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I never mentioned wanting the port to go away. Part of our month of green is educating our readers in potentially new or different choices that can be made to aid in the coming years of environmental ills that come from purchases.

The port is not going away and it serves the community as well as the rest of the nation in positive ways but it also causes a number of significant health concerns to our residents.

We have to breathe the fumes that bring your televisions and and great designed furniture you mention. I think Los Angeles has the right to ask for changes and improvements or at a very minimum...getting people THINKING about it.

Ditto the above. I live on Ocean Blvd less than half a mile from the Port. I have not experienced any of the following:
Cancer, abnormal lungs, asthma, premature babies and cardiovascular disease (in the areas surrounding the port).

I don't doubt that there may be an increase in those things since a few blocks North of Downtown LB is a severely economically depressed area. Naturally very poor people do not have access to the same level of health care as the middle and upper classes, and I suspect that may have an impact on their health issues.

Perhaps they should do the same study on those who live in multimillion dollar bldgs close to the port and see if the same data results?

There is a definite increase in cancer, abnormal lungs, asthma, premature babies and cardiovascular disease in the areas surrounding the port

Do you have any scientific support for this? As in studies published in peer reviewed journals? I work for a cancer hospital and I can tell you that based on the research conducted by our epidemiology department, it's extraordinarily difficult to prove that a) disease clusters exist independent of the socio-economic factors cited by a poster above and b) that disease is specifically caused by the activity at the port. Remember, correlation does not imply causation.

Also, the Port of Long Beach moves only 13% of the loaded containers travelling through the U.S. ports, according to their website: http://polb.com/about/overview/default.asp

I have to agree with Boomer on this one.

I'm all for learning to be green (I had no idea that low VOC paint even existed, let alone what it was until I found this site) and look forward to the many suggestions of reducing waste that are posted here. I had no idea so many things could be recycled (I'd love one of those rugs made from soda bottles, too) in so many ways. The posts on where to dispose of things and the best ways to do so are great. There was a recent discussion on the different brands of water filters that I found very enlightening.

I do applaud the efforts that the editors and reporters go to on a daily basis to bring us information, especially while holding down other jobs. And yes, this articule does give pause for thought. I haven't watched the little video yet (I'm on dial-up and am suddenly running very slow), but I will at work tomorrow. But articles of this sort are a powder keg, and you have to expect some very passionate responses, as demonstrated above.

Yes, we need to do something.

"Were they created locally? Chances are these days, they didn't. Of course, all of us want to find the best deal but at what expense?"

Unfortunately, this issue touches on way more than just transportation of the goods we buy. It's a political and socio-economic hotbed, and honestly, that's not why I'm here. I have other places to discuss those issues and become involved in resolving the problems.

I, too, would prefer to see this site stay a little closer to design.

oceandreamer56: In reality, these sort of posts make up but a small minority of our daily offerings (perhaps it feels a bit more prevalent these last few days with this month's "green" theme), with the majority of posts revolving around new design products, readers' questions, local events, and fun content. But coming back from this year's ICFF, it's become obvious that design is inherently political and social...that designers are addressing the environment and even politics in their choices in materials, production and distribution more than ever. We feel its important to shed light on these issues, since they're an aspect of the world of design and the consumer experience too. We don't aim to weigh down the majority of topics and a great many of our posts are simply just about beautifully appointed rooms, engaging design solutions, or just plain old fun design-related events around the city and beyond. But as a team of working designers ourselves, we hope our readership can see the interrelation of design, manufacturing and consumer practices, and just give pause. Because just like yourself, not that long ago I didn't know about low VOC paints or the vast amount of recycling options.

If anything, the AT team is proud to say we learn just as much from our readers as they learn from us, so thanks for your opinion and input :)