LOVE ANGELES

Evolved Politics

It is time for an evolved kind of politics, one that does not expend time or energy on swimming in the errors of the past or the slandering of "competitors" or "political parties." It is time to unite people (of all ethnic backgrounds) to create both the small and large adjustments needed (locally and globally) in order to successfully move through the many challenges we face today. - Forrest Kolb

Adora Svitak: Why Childish is a Good Thing?

Source: Ted.com - A voracious reader from age three, Adora Svitak's first serious foray into writing -- at age five -- was limited only by her handwriting and spelling. (Her astonishing verbal abilities already matched that of young adults over twice her age.) As her official bio says, her breakthrough would soon come "in the form of a used Dell laptop her mother bought her." At age seven, she typed out over 250,000 words -- poetry, short stories, observations about the world -- in a single year.

Svitak has since fashioned her beyond-her-years wordsmithing into an inspiring campaign for literacy -- speaking across the country to both adults and kids. She is author of Flying Fingers, a book on learning.

"A tiny literary giant." - Diane Sawyer, Good Morning America

Check out Adora's Talk below:

7 Questions with Thomas Kostigen

Source: LAist - LA has a diverse cast of characters. Whether it's the characters with stirring stories or interesting occupations or the people who are just simply characters, this town has them all. In an effort to get to know some of those characters a little better, we've created "Seven Questions with..."

Today's subject is Thomas Kostigen.

Today is World Water Day an initiative created by the United Nations in 1992 to focus attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. In honor of this day we turn to New York Times best-selling author and Los Angeles native Thomas Kostigen. In his new book, THE GREEN BLUE BOOK: The Simple Water-Savings Guide to Everything in Your Life explains how the breakthrough concept of "Virtual Water" and redirecting our daily actions can shore up the world’s water supply.

Kostigen, whose previous books include You Are Here and The Green Book took some time to exchange emails with LAist about World Water Day, the concept of Virtual Water, water waste found in LA that pisses him off and water found in your underwear.

Check out the interview at LAist.com

Scarlett Johansson Asks Congress For Healthier School Lunches

Source: Ecorazzi - Scarlett Johansson is joining First Lady Michelle Obama in urging Congress to pass legislation that would make America’s school lunches healthier.

In her letter, Ms. Johansson says, “I’ve been involved with efforts to feed hungry children for years. Millions of families in America rely on subsidized school lunches, and these meals are absolutely crucial to children’s well-being. That’s why I’m asking you to support the Healthy School Meals Act of 2010, a bill recently introduced by Rep. Jared Polis.”

“A means to a healthy diet and a nutritional education must begin in the school cafeteria, on the lunch line,” she added.

According to a press release, Johansson grew up in a household without a lot of money, and she knows from firsthand experience that many children depend on subsidized school lunches. The Healthy School Meals Act would ensure that the meals provided to low-income students are healthful.

For more information, check out the official site here.

Carbon 14 Will Award 50K Toward Your Action

Are you doing something good for the environment and wish you had a few more bucks to assist you in doing more good?

Well, the eco-chic watch brand Carbon 14 wants to help and they're putting their money where their mouth is - they've recently announced that they will be giving away a top prize of $50,000 toward your Environmental action or cause! Oh yes, 20 finalists will receive the Carbon 14 watch of their choice.   

If you, or someone you know, is doing something extraordinary, make sure to submit the cause or action (by nominating yourself or others) and how the 50K award will help out.

According to the C14 website, this opportunity is for everyone, and that means everyone - not just the eco-geeks who seem to be inventing the next fuel-efficient jet (although their submissions are also encouraged!) Don't feel shy at all about submitting your action even if you simply want to make your house or yard more environmentally friendly - you can still enter and win!

Most important of all, we need YOUR help in identifying worthwhile environmental causes. We have created an interactive discussion forum for each nomination, so you have the ability to share your ideas and comment on other's nomiations.

They need to get all your nominations by February 28, 2010 - then the voting begins. Who are the judges? Find out for yourself - we've included pics of a few of them above, recognize anybody?

So make sure to tell your friends, neighbors, and everyone you know to vote for your idea. The Top 20 nominees who receive the most votes will be reviewed by a panel qualified judges. Check out the panel of judges below. From those Top 20 nominees, the judges will choose the Top 5 finalists - then through another round of voting YOU will decide who wins the C14 $50000 Environmental Award.

Check out the the contest rules and deadline dates here.

James Cameron Covers Life On the Planet

Source: Ecorazzi - "At the premiere in London of Avatar, James Cameron’s first film in over 10 years, the director opened up on the environmental message of the movie — and how he hopes it inspires people to look at the destruction around them.

“The point is that we are devastating habitat and biodiversity at a terrible rate,” he told the UK Sun. “We are causing a global climate change that’s going to be absolutely devastating to the coral reefs. Science is unable to keep up with our industrial society. We are destroying species faster than we can classify them. We are destroying the food chain faster than we can understand it. The politicians are over in Copenhagen talking about climate change now – but there are other issues as well.”

Cameron mentioned that once the publicity and premieres for the new film have wrapped, he will head back to his solar-powered eco-ranch in Santa Barbara, California. Him and his wife are also planning on installing wind turbines soon. Check out the rest of The Sun’s interview with the director here.

“Unchopping a Tree” Debuts In Copenhagen

Source: ecorazzi - Artist and architect Maya Lin has unveiled her latest addition to her conservation memorial “What is Missing” called “Unchopping A Tree”. It’s a moving piece of work enriched with ethereal music and visuals. The Fast Company blog gives us the details saying,

The video, which is inspired by a W.S. Merwin poem of the same name, focuses on how we would feel if deforestation came to the city parks that we love the most. Lin decided the debut the video at the Support REDD+ Gala in Copenhagen to highlight the importance of enacting REDD, a UN program that will pay developing countries to cut down on deforestation. “I want to get out the message that by preventing deforestation, we can reduce emissions and save species,” Lin said.

Check it out below (the ‘unchopping’ bit comes near the end):