When I announced in April 2008 that I'd be moving from Washington, DC, to sunny Santa Monica, most of my friends assumed it was for the surfing at lunch and yoga at night lifestyle. Little do they know that the majority of my day is spent with some of our nation's brilliant legal minds and connecting their work with the local Southern California landscape.
I grew up in Portland, OR, received my BA in Communications with minors in History, Music and Leadership from the University of Denver, and worked on Capitol Hill when I first arrived in DC. I love the legislative aspects to enacting change, but also know we need to enforce the laws that govern our society.
Posted September 14, 2012 by Jessica Lass in Curbing Pollution, Health and the Environment
To most Angelenos, the Los Angeles River is a concrete eyesore, but as I kayaked down it a few weeks ago, it was a river like any other you’d float across the West. No longer is the river only accessible...continued→
Posted August 24, 2012 by Jessica Lass in Living Sustainably
Yes, sure, no one walks in LA…except well, more people than you’d think. Every month more Angelenos are choosing to ride their bike to work or ride public transit as a cheaper, healthier alternative to driving (if it can be...continued→
Posted June 21, 2012 by Jessica Lass in Living Sustainably, The Media and the Environment
Earlier this week I toured what’s being dubbed the “greenest” home in Santa Monica. The energy-neutral, LEED platinum residence belongs to broadcast journalist Lisa Ling and her husband Dr. Paul Song and marries their desire to reduce their carbon footprints,...continued→
Posted May 17, 2012 by Jessica Lass in Curbing Pollution, Environmental Justice, Health and the Environment, Living Sustainably
Loyal readers will know that I bike to work, which saves me gas money and wear and tear on my car, and throws some exercise into my daily routine. While I appreciate my biking routine, there are places I need...continued→
Posted April 10, 2012 by Jessica Lass in Health and the Environment, Living Sustainably
When you live in Southern California, there really isn’t a season when you couldn’t (or shouldn’t) be hiking. But spring is usually one of the better times to get out and enjoy our local surroundings. Before moving to Los Angeles...continued→
Posted March 28, 2012 by Jessica Lass in Health and the Environment, Living Sustainably
In a city of concrete, one school is trying to break that up and create something new…literally. Entering the school, you’re met with two mini amphitheaters built from the broken concrete slabs that once covered the entire school property. It’s...continued→
Posted February 28, 2012 by Jessica Lass in Curbing Pollution, Environmental Justice, Health and the Environment
I recently joined 25 fellow Angelenos on a river walk tour of one section of the Los Angeles River. Specifically, we toured part of the former rail yard known as Taylor Yard, or the “G-1” parcel to you wonky types,...continued→
Posted January 20, 2012 by Jessica Lass in Saving Wildlife and Wild Places, Solving Global Warming
Each year the United Nations selects several common themes for action. Last year, one of the themes was the year of the forests which focused on efforts to combat deforestation around the world. Deforestation is an issue affecting dozens of...continued→
Posted December 22, 2011 by Jessica Lass in Living Sustainably
Making the list for most New Year’s resolutions is a renewed commitment to exercise. In LA, we have the additional benefit of nice weather to encourage residents to stick to that resolution, but usually within the first few weeks of...continued→
Posted December 14, 2011 by Jessica Lass in Curbing Pollution, Living Sustainably, Moving Beyond Oil
I consider myself one of the lucky few in Los Angeles who technically do not need a car to get around. I use my bike to cycle back and forth to work, to run errands and visit most friends. While...continued→
Posted July 28, 2011 by Jessica Lass in Health and the Environment, Living Sustainably
July has been a good month for cyclists and walkers in Los Angeles. Turns out, some neighborhoods in Los Angeles are actually considered some of the most walkable areas of the state: WeHo is ranked #1 and Santa Monica is ranked the #4...continued→
Posted December 1, 2010 by Jessica Lass in Health and the Environment, Moving Beyond Oil, Saving Wildlife and Wild Places
It's not often that you associate vampires (bloodthirsty night-dwellers) with environmental activists (solar-loving vegetarians) but friend of NRDC Ian Somerhalder is trying to bridge the gap by launching the IS Foundation. His new foundation endeavors to empower, educate and collaborate...continued→
Posted August 26, 2010 by Jessica Lass in Saving Wildlife and Wild Places, The Media and the Environment
Last year when I first watched the Oscar-award winning documentary, The Cove, directed by Louie Psihoyos, I walked out of the screening silently, and with a heavy heart over the film that chronicles an annual dolphin slaughter in Taiji, Japan....continued→
Posted August 19, 2010 by Jessica Lass in Moving Beyond Oil
In recent weeks, the Gulf oil spill story line has dramatically turned in BP’s favor. “The oil is gone” “There’s no longer a slick” are some of the repeated lines from media coverage. The White House even claims that 75%...continued→
Posted July 24, 2010 by Jessica Lass in Health and the Environment, Moving Beyond Oil
While driving down to Chauvin, Louisiana on Friday morning I saw a billboard confirming that “Yes, the 75th annual shrimp and petrochemical festival is still on” in Morgan City, La., on September 2-6. Shrimp and Petrochemical festival, those don’t typically...continued→
Switchboard is the staff blog of the Natural Resources Defense Council, the nation’s most effective environmental group. For more about our work, including in-depth policy documents, action alerts and ways you can contribute, visit NRDC.org.
