Los Angeles is located some 3,500 miles from the North Pole, a region that can easily hit negative 50 degrees Fahrenheit and has experienced fewer than 150 visitors in the last century. And while not a top travel destination per se, the North Pole is neither something to overlook, despite its outlying distance from us. Environmental Director Sebastian Copeland is making sure that never happens with his documentary, “Into the Cold: A Journey of the Soul,” which features Copeland’s on-foot venture to the North Pole.

“The story is really my journal,” he says. “I’m happy and proud to come back with a product that makes people experience the North Pole just short of being there.”

Copeland, an environmental photographer and filmmaker who’s also explored Greenland and the Antarctic, spent eight hours a day skiing, hiking in Runyon Canyon and doing yoga (“The meditation combats isolation,” says Copeland) to prepare for the two-month, 400-mile trek through the arctic.

“The Arctic region is warming at a rate three times faster than the rest of the Earth,” says Copeland, who shares the theory that if humanity is not careful, we might lose the glacial region for good, adding, “If the Great North goes, so does humanity.”

While Copeland enjoys being a Los Angeles resident for its proximity to nature, he acknowledges its disconnected side. “It’s convenient [in L.A.] to think the problems will take care of themselves,” he says. “There’s a sense of disconnect because it’s such an urban environment—it’s an easy place to be distracted.”

With its release last month, the film is aimed to share the message that the planet is forwarding a warning (ice around the world is receding by 95 percent) and that early indicators of what will happen globally are happening right now in the North Pole. “It’s more visceral because it’s melting ice,” he says.

“I hope people will realize the fragileness [of the North Pole],” he says. “Ultimately this is about protecting ourselves from ourselves.”

Check out SEDNA, a foundation Copeland launched in 2010, which discusses global climate change and its damaging effects to our planet’s fragile polar regions.

Image via Sebastian Copeland Adventures.

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Since releasing her eponymous clothing line, Carrie Parry is already establishing herself at the forefront of sustainable fashion to watch. Her collection of 30-plus femininely tailored pieces, reflecting eco-conscious roots and a penchant for whimsical pop-art hues à la Japanese polka-dot artist Yayoi Kusama, is already sweeping green fashionistas off their vegan-friendly heels.

The collection captures versatility in the form of removable bow bands, cuffs and collars, and is aptly named Mrs. Montague (a hat tip to the 1870s-era housewife Mrs. Montague, who introduced the detachable collar). Homage is also paid to the 1930′s cult classic The Women, with the use of structured jackets with a detachable shawl cover, pencil skirts, pin-tucked Peter Pan collar shirts and form-fitting trousers with tapered bottoms.

With the collection already taking front and center, it will surprise no one to learn that the L.A. native-turned-New Yorker launched herself designing under Jonathan Saunders, Marc Jacobs, and as a costumer for Memoirs of a Geisha and Gifford’s Circus.

But Parry’s most impressive detail? The collection pays consideration to social and environmental impact.

Support of Artisan Communities

Parry’s wool supports Panchachuli Women Weavers, a cooperative that works with 800-plus women in 32 villages in the Indian Himalayas where the women are shareholders in the company and receive regular wages. Raw materials, including Parry’s use of 100-percent organic, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified wool, are handspun, hand woven—producing zero carbon emissions—and dyed using azo-free dyes. Parry’s silk also supports the communities of weavers and silkworm farmers of Eastern India.

“Mindfully sourced” Materials

Carrie’s line uses: recycled polyester jersey knitted from California; tencel, a biodegradable fabric made from wood pulp cellulose; Bemberg brand cupro, a biodegradable lining made from pure cellulosic fiber sourced from the cotton plant; and organic merino wool.

Look for the collection in the fall, available online at Carrie Parry.

Images via Carrie Parry.

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We all have our list of things we envision in a mate: romcom qualities seen in good guys as John Krasinski, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Ryan Gosling. We wonder: Is being green on that list? If not, here are our reasons for putting “eco-sensitive” in your top five.

He Eats Fresh, Local Food

This guy won’t scoff at a request to snag locally brewed beer or almond milk at local grocers. Better yet, you’ll both enjoy perusing the farmers’ market while toting your BYO bags. Try out some of these recipes with your health-conscious honey.

He Enjoys Being Outdoors

Man was intended to interact with nature and it brings out the best in him—especially an outdoors-made sculpted body. He looks forward to his Topanga Canyon rock climbing and bicycle-faring errands, and his muscled physique has these hobbies to thank for it.

He Wastes Not, Wants Not

There’s something to be said about a man who cares not just for his own mother, but Mother Nature as well. With his tenderly farmed herb garden and GOTS-certified organic cotton duvet, it’s not hard to imagine such devotion for the planet translating into devotion for another love in his life: you. Don’t be surprised when he brings you a handpicked bouquet of marigolds from his Griffith Park hike.

He’ll Take You to Green Festivals

Be it an environmental/indie film festival or a human rights campaign, this guy knows partying with a green conscience isn’t just for treehuggers and hippies—better book your Topanga Film and Green City Fair tickets now.

He Dresses like a (Green) Dapper Don

Whether it’s sustainable or pesticide-free materials, he embraces eco-threads like vintage tees from The Warehouse, carbon-free clothes from C-PAS, and Simple Shoes vegan sneakers. Here’s a guy who keeps “earth-friendly” in style all year round.

So, when it comes to a mate, don’t discount those earthier qualities—no doubt he’ll be a hero in your eyes and Mother Nature’s.

Images via Etsy user sugartowne and Free/Man.

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Forget the Benz and three-figure salary; women today are vying for eco-empathetic gents—the ones who nurture themselves and Mother Earth. There’s something stirring about the way Mad Men‘s Vincent Kartheiser gets around Los Angeles via the subway and buses (an effort seen by just 10 percent of city dwellers). Equally alluring is Tobey Maguire’s vegetarian-made six-pack physique. Discover these hotspots for men who care about the planet as much as they do about you.

Eat

Ever wonder why green men are so fit? They don’t skip the organic and vegetarian nutrition. Browse local produce with him at the Original Farmers Market, where starting Memorial Day, summer music festivals will be held every Thursday and Friday night. (Bonus: Being outdoors you’ll avoid unflattering supermarket neon lights and wow him with sun-kissed skin).

Niki Tehranchi’s made-from-fresh EATZ cooking classes offer a dinner party setting, plus ample wine offerings while cooking a three-course meal—it’ll have you chatting up the nearest hottie in an apron before you finish your first appetizer.

Every Thursday, connect with eco-minded gents at LA Green Drinks. Upcoming: May 5: Westside; May 12: Hermosa Beach; May 19: Silver Lake; May 25: Downtown.

Stretch & Sip

Indulge in organic wine (courtesy of Silver Lake Wine) at Yogala’s Yogala Vinyasa & Vino Thursday class. Merlot got you feeling gutsy? Ask out that quiet but strapping yogi guy while he helps you with these sex-drive-boosting poses. And try out Yogi Mixers every second Friday of the month.

Mingle at the Market

Sample this flea market and the dapper gents who browse its vintage wares at Melrose Trading Post every Sunday.

Cruise into CicLAvia where fixed gear bicycles are almost as plenty as the athletic hunks who ride them. Follow them on Twitter @CicLAvia for upcoming cycle soirees.

Whether it’s home decor or stationery, every man appreciates a well-crafted good; find both at Tree People’s Green City Fair and Unique LA, May 7 and 8.

Images via We Heart It and The Fox Hunt.

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Not since her days as the feisty Hermione in the Harry Potter series or the time of her dramatic pixie cut have folks talked much about Emma Watson. But this spring all eyes have returned to the little-wizard-that-was with the launch of Watson’s first collection of eco-friendly duds, Pure Threads. A collaboration with the esteemed Italian designer Alberta Ferretti, Watson’s sustainable, yet youthful capsule collection includes five lace-embellished pieces—two dresses, a shirt, a long skirt and a denim short—a top match of Watson’s gamine charms and Ferretti’s romantic flourishes.

“I’m pleased that a luxury brand such as Alberta Ferretti has decided to create ecological clothes. I believe this is a big step forward for all of the international fashion industry, but also an important step for an increased sensitivity to the problem of ecology,” Watson told WWD.

Newly launched on March 22, the 21-year-old’s fancy frocks are made in Italy from Global Organic Textiles Standard-certified organic cotton. Plus, a portion of proceeds (prices range $340-$1,010) from the low-impact clothing gets donated to UK-based People Tree charity. Pure Threads are available exclusively online.

Your Daily Thread’s consensus? We’re already bewitched by this former pupil’s eco collection.

Photo collage courtesy of Your Daily Thread Photographer Alexa Wan. Images via Teen Idols 4 You.

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GM

If you aren’t convinced enough carmakers are reviving the electric car, know that NAIAS named the Chevy Volt as Car of the Year. GM’s electrifying model stands out for its ability to also run on a gas-powered engine (commonly a hybrid quality). The 10-hour charging time will cost $1.50 and give you 25-50 miles at a time—a steal for its $33,000 price tag.

Ford

Ford, the only U.S. automaker to avoid a government bailout, had the world’s largest display ever at the Detroit show, including its new family of electric vehicles. “We’re focusing on fuel efficiency of vehicles; we introduced EcoBoost and our Hybrids, plug-in Hybrids and electric, and reduced CO2 emissions by 20 percent,” says Sue Cischke, Ford Global Vice President of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. (Plus, we were surprised and excited to learn its Dearborn, MI factory boasts the world’s largest living roof!)

Ford Focus Electric (EV): Ford’s first-ever emissions-free, battery electric passenger car; pricing starts at an affordable $30,000.

C-Max Energi: The 107-year-old company’s first plug-in hybrid electric car, offering a driving range of 500 miles.

C-Max Hybrid: A highly fuel-efficient sedan offering 45 mpg and delivering more miles per gallon than the Fusion Hybrid.

Toyota

Toyota announced a smaller Prius, and to compete with Chevy’s Volt, introduced the Plug-in Hybrid (PHV)—compared to the regular Hybrid, PHV can run longer (13 miles) in electric-only mode. Rechargeable in just three hours from an ordinary 110-volt outlet (less than what most clothes dryers require). Also in development: A charge cable for 220-volt outlets that’ll recharge PHV in an hour-and-a-half.

Volkswagen

This concept car isn’t available until 2014, but the German carmaker’s Golf Blue e-motion is promising a driving range of 93 miles by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, conveniently plugged at the front hood.

Volvo

Competitive with the Blue e-motion, Volvo C30 EV, an all-electric sedan offers a driving range of 95 miles with an 8-hour charge by a 220-volt outlet. Best known for safety, the Swedish carmaker debuted the first actual crash-tested model at NAIAS to demonstrate how its sleek 24 kWh-lithium battery would remain intact.

Honda

Having made its debut at the Los Angeles auto show in November 2010, the Honda Fit EV is perfect for those daily metropolitan commuters with a healthy driving range of 100 miles. Drivers can influence fuel efficiency by choosing between Econ, Normal, and Sport driving modes. The Fit is rechargeable in 12 hours by a 220-volt outlet. Another great option for short all-electric trips is the Honda Plug-in Hybrid.

Got the electric car bite? If you were a fan of Who Killed the Electric Car, the same documentarian is putting out Revenge of the Electric Car this spring.

Special consideration to Ford for sponsoring flight and accommodations to NAIAS.

Images via FFFFOUND.

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On Sunday morning, Your Daily Thread will head out to Dearborn, Michigan to learn about Ford’s advances in sustainability, as part of the North American International Auto Show. We’ll be learning and reporting on Ford’s latest in green technology and tools, including test driving some cars like the Explorer with EcoBoost, Fiesta and Taurus, as well as getting a tour of their factory, during the 2-Day Driving Green Technology event. We’ll also be discussing the future of eco cars with up-close-and-personal sessions with Ford Execs, expert green teams and tech teams.

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The New Year is a perfect incentive to resolve old habits and tackle new do-gooder ones, so we’re sharing our eco-resolutions again this year in hopes of offering some inspiration, in addition to being inspired ourselves by the ones you share in the comments.

Tracy Hepler, Founder:

• Stick to composting, especially since starting a successful apartment balcony garden (arugula anyone?).
• Keep up biking (Currently, I bike five days a week and rarely use the car when I stay west of the 405).
• Consume less. I don’t want to purchase more than five articles of new clothing next year.
• Eat less meat and stick to my weekday vegetarian diet.

Danielle Davis, Editor in Chief:

• Get a Metro TAP card.
• Clear out (recycle, donate) at least a quarter of my belongings. Again.

Sara Roderick, Associate Editor:

• Bring a reusable mug with me when I make my usual stop at the coffee shop.
• Purchase more farmers’ market goods in lieu of shopping chain grocery stores.
• Work with what I have—for example, coming up with new outfits by recycling the slightly outdated, but chic pieces stuffed in my closet.

Alissa Pittenger, Creative Director/Writer:

• Purchase fewer disposable or one-time use items.

Sarah McClure, Writer:

• Maintain an organic home garden (what better way to utilize the ¼ acre of land I live on?).
• Avoid eating on the run (and all that throwaway paper and plastic).

Emily Goldstone, Writer:

• Go running on the beach whenever possible instead of using an electricity-fueled cardio machine.
• Maintain a vegetarian diet.
• Cook at home more and avoid wasting unused fruits & veggies.

Vanessa Crocini, Media Director

• Recycle more and re-use recycled material including clothing.
• Grow veggies in the backyard.

Wanna share your eco goals for 2011? We’d love to hear them in the comments!

Images via Flickr users Ha-wee and Wha’ppen.

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