 Image via BBC. Plastic bottles and containers have become ubiquitous in our society. The plastics industry and our consumerist economy assure us that everything is okay--just put it into the recycling bin. But what's really happening with what we put into our recycling bins? Many of us are aware that the global recycling business has been turned upside down in recent years, as China, which had for decades taken in about half of the world's discarded recyclable materials, instituted a 2018 ban on the import of most plastics.
Since then, plastic waste has begun piling up like never before, and exporters of plastic recyclables are having a harder time finding countries willing to take them in. U.S. municipalities that used to see some net profit from recycling are now paying to get rid of all the waste. To get more insight and answers about all of this, we'll hear from Nicole Kurian, policy analyst with Californians Against Waste. She will present to our club about the California Recycling and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act that will appear on ballots in November 2022, and other items of pending legislation in Sacramento to attack the problem of all this waste. We'll also get updates on the pollution in the Tijuana River Valley, our board's opposition to a problematic large solar farm proposed for the area near Jacumba Hot Springs, and about how you can get involved with local efforts to defeat the recall and stop an extreme anti-environmentalist Republican takeover of the governor's office. The meeting will be on Zoom with check-in beginning at 6:15 PM; we'll come to order at 6:30 PM >>>Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86870364786?pwd=bUNRRzEwRy9pcUlIbXE1RXpra3g4UT09 Meeting ID: 868 7036 4786 Say you're "going" on Facebook!
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 At our executive board's most recent meeting, we reviewed the proposed JVR Energy Park, a massive 650-acre solar farm that would nearly surround Jacumba Hot Springs, an unincorporated border community in the Mountain Empire of far southeastern San Diego County. In consideration of the immediate harm this project would do to sensitive habitats and a wildlife corridor, as well as the negative impacts on the local community, our board voted unanimously to oppose this project.
We have submitted a letter opposing this project to each of the county supervisors in advance of the vote scheduled to take place at the County Board of Supervisors meeting this Wednesday, Aug. 18. We're re-publishing this as an open letter for our members and the general public; click here to view our letter. The club's executive board opposes the project for a variety of reasons. As environmental activists and advocates we recognize the incredibly critical importance of building new clean power infrastructure, but we cannot in good conscience recommend the approval of this project as proposed. It would have significant negative environmental consequences for air quality; biological resources; cultural resources, and more, including disrupting a wildlife migration corridor. In addition, aside from small cash payouts to specific local groups, there would be little benefit provided to the community of Jacumba. None of the power generated on site at the JVR facility will supply the local community. We urge you to take part in this public hearing and express your concerns as well. It begins at 9:00 a.m. at the County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 310. Click here for the meeting agenda; Item #1 is Noticed Public Hearing: JVR Energy Park Major Use Permit. Click here to submit an e-comment on Agenda Item #1 The project has received the recommendation of the San Diego County Planning Commission on a 5-2 vote (Planning Commissioner and SDCDEA founding president Tommy Hough spoke in opposition to the project). As San Diego County commits to meeting climate action goals, we must focus on how we achieve those goals. We cannot set the dangerous precedent of ignoring both environmental and community concerns when expanding our clean power infrastructure.  SDCDEA members Christina, Richard, and Bridger with San Diego City Councilmember Sean Elo-Riviera. It was great seeing many of you at Balboa Park this past Saturday for the San Diego Green New Deal Alliance "Celebration For Climate, Jobs & Justice" event. So many groups were present: among them, San Diego 350, Climate Mobilization San Diego, Extinction Rebellion San Diego, and San Diego Coastkeeper, as well as many representatives of labor, education, city services, housing, and community activist groups. We'd like to thank our own past and present board members Maleeka Marsden and Galena Robertson of Climate Action Campaign for taking the lead on putting this event together, and to all those who volunteered their time and efforts to make this happen. And much appreciation for the United Women’s East African Support Team (UWEAST) who provided the delicious vegan and vegetarian Ethiopian food, and Mar & Mur for providing a bounty of incredible cookies! In this bleak setting of the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report delivering a "Code Red For Humanity" warning, mass extinction of species, and growing economic inequality our local alliance delivers a sense of hope--when we come together with those of common dreams and concerns, we find that we are ready to meet the challenges ahead. A more sustainable and equitable San Diego for the next generation is possible, but only if when we work together to overcome the obstacles and demand what is right.  |
Green Thoughts
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