In this newsletter, we are focusing on some things to consider in your home; like ways to grow our sustainability, the meat industry, urban forests, and easy tips for backyard composting. Reminder this is just one piece of the puzzle along side the work climate justice activist are doing everyday.  

1. 10 Ways to Grow Your Sustainability
   
2. Grow Your Burger
   
3. Easy, Eco-friendly Composting for Your Backyard
   
4. Plant an Urban Forest
   
5. Member of the Month Paul Vachal
   
6. Upcoming Events
   
7. Exciting Volunteer Opportunities!
   
8. In the News
   

By Hannah Clements, Newsletter Coordinator

Did you know the average carbon footprint for a person living in the United States is over 15 tons? That’s one of the highest averages in the world. The good news is, there are many feasible ways to improve our average and reduce our impact on the climate. So, if you are looking for ways to improve your carbon footprint and help prevent climate collapse, here are 10 ways you can achieve a more climate-friendly future and grow your sustainability. 

1. Save Water
According to the EPA, the average American household uses over 300 gallons of water each day. Since climate change has already exacerbated droughts, it is important (now more than ever) to reduce our water use wherever possible. You can make water-wise choices throughout your day. For example, take shorter showers, use a broom instead of a hose to clean walkways, turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth and only run full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine. Please remember to turn off your sprinklers after it rains and avoid unnecessary toilet flushes (throw tissues away instead of flushing them). Every drop counts.

2. Grow your own herb garden and vegetable garden. 

Herbs and vegetables are essential in the kitchen but oftentimes, they are sold in single-use plastic containers. Not to mention, store-bought herbs tend to spoil quickly. Growing your own food provides an endless source of fresh produce right at your fingertips. Nothing beats the satisfaction of snipping some fresh parsley, sage, rosemary, or thyme and flavoring your dish with a little sustainability.

3. Consider Community Supported Agriculture 

Maybe you don’t have the time or space to grow your own vegetables and herbs. Not to worry. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) to the rescue! CSA boxes are a wonderful alternative to growing it yourself. Usually a monthly subscription, CSA boxes are chock full of healthy fruits and vegetables directly from a local farm. CSAs save you time at the grocery store and provide you with ultra-fresh produce. Plus, since the food comes from local sources, it’s carbon impact is far less than food that has been imported from other countries. Search for a CSA near you and get ready to enjoy some delish local produce. 

4. Eat Less Meat 

If you are a carnivore, you might be tempted to pretend you didn’t see this one. However, eating less meat leads to a more sustainable future. Raising cattle, pigs, and chicken requires far more water than grains or produce not only because of the water they drink, but also because of the water required to irrigate the fields which grow the grains to feed the livestock. Eating less meat saves water. 

5. Rideshare

Rideshare is a wonderful way to grow your sustainability (and maybe even your social network while you’re at it). Finding a buddy to commute with saves money on gas and reduces your carbon footprint. Plus, if you are not the one driving, you can multitask by answering emails or solving the daily Wordle. With a plethora of rideshare companies and apps to choose from, you’re sure to find one that fits your needs and gets you where you need to go. One fewer car on the road means less greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. 

6. Weed Out Plastic 

Plastic is pervasive. It’s in our landfills, oceans, and waterways, but we can do better by making simple changes. Make the switch away from plastic whenever and wherever possible. Grow your sustainability by buying cotton produce bags, bamboo toothbrushes, reusable silicone food storage bags, and stainless steel straws. It’ll save you money overtime and it will reduce your impact on the environment. 

7. Line Dry Your Clothes 

If you want to save money and save the planet, consider line drying your clothes. Not only does line drying reduce your energy use, it also helps your clothes last longer. With plenty of air drying products on the market, it’s easier than ever to dry your clothes and leave them fresh and wrinkle-free. 

8. Plant Native Plants 

For years, our landscapes have been transformed by urbanization. Our lawns, sidewalks and paved streets were once ecologically productive habitats. Native plants preserve biodiversity because they form symbiotic relationships with wildlife. Next time you want to spruce up your backyard, consider using plants that are native to your area.

9. Forgo Fast Fashion

Fast fashion is a term used to describe clothing that is mass produced quickly in order to get it to consumers while the demand is high. The problem is that fast fashion is associated with waste, pollution, and the idea that shoppers can buy and wear clothes for short periods of time before ditching them and buying even more. To avoid some of the pitfalls of fast fashion, ask yourself if you really need the item and see if you can purchase something similar second hand. 

10. Use your voice 

Sign petitions, call legislators and share news about the actions you are taking with others. You can also spread the word by making a few phone calls. A phone call shows fellow climate activists that you care about them getting involved. It allows a new member to connect with a real person and ask questions. And, it allows us to learn about new members’ interests and availability.

By Marilyn Bruno

In 2019, U.S. fast food chain Burger King piloted a plant-based, meat-free version of its famous Whopper.  The new Impossible Whopper is now available nationwide. How is it made?  The meatless burger developed by Impossible Foods uses genetically modified yeast to produce "heme," a protein that mimics the flavor of meat, and is used in conjunction with wheat, potato and soy proteins. 

Today, companies in the emerging "Foodtech" industry are mimicking the foods and flavors we love by creating new versions made from microbes, fungi, and plants,  or through genetic modification of existing food sources. Coming soon to your supermarket:

• Plantish - Salmon from plants 
• Remilk and Superbrewed Food's protein milk made using a microbial fermentation process
• Incredible Food's Food Berries—one will have hummus and vegetables in one bite
• V2 Food's plant-based chicken nuggets and sausage rolls
• Pairwise—gene-edited mustard greens: all the nutrition, no pungent smell or bitter taste
• Voyage Foods—alternative peanut butter cups, coffee and chocolate (spoiler: the cups have no chocolate or peanuts in them)

Or just wait for the major food brands to snap up these companies and add "green" alternatives to their product line.  

The health advantages of plant-based foods are something that vegetarians have known for centuries—low or no cholesterol, and fewer calories.  But the perceived need to sacrifice taste has held back widespread adoption until now, with product recipes that are vastly improved, and in a moment when the climate crisis has illuminated the existing and intensifying stresses on our land and water resources as we attempt to feed the world's populations. 

Meat products have larger carbon footprints per calorie than grain or vegetable products related to the inefficient conversion of plant to animal energy, and resulting from the methane (CH4) released in the context of manure management and enteric fermentation in ruminants. Methane is the primary contributor to the formation of ground-level ozone, a hazardous air pollutant and greenhouse gas, exposure to which causes 1 million premature deaths every year. Methane is also a powerful greenhouse gas. Over a 20-year period, it is 80 times more potent at warming than carbon dioxide.

The meat industry is being singled out as the culprit for deforestation, soil degradation, and coastal “dead” zones. The facts certainly confirm that there is nothing "green" about raising livestock. Beef production is the primary culprit, requiring 160 times the land to produce a gram of protein versus soy or peas.  Beef production produces 11 times more greenhouse gasses than staple plant-based foods such as potatoes, wheat, and rice. Producing a pound of beef in a feedlot or concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) system generates the equivalent of 14.8 pounds of CO2—pound for pound, more than 36 times the CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas emitted by producing asparagus, 10 times more than producing chicken, and four times more than producing pork. 

The next time you are heading to the supermarket, think about the climate impacts of our food choices and consider alternatives. We can all plant herb and veggie gardens in pots and alleviate some of the burden on our fragile water and soil resources today.  Imagine when fast-moving technologies will allow us to grow our own burgers!

By Judy Harrington

The first time I thought about trying to compost, my experienced best friend took my apple peelings, threw them in a corner of the yard, covered them with leaves and said, “Look…you have a compost pile!” Forty+ years and many composters later, I now have six of them.  And I’m still learning new ways to stop wasting future fertilizer while reducing my contribution to greenhouse gasses.

Good news: San Diego’s now on board too – we can, or will soon be able to, throw our organic material into the city’s new compost containers. I think it’s great that the city is incentivizing composting. But, frankly, as a gardener, it’s a lot more convenient to have my own ready-made compost – no driving to haul some home.  

Back east, where I come from, we had rain, less heat, and fewer vermin issues.  In San Diego, I find you really need a closed composting container. I made two out of trash cans, but Solana Center often has discounted ones available. 

Here’s what you can do to get your own compost bins going:

• If possible, stash your compost container in a shady place so it doesn’t dry out so fast.
• Gather up leaves and throw them in – you need several inches to make a base. I’ve actually raked up a neighbor’s leaves (and she gave me wonderful cuttings in exchange) to get mine started.  
• Next, add the following things to your bin.
• “Greens” – veggie peelings, coffee grounds, tea leaves, bread, egg shells (some people nuke theirs in the microwave first to kill potential bacteria).
• “Browns” – yard trimmings, leaves, shredded paper, cardboard (shredded paper towel rolls if you’re still using paper towels. Smaller items cook faster.)
• Water – It takes moisture for the process to work. I keep a small pitcher next to my sink for catching rinse water. Then I’m forced to eventually empty it anyway.
• Worms – These little red wigglers, though not essential, speed up the process. Neighbors who compost may have some to share, or you can buy them.
• As you add in more greens, cover with browns and try to keep it all evenly moist.
• Stir or tumble occasionally if you have a tumbler-type composter.  The more you turn it, the faster it will decompose.  But it will decompose even without turning.
• Keep it covered – especially on hot days!  Sometimes I uncover mine during our rare rains.

If you follow these steps, your compost should never smell and you shouldn’t have problems with creatures. There’s a lot more info online, but I like the Solana Center’s resources the best.  They even offer easy courses on how to do it.   And, I just read an article on using an old slow cooker to speed up the decomposition – I might try that too.

BTW, I also have a composting “poopinator” for our dog’s backyard offerings.  Did you know dog poop can eventually be a great fertilizer too?  We have a covered, bottomless tin bucket buried in a corner of the yard that we relocate about every three years.  We just pull the bucket out and cover what’s left in the hole with dirt.  My too-young-to-bloom plumeria cutting, planted next to last year’s spot, bloomed its very first year!

By Katrina Olson

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” ~ Chinese proverb.

Forests remain one of the planet’s best defenses in the fight against climate change due to their crucial role in capturing greenhouse gasses. Forests store large amounts of carbon. Trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow. This is converted into carbon and stored in the plant’s branches, leaves, trunks, roots, and in the soil. When forests are cleared or burnt, stored carbon is released into the atmosphere, mainly as carbon dioxide.

In 2019 the US Forest Service reported that over a 5-year period, our country lost 36 million trees each year, both from urban and rural communities. California, San Diego, and surrounding rural areas share responsibility for this, resulting from urban sprawl and development, increasing population density with its increasing housing needs—not to mention wildfires.

Many Community Climate Action Plans in our region, including that of San Diego, include tree planting as one approach to counter climate change, and reduce our collective carbon footprint. Trees can absorb pollution and store carbon, they help to mitigate stormwater runoff, and they also assist in cooling: especially in the concrete heat sinks of urban areas. And trees are good for us—they add beauty to our landscapes, provide wildlife habitat, and improve human well-being. 

Sixty years ago a Japanese botanist, Akira Miyawaki, developed the Miyawaki method of urban forest restoration in Germany.  He grew mini forests on tiny pieces of land in urban areas such as landfills, brownfields and the backyards of urban buildings.

What’s involved? 15 to 30 (more is better) native species of trees and shrubs of varying heights are planted close together, about three per square yard. The ground is prepared with a very deep layer of local organic matter, and once planted, it’s mulched to insulate it. For the first two years the site needs to be watered but after that it takes care of itself. Plants are chosen based on local climate and soil conditions. The forest then grows as a series of layers—a shrub layer, a sub-tree layer, a tree layer, and a canopy layer.

Compared to a conventional forest it is said that the speed of growth is multiplied by 10, density by 30, and biodiversity by 100. A normal forest grows back in 200 years; a Miyawaki method planting can be there in 20 years. The process creates a complex ecosystem perfectly suited to local conditions that improve biodiversity, grow quickly, and absorb more CO2.

Miyawaki forests have been planted in Japan, India, and Malaysia. There are over 100 in the Netherlands and more in Belgium and France. The first in the US was planted last year in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Small, unconnected wooded areas can never replace the large tracts of forest that are vital to so many species, and that remain under threat from agriculture and development. But if there is a patch of wasteland in your local community that is sitting idle, a Miyawaki forest could be one way of doing your bit to help the environment.

What else can you do to prevent the loss of trees and to keep our cities green? Take care of the trees in your yard with regular maintenance, and plant new trees when dead ones are removed. Support your city’s Climate Action Plan, which likely includes native tree plantings. Look for areas of opportunity in your community to plant trees or maybe even a tiny forest.

03/17/2022 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Where: Online

Join us for San Diego 350's action hour, focusing on doing the work around organizing for climate-friendly policy in San Diego.

04/05/2022 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Where: Online

What kind of a world are you invested in bringing to life? This interactive Zoom event will feature presentations by Patrick Costello, a Certified Financial Planner™ specializing in low-carbon investment portfolios, and Andrew Montes, who works to create interactive climate-related financial transparency tools to empower people to uncover the climate impact of their finances. The event will also include time for questions and an opportunity to connect with other people to continue your climate-friendly financial journey. All are welcome, including those without prior knowledge about personal finances.

04/19/2022 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Where: Online

Are you interested in supporting climate action in San Diego? Are you new or newer to the SD350 community? Register for an Orientation Chat today to learn more about who we are, what we do, and why it's important. This is a great space to meet other volunteers and get involved in the movement. We look forward to seeing you there!

05/21/2022 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Where: In-person

Join us to celebrate SanDiego350’s decade of bold climate action in San Diego. Our first in-person fundraiser since 2019 will feature an exciting line-up of speakers and live music, plus food, games and more in an outdoor setting! Whether you've volunteered for years, or you’re interested in learning more about SD350’s work, join us to celebrate 10 years of hard won victories and movement building! 

Your ticket purchase will ensure the continuation of programming and fight climate change in San Diego County. Buy your tickets before April 21 to receive the early-bird lowest price.

If you enjoy creating a welcoming environment for others and connecting about Climate Action—contact us to volunteer with our Member Engagement Team. You will help:

• Reach out to new members of SanDiego350 and help them feel welcomed into our community
  
• Assist with planning the content and activities of Monthly Membership Meetings
  
• Develop content that helps new members learn more about SanDiego350
  

For all volunteer opportunities, please email Paloma at paloma@sandiego350.org

• California wants to use electric cars to back up the power grid (Vox)

• Environment Report: How to Cope with Two Grim Climate Assessments (Voice of San Diego)
  

• California pipeline at issue after ExxonMobil's plan fails (KPBS)

• Biden restores California's power to set car emissions rules (KPBS)
  
• How to turn your climate anxiety into climate activism (Featuring Youth4Climate Coordinator Megan Phelps!) (KPBS)
  
• Chula Vista declares climate emergency (Featuring SD350 South Bay Ecojustice leader Karinna Gonzalez!) (Union Tribune)
  
• Tiny succulent plants are being poached by the thousands (Vox)