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The Sustainability And Environmental Action Committee has been actively monitoring several hot environmental issues in San Diego County. At our joint May meeting with the Public Policy Committee, we hosted Murtaza Baxamusa from the County of San Diego, who spoke about the Regional Decarbonization Framework. The three-part goal of the framework is Zero Carbon Sustainability via zero emissions of carbon dioxide, reduction of “super pollutants” such as smog, and the drawdown of greenhouse gasses through natural means such as green and blue carbon sequestration.

The County Regional Decarbonization Framework team is hosting monthly information sessions to educate the community and receive community feedback. Register for upcoming meetings using these links:

· Tuesday, June 28 from 6-8pm · Tuesday, July 26 from 6-8pm

A ballot measure to amend Municipal Code §66.0127, known as The People’s Ordinance, is currently being drafted and will be presented to the City Council Rules Committee on June 8th @ 2pm (item #1 on the agenda). Municipal Code §66.0127 requires the city to provide free trash pickup for some city residents and not for others. The ballot measure will allow the city council to vote on recovering costs for trash service pick up, protect sanitation worker jobs and clarify that mini dorms and ADUs (accessory dwelling units, also known as granny flats) should not get free trash pickup. Additionally and importantly, the ballot measure will incentivize residents to create less trash and increase participation in diversion and green waste for recycling. This will help the city meet its zero waste goals and Climate Action Plan goal of 90% methane capture by 2035.

Please let your City Council representative know that you support a ballot measure to amend Municipal Code §66.0127 by writing, calling or attending the Rules Committee meeting on June 8 at 2pm.

Rules Committee Public Comment Form

On the third Tuesday in May, a small group of SEAC members took a beautiful walk around the Kendall-Frost Marsh in the northeast corner of Mission Bay, to get a first-hand view of the wetlands area under consideration for rewilding. Mission Bay receives 15 million visitors a year and is home to over 144 bird species and 56 plant species. Natural wetlands filter water, sequester carbon and protect against sea level rise. Join us as we continue to submit public comments on the proposed plans of the City Wetlands Restoration Plan and the ReWild Mission Bay Coalition on restoring natural wetlands, enhancing and improving access to open space, and drawing down greenhouse gasses through natural means.

We are all mindful of the ongoing drought in California and the western states, but have you ever thought about the unintended consequences of how some people are saving water? Please join our June 21 SEAC meeting when Suzanne Hume of Clean Earth 4 Kids speaks to us about artificial turf, how it harms the environment and why it is not a healthy alternative to grass. SEAC meetings are still on Zoom. Access the meeting through the LWV San Diego calendar.

Zero Waste Tips

Make water conservation a way of life. Even the simplest changes to daily routines can have a significant impact:

Indoors

• ·  When doing the laundry or running a dishwasher, never wash less than a full load.

• ·  While waiting for hot water to come through the pipes, catch the cool, clean, water in a bucket or a watering can. Use it later to water plants.

• ·  Keep your showers down to five minutes or less using a low-flow showerhead.

• ·  Take shallow baths, no more than 3 inches of water.

• ·  Check your toilets for leaks. Drop a dye tablet or a teaspoon of food coloring (avoid red) in the tank. If color appears in the bowl after 15 minutes, you probably need to replace the "flapper" valve.

• ·  Never let water run from the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving.

• ·  Never use hot, running water to defrost frozen foods.

• ·  Rinse vegetables and fruits in a sink or a pan filled with water instead of under running water. Use the water to water your plants.

• • Outdoors

· Set lawn mower blades one notch higher since longer grass reduces evaporation. Leave grass clippings on your grass, this holds in moisture.

· Mulch, compost and wood chips are reliable, cost-effective products for water retention, erosion control and weed suppression.
· Don't allow children to play with the hose or have water fights. Instead, visit one of the City's public pools or one of our many beaches.

· If you have a pool, use a cover to cut down evaporation. This will also keep your pool cleaner and reduce the need to add chemicals.

· Plant drought-tolerant landscaping. Do not replace grass with artificial turf. Artificial turf sheds microplastics, emits chemicals, and is hotter than grass.