Clean water and air, fuel efficiency standards, EPA funding, protecting open space, banning dangerous pesticides, CLIMATE CHANGE… if any of these issues are important to you, now is the time to speak up and let your representatives know.
What’s the f
Read more…The following is a process for grounding and natural renewal provided by Amy Erez of Sugi Health. Amy will be co-presenting a workshop with Sustainable Contra Costa "Living In Sync With Nature" on April 1st. More information and registration is here.
Read more…Nail polish remover, paint, kerosene, window cleaner… Sometimes we buy cleaners and other chemicals, use them a couple of times, and then retire them to the back of a bathroom cabinet or that dusty shelf in the garage. So what do you do with that st
Read more…Insecticides (which kill insects) and herbicides (which kill weeds), often grouped together collectively as “pesticides,” are used worldwide to the tune of 5 billion pounds per year. These poisons infiltrate our water, soil, air, and food, thereby af
Sustainable Contra Costa has teamed up with Central San to teach elementary and high school students about local water issues and protecting the local watershed. Through the Water Wizards program, we take elementary school kids on an interactive adve
Spring is on the horizon! Was this winter particularly ravaging on your landscaping? Did you add "replace dead plants or grass" to your to-do list?
Green hillsides, full reservoirs, and flowing creeks are signs that our drought woes may be subsiding (at least for now). Yet, the glorious downpours bring up another issue: stormwater runoff. Aside from what’s collected in rain barrels or absorbed
When we hear the term "permaculture," many of us don't now what that means. There's a lot to learn, and as a movement and philosophy, permaculture is still evolving and expanding. If you'd like to understand more about permaculture, don't forget that
With a new year comes the opportunity to hit the refresh button and reevaluate everything from your haircut to where you keep your money. So now is the perfect time to switch your money over to a credit union. Credit unions are non-profits owned by m
Read more…Making decisions and purchases is a part of every day life. To make more environmentally and socially conscientious purchases, check for certifications and product standards like the ones listed below:
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification
FS
Read more…While we are thinking about where to spend our money that has the most benefit and the least harmful impact on the global environment, we might consider another question:
Do I need to buy this at all?
The "post-consumer" movement is gaining steam a
Read more…It’s an amazing experience to realize that we are interwoven with all living things that make up the beautiful, vital existence of our planet. This vitality is present in every one of us and gives us the power to love, conflict, heal, and regenerate.
Read more…Before you know it, we’ll be off to a new year and ready for something new and different. For self-improvement classes that support the environment, consider these fun and educational workshops lined up for 2017. Hosted by Sustainable Contra Costa, R
Read more…The election last month left many of us with heavy hearts and discouraged spirits, especially with regard to environmental protection and sustainability. However, now more than ever we are committed to making sure we do everything we can on a local l
The holidays are a great time to reconnect with friends and family members, and to eat a lot of really good food. Conversations may range from friendly piecrust discussions to exciting political discourse. One subject that seems likely to come up o
December is a month for all things warm and comforting — favorite holiday movies, snuggly blankets, twinkly lights and hot beverages from cocoa to mulled wine. Chances are that Thanksgiving may have left you overwhelmed at the thought of getting back
Read more…Over this past summer SCOCO worked with local agencies to conduct a multifaceted outreach program intended to acquaint Contra Costa small businesses with the advantages of, and opportunities to, improve their energy efficiency. The outreach effort wa
Read more…So long tomatoes and watermelon… hello brussels sprouts, apples, and acorn squash! Shop at your local Farmers’ Market to embrace the produce of the fall and winter seasons. If you need some extra motivation to say goodbye to summer fruits and vegeta
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