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FeedApril Forum: Eco-East Bay
The Bay Area has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to environmental issues, but with the prospects of mandatory water rationing on the horizon, a second straight season of decimated local Salmon populations, and a rediscovered emphasis on green issues from the new Obama administration, the topic is heating up (no pun intended) like never before. In this issue we honored our picks for East Bay people, businesses, and organizations doing great things on the local environmental front.
Now we want to hear from you! Do you have any thoughts or tips on how to be eco-frindly in the East Bay? Or maybe you want to mention someone who is doing great things locally for the environment?
CLICK HERE to share your thoughts, or scroll down to see other readers' comments.
I went to school in a small town in Northern California. We scraped all food in one garbage can, paper products and milk cartons in another. I can't believe it's has taken 40 years to start doing this again. Food makes great compost. So places like fast food, should have separate garbage cans and for fancy restaurants the same, it's called the separation factor.
I would like to bring up the nonsynchronization of stop lights. How much are we adding to global warming by coming to each stoplight and having to stop. I drive alot for my work, hospice nurse. In the last 2+ years I am stopped at multiple stop lights. I understand it's for "traffic calming". However, we are wasting gas and polluting the air and creating a global warming. When is someone going to say hey wait a minute, lets reevaluate this situation. Especially, all the greenies. What happened to synchronizing and keeping the flow of traffic going at the recommended speed. It has worked well in San Francisco for years on Fell and Oak and 19th ave and other places. Now , if one notices how many times we stop on many major thru town thourghofares. Waste, pollutants and globalwarming, Ask for synchronizing the lights thruout the bay area and keep the flow of traffic safe and moving. There is no excuse.
-Anonymous
We unplug all our electronics at night and I heard a great idea recently - to air dry clothes on a line, rather than using the electric dryer. You couldn't do it when it rains, but a lot of times, it would fine here in Sunny California. And the clothes would smell fresher too.
-Anonymous
I know it's pretty minor, but I try to turn off the lights in any rooms in my house when I'm not in there.
-Anonymous
Reader Comments:
we unplug all our electronics at night and I heard a great idea recently - to air dry clothes on a line, rather than using the electric dryer. You couldn't do it when it rains, but a lot of times, it would fine here in Sunny California. And the clothes would smell fresher too.
One of your eco award winner - Sungevity - was also written up in Vanity Fair for its cheap solar panel program. "Yesterday, a company called Sungevity announced the availability of what they're calling the cheapest solar system in the world: a rooftop solar panel system, fully installed, for $2,000."
http://www.vanityfair.com/online/politics/2008/06/sungevity-offers-cheap-userfriendly-solar-rooftop-pv.html
What about Opulence IV U Salon. They are a hair salon that uses Innersence, and all there products are organic & natural. Check out www.opulenceivu.com Or blog.opulenceivu.com. I've been going here for over a year. It would be nice if the received some kind of mention
I found a great orgranic wine - very drinkable: Tiamo, pinot grigio. At Whole Foods for $10. No Sulfates.
I think working together in your community, hosting progressive dinners or block parties on your street, creating competition to see who can have the lowest PGE and Water bill...generally working together. Collaboration. Supporting local businesses that do the right thing. That is what sustainability is all about for me. Way to go Diablo (that rhymes!).
Mike McDonald
Oakland
www.margaridohouse.com
Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland has a program for children ages 3+ called Kids Go Green. On Saturday, May 9, Kids Go Green will host hikes in the redwood ecosystem surrounding Chabot Space & Science Center. "Protecting Our Redwood Ecosystem" activities also include learning about local wildlife, such as banana slugs, local birds and easily accessible friendly critters that contribute to our environment. Kids also learn about composting (with a close up view of composting worms!) eco-friendly packaging and much more in a fun, hands-on method. www.chabotspace.org
Last week the owner, Patrick Wilkinson, of Dumploads OnUs spoke at the Walnut Creek DBA meeting. The interesting part of his busienss is if you have an old TV, printer, phone, hardrive, fax machine, etc., he runs an electronic recycling center here in Walnut Creek. It's FREE for electronic recycling of personal or business stuff. He is open Monday-Saturday and if you have a lot of stuff, they have free pick up.
In addition, they also take old office furniture or just junk you need to get ride of. Another interesting thing he said was that 80% of the 'junk' he collects gets reused or recycled and all of it stays in the US. Something other companies don't neccessarily guarantee. In addition, the guys who work for him are all clean cut local college guys.
The company is called Dumploads OnUs, 1271 Boulevard Way in Walnut Creek. Website is www.dumploadsonus.com and the phone is 925.934.3743.
Don't miss the Lamorinda Earth Day Festival this Sunday, April 19! Fun for all.
Where:
The event will take place at - Stanley Middle School
3455 School Street, Lafayette, CA 94549 map it: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
Timing:
The public event will take place from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Lots of great family events.