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…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 W
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
We may have wrapped up the holiday season, but shopping for goods never ends. If you support the ethical treatment of animals and engage in cruelty-free shopping, is it fair to assume this is a sustainable act that also helps the environment?
Cruelty
Read more…Offering help to those in our community who need it is always important, but during the holiday season there can be an even greater need. If you're looking for opportunities to help out this season, you can start with some of the larger organizations
We are at peak season for holiday gift-giving. While savvy environmentalists avoid fast fashion, clothing is always a popular choice, and nothing says luxury like cashmere. Unlike synthetic fibers, cashmere is a natural, biodegradable fiber, but it i
Recent federal updates have moved up deadlines for major clean energy tax credits and incentives. Here's a look at some of the options available in our area. Make sure you sign up for the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge to track your progress. Mark a
Read more…Most consumers purchase a combination of fresh, frozen, and canned food to prepare meals, and with the holiday season fast approaching, the purchase of convenience foods is higher than usual. Canned food is affordable and makes cooking quick and conv
Have you heard the expression "Fall is for planting?" In particular it refers to planting locally native plants, although many landscape plants do well when planted in early fall. The days are still long enough that they can begin to get established,
Fluoride is known for remineralizing tooth enamel; reducing tooth and gum sensitivity; and preventing cavities, gum disease, and the premature loss of teeth. It is a naturally occurring mineral found in water, soil, rocks, and
Read more…Extreme weather events are becoming part of our daily news, often bringing tragic human casualties and severe environmental damage. Having spent much of my professional life traveling, I’ve cherished the opportunities to learn about new cultures, enj
Just when customers are feeling the heat of rising energy bills, PG&E is offering to pay for a home energy storage system that benefits both the utility and you, the customer, as well as the entire community. PG&E’s Self-Generation Incentive Program
We’ve been spotlighting microplastics and the ecological consequence of microfiber shedding due to laundering synthetic clothing at home. Is professional dry cleaning any safer for our planet and our health? Are environmental dry cleaners a real thin
Read more…To follow up on the previous article, which lays out the problem of microplastics, SCOCO Board Member Dr. Laurine G. Osborne shares ideas for effective local action here in Contra Costa.
It begins with something familiar: a well-loved fleece, zipped
Plastics are washing up on shorelines and waterways around the globe, and the so-called Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a swirling plastic galaxy as big as the state of Texas. Now, scientists are finding small bits of plastic in our brains and bodies.
Summer is here, and so is summer irrigation! If you’re looking to make the most of every drop with smart, simple changes, Contra Costa Water District’s (CCWD) free Water Wise House Call can help. During a typical Water Wise House Call, CCWD’s knowled
Silk is associated with luxury and known for its luster, strength and softness. This natural protein fiber originated over 8,500 years ago in ancient China and was traded along the famed Silk Road.
Conventional silk production, known as sericulture,
Read more…By this time, most of the Earth Day and Earth Month celebrations are over for the year, and the organizations that work hard to prepare for them are probably thinking about next year. SCOCO volunteers and volunteers from other organizations should be
Read more…Soil vs. Dirt, Biodegradation, and Landfills
Last month, Sustainable Contra Costa hosted a showing of the highly acclaimed documentary Common Ground, which depicts the "Soil Your Undies Challenge." This experiment playfully challenges participants to
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