L.A. Green Bean

Yipes! Fake meat? Well, sort of. Simply put, genetically engineered (GE) foods are the kind that scientists engineer in science labs. The idea is that GE foods can be modified to take on certain desirable genetic traits. A cow can be engineered to become more resistant to disease. Salmon can be engineered to provide three times as much omega nutrients, or fend off parasites. Sounds pretty good, doesn't it?

It took'em long enough.

The League of Conservation Voters, which works to turn environmental values into national priorities released on October 17, 2008, the 2008 National Environmental Scorecard. For 30 years, the non-partisan National Environmental Scorecard from LCV has been the nationally accepted yardstick used to rate Members of Congress on conservation and energy issues.

Geesh. You would think that other companies like Apple would get it right soon. Apple Macbooks made of aluminum, with every process incorporating some method to save energy--the environment. A pro-Mac environmentalist's dream. Good enough. But can't a company that big and successful find recycled metal to use?

In fact, bottled water is anything but pure.

From the Environmental Working Group:

It's just what we've all suspected - pure, "straight from the mountains" bottled water is not so pure after all. Yesterday, EWG released an industry-rattling report that reveals the dirty truth about bottled water.

We tested 10 brands and found an alarming array of contaminants, including cancer-causing byproducts of chlorination, fertilizer residue, industrial solvents and even caffeine.

Sierra Club asks the big question on bathroom g-etiquette (green etiquette). Take the Test.

With the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) adoption of new emissions standards for large diesel ships and their fuels, EPA can now move forward with a domestic rulemaking action under the Clean Air Act. When fully implemented, this will help reduce harmful emissions by 80 percent or more from large diesel ships, including those that are foreign-flagged operating in U.S. waters.

Funny, but a serious matter. Greenpeace.org is campaigning against Kimberley-Clark, the folks that make Kleenex brand tissues.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is ordering seven businesses to pay approximately $500,000 towards clean up at one of the San Fernando Valley Superfund sites, located outside Los Angeles, Calif., or come up with an equally effective system to keep contaminated groundwater from affecting local drinking water wells.

We once met, three years ago, when she spoke at an event. Quite simply, she turned me on. She has served to be the reason why I am a staunch defender of the Earth.

That's right--I'm talking about Dorothy Green, founder of Heal the Bay, and more recently, co-founder of the California Water Impact Network.