>> Expect a less trashy L.A. River. Reports the L.A. Times: “Cities along the watershed are required by 2016 to keep all trash out of their storm drains. Those that don’t comply will now be in violation of the federal Clean Water Act,” now that the no-trash requirement’s been incorporated into storm water permits. Earlier: Pictorial Ode to the LA River.

>> Conserve water by kicking the Coke habit, urged The Yes Men in Copenhagen. “Production of the world’s favorite soft drink uses lots of water, and locating its plants in some of the more water-challenged parts of the world is what got Coke in the Yes Men’s crosshairs.” Earlier: Drink B’eau-Pal: Yes Men ‘help’ Dow Chemical profit from Bhopal disaster.

>> L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa’s going to Copenhagen, and Treepeople founder Andy Lipkis says Villaraigosa should just add water:

I told the mayor that as the elected leader of a massive city that is already experiencing pain and costs of climate change, not just with drought and long term water shortages, but also with deadly fires, and heat storms, he can tell credible stories of the reality and thereby help counteract the denial and belief by some that climate change doesn’t exist.

Further, I said that he can share this in a positive light because the people of Los Angeles are already beginning to respond to these threats to our water supply and our safety…. Despite his staff insisting that it was crazy to announce new drought-based watering restrictions on a rainy day, Mayor Villaraigosa went ahead and did it. And Los Angeles residents have responded to his call, cutting water use this by 18%, to the lowest level of water use in almost twenty years.

Earlier: Copenhagen Climate Talks begin! and Disillusioned in but hopeful after Copenhagen

>> Give BPA-free food donations. As you know, the lining used in cans for most canned food contains sexual dysfunction-linked BPA. Lou Bendrick at Grist has lots of tips on making your holiday food donations as green and healthy as possible.

>> Organic, BPA-free food too pricy? Save money in other areas of your holiday celebrations. Apparently, being frugal is back in fashion. A group of 5 women called Smart Cookies even “formed their own spenders’ support group, urging one another to stay out of the malls and stick to their goals. In two years, the group managed to pay off $50,000 in consumer debt.”

Earlier:
>> Shop less, give more: Get motivated for greener, leaner holidays
>> Inspiration to spend less this season — without feeling deprived

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