State regulators rejected a compromise that would have closed four offshore oil platforms and allowed new drilling for the first time in forty years.

Last summer, when a compromise deal to shutter some platforms in exchange for opening new ones was first approved by Santa Barbara County, it was hailed by some as ‘win-win’ because it put an end-date on offshore oil and gas development in the area. But over the last few months, public opposition galvanized against the proposed new wells.

The 2-1 vote on Thursday by the State Lands Commission to reject the Tranquillon Ridge lease was the culmination of that public opposition, opposition that began nearly forty years to the day earlier, when the Santa Barbara coast suffered from a major oil spill.

Lt. Governor John Garamendi, one of three members of the lands panel, said allowing any drilling in state waters would send the wrong message to oil companies, giving them the impression that California was opening up for business.

>>See also: Bush Lifts Ban on Offshore Drilling - Why It Matters and Why It Doesn’t

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Cleanup crews are working to mop up an oil spill off of the Santa Barbara coastline of over 1,100 gallons. The 27 barrel spill occurred at Platform A, the site of a disastrous 1969 spill which killed thousands of sea birds and covered hundreds of miles. The Department of Fish and Wildlife is still doing checks and flyovers to look for injured wildlife, especially sea birds.

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No more. Writing in the October issue of Bioscience, a group of researchers is calling for a new seed bank for wild species. This bank wouldn’t be for conservation, though, but for the purpose of researching wild plant evolution.

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First let me say that I know gas prices are high. I know that not everyone can easily absorb the high prices. But, I thought that we were adjusting…weren’t we adjusting? People are actually driving less, and are turning in their SUVs for more fuel-efficient cars. These were positive steps.

And then, someone (he whose name we do not speak aloud) suggested opening up our coastal waters to drilling and all heck has broken loose. Never mind that the amount of oil available offshore and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is a drop in the bucket  compared to demand. Never mind that at best, drilling there will lower gas prices by a few cents, many years from now. Never mind that protections for our unspoiled spaces are always so hard fought for, but so easily given away.

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On her blog, Kaufmann features do-it-yourself videos for a neat variety of eco-projects that let you reduce energy costs, recycle objects into useful items and add elements of clean, green living to your home.

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His newest book, Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Movement in the World Came into Being and Why No One Saw It Coming is Hawken’s first title in eight years. Billed as an “…examination of the worldwide movement for social and environmental change” the author explores the movement based on a decade’s worth of research into those involved. Personally, as if Hawken’s reputation isn’t enough, the book’s promise to “inspire and delight” those who despair the fate of the world makes me want to read it. After all, who among us has not felt this despair on occasion?

In support of his new work, Hawken has integrated a cross-country book tour into his already crowded speaking schedule. Fortunately for those in the So Cal region, there are three opportunities to hear him speak from May 13th – 15th in the Pacific Palisades, Santa Barbara, and Pasadena. The events also feature a book signing.

Though perhaps most easily recognized as the founder of Smith & Hawken, the catalog and retail company that specializes in gardening products, Hawken’s involvement in social activism is long and varied. He worked as a Press Coordinator for Martin Luther King, Jr.’s staff before establishing the country’s first natural foods company in 1966.

Hawken went on to author books and articles numbering in the dozens, and lead several companies. Since 2003, he has served as the CEO of The Pax Group, sister companies that, among other things, provide quieter cooling systems for PCs, while using less energy. Hawken also heads the Natural Capital Institute, based in Sausalito, California, and has served on many boards, including that of The Natural Step.

Details on speaking dates can be found at: www.paulhawken.com

Photo credit: www.paulhawken.com