The California Center for Sustainable Energy’s (CCSE) Sustainable Energy Week is almost here. This is CCSE’s largest annual event and is well worth your time if you’re interested in this important topic. Learn more at the CCSE website.
Jun
14
14
Josh Tickell, transforming our views on fuel
This post originally appeared on our site on June 23, 2009. We are republishing it because Tickell’s film “Fuel” will be released June 22, 2010 on DVD. This is a timely movie given the situation in the Gulf of Mexico and our continued dependence on petroleum.
Josh Tickell and Rebecca Harrell taking a STAND FOR LESS.
We met Josh Tickell at Street Smart San Diego where he was a featured speaker. Tickell is an author, filmmaker, and champion of alternative fuels. He wrote the book Biodiesel America. He also wrote and directed the Sundance award-winning film titled “Fuel.”
We encourage you to read his book and watch his film. He is an elegant writer and speaker. His research is thorough and he masterfully explains technical issues in an engaging way that the average person can understand. If you missed him at Street Smart San Diego you can get a quick introduction to Tickell by watching this short video:
A few days after we met him, Tickell was named a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for his work promoting alternative fuel sources.
Visit The Fuel Film website for more information.
May
19
19
Update from Sandag: Bike to Work Day is May 21
Join thousands of San Diegans on Friday, May 21 for National Bike to Work Day. Bicycling to work or school is a healthy, environmentally friendly, and economical way to stand for less! Bike to Work Day occurs annually on the third Friday of May, which is National Bike Month.
Also, in honor of Bike to Work Day 2010, SANDAG’s iCommute program updated its popular regional bike map. This free publication shows more than 1,700 miles of bikeways in San Diego County and can help you plan your next bike trip. The map is available at several San Diego County bicycle shops or you can request one to be mailed to you by using this online order form at http://www.iCommuteSD.com/Bike/BikeMap.aspx.
For more information or to register for Bike to Work Day, please visit www.iCommuteSD.com or call 511 and say ‘iCommute’.
Source: SANDAG
May
10
10
Expanding the trolley? SANDAG needs your input
This Wednesday and Friday STAND FOR LESS partner SANDAG is holding two public hearings regarding extending the trolley.
Take a STAND FOR LESS and make sure your voice is counted.
KPBS has more on the story.
For additional details on the meetings visit the SANDAG site.
Apr
26
26
CalRecycle 2010 Waste Reduction Awards Program Announced
Applications due by Tuesday, June 15
The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) is currently accepting applications for its 2010 Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP) through June 15, 2010. California businesses, private schools, and nonprofit organizations that have made strides in recycling, waste reduction, green procurement, and other environmentally friendly programs are encouraged to apply.
“Reducing waste makes good sense for the environment, and good sense for the bottom line,” said CalRecycle Acting Director Margo Reid Brown. “WRAP gives businesses across California recognition for implementing practices that help protect the environment and preserve our natural resources.”
Every entry is evaluated individually, based on reported waste prevention, recycling and composting, procurement, and educational activities; winners will be announced this fall. All winners will receive authorization to use the WRAP promotional logo on their products, in advertising, and on business Web sites to help market their efforts to make a significant contribution to the environment.
In 2009, more than 200 businesses received recognition through WRAP. Winners included many small companies like the San Benito Shutter Company, and Whittier, Calif.-based The Flag Shop, as well as large corporations including 20th Century Fox and Safeway. These businesses reported $180 million in operational savings from their combined waste reduction efforts.
No matter the size of a company or type of business, reducing waste has a significant impact on the state’s overall waste diversion efforts. California generates more than 90 million tons of municipal solid waste each year, and more than half of that amount comes from the commercial sector.
WRAP has been recognizing business waste reduction efforts since 1993. The 2010 application and guidelines are available at http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/wrap. Entries must be submitted using the online application. For details, call (916) 341-6199, or contact the WRAP Program Coordinator at wrap@calrecycle.ca.gov.
Source: CalRecycle
Apr
7
7
Mayor Sanders stands for more solar power in San Diego
San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders flipped the switch to energize the city’s latest major solar installation – a 945-kilowatt system that provides 100 percent of the power necessary to operate pumps at the Otay Mesa Water Treatment Plant by day.
The City paid nothing upfront for the photovoltaic solar panels, which are owned and operated by Sun Edison. The City will purchase the power produced by the system for about half of the cost of purchasing electricity from the utility.
The power produced by these panels over the next year is the equivalent of what’s needed to power 2,600 households annually and will offset more than a million pounds of carbon dioxide each year.
The solar system at the Alvarado Water Treatment plant.
A similar solar power system has been in operation since February, 2007 at the City’s Alvarado Water Treatment plant. About 945 kilowatts are also produced from this system that sits atop three water reservoirs.
San Diego presently produces 2.3 megawatts of electricity annually from 15 municipal facilities fitted with photovoltaics. This will allow the City to someday reach its goal to pursue energy independence, and become a model city in energy conservation with the use of renewable energy.
The City’s photovoltaic systems currently save about $170,000 annually in energy costs and avoid significant greenhouse gases.
San Diego will continue to look for ways to manage the energy used and to generate it with solar and other renewable sources. San Diego continues to be California’s top solar power producer and is setting an example for the nation.
Apr
6
6
The San Diego Zoo and desert tortoises
The San Diego Zoo, a new STAND FOR LESS partner, writes about their work with desert tortoises. Learn more at the zoo’s blog.
Mar
28
28
Companies that STAND FOR LESS cars on the road receive Diamond Awards
Are you ready to STAND FOR LESS miles driven in your private vehicle?
Eight companies and two individuals received Diamond Awards for their outstanding contributions to relieving traffic congestion, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and improving mobility in the San Diego region. The companies with sparkling commuter programs were honored at the March 26th SANDAG Board of Directors meeting.
The 2010 winners are:
Genentech, Naval Base San Diego, Sony Electronics, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), VA San Diego Healthcare System, Sharp HealthCare, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, Debra Gutzmer, and Clara Ung.
Diamond Award-winning organizations promote alternatives to driving alone including vanpooling, carpooling, use of public transit, teleworking, flexible scheduling, walking, biking, or a combination of these. Some organizations also provide incentives, subsidies, or pre-tax deductions to their employees to support their participation in eligible programs.
The 8th annual Diamond Awards are presented by SANDAG’s iCommute program. For more information about iCommute or the Diamond Awards or if you’d be interested in standing for less single occupancy vehicles on the road, please visit www.iCommuteSD.com or call 511 and say ‘iCommute’.
This post is from STAND FOR LESS partner SANDAG.
Mar
25
25
Important reading on our water
This is appropriate as we end the week that began with World Water Day.
The San Diego County Water Authority has released its 2009 annual report. We talk about how we are at the end of the pipeline for California water and this past year that point was driven home more than ever with the ongoing drought.
Highlights from the report include:
“95% of residents said they were aware that the region faces a potentially significant water shortage.”
“The San Diego County Water Authority faced the most significant challenges to the reliability of the region’s water supply in nearly two decades.”
“The Water Authority’s clear vision and focused response turned a daunting threat to the region’s 3 million residents and $171 billion economy into an orderly and manageable transition.”
STAND FOR LESS strongly encourages you to read the full report. It’s easy to read and it’s important that residents and leaders understand the full situation regarding our region’s water.
Click on this image to access the full report. Note the link on the lower right (after you click through) to download a pdf file to your computer.
Mar
22
22
In the spotlight: San Diego County Water Authority and National Geographic’s water issue
It’s world water day today.
It’s also a good day to recognize our partner and water provider: The San Diego County Water Authority.
The water authority and all of the local water districts work hard every day to bring clean water to all of us in San Diego County. Water is vital for all life. What are you doing to conserve and to help keep our water clean?
Learn more about the importance of water from this National Geographic video which highlights their April 2010 issue: Water Our Thirsty World.
