Our community is located within mere blocks of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).  As individuals aware of the issues of global warming and peak oil, as well as being aware of the local flow of airport expansion Environmental Impact Reports, we felt it was up to us to make sure global warming and peak oil issues were addressed in the airport expansion environmental review process. (more…)

— In Urban-Permaculture@yahoogroups.com, MH wrote:
… may be a kind of “fatal flaw” in the Permaculture movement, which implies that the solution lies only in the 3-D world ( gardens, ecologial houses etc.) while the world crisis is one of values, of connection and spirituality, of our definition of what happiness is ( which is quickly being redefined from “more is better” to ” quality of life and connection”).

Here in my local corner of Los Angeles, we have experienced something a bit similar to the phenomenon you described.  (more…)

As the holiday season approaches, with it comes a well-meaning outpouring of affection and recognition, also known as holiday gift-giving.  We’re sure that you, like us, have been trying to Simplify your life.  As we Simplify, we become acutely aware of the burden that excess consumption of consumer goods is placing on our planet and on people in third world nations. 

This holiday season, we invite you to join us in a different, more meaningful approach.  Rather than giving physical gifts of consumer items, please consider making a charitable donation in honor of the person for whom you would ordinarily buy a gift.  We recommend the following worthy causes: (more…)

“The best strategy for keeping a dwelling cool is to keep it from getting hot in the first place.”
– Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook

Abandon conventional air conditioning … We don’t use conventional air conditioning and we encourage everybody else to abandon it too. There is an art to living without air conditioning that has largely been lost. People used to know how (and when) to open their houses at night for ventilation, and when to close them up in the day time to keep out the heat of the days. - Robert Waldrop, Oklahoma City http://www.bettertimesinfo.org/retrofit.htm

Apply these weatherization , insulation, shading and alternative cooling tips … and your need for
energy–intensive mechanical cooling will be eliminated in all but the most severe climates. (more…)

“I’ll have cork floors!” my friend effused about her new “green” remodel.  And where does cork grow in Southern California? I wondered.

Watch any construction site.  Building and remodeling is highly materials-intensive, from the materials which are stripped out of the old structure and carted to the landfill, to the inbound materials and packaging.  All of these materials come to your site by way of fossil fuels (with accompanying greenhouse gas emissions, and the human cost of oil wars).  When the Union of Concerned Scientists lists home building and remodeling as one of the 10 most environmentally detrimental human activities, it is important for us to plan our building activities wisely. (more…)

Last year was so much fun, we’re going to try it again! 

Our 100-mile potluck is a celebration of local foods.  It’s a feast and a treasure hunt all in one.  Because … we try to bring food from within a 100 mile radius of our homes or the meeting site.  

Why eat locally?  By eating locally we reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support local economies, eat fresher food, have a greater likelihood of varietal diversity, experience personal connections … Read more about it at 10 Reasons to Eat Local Food. (more…)

Notes and resources to accompany the June 28 meeting of the Environmental Change-Makers www.EnviroChangeMakers.org

Why Solar Cooking?

• Fun!
• Doesn’t heat up your house on hot summer days
• ZERO fuel consumption
• ZERO greenhouse gas emissions
• A nutrient-enriching slow cooking method
• Easy! (more…)

Last night, the guest speakers at our Environmental Change-Makers meeting were Liz and Shay from C.I.C.L.E. (Cyclists Inciting Change through Live Exchange). (more…)

“The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors agreed today to consider banning plastic foam food containers from restaurants and stores in unincorporated areas … (more…)