Drive down pollution! You can also eliminate one pound of greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating just one mile of driving.
Californians bought 21.9 billion drinks in aluminum, glass, plastic and bi-metal containers last year. More than 16.2 billion of those were recycled, saving natural resources and extending the life of our landfills.
The U.S. transportation sector as a whole is responsible for almost 9% of the world's total CO2 emissions. That stinks.
Cut your monthly energy bills by as much as 30% by replacing the old equipment in your home with state-of-the-art Energy Star appliances.
CRV stands for California Refund Value. It equals 5¢ for each beverage container less than 24 ounces and 10¢ for each container 24 ounces or greater.
Report "smoking" vehicles. Call 1-800-28-SMOKE to report vehicles with excessive tailpipe emissions.
Shade provided by trees can reduce your air conditioning bill at home by 10-15%. Cool.
Save paper...save resources. Change your printer settings to 2-sided printing to reduce the amount of paper you consume at the office.
Close the loop! Visit greengiftguide.com and discover a wide range of household, recreational and beauty products made from recycled materials.
Unplug your cell phone charger and other household electronics from the wall when you're not using them. Even when they are turned off, they use phantom power.
Use cold water when you can. Water heating accounts for about 13% of home energy costs.
Carpools and vanpools can use High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes and HOV by-pass on ramp meters, which allows you to get to work faster.
Help eliminate the use of disposable plates, cups and utensils. Bring re-usable dishware to work.
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When I STAND FOR LESS, I am most passionate about:
We choose to STAND FOR LESS because we believe a sustainable world is possible. The United Nations Climate Change Conference is under way right now in Copenhagen. The goal of the conference is to establish a framework for climate change mitigation.
In October Governor Schwarzenegger held an important conference as a precursor to the Copenhagen meeting. Of all American states, California is arguably the leader when it comes to discussing and dealing with issues related to climate change. On December 2, 2009, the governor released a report on California’s climate adaption strategy. Schwarzenegger calls this a first of its kind approach. The report and recommendations can be found on the state’s climate change portal at www.climatechange.ca.gov.
Residents of San Diego County can take important steps at home to learn about and address this issue, but state, national and international policy approaches to climate change are necessary as well. This is why Copenhagen is so important. It is one step in an ongoing process to address global climate change.
An outstanding campaign STAND FOR LESS has been following is called Hopenhagen. The mission of Hopenhagen is “To connect every person, every city, and every nation to Copenhagen. To give everyone hope, and a platform from which to act. To create a grassroots movement that’s powerful enough to influence change.”
STAND FOR LESS supports this mission and encourages you to learn more about Hopenhagen and sign the campaign’s petition:
Governor Schwarzenegger hosted an extraordinary gathering in Los Angeles a few weeks ago.
From September 30 to October 2 an extraordinary gathering took place in Los Angeles: The Governors’ Global Climate Summit. STAND FOR LESS “attended” this event as virtual guests. Our team crowded around our computers as leaders spoke. Because of the webcast we were able to participate in the event at no cost.
What good are gatherings of this type where national and international leaders come together, give speeches and share ideas? We assert that such meetings can be very good and in fact are vital to our future. When people discuss climate change they tap into issues that directly affect all species on this planet—from the continued ability of our ecosystems to survive to daily issues that affect our economy.
STAND FOR LESS reported live on the event through our Facebook and twitter accounts. Here is a small sampling of some of the words that were spoken in Los Angeles:
“America has lost our groove as a country . . . I am focused on how we get our groove back. We need to take on the world’s biggest problems, the problems of the world becoming Hot, Flat, and Crowded.” –Author and reporter Thomas Friedman
“While people around the world may have different governments we all share one ecosystem.” –Actor Rob Lowe
“What sort of economy do we want in the future? A sustainable one and a low-carbon one.” Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair
“California has shown that the fastest growing job sector is in the green economy, growing ten times faster than any other sector.” –Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
“Green is the new red, white and blue.” –Thomas Friedman
At STAND FOR LESS we believe that words matter. Actions follow words.
What does Friedman mean when he says that green is the new red, white and blue? Why is it important that in the toughest economy since the Depression, California’s governor recognizes green jobs are one of the few bright spots? What do you think of Prime Minister Blair’s point that our economy must become sustainable? What are the consequences of it not becoming sustainable? Have we lost our groove as a country?
Beavan decided to eliminate his personal impact on the environment for a year. This meant eating vegetarian, buying only local food, turning off the refrigerator, no elevators, no television, no cars, busses, or airplanes, no toxic cleaning products, no electricity, no material consumption, and no garbage.
No problem – at least for Colin – but he and his family live in Manhattan. So when his espresso-guzzling, retail-worshipping wife Michelle and their two-year-old daughter are dragged into the fray, the No Impact Project has an unforeseen impact of its own.
Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein’s film provides an intriguing inside look into the experiment that became a national fascination and media sensation, while examining the familial strains and strengthened bonds that result from Colin and Michelle’s struggle with their radical lifestyle change.
No Impact Man will be in San Diego on October 2, 2009. Visit the No Impact Man Web site for more information.
Chief Deputy Director Derek Chernow of the California Department of Conservation (DOC), San Diego City Councilman Kevin Faulconer, and DOC Director Bridgett Luther.
Councilman Kevin Faulconer read the proclamation on behalf of the city of San Diego. Director Luther thanked the council and discussed the STAND FOR LESS campaign.
On August 30, 2009, The Chula Vista little league team won the World Series Championship title against Taoyuan, Taiwan.
The Chula Vista City Council presented Bridgett Luther, director of the California Department of Conservation, with a proclamation today declaring that Chula Vista is a STAND FOR LESS city.
Chula Vista’s little league team won the World Series Championship on August 30, 2009. They were also at the City Council meeting today. Disney gave the team a trip to Disneyland. Legoland did a display to honor the team and they gave them a Lego hat to present to President Obama when the local champions meet the president.
Director Luther, a member of the governor’s cabinet, was thrilled to share the spotlight with the young heroes. STAND FOR LESS is dedicated to raising awareness regarding stewardship so that Chula Vista’s young baseball champs can live their lives on a safe, healthy and prosperous planet.
El Cajon City Council Member Bill Wells and CA Department of Conservation Director Bridgett Luther.
Charles Muse, director of the Helix Water District and President of the Water Conservation Garden, reads the proclamation on behalf of La Mesa.
The cities of La Mesa and El Cajon met together with Director Luther along with leaders from the private sector. We will be posting future articles about some of the people and projects we learned more about today. One of the private sector STAND FOR LESS achievers at the meeting was Gregg Hamann of Hamann Construction–Director Luther recognized Hamann’s contributions in green construction with an award today.
San Diego County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price and Bridgett Luther of the CDOC.
The STAND FOR LESS campaign is innovative because of the diverse interests that it brings together.
California Department of Conservation Director Luther, representing the State of California, works hard to include city governments, county governments, businesses, non-profits and average citizens in the conversation for conservation.
Luther is passionate about passing on a healthier California to the next generation and she works tirelessly every day toward that goal.
This morning she met members of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.
Photographed at 2:15 PM Pacific Daylight Time today, Oceanside Council Member Jerome Kern, California Department of Conservation Director Bridgett Luther, and Council Member Rocky Chavez.
Bridgett Luther of the California Department of Conservation met today with officials from Oceanside.
Oceanside declared that it is a STAND FOR LESS city. STAND FOR LESS excels at bringing together state and local governments, businesses, non-profits, and inidividuals to create a more sustainable future. Officials in Oceanside emphasized the importance of establishing metrics to associate with the campaign. Luther reported that the Department of Conservation is tracking progress in the following four areas: recycling, energy use, water conservation, and vehicle miles travel.
Luther discussed county-level vehicle programs that help people find ways to drive less. She was updated on progress in San Diego County this morning by SANDAG.
An Oceanside resident told Luther about a bike share program that help makes it easier for people to use public transit and to drive less around town. The discussion was wide ranging. It was exciting because it’s not every day that a member of the governor’s cabinet meets with local officals in Oceanside.
Councilman Rocky Chavez pointed out that Oceanside is a conservative community. Four out of five council members are Republicans. Chavez, a Republican, cares about creating a sustainable community and strongly supports the STAND FOR LESS campaign.
Luther is in San Diego today and tomorrow meeting with STAND FOR LESS partners, supporters, and representatives from communities around the county.
Encinitas joined the STAND FOR LESS movement today. The city brought together a group of leaders who are doing great things for their community.
Front row from left: Jacy Bolden, environmental coordinator; Mark Wisniewski, member of the Environmental Advisory Commission; Mayor Maggie Houlihan; CA Department of Conservation Director Bridgett Luther; Councilwoman Teresa Barth; Bill Wilson, Public Works Department.
Rear row from the left: Phil Cotton, city manager; Councilman James Bond; Public Works Director Larry Watt; Councilman Dan Dalager.
Del Mar Mayor Crystal Crawford reads the proclamation at today's city council meeting while California Department of Conservation Director Bridgett Luther listens.
