Think Green Live Clean

Photo credit: T. Howard

Many people are trying to make changes to their lifestyle to start living more environmentally friendly. However, these changes are sometimes hard to keep up with since sacrificing comfort and convenience is sometimes a necessity while “going green”. The Wattbox on the other hand, is a simple device that can make any house become an energy saving home. Read more…

Kristen Taylor

“What we’re excited about is not just the offshoot conversations about public space and sustainability and carbon footprints, but it’s also the fact that one of the things we love to do is make jam with people we don’t know.”

Such is the sentiment of David Burns and his fellow artists Austin Young and Matias Viegener. The three Silverlake artists are the cofounders of Fallen Fruit, an LA-based art collective that combines and preserves fruit, art, and sustainability. The group was founded in 2004 with an initial intention to survey fruit growing in public spaces, “or on the perimeter,” as it is commonly referred to by the artists. The idea was to gather information and “fallen fruit” that had met its end on the public sidewalks, alleyways, and streets beyond the walls and yards of private property.

Think, had you ever wondered about the fate of the grapefruit, lemons, or oranges that hang upon the overburdened branches of your neighbor’s tree? More than likely you have contemplated picking the delicacies that dangle beyond the reaches of private space. Read more…

Photo Credit: Yoshimasa Niwa

The holidays always turn out to be a mad dash for the latest, greatest in presents for family and friends.  Among the clothes, video games, and gift cards is the recently and widely coveted e-reader.  E-Readers are not only a convenient way to carry hundreds of books with you, they are also extremely environmentally friendly. Read more…

Photo Credit: Feliciano Guimaraes

As we bid farewell to 2009, it’s time to look forward and think about how we want to bring in the New Year. As January 1^st is closely approaching, let’s reflect on the environmental changes we want (or most likely need) to see in our near future with these Green New Year’s resolutions for 2010. Here are just a few resolutions and useful tips on “being green” all year round. Do your part this year to help our environment, and commit to making these changes a part of your life. Read more…

Photo credit: Steve Winton

We’re all well aware that Christmas is full of red and green- but this year green is all the more prevalent.  And what better way to be green than with the greenest aspect of Christmas- the tree!  In previous years the common belief has been that purchasing an artificial tree is more eco-friendly than taking a live one away from our natural environment.  In recent years it is quite the opposite.  The National Christmas Tree Association announced that Americans purchased 33 percent fewer artificial trees in 2008 than in 2007- quite a large decrease.  But what are the reasons behind the decline? Read more…

In the small tourist town of Bundanoon, Australia, residents
unanimously voted to halt sales of bottled water. In doing so they
have set an international precedent. The actions of the Bundanoon
community have stimulated a heated debate about the the environmental
damage and ethical concerns that revolve around the bottled water
industry. There has been a push on both a local and national level in
the U.S. to reduce consumption of bottled water in light of apparent
energy consumption and waste that results from the manufacturing and
transportation needs of the bottled water industry. Now, the actions a
a small, quaint town southwest of Sydney are bolstering the efforts
made elsewhere. Read more…

In one of New York’s public housing complexes, a recent grassroots recycling education effort has taken place. Gloria Allen, at the young age of 82, has started a community recycling education program for all of the 4500 residents. Historically, recycling in New York’s public housing projects has been horrendous with only 17 percent of household waste recycled. The City of New York has made it mandatory to recycle by passing a law that forces residents to recycle their waste, but unfortunately a law is sometimes not all that it takes. “It takes time, patience and energy” say Ms. Martin and much of that energy is coming from Martin and her associates. Read more…

Ever wonder if you could reuse the water going down your drain?  Creating a “gray water” recycling system is easier than you might think.  In light of recent restrictions placed on water usage, many Southern Californians are now looking to “gray water” systems as a way of saving money on water bills.  The system, fairly cheap to install, diverts “gray water” from sinks, bath tubs, and washing machines into an outdoor irrigation system, saving users about 100 gallons a week.  If biodegradable and boron free detergents are utilized, gardens and landscapes will thrive. Read more…

We are in a drought in the west, and just this month water restrictions have been enforced in Southern California limiting shower time and sprinkler use. The area has faced such issues before, and the old slogans and suggestions such as “if its yellow, leave it mellow” or “shower with a friend” are now returning accompanied by some new solutions. After a federal government issued 7% cut in water delivery to Southern California farmers and residents, some Californians have decided to become outlaws and guerillas. Read more…