Welcome to Monitor Notes, a weekly roundup of news items, event announcements, and updates on past Bay Area Monitor articles.
Rally Round the Climate
As wildfires devastate Sonoma County and parts of Southern California, many people are worrying about affected residents but also wondering about the climate and air quality, given the smoky skyline. With such a persistent reminder that our climate is changing, there are a few upcoming events to consider attending in November to learn more about climate change and what you can do help address state and local concerns.
350 Silicon Valley and Cool Planet are organizing a November 7 presentation, “Battling Climate Change: The Best Policies for California,” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Palo Alto. The event, co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Palo Alto, will focus on “how California activists fighting climate change can best choose their battles,” with experts offering perspective about knowing which laws and measures to push. Chris Busch (pictured), director of research at Energy Innovation, will be on hand to present findings from his new report highlighting what the state needs to hit its 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target. Tickets are $10.
Next up, the League of Women Voters of Oakland is hosting an educational roundtable, “Climate Crisis in Oakland: What We Can Do?” on November 13 at 6 p.m. at Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church (1188 12th Street, one mile west of the 12th Street City Center BART Station). Environmental health is a significant issue, often talked about locally when it comes to asthma, the carbon tax, reforestation, and curbing plastic use. A diverse expert field — representing science, economics, and public health — will stir up the dialogue. Add to the discussion by catching up on Monitor articles that feature roundtable participants like activist Margaret Gordon. Click here for event information and to read who else is joining Gordon at the roundtable.
Finally, as mentioned in last week’s edition of Monitor Notes, don’t forget there’s another League-sponsored climate change event in Berkeley on November 5.
Plastic Pitch
Should Marin County ban single-use, plastic foodservice products at retail businesses? Tell county officials what you think in a short online survey. Under current rules, a limited amount of synthetic material can be composted in Marin. The rest goes into a landfill, or worse, ends up polluting rivers, streams, and the ocean. An updated county ordinance would help define “alternative materials that would be acceptable” for composting, include language about consistent policy implementation, and lay out a local foodservice industry coordination plan, according to a press release. Should the ban advance, Marin County would join other parts of the region like Palo Alto cracking down on plastic. One other interesting fact: November marks 10 years since Marin banned polystyrene foam food containers.
Driving at Housing Creation
The Bay Area needs more housing. Period. But how do you create communities in ways that reduce the need to drive? Transform is hosting a November 4, 6:30 p.m. event at the Santa Clara Library to itch this head-scratching question. Speakers on tap include two developers and Transform’s Nina Rizzo (pictured), who manages the advocacy group’s GreenTRIP certifications program, supporting multi-family residential housing that cuts traffic, parking, and greenhouse gas emissions. Putting solutions in place to ease the housing crisis isn’t always easy. So what speakers say about any developments that could pave the way toward more affordable, transit-friendly housing might be worth hearing. Click here for event details.
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