Daily Roundup: June 30, 2009

June 30, 2009

Cleaner Cars for California: The EPA granted California permission to set stricter vehicle-emission standards than those in effect nationally. Thirteen other states have announced plans to adopt the California standards. New York Times
Fair Trade: The United States agreed to forgive nearly $30 million in Indonesian debt in exchange for the protection of forests on Sumatra. Indonesia, which has one of the world’s highest deforestation rates, will pay the $30 million into a trust that issues g…

L.A. River In Focus

June 30, 2009

Last week we blogged about Conan O’Brien’s comedic adventures on the L.A. River. In response to our post, we were contatcted by Juan Devis, the Director of Production of New Media at KCET Local in Los Angeles. Devis tipped us off to an exciting project called Departures: L.A. River. An online documentary produced by KCET in collaboration with Friends of the Los Angeles River and with participation of students from Los Angeles Leadership Academy, Departures: L.A. River features interactive pa…

Fresh Tools for Eating Seasonally

June 30, 2009

The merits of eating with the seasons are many — increased freshness, nutrition, and sustainability are just a few. As seasonal diets gain momentum from bestselling books like Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma, tools are (forgive the pun) cropping up to help consumers avoid globe-trotting, energy-intensive produce and find the freshest, earth-friendliest options. 
Seasons is a new app for the iPhone and iPod touch that lets user…

Dennis Kucinich Celebrates Vegan Earth Day With A Special VEGGIE Message

June 30, 2009

I’ve interviewed many a famous face, but perhaps one of my favorite memories was chatting with Dennis Kucinich at the Farm Sanctuary Gala in 2008.
This guy is the REAL DEAL and absolutely ahead of his day.
On June 21st, the world’s first annual Vegan Earth Day Celebration was held at Pierce College in Woodland Hills California, and Mr. Kucinich delivered a special video report. 
In the clip below, Dennis says: 
“What does it mean to be a vegan? Well, I can share with you what…

Selena Gomez Trying Hard To Be A Super Green Gal

June 30, 2009

Teen star Selena Gomez may not be the greenest girl on the block, but at least she’s trying to get better! 
“What’s really poor about me is I leave the lights on everywhere I go,” she recently told the Mother Nature Network, adding that she’s trying to improve the habit with self-reminders via post-it notes. 
Wait a tick! Wasting paper to remind yourself to be more environmentally-aware? I’m not so certain about that method, Selena! 
The casts of Disney shows are additi…

Recycled Shipping Containers: the New Building Blocks

June 30, 2009

Homes made from shipping containers may be a far cry from the boxcar children’s basic shelter, but you still have to wonder whether Warner’s novel helped inspire the latest recycled building material. Many of the once unsightly steel boxes now have basements, balconies, and spiral staircases.
Shipping-container homes range from the simple but sustainable one-container Ecopod to the luxurious two-story Redondo Beach Container House, which won an award from the American Institute of Architects fo…

Halle Berry Takes Daughter To Sea World — We Say BOOOOO!

June 30, 2009


Oh, Halle — how could you?
Academy Award winning actress Halle Berry was spotted with her daughter Nahla Aubrey at Sea World on Sunday afternoon.
As many aly know, these marine parks are essentially prison for animals and have some pretty shady track records. 
Just last year a dolphin named Sharky (Is that like a cat named Doggy?) collided with another dolphin during a live  performance  at Sea World and died shortly afterwards.
Florida’s Sun-Sentinel recently examined 30 years…

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