The Occupy Wall Street campaign has inspired millions across the country and the world to evaluate their governments and the strangle hold corporations have on career politicians. Occupy New York has even managed to raise $500,000 to continue the fight “to end the tyranny of the 1%.” But ending “the tyranny of the 1%” is more about decisions we make every day versus donating or supporting a protest (which is taking donations by major credit cards?!?!). Lifestyle choices like living... [Read more]
Freezing for Furry Friends Ladies and Gentleman, the following is an account of my weirdest volunteer activity as TheGoodMuse- yet. I had never volunteered with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), but then I got this email, which said something like… Come take a shower in the middle of the LA Convention Center to promote water conservation by eating less meat. Sold. You had me at public nudity. In all seriousness, I’m a vegetarian. I have been since I was a teen. It’s... [Read more]
The cost of a unit of solar energy appears to be following Moore’s Law with solar costs dropping exponentially from $22 a watt in 1980 to $1.40 a watt today. But this positive price development for the consumer could prove to be a temporary set back for the solar industry. Moore’s Law, originally written to explain the advancement of computing hardware, predicts that the efficiency of technology in relation to price will double about every two years. If solar tech continues it’s current pattern... [Read more]
Just when you think a good idea can’t get any better… Kiva, the king of micro lending websites, recently launched Kiva Green Loans. Green Loans allows Kiva lenders to find businesses and individuals transitioning to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. The energy saving theme includes recycling, re-purposing used materials, minimizing pollution, and reducing energy expenditures. Kiva.org’s mission, to alleviate poverty by allowing lenders across the world to make microloans for as... [Read more]
On July 16th and 17th, Los Angeles, CA, a city built for the automobile, braced for a predicted disaster known worldwide as Carmaggedon. A ten-mile stretch of the infamous 405 Freeway would be closed for 53 hours due to construction. The shut down section, between the 10 Freeway and 101 Freeway interchanges, normally sees almost 500,000 cars on a summer weekend. When Angelenos (myself included) found out about the impending closure during tourist season we panicked like Godzilla had just walked... [Read more]
I have an addiction to veggie tempura. It’s shameful. I don’t like to fry things at home because of grease splatter so I’m relegated to hunting down the appetizer at the most sustainable sushi joints I can find. Is there such a thing as sustainable sushi? Probably not, but if you’re a pescetarian you can check menus to make sure your restaurant of choice doesn’t serve endangered fish. Even as a vegetarian I will always avoid restaurants that serve endangered species like Bluefin... [Read more]
I wonder if Philippe Cousteau ever feels frustrated that some of his words are lost in a sea of sighs and giggles. The first time I heard him speak in Los Angeles, almost a year ago, I didn’t notice. Maybe I was too rapt up in his insights into the BP Oil Spill or maybe sitting in the middle of the audience obscured the sound. On the front row, however, one can definitely appreciate the affect he has on female audience members especially when he drops a phrase like, “We’ve made a Faustian... [Read more]
