13 days to go

If your are still looking for gift ideas for a more environmentally friendly Christmas, try this website:
The Minimalist Mom

Halloween Treats!!!

If you're still searching for some last minute eco-friendly Halloween (or Trunk of Treat) goodies here are some ideas from your local Whole Foods/Jimbo's/Sprout's: CLIF Kid Organic Twisted Fruit, Annie's Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks, FruitaBu Organic Smooshed Fruit, Nature's Path Granola Bars.

http://www.greenoptions.com/t/2022/last-minute-yummy-eco-friendly-halloween-treats

RISE ABOVE

Surfrider is calling this month, Raptober, as they challenge you to "Rise Above Plastics". The first of 10 Ways to Reduce Your Plastic Footprint is to stop using single use plastic water bottles. See the rest here: http://www.raptober.org/10-ways/?cid=SOUP20121015

Informed voters

Vote for the environment November 6th. Make sure you are registered to vote for your current address and research the issues that affect you and our environment.

http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm,

http://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/propositions/,

http://www.lcv.org/

Desalination - needed or not???

On Tuesday, October 2nd at 6:30pm there is a public meeting regarding the Water Purchase Agreement for the proposed Carlsbad desalination plant. This meeting will be held at the San Diego County Water Authority, at 4677 Overland Avenue. This will be a chance to learn how the proposed desalination plant will affect rate-payers and the risks the County Water Authority is taking on with this project.http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Desalination-no-panacea-for-Calif-water-woes-3885771.php#photo-3491884

Can I interest you in a movie?

Documentaries are a great source for information on environmental issues. The library is one place to check some of these movies out for free, but you can also check out the following link to find some that are available for free online: http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/category/environment/

Beach Clean up

July 28th at South Mission Beach there is another beach cleanup sponsored by Surfrider – Meet near restrooms by lifeguard tower. Please bring your own bag or reusable bucket and gloves to cut down on waste. Check out Surfrider Beach Cleanup for more infomation

Lend a Hand

Join thousands of clean energy activists this August 4, Sign up for Hands Across the Sand  - Find a place near you

(FYI - The location in San Diego is La Jolla Shores)

Recycling without a Pickup

Here is a link to find out where to recycle those items that don't fall into the simple categories for curbside pickup. Recycle Here

Protect your skin (and the Earth's "skin")

Not all sunscreens are created equal. Look for sunscreens that use zinc and/or titanium minerals as the active ingredient. Most other sunscreens have toxic active ingredients that aren't good for your skin or the environment. Check this sunscreen link for your best options. 

Slim down our carbon footprint this summer. You can try going meatless twice a week all summer, try alternative transportation to work once a week, turn up your thermostat 2 degrees, line dry half your laundry, or try to go zero waste for a month.  http://www.terrapass.com/summer-carbon-slimdown/

World Oceans Day

Join San Diego Coastkeeper and friends to celebrate the ocean on World Oceans Day by participating in a cleanup and educational event at La Jolla Shores. Meet in front of the lifeguard tower in the grassy area. Visit www.sdcoastkeeper.org for more details. 

DIY appliance fixes

We can often save resources and money by repairing our appliances when they break instead of throwing them out and buying new ones (with the exception of some inefficient older appliances). You can save even more money by fixing things yourself instead of calling a repairman. Here is a site that has some tutorials. http://home.howstuffworks.com/appliance-repair.htm 

Biking for change!

Check out the Clif Bar 2 mile challenge. For every trip that you log, Clif Bar donates $1 to a nonprofit. Each month there is a new nonprofit that benefits from your riding. Register here and start logging your bike rides. http://2milechallenge.com/ 

Good News for your Gardan

Try to steer clear of chemical fertilizers and pesticides for your lawn and garden. They aren't necessary or good for us and our environment. Here is a good resource for those of you who want to learn more about organic gardening.  go go a-gardening

Biking, biking, biking

Save some money, the planet and get some exercise this is month. This year's Bike to Work Week is May 14-18 and Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 18. Get out on those bikes!

reduce your impact . . .

Wouldn't it be great if all manufacturer's worked at reducing their impact on the environment and provided proof of where and how there goods are made? Checkout Patagonia's interactive supplier map and ask your favorite company (via email or in person) to do the same. http://www.patagonia.com/us/footprint/?sssdmh=dm23.146245&src=043012_mi1 

Earth Day 2012

Just a reminder that April 22nd is Earth Day. Earth Fair is at Balboa Park from 10am to 5pm. Even if you can't visit Earth Fair, it is a great day to do something for the environment or out in the environment. http://www.earthdayweb.org/EarthFair.html

Use(d) your clothes

Buying used clothing is a great way to save money and reduce your impact on the environment. If thrift stores aren't your thing, you might be interested in Patagonia's website with some great used items that are well made with the environment in mind. http://www.patagonia.com/us/ebay/used-gear?src=040512_mt1 

Celebrate Earth Day

Coming up in a couple of weeks is Earth Day and EarthFair 2012 on Sunday, April 22 at Balboa Park from 10am - 5pm. It is a great chance to learn more about new ways to reduce your impact on the environment and find out about local events around San Diego.

http://www.earthdayweb.org/EarthFair.html 

YUM!! Seafood

For information on how to find Sustainable seafood (restaurants and retailers) in San Diego, check out this link: http://www.sdcoastkeeper.org/blog/marine-conservation/item/230-how-to-find-sustainable-seafood-in-san-diego.html

Nuclear Energy in your town

One year after the nuclear plant disaster in Japan following the tsunami and we have our own problems in San Clemente (it has been shut down since the end of January) that haven't received much attention. Nuclear energy isn't safe if it plants aren't maintained properly. If you would like to know more and take action try this link: http://www.sanclementegreen.org/

Water Walk

The fourth annual 5k Walk for Water event to acknowledge UN-sanctioned World Water Day is on Sunday, March 18, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m @ Tecolote Shores on Mission Bay. This event is held to raise awareness about the global water crisis and to offer local conservation tips and advice.

Story of Stuff

The "Story of Electronics" is very informative about how electronics affect the environment. Always recycle your old electronics, care for the ones you have (so they last longer), and purchase from companies that use recycled materials in their products, if possible. http://www.storyofstuff.org/movies-all/story-of-electronics/ 

Beach Clean-up!!!

Here is a chance to keep your local beach clean: February 25 in Pacific Beach – Tourmaline Beach. Meet next to the public restrooms by the parking lot.

You're wearing THAT??!!

While the clothing we buy represents a relatively small portion of our personal environmental impact, there is a $3 billion (and growing) market worldwide for green apparel. Try organic cotton, clothing made from recycled fibers or second hand clothing.

CFL Recycling

CFL bulbs that no longer work, but are not broken, can be disposed of at Home Depot or Lowes. They need to be disposed of properly due to the very small amount of mercury in them. Check out the following link for more information about dealing with CFL bulbs.

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/cfl.asp

a little mid winter cleaning can help you save

A refrigerator with dirty coils works harder, and uses 25 percent more energy compared with a fridge with clean coils.   To clean the coils: Disconnect the power; pull the unit away from the wall (if the coils are behind the refrigerator); remove the grill covering the coils (possibly in front at the bottom); and use a vacuum cleaner or a bottle brush to clean. It doesn't take long and is pretty easy to do.

Still taking down the Decorations???

The City of San Diego Environmental Services Department will be hosting the 38th Annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program from December 26, 2011 through January 23, 2012. Trees can be dropped of at Kate Sessions Park or placed curbside. Check here for more details: http://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/recycling/christmas.shtml