The short answer is that most “compostable” bags will not breakdown during the usual 60-to-90-day composting cycle. East Bay MUD, for example, creates biogas and soil amendments from your waist and food scraps and not mulch. The process does not reac
The Bay Area is full of a variety of cuisines, including Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Mediterranean, Japanese, and more. One item you’ll see on all these menus is rice. In fact, rice is a primary staple for more than half of the global population and co
At the Green Movie Night event on September 25th, 2026 in Walnut Creek we saw some powerful films and heard from informative presenters. We are grateful to host Unity of Walnut Creek, to the Interfaith Climate Action Network and the entire team that
A recent headline in the East Bay Times read, “Newsom Declares State of Emergency.” Might it be referring to the rise of AI? Wildfires? The cost of living? No—it’s about El Niño, a weather pattern expected to bring record rainfall to the Bay Area thi
With forest fires, you can foster an attitude of inclusion or exclusion. An attitude of inclusion recognizes that fire plays an important role in ecologically minded land management. An attitude of exclusion sees all forest fires as destructive. So w
Lab grown chocolate may sound like something out of science fiction, but major food corporations and start-ups alike are already investing in this new technology to combat supply chain crises, climate change threats, and child labor. Just how accurat
Read more…The Case for Quickly Phasing Out the use of Fossil Fuels: According to the U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, humans are responsible for most global heating, most of which is caused by burning fossil fuels. Climate change is causing
The City of Martinez is currently accepting applications for a part-time, in-person Sustainability Program Assistant internship.
Under the direction of the Community and Economic Development Department, the position will provide experience in the gro
Read more…
Artificial intelligence is smart but not yet energy- and water-smart enough for California and other states to reach their climate goals. The Department of Energy estimates that data centers will use 10% to 15% of the nation’s electricity by 2030.
Read more…Many homeowners like to take advantage of the summer months to make home improvements. Painting is one the most popular projects, but considering that interior and exterior walls make up one of the largest surface areas of your home, is the paint you
Read more…Position Title: Food Shift Deputy Director
Organization: Food Shift, a project of Earth Island Institute
Location: Alameda, CA (Hybrid)
Status: Full-time, regular, exempt
Compensation: annualized salary equivalent between $75,000 and $88,000
Be
Globally, governments are mandating more strict carbon-neutral policies to reduce greenhouse gases and address worsening climate issues. To meet these increasing requirements, most vehicle manufacturers have announced that they will produce vehicles
Comparing the environmental impact of sugar with various alternative sweeteners is easier said than done. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, it’s nearly impossible to define the most sustainable sweetener
We tend to think of efficient housing in terms of how much energy it takes to run appliances, electronics, and to heat and cool a space, per square foot. If we look at energy use per person per square foot, small homes or Accessory Dwelling Units
Read more…The increase in fast fashion comes with a rise in wasted resources and wasted lives, economic inequality, and environmental degradation. The increases are due in part to behavior changes. Each of us can contribute to the solutions.
According to the
Read more…Terms like GMO, non-GMO, and organic get bandied about a lot these days, but what do they mean? Do these labels provide assurance or indicate we should be avoiding the food in question? Let’s define these labels and learn what
Read more…Event: 1st Annual Ridge to Ridge Challenge
Date of Event: May 9th, 2026 Location: Walnut Creek Open Space
Benefit of Fundraising: All proceeds support the Youth Leadership Team
The Opportunity
We are looking for motivated, organized, and energetic vo
Read more…What are Microplastics? Microplastics have been in the news quite a bit lately, but it may still be useful to clarify some things about them. Microplastics are minute plastic fragments measuring less than 5 millimeters—roughly the size of a sesame se
It’s never too early to start talking to kids about sustainability and respecting the planet. Children instinctively gravitate towards nature and enjoy learning about environmental stewardship, especially when it’s presented through engaging, hands-o
The Organization
Sustainable Contra Costa (SCOCO) is a 501c3 nonprofit that promotes solutions and mobilizes actions that support ecosystems, save resources, and reduce waste to create healthy, resilient communities. We are a community of civic leade
