Some thoughts about the San Francisco Bay oil spill
November 9, 2007
Posted by CindyW in : Communities , 1 comment so far
A friend of mine represented the fisherman whose livelihood was destroyed by Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989. He has seen first hand how devastating the tragedy was to the people, the wildlives and the entire local eco-system. My stomach churns every time I see the pictures he took of the marine animals caked in thick, toxic oil.
And it hit home this Wednesday when an oil tanker spilled 58,000 gallons of fuel oil into the San Francisco Bay from scrapping a supporting tower of the Bay bridge (connects San Francisco and Oakland). While the amount of spill is nowhere close to Exxon Valdez, it is a big deal to the small San Francisco bay. The oil contains numerous toxic chemicals, including benzene and polyaromatic hydrocarbons, which will probably have long-term effects on birds, fish, including migrating salmon, and animals at the bottom of the food chain.
As in all accidents, there are plenty blames to go around – the captain, the fog, the slow reaction of coast guard, etc. Massive environmental cleaning effort, plenty law suites in the near future, lots of dead birds coated in oil, and not a whole lot of changes for future disasters… The fact there is an Oiled Wildlife Care Network speaks volume of how often this sort of things happen. By the way, they are not asking for volunteers at this point yet.
I am not sure what I feel other than sad and worried. The 3 minute video of a pod of dolphins swimming through the oil is still haunting me.
In contrast to this, today I read an unrelated story about a pod of dolphins saving a surfer. Apparently at Marina State Park off Monterey bay (not far from San Francisco), a surfer was bitten badly by a shark. A pod of dolphins formed a protective ring around him and kept the shark at bay until the surfer reached the shore.
Not sure why I put these two events together. Perhaps they illustrate to me that our relationship with the natural world is very mucked up. Call me a dolphin-loving kook, but to me this is yet another wake up call. Instead of pointing fingers at each other about the oil spill, it’s time for the local government, the environmental groups and the businesses to figure out how to prevent such future tragedies. And perhaps in our rare Zen moments, we can even re-examine how we can live harmoniously in the natural world.
CindyW at Organicpicks
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Green Festival This Weekend
November 8, 2007
Posted by CindyC in : Communities , add a comment
If you are looking to learn or have some fun while learning how to live greener and lighter, don’t forget to check out the annual Green Festival in San Francisco this weekend. This three day event kicks off this Friday afternoon.
Co-produced by Global Exchange and Co-Op America, this year’s festival promises to be even bigger and more boisterous than last year. More than 150 speakers will cover a broad range of topics from green technology to ecoart to sustainable building to general green living. Live music and a hands-on Kids Zone makes this event family-friendly as well. Not to mention the 400 plus exhibitors and all the delicious organic food and drinks available at the event.
Of course, since this is the Green Festival, all foodware will be biodegradable and compostable. Signage will be made from environmentally friendly materials and the festival plans to track and offset all carbon emissions; all in attempt to make Green Festival a zero waste event.
With all the events and displays planned, a one day festival ticket is only $15 (and $25 for all days). And if you bring and donate three books (of good resellable condition) to BetterWorld, you get a $5 ticket discount. Proceeds from book donations will fund girls’ scholarships in developing Asian nations.
For a full listing of events, exhibitors, directions and anything else you want to know, visit Green Festival SF. Hope to see you all there!
CindyC at Organicpicks
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Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
Report from a local Step It Up event
November 6, 2007
Posted by CindyW in : Communities , 1 comment so far
In lieu of my usual personal take on green products and services, I want to mention the local Step It Up event I took my family to this past weekend. For people who are not familiar with Step It Up, it was conceived by a small group of young people who aimed to push for collective momentum to reduce global warming. They founded stepitup2007.org, a web-based day of action dedicated to stopping climate change. April 14,2007 saw the first Step It Up National Day of Climate Action. On that day communities came together in more than 1,400 places, all holding up banners that said: Step It Up, Congress: Cut Carbon 80% by 2050.
Fast forward to the Civic Center in my local city, Saturday, November 3, 2007. While a plethora of people stepped up to the mike to speak about climate change issues, my kids dragged me around the plaza to see things that appealed to them more. Turned out they were quite interesting to me as well.
Full-Circle Farm is a local educational organic farm dedicated to the renewal of local, sustainable food systems. For those who have not visited the Silicon Valley, every square foot of real estate here is highly valuable for either business or residential uses. Full-Circle Farm is located in the heart of Silicon Valley and
I can imagine the profit (in the $millions) the city has forgone to allow this vision to flourish. For modern day children, and adults for that matter, who have never had the opportunity to see their food in the context of the land, this farm provides an important connection. In addition to serving local community, schools, and local businesses with fresh organic food, it provides hands-on education programs for 14,000 students.
Changing gear, I saw a futurist looking vehicle from Myers Motors, with kids climbing in it and on it. This fully enclosed, single passenger vehicle sports two front wheels and a single drive wheel in the rear. With a space vehicle appearance, this automobile is able to go more than 70 miles an hour. While it
can only go 30 miles on one charge, more than half of drivers travel less than 30 miles in an average day. Rechargeable at any 110 volt-20 amp outlet.
The Scrap art table captured the imagination of both children and adults. Scrap is a creative reuse center, store and workshop space founded in 1976 in San Francisco. Businesses and individuals donate a mishmash of scrap to them - textiles, paper, jewelry findings, wood, buttons and plastics. From what I saw on the table, there were leftover CDs, unused pipette tips
and measurable tubes from labs, buttons, and a few boxes of colorful things – the best I could describe them since even the Scrap lady, Jane did not know what they were. But with a glue gun and a whole lot of imagination, any artwork was possible. Busy helping the kids and adults with the unique designs, Jane explained, “without a pre-conceived idea or model, kids often come up with amazing projects.”
Call it art or just playing. Whatever it was, we had so much fun making things with other people’s scrap.
This was only the Step It Up event in my small city, where my mayor announced the adoption of the U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement – specifically it means:
- Strive to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets in the local communities, through actions ranging from anti-sprawl land-use policies to urban forest restoration projects to public information campaigns
- Urge the state governments, and the federal government, to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the greenhouse gas emission reduction target suggested for the United States in the Kyoto Protocol - 7% reduction from 1990 levels by 2012
- Urge the U.S. Congress to pass the bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation, which would establish a national emission trading system
For me, one fascinating aspect about the Step It Up events is that every one of them is unique and is organized by a different organization or individual. In Boston, an eighteen-mile Energy Revolution Bike Ride was held. In Cincinnati, a green living market day took place in the Historic Findlay Market. Denver saw an all-day “Slam” event, in which various school groups presented their “Global Call to Action Project”. Maui’s event took place in a beautiful off-the-grid eco-retreat center. Around the US, hundreds of such events happened on Saturday.
It made my weekend.
CindyW at Organicpicks
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Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
When the Lights Went Out in SF
October 24, 2007
Posted by CindyC in : Communities , 2 comments
Following up on my Lights Out San Francisco entry, I found a nice picture of the city on the organization’s blog, including this one:
The effort was supported by many residents, local businesses and government including the Speaker of the House and the Governor. Between 8 to 9pm last Saturday night, supporters turned off all unnecessary lights to raise awareness for climate change and energy conservation. Even Google pitched in and displayed a “dark” screen for Bay Area users to show its support*.
For more information on the Lights Out organization and the next event, please visit Lights Out America
*However, note that Google does not support the notion that a dark background is less energy consuming than its current white one.
CindyC at Organicpicks
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Lights Out San Francisco!
October 18, 2007
Posted by CindyC in : Communities , 1 comment so far
What if everyone in a large city, say San Francisco, turned off all unnecessary lights for ONE hour and installed just ONE energy efficient light bulb? And what if popular landmarks and businesses did the same? Well, that’s what organizers of Lights Out San Francisco want to find out.
This Saturday, October 20th from 8pm to 9pm, San Francisco residents will darken their lights to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, Lights Out (in cooperation with PG&E and Yahoo) are handing out more than 100,000 CFLs for residents to install during their blackout hour. The campaign has also been successful in getting symbolic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge and the TransAmerica Building to join this effort. Even local restaurants are joining in by serving their customers in candlelight during this hour.
Organizers hope to reduce energy consumption (for an average night) by 15% and raise awareness about conservation with this grand demonstration. So for those San Franciscans out there, take the pledge and “fight climate change with flip of a switch! 1 night, 1-hour & 1 bulb” on Saturday, October 20th from 8pm to 9pm. And don’t be surprised if the San Francisco skyline blends into the night on Saturday.
Btw, if anyone out there gets pictures of this, please let me know. I’d love to see them!
CindyC at Organicpicks
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Professional chef cooks her way out of global warming
October 10, 2007
Posted by CindyW in : Communities , 1 comment so far
We first met Laura Stec in a local Step-It-Up event. She was this nice and modest lady sharing a booth with us. On her side of the table, the display was quite simple, a book called “The Global Warming Diet”. Intriguing. So between speaking with the event attendees, we found out that Laura was a San Francisco Bay Area chef, health educator, and environmental advocate. We knew that eating organic was good for the health of our body and the soil. We knew that eating local supported the local economy and reduce the consumption of oil. But could eating be that closely tied to climate change?
“Most people don’t go to environmental events, half of the people in the US don’t even vote,” Laura said, “but people vote at least three times a day by choosing what to put in their mouths.” She continued to explain that most people probably would never use a CO2 calculator to guide their lives. However they can all relate to food. Food, what it is, how it is grown, and how it gets to our dining tables, has a great impact on global warming.
A few months after the event, we thought about our short conversation and started to see more of her perspective. For every meal, you choose fresh vs. packaged, organic vs. conventional, local vs. shipped around the world, home cooked on reusable plates vs. store bought in clam shell containers, meat vs. vegetarian, etc., etc. Subconsciously 300 million Americans are making these choices at least three times a day. The industrialized food industry tries to influence people’s choices everyday by advertising in all available space. So it is high time for Americans to hear from a professional chef about how to nurture their bodies and along the way nurture the planet.
We caught up with Laura again recently and continued our conversation. So what inspired her to write the book? “I was driving one day and listening to the radio. They were talking about the Live Stock Long Shadow report from UN,” Laura started, “Do you know that livestock are responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions? After I heard that (the report), I literally ran out of my car when I got home and started researching on the web.” With her 20-year background in food, she decided to bring the climate change via various topics of food.
The Global Warming Diet will touch upon all the current food issues, such as, organic, local, and seasonal food, nutrition, water-consumption, and food waste. For example, Laura said, “In the US, on average we consume 2100 calories a day. However 1600 additional calories are produced. This is a major waste and contributes directly to global warming.”
Another food related issue is safety. Not knowing who grow your food limits food safety. “Going to your local farmer’s market is one way to reassure yourself. The same vendors who grow the food are there week after week. If something does not work for you, you tell them directly and they will make it work,” Laura suggested. Being an innovative chef for 20 years, Laura offers simple kitchen tips that will make cooking that much more enjoyable. Then of course, she also has many yummy “cool recipes for the hot climate”.
To strengthen the global warm scientific component, Professor Eugene Cordero, a professor in the Meteorology Department at San Jose State University, is writing all about the science. Dr. Cordero’s research expertise is in global climate change, atmospheric dynamics, and the interactions between ozone depletion and astropospheric climate.
We heard from Laura that she turned in her manuscript a couple of days ago. So stay tuned for more details of The Global Warming Diet in the upcoming months.
CindyW at Organicpicks
Related Post:
5 Things You May Not Know About Beef
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Seeds of hope in the community
October 5, 2007
Posted by CindyW in : Communities , add a comment
This week various cities in the bay area are hosting green events. The best part is that these are not obligatory earth day events. They have become a regular part of community events.
Sunday, a local non-profit organization Acterra hosted a green event, featuring an upcoming book The Global Warming Diet, the Farm Bill, local sustainable meat and green cleaning products (Organicpicks was invited to share our knowledge on this specific topic). Tuesday a nearby city council had a special meeting discussing whether the mayor should be authorized to sign the mayor’s agreement on Climate Protection. Small city, but big vision. Thursday, two other nearby cities hosted National Conversation on Climate Action Night. Local green utility, green building material, and green innovations were focused topics. For other bay area community events, including fun activities, see Organicpicks calendar
While the federal government is dragging its lead feet, local cities are unprecedentedly leading their communities into a greener future. Go grassroots!
CindyW at Organicpicks
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Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
Weirdest Commute Contest
September 30, 2007
Posted by CindyC in : Communities , 1 comment so far
I saw this random news clip about the Weirdest Commute Contest held is Austin this weekend: sort of a wacky way to bring car alternatives to the public. There were some viable ideas like the smart car but this barstool entry made me laugh.
*A video clip can be found at News Austin8
CindyC atOrganicpicks
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PARK(ing) For A Day
September 22, 2007
Posted by CindyC in : Communities , 1 comment so far
Yesterday was National Park(ing) Day, a one day event (centered in San Francisco) to temporarily transform 50 parking spots into parks and garden. The main goal is to demonstrate how collective effort can turn something (as ordinary as parking spaces) into beautiful and sustainable spaces. Looks pretty cool to me.
For more information and photos, please visit Park(ing) Day
CindyC atOrganicpicks
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Upcoming Art & Fashion Events
September 20, 2007
Posted by CindyC in : Communities , 1 comment so far
If you are looking for some interesting evening events for the upcoming weeks, here are a couple that may appeal to the artist or fashionista in you.
Nemo Gould’s “Waste Deep” Exhibit
Nemo Gould is the latest artist to complete the Artist In Residence (AIR) Program hosted by the SF Recycling & Disposal Center. His work, made by recycled metals and other refuse materials, will be on display on Friday, Sept. 21st from 5-8pm and Saturday, Sept. 22nd from 1-5pm. The studio is located at 503 Tunnel Ave. in San Francisco and admission is FREE.
The AIR Program aims to encourage reuse through creative and inspiring art. The Center provides local artists with access to collected materials, studio space and monthly stipend for a termed residency. These artists not only work on their craft but also conduct tours about “the experience of turning trash to treasure”. An exhibit is held to display the artist’s work at the end of the residency and many of these pieces find permanent homes in the garden of the Center’s Transfer Station for all to enjoy. For more information about the program, exhibits or any of its previous and upcoming artists, please visit AIR.
Eco-Chic Shopping Event
If you are looking for some new pieces for fall (after combing through the consignment and thrift shops), Appel & Frank is hosting a Eco-Chic Shopping Event on Thursday, Sept. 27th from 5 to 9:30pm at the Regency Center in San Francisco. Admission is $10 and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Friends of the Urban Forest. The event will include 65 designers but only some of them are organic, sustainably made or earth friendly. Eco- friendly designers include Anna Cohen, Del Forte Denim and Ecogirl. You can browse the full list of designers and the eco-friendly ones are listed in (what else) green.
Copyright 2007 Organicpicks
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