ARCAS’s Build a Hatchery- Progress Update

Happy Earth day!  While we celebrate Mother Earth, we want to take this moment to update you on ARCAS’s Build a Hatchery – Save a Species campaign, that we donated to last month.

Volunteers from As Green as it Get arrived on April 4^th and immediately started construction on one of the hatcheries (pictures of progress are attached). So far, the area has been cleared of any vegetation/roots, a trench has been dug for the concrete blocks, and the perimeter has been laid with concrete blocks and wiring for the posts. Another work party is going to be scheduled in the near future. As more work is completed, we will continue to update you on the progress of this hatchery as well as the second one.

We feel so blessed to be able to help create a safe and secure place for Olive Ridley eggs for the upcoming nesting season in July and many nesting seasons to come!

<3 LVR

Build a Hatchery – Save a Species

Yesterday, LVR donated to a very specific cause at ARCAS- rebuilding the sea turtle hatchery at their center in Hawaii, Guatemala. This contribution will help ensure the

ARCAS Hatchery Campaign Video

If you are interested in donating to this cause follow this link below:
http://startsomegood.com/venture/arcas/campaigns/show/build_a_hatchery__save_a_species

Thanks to everyone who supports LVR making this donation possible. We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to give back and couldn’t have done it without all of you. With love and gratitude, your friends at LVR.  To find out what else LVR is contributing to, please visit giving section on our website!

<3, LVR

Fashion Business Sucess Without Compromise

LVR is now an Ethical Fashion Forum fellow!  We met the terms of their ethical mandate and have been certified-  LVR Fellowship Certificate.

 

 

Meatless Mondays??

Los Angeles City Council is requesting residents go vegetarian for one day each week, prompting the use of this awesome alliteration in LA, Meatless Monday.  Meatless Monday was approved unanimously last Friday, making LA the largest city to sign on to the international campaign

Meatless Mondays is a nonprofit campaign that was started in 2003 with the goal to reduce meat consumption for both health and environmental reasons.  Cutting down on meat consumption can reduce risks on cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. 

LA Mayor Villaraigosa cut meat 2 years ago from his diet for health reasons which may have added to the unanimous vote in LA.  What also encouraged support of this campaign were the alarming health statistics of LA residence.  Stats show disparities facing those who live in low-income with lack of access to health foods and more than half of Los Angeles residents are obese or overweight.

We are excited about this campaign and hope it inspires healthier, more conscious lifestyles! 

<3 LVR

OMG… GMO’s?!

With Prop 37 on the California ballot this November, an initiative that makes labeling of genetically engineered food mandatory in California, the debate over GMO’s  is louder than ever!  On one side we have the biotech and processed food “Goliaths” opposing Prop 37 including Monsanto, PepsiCo, Kraft Foods, Nestle, and Coca Cola.  On the other side, we have the “Davids”, the organic farmers and truly natural food companies advocating for California’s right to know what’s in our food, supporting the passing of Prop 37.   As of October 3, 2012, Prop 37 advocates have spent $4.1 million <http://www.thecorsaironline.com/lifestyle/2012/10/10/prop-37-would-re quire- gmo-labeling-issues-remain/>  on the “Yes on 37″ <http://www.carighttoknow.org/>  campaign, while opponents have contributed $40.6 to the “No on 37″ <http://www.noprop37.com/>  effort.  With so much money being pumped into “informing” the California voter, it is important to sort through the propaganda and make an informed decision.

If you are unfamiliar, a GMO is a plant or meat product whose DNA has been artificially modified by genes from other plants, animals, viruses, or bacteria, in order to produce foreign compounds in that food.  These genetic alterations can only be modified by scientists and are not found naturally. Currently, up to 85% of U.S. corn is genetically engineered and 91% of soybeans and 88% of cotton in order to withstand high doses of pesticides. Corn and soy are found in the majority of processed food including cereals, baby foods, and breads etc.    Numerous studies have shown that GMOs are dangerous to humans, pets, wildlife, and the environment.  Human health effects can include higher risks of toxicity, heightened allergies, antibiotic resistance, immune-suppression and even cancer. The terms GMO — short for genetically modified organism — and “organic”, describe two types of food and textile crop production methods used in modern agriculture. U.S. National Organic Program Regulations expressly forbid the use of GMOs in the production of organic foods and other crops.

LVR is in full support of eating organic foods and wearing clothes produced without the use of pesticides.  There is no getting around the harmful effects pesticides and herbicides have on our bodies and the environment. We are thrilled that Prop 37 is on the November ballot because it has shed light on and sparked conversation about GMOs that otherwise would have gone unnoticed by most. Whether or not Prop 37 is passed, you can avoid eating GMO’s by choosing organic options and staying away from processed foods.

why ORGANIC?

LVR supports organic agricultural methods that treat the fibers of our garments with care, rather than pesticides, and have a minimal effect on our environment.

Cotton farming is not what it used to be.  What once utilized mostly sustainable farming techniques now uses 25% of the world’s chemical pesticides that are detrimental to people, wildlife, and the environment.

Let’s get more specific!

Pesticides used on conventionally grown cotton are among the most harmful.  Check out the alarming facts below: 

• Pesticide exposure has been linked to neurological disorders, cancers, asthma, severe headaches, fatigue, nausea, and birth defects.  Pesticides were originally developed as toxic nerve agents during WWII and it is no wonder they have been linked to many forms of cancer.
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers 7 of the top 15 pesticides used on cotton in the United States as “possible,” “likely,” “probable,” or “known” to cause cancer in humans.
• The World Health Organization estimates that pesticides poison at least 3,000,000 people every year, with approximately 355,000 people dying unintentionally from pesticide poisoning annually. (reference: The World Health Report 2003 Shaping the Future. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2003.)
• Only 0.1% of pesticides end up on pests, while 99.9% end up in water, air, and soil.
•  The EPA reported in 1993 that an estimated ‘one to two million’ birds are killed annually by carbofuran, just one insecticide used on cotton!  One granule of carbofuran is enough to kill a songbird.
• As insects gradually become resistant to pesticides, ever-increasing amounts are applied to be effective, resulting in massive ecological disasters and crop failures.
• According to the United States Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, children that are exposed to methyl parathion, an insecticide, suffer memory loss and emotional swings.
•  Pesticides used on cotton cause acute poisonings and chronic illness to farm workers.  Acute respiratory symptoms and other health effects in communities surrounding cotton farms are correlated with high use of defoliation chemicals.

Organic agricultural methods help minimize our exposure to toxins and promote a return to safe and sustainable practices.   In order to be certified organic, the farm must be pesticide free for at least three years and must meet international organic standards.

Here are some other benefits of organic farming:

• Manual farming and organic practices use 50% less fuel and energy and emits fewer greenhouse gases then conventional farming thus having a lower carbon footprint.
• Organic cotton is hypo-allergenic, gentle on your skin and perfect for people with allergies, skin sensitivities and chemical sensitivities.  Even if you don’t have sensitive skin, organic cotton will feel better against your skin.
• Organic farming eliminates the amount of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and chemicals introduced into our ecosystem that severely effect plant life, wildlife, water resources and food supply.
• Organic cotton promotes water conservation and the development of healthier soil in an approach that is nature-friendly and helps preserve the balance of our ecosystem.
• Higher quality clothes:  Organic cotton plants produce longer-stable cotton fibers which yield stronger yarn and more durable fabrics.  Pesticide-free long-stable cotton also feels softer and more breathable and comfortable against the skin.
• Eco-friendly processing does not compromise workers’ health and helps reduce water and electric use and toxic runoff.

There are quite a few eco-friendly fabrics options available in today’s world beyond organic cotton. Hemp, certain types of rayon made from bamboo fibers, and our favorite two, recycled polyester and Modal.

RECYCLED POLYESTER gives all of the benefits of the synthetic fiber polyester, while dramatically lowering the environmental effects of manufacturing it. Polyester is the most commonly used fabric type in the world, as it accounts for about 45% of the world’s textiles. Unfortunately for the Earth, polyester is made from PET, which comes from oil petroleum. It is estimated that it takes 70 million barrels of oil to produce polyester fabrics each year. When compared to the overall usage of oil, the world uses about 80 million barrels of oil per day, which means that polyester for textiles accounts roughly 0.3% of oil used in the world today.  Recycled polyester is among our top earth-friendly fabric choices for these three main reasons:

• The energy needed to make recycled polyester is less than ½ what was needed to make the virgin polyester in the first place.
• Using recycled fibers lowers the demand for even more petroleum based original virgin products.
• By recycling plastic bottles and other forms of polyester fibers, we are keeping all of those disposed of items out of landfills.

Our other top pick for eco-friendly fabrics that we use is MODAL.  As a sustainable eco-friendly rayon fabric, Modal is 100% biodegradable, durable, extremely soft, and is made from cellulose extracted from beech trees using a non-toxic, chemical-free process.

We at LVR plan to continue researching and testing out the best eco-friendly fabric options available in today’s market, and will continue to only dye with low impact dyes in Los Angeles. Our goals are to respect our planet by using earth friendly fabrics and production techniques, and offer beautiful garments that are a pleasure to feel, touch and wear.

Happy Independence day from LVR!

Celebrate this 4th of July by supporting Earth-friendly clothing made here in the USA! Take 25% off any purchase at LVRfashion.com from now until Friday when you apply promo code July425 to your order.

Happy Independence day from LVR!