
Environmental Awareness & Climate Action


Plant-Rich Diet
A DELICIOUS Climate Solution
According to Project Drawdown, large-scale adoption of Plant-rich Diets is the SECOND most effective climate solution to keep the global temperature rise to below 2˚C by 2100! A global shift to a diet rich in plant sources and fewer in animal products is crucial in tackling the climate emergency.


- Reduce meat consumption, or even cut it out altogether: for example, if the human race eliminated eating cows, pigs and chickens, it would almost equate to removing the same amount of pollution as if we removed all the internal combustion engines (ICE); cars, trucks and planes. Cows create a tremendous amount of Methane and Nitrous Oxide which is 80-280x worse than CO2. Further, some countries are chopping down rain forests, such as in the Amazon (the lungs of the planet), to make room for grasslands to feed the cows. As a sustainability note: Chickens require two calories of feed to produce one calorie for human consumption. Pigs three and Cows five. 3Note: There’s a video in this “corner” to offer compelling rational for a plant-based diet …if you have an interest see file https://youtu.be/VAMPpwrK2wg
- Buy organic when possible: Organics are “supposed” to avoid pesticides (which are also killing the unintended good insects such as bees and birds, etc. up the food chain)
- Buy locally produced foods (when there’s a choice): This reduces the CO2 footprint created by transporting products from outside the area and is often a healthier choice
- Throwing away uneaten food has a surprisingly significant and negative effect on the environment. Discarded food creates measurable methane and other gases. Purchase only what you need and try to use it all. If you can’t, compost when possible, or feed to animals, etc. If you have too much food that you don’t think you can eat, but it’s still good, contribute it to “2nd Harvest” or other such charities. Note, there’s now a law (Senate Bill 1383) that requires you compost (using your green waste bin is ok)
- Recycle cans, bottles, plastics, papers. When we reuse and recycle, we reduce the need to use new resources.
- Re-purpose working appliances, clothing and other items by donating to charitable organizations.
- Keep what you need and donate the rest to others who may be able to use it.
- By planting vegetables, trees, and flowers, we help remove pollution from the atmosphere - these use more carbon than they emit. Our club has already contributed by planting trees and cleaning creeks in Livermore. Let's do more! Consider growing native plants that encourage pollination and reforestation. Learn more about Project Drawdown that showcases opportunities to sink carbon rather than produce carbon gases.
- Here’s the good news: forests managed by Indigenous people in Amazonia served as life-saving carbon sinks from 2001-21, removing the equivalent of the UK’s annual fossil fuel emissions each year, according to a new study by the World Resources Institute. WRI’s data show similar success for forests managed by Indigenous, Afro-descent and other peasant communities around the world. And here’s the bad: “Deforestation, degradation and other disturbances, however, have already turned some of the world’s most iconic forests into carbon sources and threaten to convert others,” the WRI report continues. Read more about these challenges – and why Rotarians are well positioned to help meet them – in ESRAG’s Feb. 1 blog "Saving Forests to Save Ourselves."
- Keep house temperatures within reasonable ranges so that you don’t waste heat during cold months or spend extra energy on air conditioning during the warmer months. Wear a sweater, close your blinds, double pane your windows, insulate the structure, ... or just embrace the season!
- Turn off lights when not in use.
- Change all your lights to LED (most efficient and will save on CO2 emissions which total an average of 0.4 tons per year per a four-person household). Besides reducing CO2, this will save you money in the long term despite the high initial cost of installation.
- Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) also offer improved efficiency and savings over incandescent bulbs.
- Vampire plugs (electrical devices that are always connected and active such as TVs, razors, computers, microwaves, etc) can account for a significant percentage of electricity usage. Try to avoid leaving too many on if they’re not necessary. Simply unplug when not in use.
- Avoid purchasing items with plastic. They all get into the environment. (Over time, the companies that produce them will get the message and will give us alternatives).
- Throw-away plastic water bottles are the worst - they get into the ocean and create micro-plastics that get into the food chain (that we also eat). Use reusable water bottles when possible or, at the least, recycle.
- Single-use plastic bags contribute to plastic pollution, too. Try bringing your own reusable bags at the grocery store or, if you end up with plastic bags, make sure to recycle them.
- Go solar on your house. There are now numerous incentive programs to help with the costs. The less electricity we use from the grid the better our carbon footprint.
- Check your home insulation: Double pane glass windows, quality insulation material in your attic and walls, etc.
- DO NOT use gas powered mowers, air blowers and other such appliances. They are, pound for pound, the greatest CO2 polluters on the planet.
- Don’t burn wood in your fireplace. Unfortunately, though comforting, this throws a lot of particulate pollution into the air.
- If you need to run the shower to get warm water, save that initial cold water in a bucket for use with dishes, or watering plants, etc.
- Don’t run water while brushing teeth or even when doing dishes (turn on when needed but off while brushing or cleaning a dish).
- Install low water usage toilets (Some cities’ water departments provide financial assistance or even FREE toilets to convert from older, high-flow toilets).
- Capture water run-off (i.e., capture house gutter run off into a barrel instead of the sewer so that you can water plants with it later in the year).
- Water lawns less, and think about replacing with low or no water gardens. (Some cities’ water departments provide financial assistance to convert from turf to drought-tolerant landscaping.)
- Reuse composted material for your garden and grow some veggies. It’s easy, fun and grows better gardens. [Link to Composting 101]
- Fuel Cell (Hydrogen powered) cars are the most beneficial for the environment, though scarce and difficult to charge in these early stages of their release - but if you have the means, for sure worth it.
- EV (Electric Vehicles) are the second most beneficial for the environment (the EV charging profile is improving daily). They are much better than internal combustion engine/ICE cars. However, electricity generation does create a measurable amount of greenhouse gases so it’s not a total solution.
- Drive high mileage (ICE) cars (30+ MPG or better)
- Drive less. (Combine errands to be more efficient.)
- Carpool.
- Take public transportation when possible.
- Biking is good for you. If possible, do small trips on your bike instead of the car.
- Take train instead of planes when possible.
- ESRAG has a great overview of pollinating insect drop-off, such as bee populations that have lost 40+% of their former numbers, Also, butterfly populations have declined even more, etc… Maybe consider a backyard bee-hive to encourage more bees, grow native flowers that attract pollinators, etc. See attached link for ESRAG biodiversity information https://esrag.org/biodiversity/
- Write your Senator or Congressman (or even your local mayor) to encourage programs that help the environment. Groups like the CCL make this easy: when they’re championing a cause that is hitting the floor (example; The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, H.R.2307), they write the script for you, give you the names and emails of the Senators and Congressmen so that you only need to include your pertinent information to be counted as a concerned citizen that they should pay attention to. This works. Also, note that the City of Livermore has a very detailed plan (just ask, we can forward to anyone interested in receiving a copy). They have voted to adopt the plan this year. Further information on Carbon taxes/credits (this program works) Carbon Taxes/credits
- Vote. Vote for like minded government representatives. This sounds so simple but often it’s overlooked. There are many officials that don’t think about the environment and many that do. Make this a priority when voting next time. Remember, when the climate is in crisis, all other issues can easily become moot. This could be the biggest contribution we make to solving the crisis since governments will need to be onboard if changes are going to be made on a mass scale.
- Contribute to environmental groups’ causes, and even join the groups: i.e., the Citizens Climate Lobby/CCL, Environmental voter league, Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group, ESRAG (this is an especially good and relatable group to join ESRAG.ORG), others.
- Track and work with companies that are environmentally conscientious. If you have a choice, pick the better environmental company. i.e., Subaru says they recycle 100% of all their materials. Tesla sells only EV cars. If looking to make a purchase (not just for cars), make this kind of information part of your decision tree.
- Volunteer to help with causes that improve our environment: Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL), ESRAG (the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group - through Rotary International) or other groups.
- Talk to your friends to get them on board with these and other suggestions: The more people involved, the better our impact. Who knows, maybe one of these friends will have a great community service project idea to improve the environment or become a leader for the cause.
-
Potential personal or business Action*. "One percent for the Planet" is a global movement inspiring businesses and individuals to support environmental solutions through annual business memberships and individual engagement opportunities. We advise businessess on giving strategies, we certify donations and we amplify the impact of our network. We offer individuals guidance on giving, the ability to join Giving Circles, and the opportunity to give. Link https://onepercentfortheplanet.org/join
- How to Avoid a Climate Disaster, by Bill Gates [Link HERE to a summary and review of the book] *
- Climate Cover-up by James Hoggan (details how PR firms are funded by Oil, Coal and other industries concerned about their profits and not about the well documented threat to life on earth)... [Link HERE for a summary and review of the book]
- The Climate Book, by Greta Thurnberg (Swedish environmentalist who has gained prominence challenging world leaders to action)
- The Uninhabitable Earth, by David Wallace-Wells (scary stuff!) [Link HERE for a summary and review of the book]
- Climate in Crisis; Changing Coastline, Severe Storms, and Damaging Drought, by Carla Mooney
- All We Can Save, by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katherine Wilkinson
- Climate Action Challenge, by Joan Gregerson
- The Decade We Almost Stopped the Climate Change, by Nathaniel Rich
- The New Climate War, by Michael Mann (specifically focused on companies that have an interest in maintaining our present "no-environment friendly" consumption status quo
- * = Note, i didn't want to include too many links to all the book reviews, but each are easily found on the web
- Our Planet, on Netflix
- Commercial TV: Planet Earth series by David Attenborough
- Wonderium (subscription service of $150/yr for Apple TV or Apple phones) offers very informative programs with a classroom/lecture style presentation of the information (i.e., “Earth’s changing Climate” is a 10part series that analyzes the climate) or secrets of the Universe – Dynamic Earth...etc
- Forks Over Knives, on Netflix; shows the logic for a plant-based diet
- www.epa.gov/recycle (link to learn how reducing, reusing and recycling can help you, your community and the environment)
- Rotary International : ESRAG (Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group) Link: esrag,org....
- ACTIVE ESRAG special projects ... Link: https://esrag.org/task-forces/
- Latest (May 2023) ESRAG zoom: Link: "ESRAG MAY 2023"
- CCL (Citizens Climate Lobby)
- Rotary Club of Cupertino: Dino's Analysis of Carbon Calculators
- Drawdown
- NASA Climate Change
- National Climate Assessment
- Climate Central
- Wxshift
- StopWaste (Alameda County)
- Rotary International: Protecting the Environment
