By Sarah Rogers

The organic, all-natural life is becoming a widespread trend amongst the health and environmentally conscious, as there's a move towards food awareness. Documentaries detail the process of food cycles, from a seed's beginning to grocery store shelves. Farmer's markets and health food stores boast pesticide-free, ethically grown products. People want to know what they're putting into their most valuable possession: their bodies.

Planting your own garden is a strong way to combat the damage being done by corporations to both yourself and your world. During Earth Week, treat yourself to gardening tips that will help bring organic living to your backyard - or front yard or porch - in a globally mindful manner.

1. Read up. There are plenty of books, blogs, and articles on this subject. Even a simple Google search will turn up some fascinating reads. "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver follows Kingsolver's year-long journey of radical change towards locally grown food.
2. Go to the experts. Nursery employees are generally knowledgeable on various plants. Pepper them with gardening questions like what's in season or how much to water.
3. Be inspired. Local farmer's markets feature an array of fruits and vegetables. Strike a conversation with a grower and hear their story. Buy locally grown products and taste the difference.
4. Experiment with ingredients. If you're not sure what vegetable or fruits to plant, pick an heirloom plant that you can't buy in stores. Did you know there are pink tomatoes? Cautiously choose where you buy to avoid purchasing a genetically enhanced plant.
5. Plant a recipe. Pick a recipe you enjoy and plant the fresh ingredients for a homegrown flavor. Salsa, for example, can be made from your own tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and/or garlic.

You don't need a particularly green thumb to start making the earth a healthier, cleaner place. A little bit of research sprinkled with passion goes a long way! This Earth Week, take small steps to make your home and life environmentally friendly by planting a garden.

By: Ruben Carreno

Some say that humans are responsible for global warming. But isn't earth always going through changes? And if so, can global warming be completely our fault?

In the past, there were times when the planet was covered in ice. The sun, losing the battle of supremacy over planet Earth, gave way for imposing glaciers to grow, merging continents. Liquid to solid, the earth was seemingly in an everlasting winter.

Then there were periods of time when that ice melted. The sun defeated massive glaciers, whose water flowed to the oceans, raising the sea level. Solid to liquid, the planet changed.

Founded in 1970, the EPA brings global warming and other environmental issues to the forefront in the United States. The World Meteorological Organization does the same, but on an international level. Both organizations agree that global warming does threaten human life. As for global warming being the exclusive fault of humans, that point is up for debate.

Don't get me wrong, I believe that we all have a duty to live a greener lifestyle to help sustain human existence. Also, living in Los Angeles, I know all too well that it is very difficult to achieve a green lifestyle in a big city. Is the only thing that will get people's attention the threat of being fined for their actions?

On a local level, nonprofits and other community groups work hard to get laws into place to force people to recognize that their actions affect the community and the surrounding environment. It takes a conscious effort to separate your trash into piles of compostable, recyclable and waste. Making that effort is just a small part of what one can do to help. The Clean Air Council found that less than one percent of plastic bags are recycled each year. How many plastic bags have you recycled this year?

It's ultimately up to us as individuals to change our habits. Where do you see yourself fitting in the fight for a greener planet?