Our house in Orinda has been “up in the air” since November. It’s jacked up because the foundation had partially collapsed. It didn’t happen all at once. The house was built in the early 1950s, and we think the foundation was exposed to water that un
What is Prop 65? In the state of California, Prop 65 warning labels on products inform consumers that it is known to cause cancer or reproductive harm in humans or laboratory animals. Products include apparel, textiles, jewelry, accessories, home pro
Concrete is everywhere. It is popular for buildings and infrastructure because of its compressive strength. Add rebar, and you add tensile strength—resulting in a material that can carry weight without cracking and resist bending or being pulled apar
Read more…Climate change can feel overwhelming and you may be thinking about what else you can do. One simple action to take this year is to increase your physical activity. Let’s face it, life’s better when you’re healthy and it’s the same with our environmen
If you’re thinking about New Year’s resolutions for 2024, here are five suggestions that will conserve natural resources, save energy, and help you start out the new year on a positive note while helping the planet!
1) Reduce Landfill Waste There are
Read more…Photo by Sweta Meininger on Unsplash
In our quest for a magical holiday season, it’s easy to get caught up in a frenzy of shopping, wrapping, and generally doing too much. Instead of being a warm and wonderful experience, holidays can become overw
Read more…Dr. Geoffrey Hinton helped Google develop it’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities. He quit Google when he began to worry about the unintended consequences of using the technology. “I’m afraid of self-censoring,” he told Jeff Bennett and the PB
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
The holidays are here, and that means kids are home from school, guests are coming for a visit, and you need some ideas for outdoor fun during this festive season. Whether you want to get some exercise, breathe some
Read more…We’ve posted many articles on how to make Christmas greener, and these discussions invariably address the dilemma of choosing an artificial tree vs. a real tree. Whether you are religious, spiritual, or secular, the Christmas tree is a popular symbol
Black Friday - the day after Thanksgiving - has traditionally been all about shopping. However, people and companies are increasingly questioning the effects of the one-day buying frenzy on businesses and the planet.
Over the last few years, the mov
Read more…As we gather with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving, we can also take a moment to appreciate and protect the environment by hosting a zero waste Thanksgiving. Embracing this eco-conscious approach not only reduces our ecological footprint
Read more…The fashion industry places a heavy burden on the planet. It is responsible for 10 percent of global greenhouse emissions and is the second largest consumer of the world’s water supply. The huge number of resources required to manufacture clothing in
National Hiking Day is just around the corner, on November 17, and what better way to celebrate than by exploring the beautiful hiking trails that the East Bay has to offer? Autumn is a magical time for hiking, with crisp air, vibrant foliage, and an
Read more…By: Nina Damiano
Ecology and its subfield, of vertical farming is key to today’s understanding of the environment and its modern applications. In September, SLIA hosted a Climate Careers Chat discussing just this. The virtual webinar featured two exp
Read more…Photo: Summerwindnursery.com
The autumn season is upon us, and it's time to embrace the vibrant tapestry of colors, the crisp cool air, and the bountiful harvest that comes with it. While many think of spring as the prime gardening season, but fall i
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Halloween is one of the spookiest times of the year for the environment. Mass-produced fast fashion composed of cheap, one-use polyester costumes; plastic candy wrappers and packaging; throwaway porch and party decorations; and pumpkins left to rot
Start School in Style
As summer vacation slips away, the excitement of a new school year kicks in. Whether you're a student, a parent, or not in school anymore, this time of year offers a great chance to make a positive impact on both our personal li
Read more…Some days are just too hot to think, too hot to move, and certainly too hot to cook. For those sticky, sweaty, sweltering days, make one of these no-cook summer dishes.
Not only will you be keeping the temperature down in your home as you make your
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Photo: Dalton Heating and Cooling
As global temperatures continue to rise, we are experiencing soaring heatwaves and record-breaking temperatures across the globe. Following June’s mild temperatures in the Bay Area, July turned up the heat, and ho
Read more…This Plastic Free July, join millions of people reducing their plastic waste! This is a global movement that has inspired 100+ million participants in 190 countries. Your small changes will collectively make a massive difference to our communities. Y
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