A few weeks ago, President Obama addressed this rising concern in his weekly video conference from the White House – “But we can’t just drill our way out of this problem. While we consume 20 percent of the world’s oil, we only have 2 percent of the world’s oil reserves. We’ve got to develop new technology that will help us use new forms of energy.”  (To read the entire transcript from Obama’s update, click here)

This resonates with me. Domestic drilling in Alaska presents a host of environmental issues – it is less than ideal. However, we cannot continue to depend on foreign oil as we have in the past. What do we do, then? Get creative. Focus on the alternatives. Think long-term rather than short-term.

And people are beginning to do just that! I was thrilled when I read this week that in California, more than 75 governmental officials voted ‘yes’  to “endorse [a] pioneering vision to build 12,000 megawatts of clean energy—enough solar energy to cover a million solar roofs—by 2020.” This is a very promising step, as 12,000 megawatts is the equivalent of 24 coal-fired power plants (EcoWatch). Image the implications? The opportunity?

What are your thoughts? Should government invest more in alternative technologies, or is there another solution? What can each of us do to further the cause? I would love to hear your thoughts below!

Image courtesy of Flickr J.N. Stuart

The post America’s Energy Alternatives appeared first on Chic Vegan.

I am thrilled to be joining Chic Vegan, and penning a regular column to address sustainability.  I would like to share with you the pressing environmental issues of the day – small things that we can do to make a big difference. Whether it is how we vote with our dollar (the things we buy) to the way we consume energy, there are always steps to take. Promoting wellness does not end with our health, but the health of the world around us.

Everything we do, everyday, has a larger impact than many of us realize. The clothes we wear, the skincare products we use, the electronics we rely on, all have an impact on the environment. By making more informed choices – thinking not only cruelty-free, but destruction-free, as well, we can make a big difference.

What I love most about this lifestyle – this movement – is that one facet of activism is linked so closely with another: health and environment, fair-trade and sustainability, humane practices and organics. I look forward to having you join me on this journey, where we will become chicly and sustainably vegan!

The post Chic, I Mean Green, Vegan appeared first on Chic Vegan.