The year’s winding down, the trend lists are a plenty and looking back, sustainability and social causes were right up there with best of 2007.

The environment took the spot light this year with everything from huge turnouts to Live Earth, historic reports by The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to the big water bottle scare of the summer of ‘07. Green products (and marketing) stocked the shelves and our consciousnesses—not just trendy “non-plastic bag” bags in the big cities either, but through pressure on supply chains by big retailers too. And architecture saw more use of sustainable building materials and techniques in anything from botanical gardens to the projects.

Facebook groups, Myspace portals and other nonprofit websites and online programs saw social networks supporting social causes.

Sustainability was a boon to design, food and fashion. Design solutions to social issues gained ground through more products, exhibits, competitions, and programs like MIT’s Design Summit. The trend in organic and locally grown food created more jobs and deliciousness. And designer Sandra Backlund stated the trend of 2007 as being “the reaction against mass production and mass consumption in fashion.”

Of course the year wasn’t all roses, but 2007 saw some amazing developments, innovation and action from the streets of Burma to design studios all over the world. A big thanks to all those who supported alldaybuffet’s efforts this year by coming out and getting involved. Have any thoughts on trends for 2008? Got any ideas on how to do good this coming year? Let us know, and lets do them. Here’s to keeping up the good work in 2008! Happy New Year!