A More Sustainable Summer

From the scorching temperatures across the globe to more frequent and severe flooding, climate change is here. That said, there are many things we can do in Alameda to make this summer more sustainable.

First things first. Start your day with organic shade-grown coffee. It prevents deforestation and preserves carbon-sequestering trees. Ask your coffee supplier for it. If they look at you with a blank stare, don’t worry. It does exist. Even Trader Joe’s offers a Shade Grown Espresso Blend, when available.

Picnics and parties

Family picnics at our local tree-shaded parks are popular in the summer. Pack your lunch and snacks in a reusable lunch bag or picnic basket and use reusable baggies (available at many stores) for food. Also, pack reusable dishes instead of paper plates. The less single-use items we use the better, as all items we purchase generate emissions in their manufacture, shipping, and disposal.

The most climate-friendly picnic will be vegetarian, as fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and legumes produce less emissions than meat products. And don’t forget your reusable water bottle filled with tap water. Plastic water bottles are not the way to go, even if you recycle the plastic bottle. It takes a lot of energy with associated emissions to ship water bottles.

After your picnic, be sure to take your banana peels, apple cores, and other organic leftovers with you and put them in your compost bin when you get home. Organic material in landfills creates methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, so it is critical to compost rather than toss those scraps in the nearest garbage can.

For parties, again focus on vegetarian food and reusables rather than disposables. You can borrow a bin of reusable party dishes from Alameda Natural Grocery. If you need more chairs, tables, or trays, borrow them from friends or get them used from thrift stores, Freecycle, or Buy Nothing on Facebook, instead of purchasing new items.

Vacations

Now, about vacations. Consider exploring national parks in California or close-by states you can drive to instead of flying. Traveling by electric vehicle is best for the climate. Another climate-friendly option is taking the train and enjoying the view as you travel.

If you must take an airplane, there are several ways to lessen the environmental burden. Do your best to make it a non-stop trip. Most of the fuel is used during takeoff and landing so the fewer the stops the better. Pack light so less fuel is used hauling your stuff. Take only carry-on luggage so the airline doesn’t lose your bag and leave you to purchase replacement items—reducing consumption is a good thing.

When you stay at hotels, reuse the towels by hanging them up to dry instead of tossing them on the floor for the hotel staff to launder, and select the option to not change sheets every day. Finally, consider purchasing carbon offsets when you travel.

When autumn arrives

Fall will be here before we know it, and school will be starting again. For kid drop-off and pick-up, consider biking or walking instead of driving. More exercise is always good and it is a zero-emissions option. If you must drive, remember not to let your car idle while you wait for your kids. (The same goes when waiting for one of our drawbridges to come back down.)

For more ideas on what you can do to protect the climate, such as contacting your government representatives about climate protection, getting a home energy audit, electrifying your appliances, and more, see Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda’s climate protection checklist . Together we can make this a more sustainable island, all year long.

Joyce Mercado is a member of Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA). She can be reached at jlmercado246@gmail.com .

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