YOU Can Make a Difference; Read How in This eNewsletter
► Remembering Queen Elizabeth II's visit to the Loma Prieta Chapter during our 50th Anniversary. We're now in our 90th year! Look for celebration details to come.
► Light pollution affects us all! What can we do about it? Learn in our upcoming webinar.
► See what your support of Loma Prieta Chapter made possible in 2021 (and previously)!
► Volunteer to take photos for the San Francisco Estuary Institute to help protect the Bay
► Watch: Protect Juristac, a sacred indigenous site and critical wildlife habitat, by learning how to comment on an Environmental Impact Report (Deadline EXTENDED to November 7th)
► Take a hike! Here's what's available with your chapter. |
Light Pollution: A Glowing Hazard
Webinar: November 16th, Wednesday, 1 - 4 pm
Presented by the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society and your Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter
The use of LED technology and energy saving lighting fixtures are bringing with them an unintended, yet pervasive and harmful effect: the over-lighting of our nights. The symposium will focus on the biological and physical effects of lighting up the night and provide strategies that guard our health and environment while providing safe and practical lighting solutions.
The speakers are global experts on artificial light at night, light pollution and its impact on migratory birds, and solutions to reducing bird collisions.
Click here to learn more and register for free. |
Palo Alto Plans for Carbon Neutrality by 2030 and to Transition Away from Gas Appliances
On October 3rd the Palo Alto City Council took a number of important climate actions.
- Council adopted a goal of Carbon Neutrality by 2030, one of the strongest climate goals in the nation!
- The City approved a pilot program to replace 1,000 gas water heaters with electric heat pumps. This will improve indoor air quality and help reduce the constant emissions that come from leaking gas pipelines.
- Council voted to approved the goals and key actions of Palo Alto's Sustainability and Climate Action Plan, which guides the City's action to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.
Click here to read more |
Would You Like to Improve Climate Policy in Your City? Where to Begin? Start Here!
Educational workshop: October 26th at noon
Residents can have an extraordinary impact in their community. No prior experience is necessary. All that’s needed is curiosity and enthusiasm.
You’ll learn how governments and public meetings function, the best ways to influence your city, and how to grow your skills as an environmental advocate.
This workshop will be delivered by Dashiell Leeds, Conservation Organizer for your Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter. Click here to register |
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The Loma Prieta Chapter is working to protect water and Tribal cultural resources from two huge and damaging projects in Santa Clara County: the Pacheco Reservoir Expansion Project and the Sargent Ranch Quarry Project. You can help by joining the Chapter Conservation Committee or Water Committee and supporting our efforts to stop these projects. See contact information below.
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Use your Voice to Protect a Local Sacred Indigenous Site and Critical Wildlife Area: Deadline for Letters Extended to November 7th
Help protect this critical wildlife corridor, and sacred site of the Amah Mutsun people, from a proposed open pit sand mine. An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been released for the project so now you have the opportunity to say that you want the area saved for indigenous peoples and wildlife.
If you have questions, contact Conservation Committee Chair Gladwyn D'Souza at godsouza@mac.com or Water Committee Chair Katja Irvin at katja.irvin@sbcglobal.net
Click here to watch the EIR letter-writing workshop and learn how to submit you own comments.
To get started, use this template letter from Protect Juristac. |
The Restoring Nature Book Group will be discussing “The Rights Of Nature: A legal revolution that could save the world” by David R. Boyd on 10/27 at 1:30 PM.
Please visit Enlight21 for discussion questions and contact godsouza@mac.com for more information about the group. |
Is Bio-Tech Safe like “Clean-Tech” was Clean?
Silicon Valley is one of the most polluted places in the US as a result of the “clean-tech” silicon industry boom polluting its soil, ground water and leaving a legacy of toxics. Now Bio-Tech is being embraced as safe-tech and is being ushered into downtowns and nestling next door to homes and sensitive Bay habitat.
Dude, do you know what’s cooking in that lab next door?
Is Bio-Tech safe? Bio-tech agents range widely, from relatively benign agents to lethal and deadly pathogens that transmit easily through air, water and accidents that cause exposure.
Click here to learn more and help make sure your city doesn’t embrace more than it bargained for. |
Biotech Speculators Target Redwood Shores’ Sensitive Bayfront
Investment group Longfellow Real Estate Partners plans to demolish an existing 984,000ft² office park and triple it to towering, 7-story biotech/R&D lab, with undisclosed Biosafety Levels, next to sensitive habitat and existing homes.
Bay Alive volunteers are leading the charge to challenge the plan
Why? Between the environmentally sensitive Belmont Slough immediately north, and surrounding residential neighborhoods, this flood-prone, 84-acre site also contains a closed, unlined landfill whose problematic history of contaminants and complex geotechnical issues is increasingly vulnerable to rising sea and groundwater levels.
To learn more and get involved in this project contact Nina Goodale at Nina.goodale111@gmail.com |
"Dawn At Mineral King Valley" tells the story of the Sierra Club’s role in determining the direction of modern environmental law in California.
If you want to become involved in similarly impactful work at the local level then contact our Chapter Conservation Chair, godsouza@mac.com. |
Op-Ed: We Need to Build on the Federal Climate Bill
"State and local representatives have good policy levers to tackle emissions from buildings that come from burning fossil gas, mostly for space and water heating. The IRA provides incentives to install electric appliances and there are local incentives too."
Click here to read the full Op-Ed in the San Mateo Daily Journal by Chris Frank, Kristel Wickham, and Lauren Weston |
Looking to Electrify but Don't Know Where to Start? Begin Here!
The Switch is On provides the resources you'll need to electrify your home, click here!. Explore the benefits of an all-electric home and learn about how you can swap from gas to electric!
Incentives are available! Click here to learn more. This tool allows you to find the right incentives that apply to you. |
YOU Can Make a Difference for Local Environmental Protection!
Our Environmental Legislative Action Team and Climate Action Leadership Team will show you how.
Your Loma Prieta Chapter is organizing a network of advocacy teams at the city level.
These are city-focused teams with the twin goals of spearheading actions to combat climate change and to conserve and restore natural habitats.
You will be working with city council members, key city staff, county officials, and other environmental activists. We welcome and educate those who are new to climate policy.
For more information contact Loma Prieta Chapter's Conservation Organizer dashiell.leeds@sierraclub.org. |
Securities and Exchange Commission Climate Rules
Financial regulators are hoping to force big companies and investment managers to disclose climate information. If you'd like to join local grassroots effective work to make these changes happen, please contact Sue Chow, sue2042@gmail.com
Loma Prieta Chapter, Chair of Environmental Legislative Action Committee |
Sea level rise poses a dual contamination threat ...
from both surface flooding and groundwater rise below the surface that could reach as far as three miles inland from the edge of the Bay, pushing up and spreading toxins along the way. More than 900 hazardous sites across the state could be impacted by the end of the century. In California, communities of color are five times more likely than the general population to live within a half mile of a toxic site that could flood by 2050.
See a map of hazardous sites and communities at risk from rising seas. |
Remembering Queen Elizabeth II's 1983 visit to the Loma Prieta Chapter
Thanks to former Loma Prieta Chapter Chair Les Kishler for explaining to me that in 1983 Queen Elizabeth visited not only Yosemite National Park but also our chapter! |
Take a hike! Here's what's available with your Loma Prieta chapter.
Note: regardless of the name/origin of the outing section, all are welcome!
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Peninsula Clean Energy rebates
Peninsula Clean Energy is providing homeowners in San Mateo County and the City of Los Banos interest-free financing and new rebates to install electric appliances and make other energy-efficiency upgrades.
The agency’s new Zero Percent Loan program will provide interest-free financing for up to $10,000 per home for projects that include installation of electric heat pump equipment, including water heaters and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) units. Gas-powered equipment will not be eligible for the financing. |
Heat Pump 101: The Lowdown on the Hottest (And Coolest) Appliance You’ve Never Heard Of
- Unlike most furnaces or air conditioners on the market that are powered by fossil fuels — like methane gas (so-called “natural” gas), propane, and oil — heat pumps are electrically powered. Relying on electricity means that heat pumps do not burn dirty fuels inside your home to be breathed in or released into the atmosphere. Combusting gas or oil in a furnace or air conditioning system releases air pollutants that are harmful to human health and the climate, like nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and climate-disrupting carbon dioxide. Read the Sierra Magazine article .
- The Loma Prieta Chapter has been working since 2018 with our cities and counties to pass codes that will remove methane gas from our homes. Many of our cities have responded by passing strong all electric codes.
- To join the advocacy contact Dashiell Leeds at dashiell.leeds@sierraclub.org |
Starting or Maintaining Native Plant Gardens in Schools
Thursday, October 27, 7:00 PM
Our chapter often gets requests for help with starting or maintaining native plant gardens in schools. We have set up a Zoom meeting on Thursday, October 27th at 7 pm to discuss this. Perhaps you know of a school in your area that is implementing a native plant garden? Or you are familiar with the school curriculum for some grades, and have ideas how to engage young students and get them interested in the garden?
If you would like to help out in any way, please join this meeting. Registration required. |
Trip Report from Loma Prieta Chapter's Forest Protection Committee (FPC)
The members of the FPC thank the representatives from San Mateo Resource
Management District, California State Parks, and San Mateo County Parks for an
informative tour on 9/27/2022 of Butano State Park (edge of CZU wildfire) and
vegetation thinning projects at Camp Butano Creek (Girl Scouts) and Wunderlich County
Park and for a discussion of the La Honda Fuel Break Project.
Fires are important to restore biodiversity and thinning and fuel breaks are important for
community safety (reducing fire, increasing access for firefighters).
- Contact FPC Chair, Karen Maki at Karen@karenmaki.com or 650-346-0467 to learn more about FPC. |
Do You Need Space to Spread Your Wings?
Donate a Vehicle to Support the Critical Local Environmental Work of Your Chapter.
It’s easy to give and the pick-up is free; just call 844-6-SIERRA or 844-674-3772 or give online at https://careasy.org/nonprofit/Sierra-Club-Foundation-Loma-Prieta-Chapter.
If you would like to donate a Mazda Miata, please contact your Chapter Director personally.
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Social Media Channels for the Loma Prieta Chapter
Facebook: Chapter, 20s – 30s, GLS, Sierra Singles
Loma Prieta Chapter's YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Spotify |
The 2022 Guardians of Nature Benefit for the Loma Prieta Chapter was a huge success (photos on our facebook page), in no small part thanks to our Honoree Walter Moore (center in photo); Curt Riffle, Director at Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is on right, and James Eggers, Loma Prieta Chapter Director is on left.
"He chose to be rich by making his wants few." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson |
| 2022.10.16, Your Chapter Director (in foreground) thanks Loma Prieta Chapter Outings Leader Kurt Leal (in dark glasses) for a great hike in Long Ridge Open Space Preserve, including interesting history notes and fantastic "tailgate pizza". See future Chapter outing opportunities on the Chapter Calendar. |
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Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.
~ e. e. cummings, born Oct 14, 1894
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Liberty and Justice for All,
James Eggers, Director
Sierra Club, Loma Prieta Chapter |
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Thank you to our 2022 Guardians on Nature Benefit Sponsors
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Sierra Nevada Sentinels
Mary Buxton and Ron Hess
Anonymous
Yosemite Heroes
Alan and Irene Adler
Lisa Barboza and Brian Roach
Anonymous
Sequoia Champions
Patricia Borga Suvari
Sue Chow
Nancy and David Crabbe
Gladwyn D'Souza
Joe Simitian, Santa Clara County Supervisor
and 2018 Guardians of Nature Honoree,
and Mary Hughes
Richard Simpson and Ann Reisenauer
Sid and Linda Liebes
Larry L. Lundberg |
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Baylands Stewards
Lisa and Shawn Britton
Brian Carr
Peter and Melanie Cross
Ruth MacDonald-Degener and
Martin Degener
Rick and Karen DeGolia
Susan DesJardin
Katie Dunlap
Susan Dunn
Rebecca Eisenberg
Susan Ellenberg, Santa Clara County
Supervisor
Mary Gill
Jerry Hearn and Rebecca Reynolds
Wayne and Judith Hooper
Caroline Horn
Sergio Jimenez, Councilmember, San Jose
Kristine Karnos
Arthur Keller
Ginny Laibl
Ruth Stoner Muzzin
Kevin Mullin, Assemblymember
Enid Pearson, 2019 Guardians of Nature
Honoree
Lucas Ramirez, Mayor, Mountain View
Emily Renzel, 2019 Guardians of Nature
Honoree
Bruce Rienzo
Lennie Roberts, 2016 Guardians of Nature
Honoree
Charles and Jaime Schafer
Johanna Schmid and Ed Reed
Tara Sreekrishnan, Santa Clara County
Board of Education Trustee |
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| The COVID-19 crisis has not passed and continues to disproportionately harm Black, Indigenous, and Latinx people and other communities of color. The pandemic has revealed how the communities hardest hit are often the same communities that suffer from high levels of pollution and poor access to healthcare. The fight for environmental justice cannot be separated from the fight for racial justice. |
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