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Spring 2009 Newsletter
Greetings!
This edition of the Ecology Center newsletter contains an update on our work, with ideas for protecting the environment, building community, and creating justice. The Ecology Center has provided free, non-commercial information to the public since 1969. We help people make informed choices about issues that affect them, others, and the planet. To this end, we make the EcoCalendar, the EcoDirectory, and this Newsletter accessible and free to all. Please support us and the services we provide by becoming a member of the Ecology Center. You can visit our website at ecologycenter.org.
Ecology Center programs and projects highlighted this issue:
1. Berkeley Climate Plan Goes for the Green Light
2. Recession Squeezes Recycling Programs
3. This April, Grow Your Garden and Your Local Economy
4. Celebrate Earth Day at the BerkeleyFarmers' Markets Zero Waste Zone Event
5. New Eco-Friendly Toys & Games at the Ecology Center Store
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 1. Berkeley Climate Plan Goes for the Green Light
 In November 2006, Berkeley voters overwhelmingly endorsed Measure G, a mandate toreduce Berkeley's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80 percent by the year2050. The ballot measure directed Mayor Tom Bates to work with the community to develop a Climate Action Plan that would guide how Berkeley could and would meet the ambitious emission reduction goals.
After two years of development, the publication of two earlier drafts, and an extended period of community involvement and feedback, Climate Action Coordinator Timothy Burroughs posted the third draft of Berkeley's Climate Action Plan on April 10, 2009. It identifies 30 goals, each conjoined with recommended policies and concrete actions. The City Council will vote on whether to approve the plan for environmental review at the April 21st Council meeting. A completed environmental review is the last step before formal adoption of the plan. Read the Executive Summary or the entire Climate Action Plan here and get information about attending the City Council Meeting.
The Ecology Center is excited by the City of Berkeley's ambitious Climate Action Plan. We encourage you to read it and make comment. We especially encourage you to participate in the many actions that will lead us toward our common goals. Read more about the Ecology Center's role in implementing the Climate Action Plan.
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2. Recession Squeezes Recycling Programs
 On March 19, 2009, CNN interviewed Ecology Center Executive Director Martin Bourque to provide perspective on the rising costs of recycling and the dropping values for recyclables, and how these changes are affecting city budgets.
Prices for cardboard, paper, and glass have fallen off steeply, mainly due to reduced demand from China, the largest market for exported recyclables from theUS. In Berkeley, recyclables that yielded $200 per ton last fall now only yield around $35.
Curbside recycling was launched in Berkeley by the Ecology Center as a mission-driven service, not a money-making venture, but as recycling became mainstreamacross the country, so did the expectation of financial gain. In good times, many recyclers made a profit, and depending on the nature of the city contract, cities were able to retain part of that profit. Now that the profitmotive has evaporated, some cities are cutting back on their service. But not Berkeley. Regardless of the struggling economy, recycling remains more cost-effective than the alternatives of landfilling and incineration - and more environmentally sound. Read the entire CNN article here.
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3. This April, Grow Your Garden and Your Local Economy
 The City of Berkeley is encouraging residents to grow the local economy at the same time as we grow our gardens. Toinspire you to shop for your spring gardening supplies at local, independent shops like the Ecology Center, the City is sponsoring the Grow Local Berkeley raffle at businesses across Berkeley.
Here's how the raffle works: any time that you shop at the following businesses in April, you'll be able to put your name into the raffle. There willbe multiple prizes, adding up to more than $300 in gardening gifts. It's easy, it's free to enter, and these local, participating shops will be most grateful for your business:
The Ecology Center
Berkeley Rustic Birdhouses
The Gardener
The Potter's Guild
Treehouse Green Gifts | Berkeley Farmers' Markets
Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore
Lee's Florist and Nursery
Pegasus Books |
You can enter any time from April 1 -30 at any of the above locations by completing the entry form. Read more about the local impact of your dollars.
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 4. Celebrate Earth Day at the Berkeley Farmers' Markets ZeroWaste Zone Event
Our Farmers' Markets
are eliminating all plastic bags and packaging from our three weekly
markets, making them the first in the nation to do so. The goal of the
markets' "Zero Waste" campaign is to remove, reduce, and recycle
plastic, and to recycle and compost all materials generated at the
markets. In conjunction with Berkeley's Earth Day Celebration, the Saturday, April 25 market will hold a Zero Waste Event from 10am - 3pm on Center Streetat Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. The event features free workshops, games, raffle, and more. Read more about the Berkeley Farmers' Markets' "Zero Waste Zones".
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5. New Eco-Friendly Toys & Games at the Ecology Center Store
 Finding safe and environmentally friendly toys that really captivate children can be a challenge. This spring we invite you to consider adopting a"Foundling". These are plush toy animals made with a 100% organic cotton shell and filled with unbleached cotton clippings. The eyes are embroidered for safety and they are all machine washable. While each one is unique, we think the rabbits are especially cute!
Older children (and adults) will enjoy playing the board game "Earthopoly" which is a new take on the familiar Monopoly game. Players become the caretakers of various locations around the world, then increase their property value by collecting CarbonCredits and trading them in for Clean Air. The materials are as earth-friendly as possible with a 100% recycled chip board printed with vegetable based ink. The tokens are all made by nature (bamboo, wood, stone, etc) and vary from box to box. We realize a game won't change the world but we hope tobe part of the transition that brings us all to a better place. So have fun and advance to Go Green!
The Ecology Center Store carries these items and much more! We're open Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 6pm. See you soon!
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Did you know that you can call us with your environmental questions? Our Info Desk staff will give you referrals and provide information to help you make sound ecological choices. Email erc@ecologycenter.org or give us a call at 510-548-2220 x233. To subscribe to or unsubscribe from this newsletter, send a note to newsletter@ecologycenter.org. This newsletter can also be found online at http://ecologycenter.org/newsletter
The Ecology Center is a membership organization providing environmental information and direct services to promote sustainable living and a healthy, socially just world. Please support this community resource for the environment by becoming a member or by making a donation. Support our work on-line at http://www.ecologycenter.org/donate/
[Photo credits: David Ricardo, Beck Cowles. ] |
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