WHAT YOU CAN DO
Actions that Individuals, Organizations, and Governments
Can Take to Improve Silicon Valley′s Environment
New! The 2010 Environmental Indicators Report is here!
The 2010 Silicon Valley Environmental Index report contains 8 environmental indicators tracking the quality of Silicon Valley′s local environment, and the Valley′s impact on the global environment, over time.Nearly all of the indicators in the 2010 report show a negative trend or reversal of a positive trend, and continued progress is needed on the remaining indicators. In this brief document you will find suggestions about what individuals, organizations, and governments can do to improve Silicon Valley′s environmental performance.
The Silicon Valley Environmental Partnership (SVEP) has developed this guidance document to support practical use of the Silicon Valley Environmental Index report. The suggested actions are generally accepted as having positive influences on the specific environmental trend described by the corresponding indicator.
The suggestions listed in this document are by no means exhaustive. Nonetheless, we encourage you to become informed about the issues identified in this report, and take action based on this enhanced understanding. We have included links, where possible, to websites that offer additional suggestions and resources, so that individuals can educate themselves and make informed decisions.
We hope that the 2010 Index report will inspire policymakers, residents, workers, and businesses to take action to improve the quality of our environment. The future that we will hand to our children and grandchildren will be defined by the actions we take now.
Energy Use Jumps 28 Percent in 15 Years
- Consider alternatives to using your car. For example, carpool, bike, walk, use mass transit, or work from home.
- Drive a fuel-efficient car.
- Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.
- Upgrade insulation in your home and weather-seal doors and windows.
- Lower your thermostat in the winter and raise it in the summer.
- When replacing your car or appliances, consider more energy efficient alternatives.
- Consider solar water heating.
- Consider housing alternatives that reduce commuting distances.
- Support leaders who advocate energy efficiency and renewable energy alternatives.
For more information, see:- PG&E: http://pge.com/
- Palo Alto Smart Energy Program: http://www.cpau.com/programs/smartenergy/smtindex.html
- Silicon Valley Power, City of Santa Clara:
- http://www.siliconvalleypower.com/Residential/EnergySavings/Index.html
- Environmental Defense: http://www.environmentaldefense.org/home.cfm, select &Energy& from the &Select an Issue& drop-down menu
- Northern California Solar Energy Association: http://www.norcalsolar.org/
- California Air Resources Board: http://www.arb.ca.gov/docs/energytips1.htm
Urban Land Use Continues to Expand
- Support higher-density land use planning and locating housing near jobs, transit, and retail.
- Avoid living in newly-developed areas that were formerly open space, grazing land, or farmland.
- Advocate for smart growth alternatives that target growth inside areas that are already developed (&in-fill development&).
- Support the establishment or expansion of greenbelts and open space preserves.
- Support local and organic food producers and farmers via farmers markets or &community supported agriculture& farms that will deliver produce each week to supporters.
For more information, see:- Greenbelt Alliance: http://www.greenbelt.org/
- California Department of Conservation, Division of Land Resource Protection: http://www.consrv.ca.gov/DLRP/
- Greeninfo Network: http://www.greeninfo.org
- Bay Area Open Space Council: http://www.openspacecouncil.org
- Peninsula Open Space Trust: http://www.openspacetrust.org/
- Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter: Peninsula Open Space Trust: http://lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/LPConservation.html
- Natural Resources Defense Council: http://www.nrdc.org/
- Urban Futures Program: http://www.rppi.org/urban/
- Urban Land Use Institute: http://www.uli.org
Water Use Steadies; Recycled Water and Conservation Extend Valley′s Resources
- Install low-water-use appliances and plumbing fixtures (low-flush toilets, faucets, showerheads, clothes washers, dishwashers, etc.) in your home, and encourage your employer to do the same.
- Reduce the size of your lawn, and landscape homes and worksites with drought-tolerant native plants.
- Water lawns in early morning or night, and adjust sprinklers so water falls on lawns and plants, not the sidewalk.
- Redesign manufacturing processes to reduce water use and increase use of recycled water.
- Water retailers and wholesalers can adopt cost-effective Best Management Practice (BMP) conservation programs, such as: metering with commodity rates for all new connections and retrofit of existing connections; adopting conservation-pricing structures; and others.
For more information, see:- Santa Clara Valley Water District: http://www.valleywater.org
- H2ouse: http://www.h2ouse.org/
- California Urban Water Conservation Council: http://www.cuwcc.org/home.html
- Calfed Bay Delta Water Use Efficiency Program: http://calfed.ca.gov/Programs/WaterUseEfficiency/WaterUseEfficiency.shtml
- Recycle and compost.
- Buy recycled content products, such as recycled paper.
- Prevent waste - use reusable products instead of disposables.
- When grocery shopping, buy the largest product size you can use and avoid single-serving sizes.
- Buy products with less packaging.
- Use non- or low-toxic methods for cleaning and pest management.
- Reduce generation of paper waste by eliminating duplication where possible, and make double-sided copies where necessary.
For more information, see:- Santa Clara County Integrated Waste Management Program: http://www.ReduceWaste.org/ .
Population Growth Continues; 89% Due to Births Outpacing Deaths
- Consider supporting policy makers who favor family planning
- Encourage improvement of educational and economic opportunity programs for girls and women.
- Reflect on your family planning approach, and consider population impacts when determining your family size.
- Population Connection: http://www.populationconnection.org/
- Population Education: http://www.populationeducation.org
- California Department of Finance, Demographic Research Unit: http://www.dof.ca.gov/html/Demograp/druhpar.htm
- California Department of Health Services, Center for Health Statistics, Office of Health Information and Research: http://www.dhs.cahwnet.gov/ (for fertility rate information)
Particulates Threaten Recent Improvements to Air Quality
- When purchasing a vehicle, look for low-emission options.
- Use public transportation, carpool, bike, or walk when possible.
- Use low-particulate composite logs for your fireplace rather than wood, and consider EPA-approved wood burning stoves and fireplace inserts.
- Avoid debris-burning or other outdoor burning, particularly on days with poor air quality.
- Select a place to live that minimizes the need to drive.
For more information, see:- Bay Area Air Quality Management District: http://www.baaqmd.gov/
- California Air Resources Board: http://www.arb.ca.gov/homepage.htm and http://www.arb.ca.gov/html/brochure/50things.htm
Most Drivers Still Commute Solo; Vehicle Miles Traveled Increasing
- Consider emissions reduction, exercise opportunities, and quality of life when making commute and housing choices.
- Carpool, bike, or use public transport for work and other commuting.
- Set up a ride-sharing system at your workplace.
- Live close to your workplace.
- Cluster errands to avoid multiple trips.
- Work from home when possible.
For more information, see:- RIDES for Bay Area Commuters: www.rides.org
- California Department of Transportation: http://www.dot.ca.gov/
Carbon Emissions Increase 41 Percent Since 1986; Transportation Sector the Largest Contributor
- Use less gasoline, electricity and natural gas.
- When replacing automobiles and appliances, think energy efficiency, such as hybrid electric vehicles and Energy StarÒ appliances.
- Consider solar and wind power options for your home and business.
- Support policy leaders who endorse energy efficiency and sustainable energy supply alternatives such as wind, solar, etc.
- Urge your city councilmembers to adopt policies favoring passive solar construction where feasible in new development or redevelopment.
- Urge your city councilmembers to join the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign and adopt policies requiring energy efficiency upgrades when a property sells. See http://www.iclei.org/us/ccp/ for information.
- For more information, see:
- Environmental Defense: http://www.environmentaldefense.org/home.cfm, click on Climate Change link
- Rocky Mountain Institute: http://www.rmi.org/
- Resources at Sustainability Institute: http://sustainer.org/resources.html
- PV Partners Program, City of Palo Alto: http://www.cpau.com/programs/pv-partners/pvindex.html
- Northern California Solar Energy Association: http://www.norcalsolar.org/
- Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy: http://cdiac.esd.ornl.gov
- Natural Resources Defense Council: http://www.nrdc.org/
Drinking Water Meets or Surpasses Standards; Protection From Contaminants Is Critical
- Consider changing your daily or seasonal routines that can adversely impact water quality. For instance, drive less, reduce or eliminate pesticide use, reduce or eliminate antibacterial soap use, and set a goal of purchasing at least 25% of your food from certified organic sources.
- Inform yourself about the sources of - and risks to - your local drinking water supplies, and take action based on this information.
For more information, see:- Santa Clara Valley Water District: www.valleywater.org
- California Department of Health Services, Drinking Water Program: http://www.dhs.ca.gov/ps/ddwem/technical/dwp/dwpindex.htm
- San Francisco Estuary Institute: http://www.sfei.org
- U.S. EPA Water Quality Protection Tips and Strategies: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/
- WHO Drinking Water Quality Index and Help Page: http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/ Water_quality/drinkwat.htm
Fuel Leak Cases Continue to Decline; MTBE Detections in Water Sources Stabilizing
- Reduce motor vehicle use.
- Drive a fuel-efficient vehicle, such as a hybrid electric car.
- During the transition from MTBE-containing gasoline, buy MTBE-free gasoline.
- Buy products from companies that have demonstrated pollution prevention practices.
- Consider redesigning your company′s processes to eliminate or reduce the use of hazardous chemicals, reuse hazardous material, and properly store, recycle, and dispose of hazardous waste.
For more information, see:- Santa Clara Valley Water District: www.valleywater.org
- San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board: http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/~rwqcb2/
Endangered Species Listings Continue to Accelerate
- When contemplating changes to your residence, consider moving to in-fill development near existing commercial centers. .
- Support higher-density housing.
- Buy recycled paper and other recycled products.
- Eat less meat (meat requires more land than grain for equivalent food value) and consider increasing the organically grown element of your food basket.
- Support elimination of taxpayer subsidies for grazing on public land.
For more information, see:- California Department of Fish & Game endangered species listing and help/volunteer programs: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/hcpb/species/t_e_spp/tespp.shtml
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: http://www.fws.gov/
- California Native Plant Society: http://www.cnps.org/
- Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter: http://lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/LPConservation.html
- The Endangered Species Recovery Program, cooperative research program on California biodiversity: http://www.arnica.csustan.edu/esrpp/esrpp.htm
Landmark Deal Aims to Restore Disappearing Wetlands
- Support efforts to restore and protect South Bay wetlands.
- Support infill development that concentrates growth into already-developed land.
- Use tidal marsh interpretive areas, and provide feedback to political and policy leaders.
For more information, see:- San Francisco Bay Area Wetlands Ecosystems Goals: http://www.sfei.org/sfbaygoals/
- Environmental News Network: http://www.enn.com/news/enn-stories/2002/07/07122002/s_47761.asp
- San Francisco Estuary Institute: http://www.sfei.org
- Santa Clara Basin Watershed Management Initiative: www.scbwmi.org
Clapper Rail Declines 19 Percent from Recent Peak in 1997-98
- Support humane controls on non-native species, such as red foxes and feral cats.
- Keep cats and other pets out of sensitive habitats, such as wetlands, and consider keeping your cats indoors.
- Spay and neuter your cats.
- Support efforts to restore and protect South Bay wetlands.
- Use tidal marsh interpretive areas and provide feedback to political and policy leaders.
For more information, see:- Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge: http://desfbay.fws.gov/
Burrowing Owl Habitat Disappearing in Silicon Valley
- Write to city council members and county supervisors asking them to preserve open space as part of municipal projects and the General Plan. Participate in your city′s planning process and be sure to advocate for the importance of open grassland preservation.
- Comment on development projects that will displace Burrowing Owls; ask the city to require that developers protect existing Burrowing Owl nests and foraging habitat.
- Participate in periodic Burrowing Owl surveys in the Bay Area.
- Find out from local groups, such as the Greenbelt Alliance and the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, how you can help them fight to protect open space and Burrowing Owl habitat.
For more information, see:- Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society: http://www.scvas.org/
- Greenbelt Alliance: www.greenbelt.org/
Toxic Chemical Releases Remain Relatively Stable
- Buy products made from companies that have demonstrated pollution prevention practices.
- Support, and make use of, consumer right-to-know laws that encourage companies to report their use and emissions of toxic chemicals.
- Consider redesigning your company′s processes to eliminate or reduce the use of hazardous chemicals, reuse hazardous material, and properly store, recycle, and dispose of hazardous waste.
For more information, see:- Environmental Defense Scorecard: www.scorecard.org/
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.gov/tri.
After Trending Downward, Use of the Most Toxic Pesticides Increases (Excludes Residential Use)
- Use part of your grocery budget to buy organic goods.
- Use non-toxic pest control in your home and garden - see http://www.co.broward.fl.us/ppi02100.htm
- Support non-toxic pesticide ordinances in your hometown.
- Encourage your employer to adopt integrated pest management techniques.
For more information, see:- Pesticide Action Network: www.panna.org and http://www.pesticideinfo.org/
- California Department of Pesticide Regulation: www.cdpr.ca.gov/
- Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter: http://lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/LPConservation.html
- Pesticide Use Reduction Site, Advocacy Information, and Practical Substitution Tips: http://www.wwf.ca/satellite/prip/, and http://www.wwf.ca/en/res_links/pdf/WWF-Canada%20Pesticides%20Brochure.pdf
Hazardous Waste Generation Decreases to 1989 Levels
- Companies can redesign products and manufacturing processes to reduce the use of hazardous substances.
- Purchase only products that contain less or no hazardous substances - for example, non-toxic paints, cleaning solutions, insecticides, and rechargeable batteries.
- Bring hazardous materials to recycling centers.
For more information, see:- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/data/
- Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste Program: www.ReduceWaste.org