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.
What Are Your Consumer Consequences?
Play this fun (or is it scary?) game, Consumer Consequences, to see how many Earths would be needed if EVERYONE lived like you did. I’ve used calculators like this before, but this one really covers all the bases and you even get to make a funny avatar for yourself. Good…
Who Says Red Carpet Equals Nonsense?
I’ll admit it, I like the red carpet shows when all the stars come out, but I usually watch them on mute because I’m really only interested in what’s being worn, the hairstyles, and the totally obscene jewelry. The constant chatter about how excited the actors are for the show…
Vroom, Vroom!
Speaking of fuel-effieciency….. ….this is what I’m talking about!! The new i-MIEV sport from Mitsubishi, which is actually supposed to be available in 2009, will go about 100 miles on a battery charge with a gas-powered motor kicking in after that. (Although I’m not a Mitsubishi fan considering their past…
Rally for a Strong, Clean 2007 Energy Bill!
By Guest-Blogger Lorna Li This fall auto industry workers, environmental organizations and student groups rally hard for Congress to pass a 2007 Energy Bill that includes higher fuel efficiency and renewable energy standards. Will you rally with them? What’s on the plate is a fuel efficiency standard that the Senate…
Mask It Up!
Let’s just say my skin’s been in better shape. Partying (or is it networking?) too many nights, crashing on couches and in random (hey, not THAT random) beds and being a full-time student, blogger and freelance writer (not to mention getting pancaked for TV appearances) means I’m dealing with more…
We Be Jammin'
Noise Pollution is Environmental Pollution What’s more annoying than a crying baby? Ruder than tossing a butt on the street? More disgusting than an airsick neighbor on a plane? Cell phone chatter. BLAH, BLAH BLAH….why don’t people GET it? Nobody wants to hear what you’re saying into your mobile phone!…
One Person’s Crapola is Another’s Lifesaver
Reusing your stuff is a cheap, planet-friendly move, and now you no longer have to hold a giant yardsale to find a good home for your favorite but ill-fitting ski helmet or that extra garden hose you never seem to use. Swapping or borrowing saves resources because less stuff has…
Ashley Watson Recycled Leather Bags
Look at these gorgeous bags!! Ashley Watson designs them from Vancouver, Canada, where they are also produced (no sweatshop labor!). Not only are they pretty, super-soft and fairly made, Watson crafts the bags from old leather jackets (so that’s where all those 80’s style cheesy motorcycle coats went!). Not exactly…
Gotta Keep on Top of the Bills!
Yeesh! There’s a flurry of activity surrounding environmental issues in Congress and it’s all I can do to keep up! Here’s what’s going on: TOMORROW, on Halloween, the House is set to vote on HR 2262, which updates the incredibly outdated (and super destructive) Mining Act of 1872. That’s right,…
Growing a Greener Apartment
Living in a city, especially one as walking and public-transport oriented as New York, is way more sustainable than the ‘burbs or the country, since resources for so many people are centralized. You can go even greener by renting or buying an apartment that’s in one of the green buildings…
