The TakePart Top 10 Weekly Roundup is a compilation of the week’s most notable stories from our entertainment-meets-social-action blogging network. Check out some of our most popular stories of the week, as well as a few TakePart blogger favorites!

Katie Halper:

Necklacing Returns to South Africa, Tutu Calls for Peace, and History Repeats Itself

Ted Kennedy’s Malignant Brain Tumor: Sad News, But the Work Goes On

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Nicole Hughes:

Bush’s Food Aid Package Promotes Use of GMOs

Gas Prices Exceed Those of 1973 Oil Crisis

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Andy Kondrat:

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Could Cost US 38 Trillion Annually

USDA Budget Squeeze Forces Agency to Stop Tracking Pesticide Use

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Jon Popham:

Brooklyn Bridge Birthday Celebration!

Smokey the Bear: Environmental Icon

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Giulia Rozzi:

Suicide Tourism in New York City

Kristin Davis and Her Solar Powered Home

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Gina Telaroli:

Media That Matters Film Festival Premieres on May 28th

Top 10 Ways Indiana Jones Saved the World: Part #1

Gas prices hit $4 per gallon in the Philadelphia area after weeks of upwardly creeping costs. Adjusted for inflation, the $4 gallon of gas is higher than the cost of gas during the infamous 1973 oil crisis.

With gas currently at $129 per barrel, seven gas stations in the eight-county area have posted prices of $4 or higher for regular-grade gasoline yesterday, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic. Gas hit $4 per gallon at Connecticut pumps earlier in the month too, and it’s now the state average. One station owner predicts that he’ll be charging as much as $4.50 per gallon by July 4th.

“It seems like it’s been inching up every day, even if it’s just by a penny or two,” Catherine L. Rossi of AAA MidAtlantic said.

“We had expected that some stations in the Philadelphia area would reach $4. We’re hopeful that the average price would not top $4, though it is certainly possible,” she said. [philly.com]

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The TakePart Top 10 Weekly Roundup is a compilation of the week’s most notable stories from our entertainment-meets-social-action blogging network. Don’t miss these excellent posts on some very engaging and thoughtful topics - from going green at the office to Julian Beever to dystopian film telling us to take action now. Check out our most popular articles of the week on a variety of subjects, as well as a few TakePart blogger favorites.

Katie:

Katoucha’s Body Found: Model Helped African Women Escape Mutiliation

Julian Beever Brings Art to New Orleans Sidewalks

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Nicole:

Heath Ledger Nick Drake Video for “Black Eyed Dog” Hits Web

Top 10 Ways to Go Green in the Office

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Giulia:

Crate & Barrel Goes Green

The Black Comedy Project

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Gina:

Top 10 Dystopian Future Films Telling Us to Take Action Now

Going to “The Edge of Heaven” with Fatih Akin

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Kerry:

Sustainable Songstrees Sue West’s Rural Revival

No Impact Home A Hit At Ecobuild Exhibition

There’s a major spotlight on how to make your home a greener, healthier and happier place to live in, but what about those other places in our lives where we sometimes spend just as much time - if not more? Simple changes in our office habits can help to save energy and inspire our co-workers do their part in saving the earth’s resources. Many times, these eco-friendly alterations can save time and money too. Check out the Sierra Club’s top ten ways to green up the office:

1. Energy-efficient computer use

Unnecessary computer use in the business sector wastes $1 billion in electricity per year. Start making it a habit to turn off your computer and the power strip its plugged into at the end of the workday. Setting your computer to sleep during short breaks can cut back on your energy use by 70 percent. Also, consider investing in energy-saving computers, monitors and printers, and make sure old equipment is recycled properly. Older computers that still work and are less than five years old can be donated, and possibly used as a tax deduction.

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