in all of CCI’s cultural exchange programs. With Greenheart and CCI, international students visiting the U.S. can partake in various environmental and volunteer opportunities with their U.S. host families or employers, and Americans traveling abroad can volunteer with environmental and social projects in over 14 countries.
Greenheart Shop, Greenheart Travel and Emanuel
In 2007, CCI expanded Greenheart by opening the Greenheart Shop, downtown Chicago’s first eco-fair trade store. The Shop offers handcrafted items from all over the world that are made in environmentally sustainable ways and for which the artisans and cooperatives producing them are paid fair, living wages. The tagline "Fair to Producers, Good to the Earth" explains the shop’s mission to offer fair trade goods and eco-friendly products, allowing consumers to connect with producers and production.
A year later, Greenheart Travel (GHT) unified with the Greenheart initiative. GHT had operated since 1985 as the Travel Abroad department of CCI, and in 2008 
changed its name to Greenheart Travel to better hone its mission of conscientious, ethical travel. GHT currently offers American teens and adults travel abroad programs in over 30 countries, emphasizing its social and environmental volunteering opportunities around the globe.
A third component of Greenheart in the U.S. is the public speaking series of Emanuel Kuntzelman. As the President of CCI and Founder of Foundation for the Future, Emanuel has devoted both his professional career and personal life to researching sociology, quantum physics and the study of transformation. His lecture series provides a philosophical basis for the Greenheart movement worldwide.
The Future
Greenheart U.S. is currently expanding its programs in each of CCI’s departments, sponsoring events and workshops at the Greenheart Shop, and continuing to research unique and authentic volunteer programs worldwide. Future projects include a membership network, resource center for urban environmental programs, and a children’s education program.