Stopping junk mail's easy -- theoretically -- since all you need to do is say no. But because you have to say no to so many different companies -- and may want to preserve one or two coupon mailers you use -- de-cluttering your mail box can get difficult pretty fast. This perhaps explains why so many people still get -- and complain about -- the amount of junk mail they get.

One of my first memories of being in downtown Los Angeles was the sensation of feeling acid rain in my eyes. It stung. I did not know what it was or the cause but I knew that something was dreadfully wrong. That was a long time ago.  The air quality in Los Angeles has improved. It was an involuntary lesson that continues to help me to remember that environmental concerns isn't a buzz word or a hoax perpetuated on the gullible. You see, it really doesn't matter to me if you believe in global warming or not.

Though I'm writing this while stuck at an airport, I'm really looking forward to BlogHer '09 in Chicago -- especially since the city's made some very impressive green changes since BlogHer '07, when I was last in the city. The windy city has created a Chicago Climate Action Plan and is working hard to make it a reality.

If you start your day with organic, fair trade coffee, like to cook with organic olive oil, and treat yourself to gourmet fair trade organic chocolate on occasion -- then you're a lot like me. And you might want to sign up for one of these environmentally and socially conscious eco-educational vacations coming up to get a closer look at the coffee, chocolate, and olive oil you love:

Aside from attending BlogHer in Chicago this year (getting more and more excited!) I'll be spending my vacation this summer at home, playing with my kitties, blogging, seeing a movie or two with my husband, and hopefully harvesting a few tomatoes from my sad little front yard garden.  Basically, the same things I do every weekend.  Unless I can come up with some creative ideas.  Can you help?

Do you crisscross the world in search of adventure -- or just cut across the blogosphere in search of virtual vacations? Eco-travel blogs are popping up to help you on your peripatetic way. Three to check out:

Alas, I'm not a lesbian -- but after discovering Sweet, a travel company that merges lesbian travel with eco-social awareness, I had to check the FAQ to see if I could still go on one of their green-minded trips!

I spent last Saturday in a basement. No, really. It was fabulous. I was on a panel for the first Blogs With Balls conference. I met a lot of wonderful people and amazing sportswriters, but I did spend the day in a room with no windows. This is probably why I was completely unaware that I was missing World Naked Bike Ride Day.No I am not making that up.

Eat local's the usual eco-foodie mantra, but that advice takes on a bittersweet edge when your state's in a drought. Sure, we can conserve at home -- but 80% of California's water goes to agriculture.

When I was planning for the last Blogher conference in Chicago in 2007, I had a bunch of people ask why I wasn't taking the train (answer: It took too long). This year, thanks to a new study, no one's asked me the train question -- yet.

For many of us, it's not hard to reduce waste at home. We've got our recycling systems in place, our reusable bags handy for shopping and we know what restaurants and stores are the most environmentally-friendly. Not so easy when traveling, right? And yet we don't have to drown in a sea of our own waste every time we leave the comfort of home. It just takes the desire to travel lightly on the planet and a little bit of planning ahead.

Packed for Blogher ‘09 yet? Okay, it’s a little early for that — but not too early for pre-packing tips. Think ahead to pack light, and you’ll save money, time, energy, the environment — and your back!