Earth Day

I got a jump on Earth Day yesterday by driving at 6am out to the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve to see the low hills of the high desert are painted with acres of the magnificent bright orange flowers that are our official state flower. Get there in the next couple of weeks--it is extraordinary (but bring warm clothes--it is still quite cold up there). There is no more incredible reminder of the work we have to do to preserve our environment than to see it flowering around you.

Today, we are celebrating Earth Day in City Council by voting on the nation's largest Green Building Ordinance. This ordinance will help reduce our energy and water use, lessen the consturction waste going into our landfills, and lower carbon emissions in the City of Los Angeles.
What can you do today and throughout the year? Start by taking this quiz about your personal ecological footprint. See what you can do to take one car trip off the road this week by carpooling, taking public transit, walking, or biking to your destination. And think about the impact of one meal you eat this week (check out this LA Times article on the carbon footprint of your food).