SustainableSCU

Inspired by Erin's inquiry to me for an alternative toothbrush, I wanted to share with everyone that I use the green panda toothbrush, made entirely of bamboo including the bristles--which means it's biodegradable! I got mine at Whole Foods but it is also available online!

In California specifically, oceans are warming and acidifying disrupting the marine ecosystem, droughts are effecting water supply and agriculture, and the snow patterns are becoming more and more irregular. 

“Anaerobic digestion is fascinating because it’s a relatively easy, natural way of turning a broad variety of complex waste into a simple fuel gas. Closing waste loops and recovering energy from waste presents a profound opportunity to simultaneously improve waste management and address climate change.” - David Babson Developing infrastructure...

Check out this <2 minute video about a micro wind turbine project for the adventurers out there! This portable turbine, which weighs only 2 pounds and folds down to the size of an umbrella, can recharge cell phones and other devices during hikes! https://www.jamesdysonaward.org/en-GB/2016/project/micro-wind-turbine/

Thanks to Erin, I've learned that reusable bamboo utensils are a great alternative to plastic!  Other bamboo products I saw online include longboards, sunglasses, reusable straws, and tissue paper. I don't remember seeing bamboo products in local stores, but I will keep my eyes open for this alternative material when purchasing. 

After a childhood visit to the orangutan exhibit at the local zoo, I've been aware of palm oil's environmental impact through deforestation. However, I learned today that products containing or derived from palm oil are not always labeled clearly—see this list for 30+ different names for palm oil-based ingredients!

I try to buy as much of my produce as I can from local producers and I eat a reduced meat diet. These both ensure that I don't support the industrial farms and pastures, created through deforestation, that are currently monopolizing our food system

In Santa Clara micro turbines could be used at SCU on the larger buildings for energy generation on site as well as in downtown San Jose as their large buildings can provide the steady breeze necessary for increased micro turbine efficiency.

Once the technology associated with Geothermal energy generation gets more efficient and the practice becomes more widely known I believe it will be a lot easier for the public to get behind large scale investment as it can provide one of the most stable and eco-friendly forms of energy.

I didn't fully realize the environmental impacts of coffee- but next time I buy coffee I will be sure to look for "shade-grown" coffee!