Welcome to Monitor Notes, a weekly roundup of news items, event announcements, and updates on past Bay Area Monitor articles.
Earth to Celebrators
For many people, commemorating Earth Day is an essential activity. The Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment is hosting a free webcast on April 20 from 1:30 to 3 p.m to share reflections on progress made since the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970 and what the next 50 years may hold. Stanford alumni working in energy, sustainability, and the environment will be on hand to discuss what governments, companies, academics, and private citizens can do to help the planet. RSVP here and then go to the corners of the Monitor’s Earth coverage for environmentalist views about the history and importance of Earth Day. What inspires you to protect Earth?
Climate Fight
As California leaders consider plans to help the state re-emerge from shelter-in-place and social distancing mandates, questions linger about how to support a strong recovery. For example, what can we learn about climate change and the economy in the context of the virus? That’s a topic Sacramento-based Capital Region Climate Readiness Collaborative will explore in an April 16 “virtualshop” from 1 to 3:15 p.m. It will look at COVID-19 through an economic lens focused on the need for public and private sector climate action, resilience building, and adaptation funding. Register here and then read a City of Albany climate presentation shared with the League of Women Voters of Berkeley, Albany, and Emeryville. It includes activities we all can take to mitigate climate change. Which ones are you doing?
Aquarium Webinar at Bay
George Jacob (pictured), president and CEO of Bay.org, a San Francisco watershed conservation group, is leading a discussion about the future of museums, zoos, and aquariums on Friday, April 17 at 5 p.m. The livestream event will delve into questions like: Are the models for these public spaces outdated? Should they adapt to the times or rethink animals in captivity? The latter question is at the forefront, in part, because of the popular Netflix documentary “Tiger King.” Bay.org oversees six institutions — Aquarium of the Bay, The Bay Institute, Sea Lion Center, Studio Aqua, The Bay Model Alliance, and the Bay Academy — with a mission to protect and conserve the San Francisco Bay and its ecosystems. Get tickets.
Taking It to the Streets
The City of Oakland recently introduced a “Slow Streets” program, closing 74 miles of city streets to create safe space for pedestrian and bike traffic, and to promote physical distancing during the pandemic. Another 4-5 miles may be selected for the program, contingent on community input received by April 17. On the other side of the Bay, however, people are wondering if this public health emergency will help cars retain their place as kings of the road. This issue is part of a larger question of how cities will be changed in the wake of COVID-19. Join a SPUR webinar at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 20 to hear a panel of urbanists discuss the challenging future of city living.
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