I’ve never explored this part of the world, and was delighted to find that not only does it offer wonderful attractions for the kiddies (Disneyland anyone?), it is also a very eco-conscious place. Of course, you first have to get past the fact that the population of motor vehicles is actually greater than the population of people…

I always seem to have my green radar on, so I tend to notice things like green-rated hotels, an abundance of hybrid vehicles and the recycling trucks that run on natural gas.

As we settled in to our lovely beach house with the organic fruit and yogurt bar down the street, and the massive Whole Foods market and amazing farmers markets where we did our shopping, I realized I was in eco heaven!

A few other eco things I found interesting about California:

• – California is first state in the U.S. to ban BPA as a harmful toxin in baby bottles – in legislation that was passed this month 
• – there is an abundance of amazing eco products for children and I couldn’t resist taking home things from California Baby,  Tomat for Kids, and more.
• – they offer incentives for recycling, and have an elaborate recycling program with strict laws on use of post-consumer materials in everything from trash bags to newspaper and sustainable building materials (In 2010, Californians recycled an average of 45,305,983 beverage containers each day. Each day? Wow.)
• – there are tax incentives for things like the use of hybrid vehicles and solar power installation in homes
• – almost everywhere, there are random things with eco value – like at Legoland, many of their park benches were made from recycled milk jugs – cool!
• – the state is known for its wineries, and in recent years there has been a push on sustainable wine growing. Many top-class wineries are using eco practises for production – which made my wine shopping a joy!

Overall, I fell in love with the fact that living sustainably and making green choices seemed to be second nature and extremely mainstream, while at home in Australia it often still feels like an alternative lifestyle choice. Awareness is growing here, but it was inspiring to see how easy it can be, to be green.

Click here to discover our new range of organic and eco-friendly clothing from California label Tomat for kids.

By Donna MacMullin

Creative Communications, Graphic Design, Communications, Blogging, Copywriting, Content Management

Like most people, I’m always trying to mindful of little changes I can make in my daily life that can have a greater positive impact on the environment, and that’s why I love the global event known as Earth Hour. It’s an initiative that was started in Sydney, Australia in 2007 when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change.

Since then it has become an important part of the global sustainability movement, and this year a record-breaking 131 countries and hundreds of millions of people are set to join the display of climate action. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Asia Pacific to Europe and Africa to the Americas are scheduled to be switched off, and Aussie darling Miranda Kerr is the global ambassador of the event.

The Earth Hour website has lots of information about the events taking place this year around the world, as well as social networking links and interactive ways to show how people and organizations are going “beyond the hour” to extend their commitment to the sustainability movement. I personally like the “lights out” game, lantern project and virtual lightswitch — a few things the kids will love as well.

This year more than ever natural disasters have seemingly become the new “norm” around the globe, and the devastation we’ve all witnessed should inspire a renewed sense of urgency to environmental campaigning. I know it has for me. At 8:30pm on Saturday 26th March 2011, lights will switch off around the globe for Earth Hour — will you be joining the movement?