Starre Vartan
Starre Vartan is founder and editor-in-chief of Eco-Chick.com and the author of the Eco-Chick Guide to Life. She's also a freelance science and environment writer who has published in National Geographic, CNN, Scientific American, Mental Floss, Pacific Standard, the NRDC, and many more. She lives on an island in Puget Sound with her partner and black cat. She was a geologist in her first career, and still picks up rocks wherever she goes.
Karma’s Gonna Get You
Since Bush has decided that America is addicted to oil (hmmm…wonder where he got that idea?) his administration is considering a requirement that some of the biggest SUVs meet fuel economy standards for the first time. According to NPR, “Vehicles weighing between 8,500 and 10,000 pounds have been exempt from…
Cute and Smart, Just What I'm Looking for — In a Car
Yay!! Smart Cars are
What's Your Footprint?
I just learned that if everyone on the planet lived as I do, it would take 4.2 Earths to provide for them. Meaning: I take up three times as much resources as I should. And that’s with keeping my house at 60 degrees all winter, driving minimally in an efficient car, and being a…
As Green As Green Can Be?
There has been debate here lately about whether we, as “Greenies” should buy anything at all. This is a long-standing issue in the environmental community: Should we shun all consumer products and grow our own food, make our own clothes and educate our own kids (the time that takes tends…
Ask Chicky: Clear Skies or Dirty Air?
Dear Chicky, My boyfriend and I (we’re both in our early 30’s) have a bet: I say air quality is better than when we were kids, he says it’s worse. Who’s right? –Itching to Be Right Dear Itching, Though it’s always fun to watch one half of a couple…
Greenloop
Apparently there was all sorts of green swag at the Oscars, according to the Greenloop blog’s coverage. There were solar iPod chargers, Fat Tire Ale and Frog’s Leap Organic Wine, Arbor Snowboards, clothes by Edun and Loomstate, Eco Bella treats and more in the oh-so-enviable goody bags– which only went to celebs who…
I (Heart) Tom's
I’ve been a fan of Tom’s of Maine since I was a whippersnapping treehugger in tie-dye with a flower in my hair. They make the best natural toothpastes (who else would have thought of gingermint?), and some damn good deoderants and other personal care stuff. They’ve been doing it for…
Tuesday Science Times Rehash
Tuesday is has two redeeming qualities; it’s not Monday, and the NYTimes Science section comes out. A couple heartwarming stories from the last edition. Genetically modified produce is a flop, for both consumers and crop yields. And apparently, all that opposition to GM foods has really taken the mickey out…
Interactivist Love
My favorite feature on Grist is their interviews with up-and-coming, intelligent ecopreneurs, community leaders, and activists. Dubbed Interactivist, the latest column features the comely Native American Evan Peters, who knows that ANWR isn’t just an acronym, it’s a huge, gorgeous ecosystem. He knows because the lands in the refuge…
Green Yoga
Friends of mine have asked what yoga has to do with the environment, and I’ve always been stumped. I always felt there was a definite connection between my yoga practice and my environmental consciousness since both are about being more aware of our impact on the world, but that was about…