Green Options » Los Angeles

California Brings Back Water Bank for Thirsty South

Shirley Siluk Gregory — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:09:09 +0000

California officials are reviving a long-unused water bank program to help ensure the thirsty southern part of the state has alternative supplies if winter snow and rain don’t replenish natural reservoirs.

Under the program, last used in 1992, the state can buy back water allocations from farmers in the Sacramento Valley who don’t need their supplies, then sell that water to agencies around Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and other dry regions.

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Pay-As-You-Drive Insurance Proposed in California

Cassie Walker — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:00:41 +0000

It’s an idea that’s always made sense to me: pay for auto insurance based on the miles you drive. Doing so ties fuel consumption to insurance costs - the more you drive, the more you pay for both fuel and insurance. It would make a lot of people think twice each time they started up their cars.

California’s Insurance Commissioner, Stever Poizner, wants to make this an option for the State’s drivers, citing environmental benefits. thirty-four other states already have such options available. According to a recent study by the Brookings Institution, the option would save most people money over current mileage estimation processes.

According to the Environmental Defense Fund, if 30% of California’s drivers opt for pay-as-you-go insurance, the state would avoid 55 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions between 2009 and 2020 - the equivalent of taking 10 million cars off of the road over that period. The Brookings Institution said that this option would reduce driving by 8%, cutting CO2 emissions by 2% and oil consumption by 4%. That doesn’t seem like a lot, but combined with other initiatives it would certainly make a dent in our problems. As a Los Angeleno, I also can’t help but salivate over the thought of reduced traffic.

Why not take it another step and move insurance payments to the pump, so that you pay for it along with your gas, by the gallon. That would even more definitively tie the costs together in real time, while reducing the number of unisured drivers on the road. No insurance, no gas. Just an idea…

Photo credit: mdxdt on Flickr through a Creative Commons license

SoCal Edison Signs Contract for Wind Power

Cassie Walker — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:14:13 +0000

With SoCal Edison the hits just keep coming, as the utility has signed a new contract to receive up to 909 megawatts of wind power from DCE, an affiliate of Caithness Energy.

To be built between 2011 and 2012, the Caithness Shepherd’s Flat project in North-Central Oregon will involved 303 wind turbines across 30 square miles. This will make it one of the world’s largest fully permitted wind farms, but it won’t require any additional or upgraded transmission lines, speeding the time frame for operation.

The project is expected to generate 2 billion kilowatt-hours per year of renewable energy - more than 10% of SCE’s total renewable energy portfolio.

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Travel Green - The Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar

Courtney Carlisle — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:25:16 +0000

Not only is the new Kimpton hotel in Los Angeles exceptionally stylish, but it’s also very eco-chic from the in-room recycling to the locally and organic sourced ingredients at the restaurant.

Immediately upon arriving, I was greeted by lovely hotel staff serving complimentary local organic wines at the Kimpton’s standard happy hour in the very comfortable lobby.

Kimpton hotels recently received the California Environmental Protection Agency’s highest ecological honor, the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award, which is given to businesses that focus on preserving the state’s resources.

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Cities Crack Down on Water Abuse

Cassie Walker — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:54:04 +0000

As Southern California faces an extended drought, cities here are taking steps to reduce consumption. Methods vary from the carrot to the stick.

Considering that I still see people washing sidewalks and driveways, and lawn sprinklers running at noon, I like the approach that Long Beach is taking. By educating the public through print, online, and television ads, the city has managed to reduce water use by 13% over this month last year. That’s a significant drop, considering that Long Beach was responsible for pumping 1.85 billion gallons in July.

Long Beach also provides rebates to companies, often the largest users of water, for water conservation devices. By installing new shower heads, low-flow toilets, or irrigation controls, businesses can get money back while reducing water costs at the same time. A win-win. Residents can also receive rebates on toilets, clothes washers, and irrigation devices.

The City of Los Angeles is taking a different tack, doubling fines for those who break the city’s rules. large water consumers (like businesses) that consistently flout regulations may face quadrupled fines. Restrictions include the obvious, like prohibiting the watering of lawns between 9am and 4pm or while it’s raining, the washing of sidewalks and driveways, and washing cars with a hose that lacks a shut-off nozzle. The city also prohibits restaurants from providing water to patrons unless they specifically ask for it. Though this last one seems minor, consider that it takes eight glasses of water just to wash the glass after use.

Though Los Angeles has a task force assigned to patrol for these violations, residents are asked to call 800-DIAL-DWP to report sightings of water misuse. Getting our citizens involved in policing water abusers will be key, as only a few inspectors are employed to issue citations and educate the public.

Southern California’s drought is real, and it’s here to stay. Do what you can to reduce your use!

Photo credit: Randy Son of Robert from Flickr under Creative Commons License

I Say Click It. Click it Good: GoodSearch Donates to Environmental Causes

Cassie Walker — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 06:00:36 +0000

Although we’re all feeling the pinch of a “down economy” coupled with high food and fuel prices, nonprofit organizations might among the hardest hit. With American belt-tightening comes a decline in donations, putting the squeeze on those protecting the environment. If you’re among the many who would like to support these organizations, but are having trouble making ends meet, there’s a new way to contribute, and it won’t cost you a penny (and no, I’m not advocating volunteering, though that is an excellent way to contribute!)

I’m talking about GoodSearch.com. It’s a search engine, like Google or Yahoo, but with a twist: for each search conducted on the site, money is donated to the charity of your choice. Its sister site, GoodShop.com, operates on the same principle, donating a percentage of every purchase made from 700 online retailers. Doesn’t that make you want to sing, “Ya-hooooooo-oo!”?

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Walk This Way: Santa Monica, CA

Cassie Walker — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:54:54 +0000

Despite pervasive refrains of “…nobody walks in LA” (courtesy of ’80s New Wave band Missing Persons) people actually do walk here. Compared to my hometown of Dallas, people in LA walk a LOT. Maybe it’s because the traffic is so bad, and once you get to your destination, there’s nowhere to park. Regardless, the LA area is made up of many different, distinct cities, each with their own walk-ability ratings, as defined by Walk Score.

Even within Santa Monica, the walk-ability factors vary greatly. In the Downtown area where I live, everything is within a mile. From shopping and restaurants to the Santa Monica Public Library (a LEED certified Gold building, by the way) and the beach, it’s all right here. Though the area’s real estate is outrageously expensive, the number of new green affordable housing complexes is on the rise. The schools are good. It rarely rains. Besides, traffic gets sticky during tourist season - all the more reason to walk! All in all, a very livable, walkable area (though I’d recommend carrying pepper spray at night…I guess you can’t have it all).

But this begs the question: is this local-only vision a good thing? Of course environmentally-speaking, it is. I’m not driving to the grocery store or dry cleaner. I get some easy exercise. I encounter my neighbors and say hi. It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

However, the Westside of LA is not generally known for its cultural diversity. In fact, the stereotypical Westsider rarely ventures east of the 405 and doesn’t know (or care) about anything going on in LA. The REAL LA. The LA where there aren’t just “two Americas” but probably more like 100 - only one of which is the plasticized Hollywood stereotype. In this new “global” village in which we all live, keeping a broad perspective is essential to learning, understanding, and communicating.

So, here’s my take: do your best to walk or bike, as you go about the every day. But at least once in awhile, get outside of your one square mile and take advantage of everything that LA has to offer. You might just learn something.

Photo credit: therealsparkplug under a Creative Commons license

Los Angeles Bans Plastic Bags, Limits Styrofoam

Cassie Walker — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:03:18 +0000

Following the lead of our progressive neighbors to the north, San Francisco, the City of Los Angeles has decided to ban plastic bags by 2010. A bit of a disclaimer, though - the ban will be implemented only if the State does not impose a 25 cent fee for each bag requested by a customer. This bill (AB 2058) is coming up for a vote in August. Still, it’s a step in the right direction, putting pressure on lawmakers to reduce the 2.3 billion bags used by consumers in Los Angeles.

The announcement comes after Los Angeles County supervisors caused disappointment in January when they abandoned a threat to ban the bags, choosing instead a voluntary program where stores were to “encourage” customers to bring reusable bags. In other words, the status quo.

The City Council also voted to ban Styrofoam at all city-owned facilities, including LAX, by 2009. Though Los Angeles collects Styrofoam for recycling, there isn’t really a market for it - by the time it is melted down, very little material is left. Last I heard, Styrofoam was being stored until another solution could be found…like a ban! Ta da!

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EcoTuesday Networking Forum Launches Ambassador Program

Ariel Schwartz — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:43:27 +0000

Calling all sustainability hounds: EcoTuesday, the sustainable business leaders networking forum, is launching its highly anticipated Ambassador Program. Through the program, people can produce EcoTuesday events in their city and generate income from event sponsorships. Ambassadors are responsible for organizing events, securing venues and speakers each month, and developing relationships with companies that want to sponsor EcoTuesday events.

EcoTuesday is currently held on the 4th Tuesday of every month in San Francisco, Marin/North Bay, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis. The event features opportunities for sustainable business leaders to network and learn about green issues from visiting speakers. Don’t be shy about attending; participants come from areas as varied as real estate, organic food, and climate change policy, just to name a few.

For more information on getting started with EcoTuesday, check out their website.

Photo Credit: EcoTuesday

California Takes Next Step in War on Global Warming

Cassie Walker — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:57:46 +0000

For those of us in California who follow governmental action on climate change, the Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32) was a watershed moment. Signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger in 2006 (see photo at left), the bill established a comprehensive program of both regulatory and market-based mechanisms to achieve reductions in greenhouse gases of 30% by 2020. So we celebrated!

And then, we waited. The next step depended on the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which was tasked with developing those regulations and mechanisms needed to actually achieve the reductions, called a Scoping Plan.

Now, the wait is over (at least, THAT wait is over): CARB recently released its draft Scoping Plan, which is now open for public comment. The Plan includes a variety of measures that will touch every area of our economy. A few key points include:

Carbon: A cap and trade system will cover about 85% of the state’s emissions, and will eventually become part of the regional carbon market, the Western Climate Initiative
Energy: A requirement that a full third of the electricity produced in California come from renewable sources, partnered with additional support for energy efficiency programs, as well as building and appliance standards. The Million Solar Roofs Initiative must also be fully deployed
Transportation: Plans include high-speed rail, more fuel efficient cars under the California Clean Car law, and more walkable communities

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O!burger: LA Gets its First Organic Fast Food Burger Place

Courtney Carlisle — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:39:21 +0000

Move over Pink’s. There is a new fast food joint in town that wants to serve up the next cult hot dog and must have ground patty, but O!burger’s offerings come with a twist. O! goody.

Serving up grass fed beef and free range turkey, all of the new burger joint’s menu items are organic and tasty. Grass fed beef makes the meat richer with omega 3, beta carotene, vitamins A & E and CLA, a newly discovered “good” fat, and even the delicious shakes are made with healthy ingredients, such as Aseel dates, bananas, chocolate and live culture yogurt.

“From Ray Kroc to Alice Waters, California has a long, rich history of launching exciting and groundbreaking restaurants,” said co-owner Martha Chang, a former film producer. “With O!burger we hope to combine the best practices of these visionaries and offer diners the greatest possible eating experience.”

O!burger is also implementing eco-friendly pracitices by using packaging that’s recyclable, compostable or biodegradable and cleaning products that are green and non-toxic.

Upcoming Events Explore Permaculture, Clean Tech

Cassie Walker — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 06:00:26 +0000

I’m always on the lookout for interesting new events that expand my knowledge, and introduce me to new people and ideas. Two such events are coming up over the next week in the Los Angeles area.

First up, this Sunday from 6pm - 8pm, a permaculture workshop will be held at All Shades of Green. For the uninitiated, like me, permaculture is generally defined as, “a system of perennial agriculture emphasizing the use of renewable natural resources and the enrichment of local ecosystems.” In layman’s terms, it refers to the design of agricultural systems that mimic natural systems.

The workshop will cover topics like building healthy soil, attracting wildlife, and landscape design. The facilitator, Melinda Joy Miller, founder of the Shambhalla Institute, is also a renowned feng shui master, so she brings those elements to bear as well.

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Is the End of Suburbia Approaching?

Ariel Schwartz — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 05:47:58 +0000

For the past several years, a motley crew of Americans ranging from novelists to energy investors to senators have warned that rising gas prices will end the suburban way of life and force hordes of people back into cities. As driving even small amounts becomes painfully expensive, it is becoming easy to accept this prediction. But will it hold up?

According to The Los Angeles Times, maybe not. Statistics show that despite gas prices approaching $5/gallon, many suburbs are doing better than cities in terms of population growth and job creation. According to the 2000-2006 census, 90% of all metropolitan growth is occurring in suburban communities.

This may seem counterintuitive—shouldn’t high gas prices encourage people to live closer to centers of employment? Well, yes. But cities are currently lacking the abundance of jobs that would encourage mass migration.

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Lovecraft is Fueling a New West Coast Trend

Courtney Carlisle — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:00:46 +0000

Since high school, I have wanted a Mercedes Turbo Diesel station wagon. Nope. Not lying. I have no idea where or why the infatuation, but now, with the introduction of Lovecraft biofuels, I am not alone. Even the celebs, like Mandy Moore, are converting their old school early 1980’s diesel Mercedes to run on biofuel.

What are the benefits of converting?

For starters, if you have a little patience and a generous Japanese restaurant nearby, you can get free fuel. While Wendy’s overall doesn’t rank high on the eco-friendly factor, my dad has nearly 100 in the South that use WVO in the form of French fry oil to run their maintenance trucks. Lighter oils - like the kind used for tempura at sushi places are the best and easiest to filter
Reduces sulfur gas (which contribute to acid rain) emissions by 99%
And, according to Lovecraft, takes the refineries and war out of the equation

When you run low, you can always head over to Sam’s or Costco and pick up some veggie oil to get you by to your next filling station or you can fill up with diesel interchangeably. It’s not necessarily a permanent solution, but it’s a great temporary option to help get a little extra mileage without getting gouged at the pump. Although, based on gas prices alone in LA, it would probably take you 2-3 years to recoup your costs from a professional conversion (unless we hit $10 a gallon this winter).

Greenleaf: LA’s New Green Gourmet Chopshop

Courtney Carlisle — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:18:18 +0000

The tagline (Green is Good) for Jonathan Rollo’s new Beverly Hill’s based gourmet chopshop, Greenleaf, pretty much says it all. This fast casual company has hit the nail on the head by serving high quality, made to order wraps and salads sourcing all natural and organic ingredients when possible. They also offer Ecotainers and cornstarch based utensils for all to-go packaging.

The menu’s specialty salads, especially the Antioxidant Orchard and Lemongrass Chicken salads, are incredible and are quick making the chopshop a favorite among celebrities, like LeAnn Rimes and her husband, Dean, who I spied in there while in line. If you don’t come for the amazing and reasonably priced fare, come in for the cute chef and friendly staff or just to support a company that is running their business responsibly.

Pharmaka: Eco-Friendly Art and Conversation

Courtney Carlisle — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:53:16 +0000

Say hello to Pharmaka, a sustainable art gallery who’s mission is to use art as a guide to instigate and inspire discussions about relevant world issues. The impressive downtown LA-based space, which is eco-friendlier thanks to the recent help of HBO’s new show, Alter Eco, will begin hosting curated exhibitions, lectures, panel discussions, podcasts, and accessible community programming and events.

The original founders: Shane Guffogg , John Scane and Vonn Sumner, will focus on contemporary art as catalyst for good dialogue on current issues and events. The gallery is currently hosting an exhibit on abstract Latino art, called Rebel Legacy and will be offering Artwalk Thursdays as well as hosting an upcoming LA Green Drinks meeting (many thanks to Laura over at Green Drinks for the tip!).

How to Find Green Jobs

Cassie Walker — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:00:37 +0000

As a consultant who works with green companies, people often ask me how they can find a “green job”. Whether it’s alternative energy, transportation, green building, or any other industry experiencing a shift towards green, everyone wants to get involved. Fortunately, there are many resources both nationwide and here in Los Angeles that can help you on your quest.

First, keep in mind that the best way to find out about any job, including green ones, is through networking. Most job seekers find new opportunities through people they know - many positions never even make it to the job boards. So get out there and meet people! Keep in mind that the key to good networking isn’t finding people who can help you, it’s finding people that you can help. By providing the information and making the introductions they need, you’ll form relationships with people who want to help you in return.

I’ve found green networking events to be great for this. My favorite one here in LA is Green Business Networking, which I wrote about a while ago. I’ve met many a client there, and have made some friends, too. It’s pretty casual, but business focused - make sure to bring plenty of cards. It’s fine to let people know what sort of job you’re looking for (how else can they help you?) but avoid the mistake made by one attendee, who moved from person to person asking if anyone worked in solar, then moving on quickly if not. Manners, people!

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GM Backs Hydrogen Refueling Station Near LA

Clayton B. Cornell — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:39:01 +0000

Despite claims to the contrary, it seems like General Motors is getting more and more involved in the refueling business. GM has already invested heavily in two different cellulosic ethanol companies (Coskata and Mascoma), and has now partnered with Clean Energy Fuels Corp. to open a hydrogen fueling station near the Los Angeles Int’l Airport (LAX). The station will be located at Clean Energy’s compressed natural gas (CNG) facility and should be operational by the fall.

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Get Green Indie Films, With or Without the Festival

Cassie Walker — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 06:00:35 +0000

Just when I finally signed up for Netflix, I find out about a great new film club of a different color (that’s green, of course): Earth Cinema Circle.

Dedicated to providing entertaining films (with an emphasis on the entertaining part) that raise social and environmental awareness, this isn’t your mother’s old book-of-the-month club. With ECC, members receive four films (short, full-length, and documentary films) on one DVD through the mail every other month. The films are yours to keep, or pass along to friends. All packaging is 100% recyclable, and the shipments are carbon neutral, thanks to contributions to The Conservation Fund’s Go Zero program.

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Want to Curb Global Warming? Start Recycling and Composting

Shirley Siluk Gregory — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:43:58 +0000

Looking for ways beyond changing lightbulbs and taking the train to help reduce your carbon footprint? Turns out we all could make a big difference in greenhouse gas emissions by not throwing out so much trash and composting our food waste.

That’s the message from “Stop Trashing the Climate,” a report prepared by The Institute for Local Self-Reliance, the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) and Eco-Cycle, a non-profit recycler. The study finds that waste prevention and increased recycling and composting could reduce as many greenhouse gas emissions as are produced by 21 percent of the U.S.’s 417 coal-fired power plants.

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