Update from Kate
ALL THINGS EARTH
Please Share Widely:
Amidst all the chaos and uncertainty of life during a pandemic, I'd like to invite you to take a moment to reflect with me on the wonders of our Earth, the challenges we face, and the opportunities we have to make a difference.
At a recent Board of Supervisors meeting, President Katie Rice presented a beautiful Resolution honoring the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. You can read the full Resolution here.
My Thoughts on Earth Day
The Resolution notes the unanticipated benefit of our sheltering at home: it is easier to hear the birds singing in our neighborhoods, to look farther into the distance than we usually can, to breath in the clear air, and appreciate a bit less frenzy and a bit more calm. All of this is good for the spirit and for all the creatures in the environment that surrounds us.
In the meantime, the Trump administration is busy rolling back environmental standards and easing enforcement on industries that pollute and poison the environment. The “new normal” that emerges after this first period of the coronavirus pandemic recedes, may be more environmentally destructive than our old normal, and that normal had plenty of environmental challenges.
As we begin to reflect on what we have learned from this pandemic and the experience of sheltering in place, and as we begin to consider what kind of a world we want to live in going forward, let’s not forget the attention we must pay and the commitment we need to make to stopping environmental degradation of all sorts and restoring ecosystems worldwide.
Rachel Carson, a marine biologist, author, and conservationist whose book Silent Spring and other writings inspired the global environmental movement, noted that “It is a wholesome and necessary thing for us to turn again to the earth and in the contemplation of her beauties to know the sense of wonder and humility.” In these challenging times, a sense of wonder and humility would be healing for us all.
 It's amazing how time flies! I am proud to have been a member of MCE's Board of Directors since 2011, and Board Chair since 2015. During my time at MCE, so many incredible milestones have been reached, all to the benefit of our planet.
A decade after launching service as Marin Clean Energy to 8,000 customers in Marin in May of 2010, MCE has grown to serve 34 communities across Marin, Napa, Contra Costa, and Solano counties. MCE has redefined the energy landscape of California, opening the door to customer choice in electricity service and the power of locally-based decision making, inspiring more than 20 other community choice organizations to form across the state. MCE has always been about more than just keeping the lights on. It’s about keeping the power in customers’ hands, investing in renewable energy and good jobs, and strengthening community resilience especially for vulnerable and underserved communities.
Please take a few moments to read this letter from MCE's CEO, Dawn Weisz: "How a Decade of Community Choice Changed California's Energy Landscape for Good." I think you will find it both interesting and inspiring.
Are you ready for fire season and potential power outages?
Learn about solar for single family homes, how batteries can help keep the lights on during power outages, and how they compare to traditional generators.
These sessions are free, sponsored by the Marin County Sustainability Team and the PG&E Pacific Energy Center.
Two online classes are available:
- May 30, 9am to 10:30am
- June 2, 6:30pm to 8pm
There will be a third class in August, date TBD.
Registration is live now on PG&E's website.
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Fire-Smart Landscaping Webinar: May 12 at 6:00pm
This live, one-hour presentation will provide an introduction to the concepts and techniques required to create a fire-smart, fire-resistant landscape around your home. Defensible space saves homes and saves lives! Click here to register.
New Video Series on Wildfire Preparedness for Homeowners and Residents in Marin's Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)
Here are a few ideas for how you can enjoy nature from your phone or computer, in your backyard, or while walking in your neighborhood:
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This Saturday is International Migratory Bird Day. Follow One Tam on Facebook and Instagram for tips, including Golden Gate Raptor Observatory Director Allen Fish’s instructions for DIY binoculars.
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While out on your neighborhood walk, Save The Bay invites you to find a plant or flower and follow their guide to learn about plant features and how to draw what you found. If you are unable to go for a walk in your neighborhood, here is a list of native California plants to explore digitally.
Share your drawings with Save The Bay on Facebook or Instagram by tagging @savesfbay with the hashtag #BayBackyardBotanist.
- Gather your family for the ‘Adopt a Polar Bear’ experience and pledge to fight climate change. Your collective pledges will help restore the arctic habitat, as Cool the Earth will make a donation to adopt a polar bear on your behalf. This program is available through May 31, is free for K-5 children and their families, and is available in English and Spanish. So far there are 1,683 pledges so far and 6 adopted polar bears!
- Did you know that May 19th marks 75 years since diplomats from around the world gathered in Muir Woods to honor the memory of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt? Learn more about that historic event, along with many other interesting Mt. Tam tidbits in One Tam's latest e-newsletter.
While sheltering in place, use these image downloads for virtual conference backgrounds, screensavers, or desktop wallpaper to stay connected with the beauty of Marin's wild places.
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