Earth Day 2023
Think Globally, Act Locally
A slogan of the worldwide environmental movement since the early 1970s, thinking globally while acting locally embodies the idea that rather than waiting for grand breakthroughs to solve our environmental crisis, each of us can take actions every day in our own communities that in aggregate will have a globally transformative impact.
To commemorate Earth Week 2023, here are three ways you can act locally to improve both the planet and the lives of the people in our community.
Avoid Single Use Plastics
The world produces 300 million tons of plastic each year, half of which is intended for single use. That is nearly equivalent to the weight of the entire human population. 91% of plastic is not recycled. Instead, it ends up in landfills or as litter in the environment, breaking down into microplastics that end up everywhere including inside our own bodies. In 2007, San Francisco became the first city in the United States to implement a ban on single use plastic bags. Over time, this ban as well as charging customers a fee for checkout bags has led to a 70%- 90% reduction in the use of disposable bags, as well as a dramatic reduction in litter and waste management costs. By the start of 2020, the city required that all single use foodware, such as to-go containers, plastic utensils, straws, etc. be BPI-Certified compostable. This ordinance has significantly reduced litter in the ocean, bay and local waterways. Communities in Marin are following suit. San Anselmo passed the first ban on single use plastics in 2019, followed by Tiburon and Fairfax. Marin County is close to passing a similar ordinance which would take effect on November 10, 2023. While this ordinance would only impact unincorporated areas, they are asking local communities to pass resolutions to create a uniform policy county-wide. Check out this article from the Marin Independent Journal to learn more.
How can you act locally?
Support the implementation of single use plastic bans in your community.
Carry your own reusable bags, water bottles, utensils and food containers.
Check out Plastic Free July, a one month challenge turned into a global movement to help millions of people worldwide become part of the plastics solution.
Can you go an entire month without single use plastic? Click the button below to try it out.
Food Rescue
Up to 40% of all food in the United States is wasted. The reasons for this vary ranging from weather, distribution systems, over buying, and confusion about food safety. Food waste costs the United States about $218 billion per year while at the same time, about 12% of the population, and 1 in 5 households in Marin, experiences food insecurity. Decaying food in landfills releases methane, warming the planet 68 times faster than carbon dioxide. Reducing food waste by just 15% nationwide could provide enough sustenance to feed 25 million people annually.
How can you act locally?
Extra Food of Marin County’s mission is to help end hunger and wasted food in the North Bay. Their food recovery program rescues excess fresh food from businesses, schools and gardens and immediately delivers it to people facing food insecurity. Here’s what you can do:
Plan menus and shop with a list. Use up what you buy.
Share extra garden produce with neighbors.
Click the button below to see how you can get involved with Extra Food of Marin.
Induction Cooking
Everyone loves cooking over a flame, but the California Air Resources Board warns that natural gas stoves can release carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and other harmful pollutants which can be toxic to people and pets. The biggest concern is the release of nitrogen dioxide. While it’s always been known to be harmful, understanding of the health impacts has grown significantly in the last 10 years. It can lead to respiratory health issues including asthma, particularly in children. In fact, exposure to gas stoves has been shown to be equally harmful to children as the exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke. Yikes! That, combined with the energy efficiency of induction cooking, has led to the international movement to replace natural gas cooking appliances with induction. Chef Melissa Clark at the New York Times recently wrote that the functionality and sustainability of induction stoves are winning over an increasing number of professionals. Click Here to read more about it.
How can you act locally?
Try out a portable induction cooktop to see how it works. Many local communities have free loaner programs, as does PG&E.
Call me! I have a portable one I’ll loan you!
Local rebates make it affordable to replace an existing gas stove. BAYREN, the network of Bay Area regional governments, offers a $750 cash back rebate. Marin residents can get an additional $500 rebate from Electrify Marin for a total of $1,250 in credits.
Click the buttons below to check it out.
Happy Earth Day, everyone! Let me know if you try out any of these local actions.
I hope you get outside to enjoy our beautiful EARTH this weekend!
