San Diego Earth Times - Earth Day in Balboa Park Sunday, April 28 - "Protect Our Climate"
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
San Diego Earth Times Special Earth Day Issue April 2019 Earth Day in Balboa Park Sunday, April 28 – “Protect Our Climate” Take Transit to EarthFair! Ride Rapid 215 to Balboa Park – sdmts.com Parks Need Friends A parks love story
Contents
CUT TO THE CHASE – FROM THE EDITOR
Transit or LOCAL ECOLOGY
Parks need friends: a parks love story......................................... 5
Traffic? We play; we celebrate; we recreate; we walk, we bike, we skate, we
paddle; We love our parks, but they are still being encroached upon,
by Carolyn Chase even today. Some public open spaces are neglected. Others risk
R
aise your hand if you think traffic is a being over-planned for growth.
choice. Well, it may not be your first Ten ways to support our parks..................................................... 5
choice, but it’s the choice of our elected Rose Creek native plant garden work party............................... 6
officials. San Diego’s Green Deal:
The choice of our governments is to grow at all costs and the #1 2019 Climate Action Plan report card.................................7
documented cost is time lost in transport. I served on San Diego’s Spoiler: San Diego Region is not on track to meet local,
Planning Commission for a few years and now volunteer for my regional, and state climate targets.
Creek to Bay Cleanup.................................................................... 7
Community Planning Group, and I’m watching Community Plan
NATIONAL ISSUES
Updates with interest.
The Green New Deal, by the numbers ........................................ 9
We are not against growth per se, but we’re fed up with stupid
The proposal would boost the US economy and eliminate fossil
growth which is to say that our love affair with the car has blinded us fuel use in ten years.
to the need for well-designed transit in order for the City to grow-up GLOBAL ECOLOGY
to be great rather than traffic-limited. Polish firm produces bee-saving paper ..................................... 10
Every big, great city has functioning transit to get around. There One-third of our food supply, and much of the plant life in earth,
may be traffic, but most importantly, there are ways to get around depends on bees for pollination. And bee populations have been
without a car. critically declining. This product could help make a difference.
Sadly, here in Southern California, transit is still considered a EARTH DAY 2019
welfare program for the poor who can’t afford a car and not a require- EarthFair 2019 in Balboa Park on April 28................................. 12
ment for a great, bigger city to function. Expensive (current estimate A quick guide to what to see and do at the 30th annual
celebration
and rising for about 10+ miles is >$1.2 Billion), slow, glamour-trolley
EarthFair 2019 Program and Map............................................... 15
projects slow down an already slow bus system where the vast majority
Art and artists at EarthFair......................................................... 20
of buses are stuck in traffic too. Watch local artists create murals, and help color in one
The definition of transit priority areas, where “villages” are being yourself, at the Mural Wall at EarthFair.
added to plans and parking requirements are being eliminated, is that Tree walkabout: the wonderful trees of Balboa Park............... 20
they are within a half-mile of a train station or 15-minute bus services. POLLUTION AND WASTE
Problem is, most people don’t want to walk more than 1/3 of a mile. PU 4 PLU!...................................................................................... 22
Second – waiting as much as 15 minutes for the next bus? Only in All about those annoying little tags on fresh fruit.
la-la land where we don’t know better would 15 minute services be City of San Diego plastic ban takes effect................................. 23
considered fast enough for most to change to transit. … with Styrofoam having a special place in regulator’s hearts.
Without getting serious about increasing support for better- Before you buy new…................................................................ 25
performing transit, we have to understand that the plan is for traffic to Reduce waste by simple repairs and repurposing.
get so bad that you have two unpalatable choices. The first choice is
Special thanks to Jennifer Hewitson for creating this year’s “Protect
to take the poor transit that does exist, or move. The second, without our Climate” artwork, shown on page 15.
any practical options to get to major job centers, is to choose traffic. Cover photo by Carolyn Chase. The number 350 on the blue man’s
Those who can, rather than choosing traffic, are choosing stay home chest signifies climate safety: to preserve a livable planet, scientists
rather than shop retail. Let delivery services fight traffic. tell us we must reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere from its
current level of 400 parts per million to below 350.
Finally, to add insult to injury, where is the requirement for de-
velopments to pay a fair share toward transit within these areas? It
doesn’t currently exist. Plans are to ask voters to raise sales taxes to San Diego Earth Times
pay for the funds required to improve transit.
is published by Earth Media, Inc. Our internet version is printed with
Yes but. Yes, transit deserves more funding. But regional plan- recycled electrons and can be found at www.SDEarthTimes.com.
ners must prove that the funds are going to improve transit service Staff Communication
to regional job centers by creating a practical network of rapid bus/ Editor/Publisher: Chris Klein Mail: P.O. Box 99179
emergency lanes. And, prove that transit actually does reduce climate Editor/Features: Carolyn Chase San Diego, CA 92169
Assignments: Alice Martinez Phone: (858) 272-7423
emissions, and that developers benefiting from transit-related “village” Editors: Kristie McCue Email: sdet@sdearthtimes.com
upzones will pay their fair share. Liz Dexia Twitter: @EarthDayMom
Facebook: San Diego Earth Day
San Diego Earth Times 2 April 2019 April 2019 3 San Diego Earth Times
Local Ecology
Parks need friends: a parks love story
We play; we celebrate; we recreate; we walk, we bike, we skate, we
paddle; We love our parks but they are still being encroached upon,
even today. Some public open spaces are neglected. Others risk being
over-planned for growth. Know your parks and protect them.
by Carolyn Chase
B
y national measures, the City of difference and why people still
San Diego has more acres of public have to fight for protections.
parkland per capita than anywhere
else. For this, I raise a toast to our forebears Friends of Rose
who fought to see parks and open spaces
Creek
protected from encroachment as much as a
possible. This toast includes the landowners Rose Creek has its own wa-
and developers who cared about conservation tershed that drains Rose Canyon
and quality of life. This article is about how from Miramar Base into Mission
today’s parks need your help. Bay Park west of I-5 in eastern
Pacific Beach. Karin Zirk has
Parks are us lived in the neighborhood next to
This is tale of two “friends” groups active the creek for 17 years and is the
in and aroimd Mission Bay Park: Friends of driving and sometimes exhausted Lower Rose Creek: part of this urban watershed just
Rose Creek and Fiesta Island Dog Owners force behind efforts to get the before it empties into Mission Bay,
(FIDO). Both are run by volunteers who have City to take better care of Lower Rose Creek and water. The City’s current status is to ignore
taken it upon themselves to seek protections (note: Friends of Rose Canyon looks after it maintenance-wise but keep it as a location
for their favorite piece of public open space. Upper Rose Creek). Lower Rose Creek is an for a potential storm water treatment plant.
Both mobilize volunteers several times a urban gem where the City is adding a “village” Friends of Rose Creek asks you to attend
year to clean-up and recycle trash leftover by planning an additional 4,000 units nearby. the City Council April 9th hearing. Visit their
or dumped in the areas. Both are working to Friends of Rose Creek’s vision is for lower website: SaveRoseCreek.org for info on
get the City of San Diego to increase protec- Rose Creek to be protected as public parkland how to help.
tions. Both are great examples of how to make in order to keep this precious piece of wildlife ( Continued on page 6 )
Ten Ways to Support Our Parks
Thanks to ParksProject.US for the inspiration #radparks
1. Know Your Park: learn about its 6. Reduce Your Environmental Impact:
significance, the importance of reduce and mitigate your climate
preservation, and any threats. change emissions, including reducing,
2. Volunteer: participate in clean-ups, reusing, and recycling.
restoration, and/or maintenance proj- 7. Donate: what you can to non-profit
ects. groups that work to protect parks.
3. Get Involved: join a local conservation 8. Share: Be an advocate. Share your
or environmental group to stay park knowledge with friends and
informed on park issues in your family.
community. 9. Take Action: support candidates that
4. Leave No Trace: when visiting parks, vote for policies that protect parks.
pack it in, pack it out. In life, move Contact your representatives on
Dogs enjoying a sunset run in the water towards zero waste. behalf of your parks.
at Fiesta Island Dog Park, one of only 2 5. Respect Nature: Do not disturb plants, 10. Enjoy Your Parks!
beaches – and the only bay front – in City wildlife, or natural features.
of San Diego that allows dogs.
San Diego Earth Times 4 April 2019 April 2019 5 San Diego Earth Times
BE A FRIEND – GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY
San Diego’s Green Deal:
Rose Creek native plant garden work party
2019 Climate Action Plan report card
Second Saturday of Every Month: April 13, May 11, June 8… Spoiler: San Diego Region is not on track to meet local, regional,
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM • Pacific Beach and state climate targets.
J
oin Friends of Rose Creek for native Fogg Street just South of Garnet. of all ages. Community service credit hours by Alice Martinez
E
plant gardening on the second Saturday Help with weeding, watering, remov- are available. arlier this year the San Diego-based impacts. If applicable, identify which of climate change. They are home to the
of every month, from 9am until 11am. ing invasive non-native plants and trash, Please wear sunscreen, closed-toe shoes, Climate Action Campaign released Climate Action Plan strategies would be largest sources of climate change emissions
Snacks and tap water will be provided. Please and planting native species (fall and winter and a hat. Volunteers should bring water and the 3rd Edition of its Climate Action hindered or supported by the action pre- and toxic pollution known to cause serious
bring your own water bottles. months). Get involved with your creek and heavy-duty work or gardening gloves. Heavy Plan Report Card, which assesses the city’s sented (similar to the Fiscal Considerations health impacts. They therefore requested that
Meet behind the Rose Creek Cottage, your community, hands-on! Our easy one- rain cancels. Drizzle means we work. Climate Action Plan (CAP) implementation and Environmental Impact sections). the investments in impacted communities be
2525 Garnet Ave. in Pacific Beach. Park on to two-hours projects are great for children efforts in the San Diego Region. The report • Include a CAP Five-Year Forecast as an increased by the year 2020 such that it be
shares regional trends as well as scores prog- addendum to the Five-Year Financial “proportionate to the population (about 60%
ress of individual cities Outlook on an annual basis. A five-year of the total)”.
The Report Card states that the San Diego implementation plan for the CAP, with Other recommendations included: trans-
Region is not on track to meet local, regional, associated costs, would offer the Mayor parent direct and indirect funding reporting,
and state climate targets. and Council a clear understanding of the increase staff capacity, retention of state re-
The City of San Diego achieved a 98/100 actions and investments needed to hit the sources, and ensuring that regional transpor-
for its CAP and a 64/100 for implementation, 2020 and 2035 CAP targets. tation plans meet climate change emissions
with a final score of 81. • In CAP annual monitoring reports, include targets. “Zero-emission transit and trucks”
The city earned points for and improving transit connections
Put on some sturdy pants and shoes… and help move some of this crap… out of this guy’s living space.
progress towards implementation to jobs were identified as key im-
The city earned points for progress towards
of a Community Choice Energy implementation of a Community Choice Energy provements.
Program and the initiation of con-
Park friends The city: not so much. Rose Creek faces growth
struction of the Downtown Mo-
program and the initiation of construction of the
(cont from page 5) One proposal being heard at City Council Downtown Mobility Plan Cycle Track Network, but Annual Report from
The City’s Balboa Avenue Station Area bility Plan Cycle Track Network,
in May proposes to divide the dog park with a lost points for lack of progress towards the trans- the City of San Diego
Fiesta Island – Paradise for Specific Plan (BASASP) is designed to create but lost points for lack of progress
road. FIDO has proposed, and asks the public portation mode share targets, equitable imple-
dog owners to support, Option B. This option leaves the a high-density residential community within towards the transportation mode mentation, and urban tree canopy. The city provides an annual
As a result of a political battle in the early fenced area intact and removes other intru- a “transit priority zone” west of the Mid- share targets, equitable implemen- report and technical appendix. The
70s, all city beaches were closed to dogs with sions. They are asking people to attend the Coast Trolley stop servicing Pacific Beach tation, and urban tree canopy. 2018 Climate Action Plan Annual
the exception of Dog Beach in Ocean Beach City Council hearings in May. and Clairemont. Issues bringing down the score included: a description of actions taken towards Report Appendix can be found at www.
and most of Fiesta Island. Each has a distinct Visit their website: FIDOSD.org for more The BASASP identifies lower Rose Creek • Climate is still not a top priority for cities implementing each action in the CAP. sandiego.gov/sustainability
kind of shoreline available. info and to join their email list for notices. Or in this area as critical for the densification and • Transportation near jobs and housing A few highlights of the city’s report is
follow them on Fiesta Island Dog Owners on • Equity Environmental Justice? below, primarily focused on calendar year
Too Big relies on its open space and the Rose Creek
The whole of Fiesta Island was too big Facebook. Bike Path for safe ingress and egress from • Climate not embedded in every decision The Environmental Health Coalition 2017 data compared to a 2010 baseline:
for many dog owners to use. When the fenced Pacific Beach to the station. But it does not • County of San Diego jeopardizes regional recommended “Start Here, Start Now” to • 13 percent growth in sustainability-related
area on the Southwest corner became open to Friends need persistence progress by continuing sprawl without address environmental justice, noting that jobs
address ongoing maintenance issues created
the public, dog owners discovered what many Another things friends groups have in ( Continued on page 27 ) transit “Equity is mandated in the CAP.” In San Di- • 11 percent reduction in residential energy
now describe as “doggie paradise”: about 90 common is persistence and vigi- Areas for Improvement: ego, Environmental Justice (EJ) communities use
acres of fenced open-space and about a 1-mile lance. Effective policies require – Transportation are hit first and worst by the harmful effects ( Continued on page 10 )
walking perimeter around the shoreline. patience. You don’t always win. – Equity
Just Right You can’t always get what you – Urban Tree Canopy
It’s big enough to allow dogs and their want. But you usually can gain
owners to walk and exercise together; but not some things over time and you
The recommendations below were made
to help the city address CAP implementation
Creek to Bay Cleanup
so big that you can’t get your dog back (with often can stop encroachments – if more effectively.
reasonable effort). you’re vigilant. Saturday, April 27 9am – Noon
Climate Action Campaign
T
Stop a Road Through It In urban areas like San Di-
his annual event takes place at more and parks. For the Rose Creek cleanup, meet
Fiesta Island Dog Owners (FIDO) is the ego, parks need friends. With- recommendations than 100 sites in San Diego County, at 9am at Mission Bay High School.
friends’ non-profit run by volunteers intent on out individual members of the
• Complete the Transportation Master Plan and lower Rose Creek is one of them. Find other locations at CreektoBay.org-
protecting the unique character of the fenced, public standing up and fight-
as a roadmap to reach the CAP mode share The mission of the event is to engage com- For events on other dates, visit www.ilacsd.
off-leash location. ing for park protections and Fiesta Island’s unique mix of beach and bay-side mesa
services, in cities, parks get provides a natural playground for dog of all sizes and targets. munity members in removing debris from org/events/category/events/
encroached upon. breeds. • Require all staff reports to address CAP San Diego’s beaches, waterways, canyons,
San Diego Earth Times 6 April 2019 April 2019 7 San Diego Earth Times
National Issues
The Green New Deal, by the numbers
This vision would boost the U.S. economy and eliminate fossil fuel
use in ten years.
provided by Kate Schimel / High Country News
N
ot long after Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., was
elected last November, she began gathering support for a
“Green New Deal,” mobilizing young climate activists and
Photo by Dinitri Rodriguez/CC via Flickr
pushing Democratic leaders to pursue the concept.
The idea, which was first floated by New York Times columnist
Thomas Friedman in 2007, is modeled on Franklin D. Roosevelt’s
sweeping Depression-era New Deal and proposes tackling climate
change as a massive job creator to boost the American economy. In
its current form, it also marries climate action with a host of other
progressive aims.
On Feb. 7, Ocasio-Cortez introduced a nonbinding resolution
articulating what a Green New Deal might include, from eliminating
fossil fuels entirely to establishing universal health care and ensuring
stronger rights for Indigenous people and nations. Here’s the proposal
– and some context – by the numbers. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., at the New York City
Women’s March in January 2019.
68 Number of co-sponsors of the nonbinding resolution as 457,169 Estimated number of jobs in the wind and solar energy
of February 15. industries as of 2017.
Zero Number of Republicans who have signed on. 11.3% Estimated percentage of the energy Americans used in
35% Percentage of co-sponsors who come from Western states, 2017 that came from wind, solar, hydropower and biomass.
including California, Washington, Colorado, and Arizona. 80% Estimated percentage of the energy Americans used in
$4.03 Average hourly wage for a US worker in January 1973. 2017 that came from fossil fuels.
$23.68 Equivalent hourly wage in today’s dollars, in terms of Zero Percentage of the energy mix in the Green New Deal
purchasing power. resolution that would come from fossil fuels.
$22.65 Average hourly wage of a US worker as of July 2018. 10 Number of years the resolution proposes for achieving
that goal.
Just over one
Number of centuries fossil fuels have dominated US en-
ergy consumption.
8% Percent by which natural gas production is expected to
rise in 2019, projected to be the highest year on record.
$500 billion
Projected annual cost of climate change to the US
economy by 2100, if temperatures increase by 2 degrees
Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) or more.
$1 trillion
Projected cost of climate change-related infrastructure
and coastal real estate damage in the US, if temperatures
increase by 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) or
more.
This story was originally published at High Country News (hcn.
Find out what the new generation has to say. Visit High Tech org) on Feb. 19, 2019. Kate Schimel is an associate editor at High
High students’ ECO Project Youth Voice Stage at EarthFair, in Country News, overseeing Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and the
the Plaza de Panama, in front of the Timkin Gallery. Northern Rockies.
San Diego Earth Times 8 April 2019 April 2019 9 San Diego Earth Times
Global Ecology
Polish firm produces bee-saving paper
One-third of our food supply, and much of the plant life in earth,
depends on bees for pollination. And bee populations have been
critically declining. This product could help make a difference.
provided by Saatchi & Saatchi IS
P
robably the first paper nature would the energy to survive, and they end up on the
love you to litter with has just been ground, dying.
released. Bees and other pollinating
insects are thought to be responsible for keep- To the rescue…
ing 90% of all wild plants in existence. The To help bees, Saatchi & Saatchi IS
pollination “services” provided by bees are Warsaw has teamed up with City Bees, an
estimated to have a global economic value of organization that encourages a passion for
€150 billion ($169 billion). bees in urban communities, to launch Bee
Unfortunately, bee numbers are declin- Saving Paper: a unique project that aims to
ing. In fact, in Poland, 222 out of 469 species promote an innovative, biodegradable mate-
are already on the verge of the extinction. The rial that can be used for many purposes and
potential absence of bees poses a great risk to works like an energy drink for bees. Closeup view of Bee Saving Paper.
the economy and to human prosperity. Bee Saving Paper has been developed doesn’t make the paper sticky, and gives
with Manufaktura Papieru Czerpanego w bees a boost of energy. What the bee leaves
Why the decline? Kobyłce, thanks to close cooperation between behind, once it’s revived and continues on
This dramatic decline is a result of many professionals, including entomology its flight, is a seed from one of its favorite
multiple factors, including the extensive use experts and other paper craftsmen. It contains plants, Lacy Phacelia. This plant will grow
of pesticides, rapid industrialization, and a unique form of energy-rich glucose and and flower, and next season, more bees
unprecedented urban development. All of honey plant seeds, and is covered in water- will benefit from it as they stop on their
this makes bees have to fly much further in based UV paint that is applied in patterns that long journeys.
search of the plants they need. Long distances are seen by bees as a meadow full of pollen. “We’ve managed to develop and
exhaust them. As a result, many of them lack The special kind of glucose in the paper ( Continued on page 12 )
SD Green Deal for other cities in the state and country. to install energy monitoring systems in five
(cont from page 7) The city was named a Top 20 leadership municipal building locations, and the second
• 13 percent reduction in daily per capita city in Bloomberg Philanthropies American awarded $2.7 million to convert three existing
water use Cities Climate Challenge, which includes a libraries (Malcom X, Point Loma, and Serra
• 3 percent reduction in municipal energy use wraparound award of approximately $2.5 Mesa) to zero net energy buildings.
• 45 percent use of renewable electricity million. The city is currently developing a climate
citywide This grant aims to achieve short-term adaptation and resiliency plan, a project being
• 6,800 linear feet of improved sidewalks (2020), high impact projects in the transporta- led by the Planning Department, through a
• 25 compressed natural gas municipal solid tion and building sectors and includes a fully multi-year process funded partially through
waste trucks in operation in 2017 – now at funded 2-year city advisor position. $500,000 of grants awarded by Caltrans, the
36 compressed natural gas municipal solid Additionally, the city received a $150,000 State Coastal Conservancy, and the Califor-
waste trucks in operation currently. grant from the Active Transportation Grant nia Coastal Commission. The development
While nearly all actions in the Climate Program for an education, encouragement, and of this plan is a multi-year process that will
Action Plan are in progress, major areas of awareness campaign titled “MoveFreeSD” to address potential impacts to the city and in-
focus for 2019 are around 100% renewable encourage commuters to choose active forms frastructure from a changing climate.
energy, mobility, and climate resilience. Ad- of transportation and transit through a series of While the Annual Report demonstrated
ditionally, the 2015 CAP states that an update educational opportunities and events. continued progress, there are still many
will occur by 2020. Another two grants came from the En- opportunities and much work to be done to
The city’s plan is still considered a model ergy Commission. The first was $1.9 million reduce the city’s carbon footprint.
San Diego Earth Times 10 April 2019 April 2019 11 San Diego Earth Times
Cleaner Car Concourse cars for many years. You want one… you just
Earth Day 2019 & EVs may not know it yet.)
Since 2009, our Cleaner Car Youth Voice Stage
EarthFair 2019 in Balboa Park on April 28 Concourse has featured alter-
native-fuel and high-efficiency
High Tech High’s ECO Project’ Youth
Voice Stage will host a variety of teen poets,
Choose wisely: what to see and do at the 30th annual celebration. privately-owned vehicles of all speakers, and storytellers advocating for
by Chris Klein descriptions (hybrids included). growth, awareness, and justice surrounding
E
arthFair 2019, presented by MESO or causes that address our environment and on activities for children of all ages. Activities See the vehicles and hear enthusi- environmental issues. You can find the stage
Healthy, is San Diego’s 30th annual quality of life. are designed to educate, entertain, and inspire astic owners talk about them. The in front of the Timkin Modern Art Museum
event. EarthFair is the largest free It’s impossible to list everything you’ll youth in the spirit of Earth Day. Participants The Fixit Clinic meets regularly to help community
vehicles will be on display in the on the Plaza De Panama.
annual environmental fair and Earth Day find at EarthFair: traditional conservation can take part in a number of eco-friendly members get their broken stuff up and running, by
Pan American Plaza.
celebration in the world, and has been for organizations, wildlife preservation groups, projects and crafts, including Jeanné’s Con- doing repairs and by training attendees how to do it Cannabis Row
In addition, this year San Di-
decades! green building, products made from natural necting with Nature gardening project and the themselves. Visit them at the Reuse & Repair area.
ego Gas & Electric’s Plug-in EV EarthFair has hosted hemp-related exhibi-
Produced by 300+ volunteers, EarthFair and organically grown crops, electric cars, “Trashed” Scavenger Hunt. -crafts, please visit EarthGallery.org. Program is sponsoring a show of tors since 1996. Beginning in 2017, enabled
2019 will feature more than 300 exhibitors, 3 gardening information, alternative energy new electric vehicles in the Plaza de Panama. by the easing of legal restrictions on cannabis
food courts, a Children’s Activity Area, four vehicles, ecotourism opportunities, many Earth Day Parade If You Care, Repair (Personally, I’ve been driving electric products, we dedicated a large exhibit area
entertainment stages, the Earth Day Parade, alternative and traditional health care prod- The Earth Day Parade begins at 10:30am; The San Diego Reuse & Repair Network, exclusively to the presentation of cannabis-
the eARTh Gallery eco-arts and crafts show, ucts and services, clean air and clean water see the map on pages 16-17 for the route. Par- The County of San Diego, the City of Chula related goods, services, and causes. Consis-
and two sustainable beer gardens. products, habitat preservation groups… the ticipants are invited to dress up as endangered Vista, and the City of San Diego are sponsor- tent with the popularity of this area with both
Earth Day is a “big tent” celebration, in- list goes on and on. species or present their favorite earth-friendly ing a special area at EarthFair to showcase exhibitors and visitors in 2017 and 2018, in
cluding everyone and everything that concerns Use our Exhibitor Finder on the web messages. To find out more, see photos of “higher use” ways to keep items out of the 2019 we again dedicate this area – designated
the care and preservation of our environment. at EFExh.org to local exhibitors by topic. previous parades, or to register, visit www. landfill. The message is simple: fix it, don’t Cannabis Row – to cannabis/hemp goods
EarthFair mirrors this broad view. If your organization, club, or company is EarthParade.org. Entry is free! pitch it. See the article on page 25. and services.
interested in exhibiting at EarthFair, please This year’s Parade Grand Marshall is ( Continued on page 14 )
Exhibitors visit www.EarthDayWeb.org. San Diego County Supervisor Nathan
The exhibitors are the heart of EarthFair. Fletcher.
They represent every type of non-profit or- Special for Kids
ganization, governmental department, and In our Children’s Activity Area, you’ll eARTh Gallery
commercial enterprise with goods, services, find crafts, games, face painting, and hands- The eARTh Gallery features crafts made Choose Transit
from recycled, discarded, or waste materials
and artwork depicting “Endangered Spaces” for Earth Day!
Bee-saving paper For more information about the project,
(cont from page 10)
produce what is probably the first paper
visit the website: www.beesavingpaper.
com.
in San Diego County. The Gallery is located
close to the corner of Park Blvd. and Presi- T ake any Blue or Orange Trolley
Line to the City College Station in
dents Way, next to our International Food downtown San Diego. The station is
nature would not only like you to use, but
Pavilion and the Moon Stage. For information located between 11th Ave. and Park
maybe even to drop” said Tomasz Bujok
about displaying or selling your eco-arts or Blvd., and C St. and Broadway. The
and Anna Gadecka, senior creatives on the The Cleaner Car Concourse offers a Route 7 bus stop is just steps away
project. “Currently, we are focusing – through closeup view of all-electric and energy- at the corner of 11th Avenue and
beesavingpaper.com – on seeking partners The eARTh Gallery features a wide variety efficient vehicles, like this early model
of hand-made arts and crafts for sale, like Tesla. Talk to the owners and get your C Street. Or, walk up Park Blvd. Re-
who, just like us, care about the future of these exotic paintings. questions answered. member to get a Day Pass when you
bees. We know our innovation won’t solve start your trip on the trolley.
the worldwide problem of the declining bee
EarthFair 2019
Use the Transit Trip Planner on-
population by itself, but we hope we’ll at line at transit.511sd.com. For auto-
least make people realize how important mated schedule info, call: 619-685-
bees are to us.” presented by MESO Healthy 4900.
Field tests 50,000 Visitors – 350 Exhibitors Remember, riding MTS buses and
trolleys make every day “EARTH DAY.”
Bee Saving Paper has already passed Managed by 300 Volunteers… When you use transit instead of driv-
a successful field test, when it was used to
create the visual identity – or as the creators
… AND YOU! ing a car, you reduce greenhouse
gases, slow global warming, and im-
prefer to call it, beesiness identity – for a Make it happen. prove our air quality. Saving just one
beekeeper who had lost more than 95% of
his hives. Now it’s ready for mass production
Honey jar with Bee Saving Paper Label.
What we see as an off-white paper stock
From simple signs to elaborate costumes,
everyone with an earth-friendly message is VOLUNTEER at EFVol.org gallon of gas can eliminate 19 pounds
of carbon dioxide emissions.
and collaboration with bigger brands. (left), bees see as a pollen-rich field (right). welcome in the Earth Day Parade.
San Diego Earth Times 12 April 2019 April 2019 13 San Diego Earth Times
EarthFair 2019 oceanconnectors.org
• CoastKeepers San Diego: First, you have to get there
(cont from page 13)
www.sdcoastkeeper.org It you plan on arriving at EarthFair after
… and the Cannabis Row • Route USA: routeusa.org 10:00am, there will be little or no car parking
• Surfrider San Diego Chapter: close to the park. Try one of these alterna-
Backstage Lounge
sandiego.surfrider.org tives: bike, transit, car sharing, or off-site
If you are intrigued by the Cannabis Row • Oceana So Cal: usa.oceana.org parking.
offerings, you may want to take part in the • SD 350: sandiego350.org Ride a bike
Cannabis Row MESO Healthy VIP Lounge Sponsored by Sand Cloud, all of these The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition
hosted by Sensi Magazine, backstage at groups make a difference for marine conser- will offer free, guarded bike parking in two
the Sun Stage. Relax and recuperate while vation in their own way. locations (see map on pages 16-17):
learning about cannabis brands and mingling In addition, Sand Cloud is sponsoring • On Village Place (off of Park Blvd., south
with Sun Stage performers. Entry fee includes artist Jared Blake Lazar, who will be produc- of the Zoo).
beverages, food vouchers redeemable at ing a Whale Shark mural at the Mural Wall • West of the Laurel St. Bridge (just be-
EarthFair food courts, $10 off EarthFair Project. See details on page 26. fore crossing the bridge to enter the park).
organic T-shirts, a hemp swag bag (for first If you don’t want to ride the entire way to
250 attendees) and access to the URBN buses. Don’t forget to eat! the park, drive part way, park in a convenient
Attendees will have a chance to experience This year, EarthFair features three In- spot, and ride the rest of the way.
Deploy VR’s award-winning virtual reality ternational Food Courts: one in the Plaza de Ride public transportation
scenario “Tree.” Advance tickets may be Panama in the north end of the park; one cen- There is a trolley stop about a ten-minute
ordered online through 4/27/19 for $35; or at trally located on the Federal Building lawn, walk from the Park, and San Diego Transit
the door for $40. Available to ages 21 and up. in the Pan American Plaza; and one next to runs extra buses for EarthFair. See the details
the Moon Stage at Park Blvd. and Presidents in the Choose Transit for Earth Day box on
Ocean Conservation Way, in the south. page 13, and on the web at EFGo.org.
The Pacific Ocean is our backyard and When you think of food at a “fair,” what Taxi and Car Sharing
oceans around the world have been subjected comes to mind? Hot dog on a stick. Cotton Car sharing drop-off is available on 6th
to rising plastic and carbon pollution. candy. Burgers. Fried everything. You know: Avenue, north of Laurel.
Find out how you can help by visiting American food. Off-site Parking
these groups at the EarthFair, all together this Here are some items you’ll find at About 1,000 off-site parking spaces
year on the south side of El Prado, west of the EarthFair this year: Turkish, Polish, African, are provided at City College, a short walk
Plaza de Panama: Filipino, and Hungarian dishes; samosas, from EarthFair. For a map and instructions
• Pacific Marine Mammal Center: sambusas, papusas, and pierogis; organic on how to get to the City College lots, visit
www.pacificmmc.org salads; Portobello sandwich; vegan tacos; EFGo.org.
• Ocean Connectors: cabbage and mushroom steamed buns. There No wheels in the park!
are many more items, but I’m running out Wheeled vehicles are prohibited inside
of space. the park during EarthFair. You can ride a
On-line EarthFair All food served at EarthFair is vegetarian, scooter across the bridge, for example, but no
Exhibitor Finder and much is vegan. And it’s really good. Any further. Wheelchairs are excepted.
other considerations aside, animal-based diets
T o help you find specific exhibi-
tors that present what YOU are
interested in, we have a special web-
are hard on the environment, so we forgo meat
items in observance of Earth Day. (If you are
And… VOLUNTEER!
It takes more than 300 volunteers to
a dedicated carnivore, give it a try, you’ll be produce EarthFair. In fact, without this com-
based service.
surprised – for the better.) munity participation, EarthFair would not be
Go to EFExh.org. You will find a
possible. Come make a difference and help
list of 60 topics, like “Climate Change,” Think Globally, Drink Locally create a fun, safe, productive event for 50,000
“Peace,” “Solar-electric” and “Waste
Visit our two Beer Gardens, in the Plaza of our closest friends.
Reduction.” Check off the topics you
de Panama (in front of the Museum of Art), There are 22 different volunteer jobs, and
are interested in, press the “Show Ex-
and next to the Sun Stage (behind the Federal multiple shifts: some are active and physical,
hibitors” button, and the system will
Bldg). Refresh yourself with Sierra Nevada others mental and social, still others almost
list the exhibitors that address those
Sierraveza, their easy-drinking light lager, contemplative. No experience required – you
topics, their exhibit descriptions, and
or Hazy Little Thing, unfiltered IPA. Also will be trained so you know exactly where to
a link to their websites. One week
featured this year are two kombucha varieties go and what to do. Work one 3-hour shift, or
before EarthFair, we will also list their
from Boochcraft: Ginger + Lime + Rose- pitch in all day. Your choice. Check it out:
exhibit locations.
hips, and Apple + Lime + Jasmine. EFVol.org.
San Diego Earth Times 14 April 2019
EarthFair Sponsors San Diego EarthWorks’ Zero Waste at EarthFair
EARTHFAIR 2019
San Diego EarthWorks acknowledges and thanks our Food Court EarthFair has a goal of Zero Waste, meaning ev-
sponsors and supporters, without whose generous erything that is thrown away will either be recycled
support the EarthFair would not be possible. presented by MESO Healthy Youth Voice or reused. Last year, almost 80% of our waste was
Stage diverted from the landfill.
MESO Healthy April 28, • Balboa Park • 10am - 5pm Beer Garden
If you have food, paper or other waste, don’t
City of San Diego Commission for Arts & Culture www.EarthDayWeb.org Guarded Bike
San Diego Gas & Electric / Sempra Utilities Parking just put it in a trash can. Instead, go to one of the
URBN Leaf 9:00am – 6:00pm 25 Zero Waste Stations throughout EarthFair and
Cox Communications recycle! Each station, under a big umbrella, will
City of San Diego Dept. of Environmental Services have blue Recycling and green Composting bins,
Wheelhouse Credit Union and our volunteer Trash Talkers who can answer
Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) any recycling or composting questions you have,
Plus CBD Oil • Solar Turbines and help you get your waste in the right bin.
EDCO Waste & Recycling Services
County of San Diego
Solid Waste Planning & Recycling Guarded Bike
City of Chula Vista Parking
Sierra Nevada Brewing • Boochcraft
San Diego County Bicycle Coalition
9:00am – 6:00pm Magic Stage
Urban Corps of San Diego City of San Diego Exhibits El Prado
Zero Waste San Diego Produced by Jacqueline Silva,
Radio Latina • Loma Media Mural Art Wall Harmony Playground
Dr. Wilderness Family Magic Show
Children’s Reuse & Repair NATURAL RESORCERY!—MAGIC FOR
Sky Stage Exhibits Dr. Wilderness
Sun Stage Environmental Magic Show
PLANET EARTH
11:30am – 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Federal Bldg. Lawn Children’s Hosted by Jacqueline Silva
Activity Area Magic Stage 10:30 Earth Day Parade Introductions
Produced by The Honey Flower Collective 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm 11:30 Dr. Wilderness Family Magic Show
and Sensi Magazine 12:30 Music by Nathan Welden – Fresh Fusion
10:00 Welcome 1:30 Dr. Wilderness Family Magic Show
10:10 Michael Gabriel and MC Flow – Hip Hop Food Court 2:30 Music by Lee Coulter – Mindful Acoustic
10:30 Sensi Trails – Reggae eHome 3:00 Jacqueline Jax Silva – Positive Pop
11:30 Lucy Morningstar – Reggae Green Home 3:30 Dr. Wilderness Family Magic Show
Cannabis Make a world of difference…
12:30 Skunk Dub – Reggae Volunteer for EarthFair!
1:30 Unsteady – Reggae Cleaner Car Row
Concourse Info and Register at
2:30 Cappo Kelly – Reggae
www.EFVol.org
3:14 Speakers and Awards – SD Cannabis Award
4:00 Fluid Foundation – Reggae
Presentations by MESO Healthy
Children’s Sky Stage
staff between sets Children’s Area
Produced by Maria Connors, VIP School of Music,
Beer Garden
10:00 Dance Scene San Diego – Variety show
Moon Stage Sun Stage &
performed by all ages of all forms of dance
under the direction of Sandy Arce.
Park & Presidents Way MESO Healthy 12:00 Steale Canyon Battle of the Bands Winner –
Produced by Donna Larsen and DeuxRay Productions VIP Backstage Moon Stage Winners from this year’s Battle of the Bands
10:15 The Liquorsmiths – Rock/Americana at Steale Canyon High School performing a
11:05 Christy Gilardi – Rock & Roll with Heart & Soul 30 minute set of their songs.
11:55 Ingenue – Female-Fronted Rock 12:30 VIP School of Music – Students of all ages
12:45 Donna Larsen and Messengers – Indie Pop for performing solos, and groups with a variety
The Spirit Food Court of tunes from artists such as Ziggy Marley,
1:35 Normandie Wilson – Jazz/Pop Nirvana, Janis Joplin, and many more!
2:25 Julia Othmer – Dynamic Pop eARTh Gallery 3:30 SludgeHummer – Alternative rock group
3:15 True Stories – Rock Recycled arts and crafts performing various covers and originals.
Upcycled gifts
3:05 Winterhawk – Americana – Music that Flies
EarthFair Exhibitors As Of 3/14/19
Abscent Design Dr. Bronner’s ALL-ONE Lagom Teas San Diego Gas & Electric
American Association for Nude Earth Made Snow Cones Last Chance for Animals SDG&E
Recreation Earthwell Refill Le Clairer Inc. San Diego NORML
American Cetacean Society Eat Your Heart Out SD League of Women Voters of San Diego Peace Corps
American Chemical Society EDCO Waste & Recycling San Diego Association
Amnesty International Services LeChonne Wright San Diego Police
Amusement Artists Electric Vehicle Association of Ledesmas Foods San Diego Veterans For Peace
Art FORM (Found Objects San Diego Leo’s Kitchen SanDiego350
Recycled Materials) Elixinol Live Edge Furniture Design Sandra Pentney
ArtHose: Online Art Energy Upgrade California Love, Create & Help Save Mission Trails
Marketplace EnviroGreen Electronic Lumbercycle Sea Shepherd Conservation
B ‘N’ B Kettle Corn Recycling Lunatec, Inc. Society
Bags and More by Tess Environmental Center of San Magic Flight General Mfg, Inc. Self-Heal School of Herbal
Balboa Park Cultural Diego Malia Designs Studies and Healing
Partnership Environmental Services MaMa Pooch Sensi
Bastyr University California Department ManKind Project San Diego Share International USA
Be The Vote Fairy Fly Entertainment March and Ash Shore Buddies
Beautiful MB, Inc. Farm Animal Refuge Masala Cottage Sierra Club
Beignet Belly Farm Fresh To You MELE LIFE Sierra Nevada Brewing
Big Joy Family, Inc. Fashion Design Club Melissa Heaney Company
Boho Vibes Feeding San Diego Mia Sorella Chimney Cakes Sipsee
Boochcraft Fiesta Island Dog Owners Modern Day Hippie Sisters of Perpetual indulgence
Buddha Sauce Flavors of East Africa Mura Mana Alchemy SociallyAbstractArt
Buddha’s Light International Fleet Readiness Center Norwex Solana Center for
Association Southwest – US Navy Nurse Next Door Environmental Innovation
Bye Bye Mattress Foundation for California Ocean Connectors Soul.Much
CAKED Community Colleges Oceana Spay Neuter Action Project
Cali Life Co. Fry King One Message Foundation Corp. Spirit Soul and Friends - A
California Institute for Human Getaround Pacific Coast Naturals Musical PEACE Troupe
Science (CIHS) Give Pants A Second Chance Pacific Marine Mammal Center State Water Resources Control
California National Party Global Conservation Force PaintCare Board
Canna Pride Golden State Greens Palomar Mountain Water Succulently Designed Gardens
Canna Sport LLC Goodwill Industries Patara Shoes Sullivan Solar Power
Catholic Diocese of San Diego Gratitude and Love Bottles Pixyglo Designs Sunday Assembly San Diego
Center For Life Green Energy EPC Inc Plant With Purpose Surfrider Foundation
Center for Sustainable Energy Gudi’s Aromatherapy PlusCBD Oil Tanglewood North HOA
Cheetah Conservation Fund Harbor Collective MMJ Population Connection Taste of Poland
Choose Nature Now Heifer International Poster Heaven Terra Vela by Natural Body &
Christian Vegetarian HempMeds Radio Latina 104.5 Bath
Association HEMPZOO Rafikiz Foodz The Bonobo Project
Chronic Kookies HENNA TATTOO RED Sambusas The Camping Bares
Citizen’s Climate Lobby High Tech High ReFind Kitchens The Climate Mobilization
Citizens Oversight Projects High Tech High Media Arts Regeneration-Art The Climate Reality Project
City of Chula Vista Hippy Geek Girl Reptile Association of San The Friendly Feather Shop
City of San Diego HiQ Choice Diego The Honey Flower Collective
City of San Diego Holy Paleta Rerip.com / Coconut Peet’s The Raven Corps
Environmental Services House of Bao Surfboard Repair and Torrey Holistics
City of San Diego Public House of Israel Trading Co. Trashed Scavenger Hunt
Utilities IBEW Local 569 Reusable Finds U.S. Fish & Wildlife Serv., Office
COBO Bottle Ibos Rita’s of Murrieta of Law Enforcement
Committee Opposed to Imperfect Produce Route USA United States Navy
Militarism and the Draft Integral Health and Wellness / Salty Lemonade UPcycled Works
Community Through Hope ULC Salvadorean Food Pupusas Urban Corps of San Diego
Cosmic Flow Yoga International Cannabis Farmers San Diegans For Gun Violence Venice Vinyls
County of San Diego/Solid Association Prevention Vohra International
Waste Planning & Recycling International College of San Diego Audubon Society WateReuse Association
CPUSA San Diego Holistic Studies San Diego Beekeeping Society Welk Resorts
Cruisin Juice Intertwined Conservation San Diego Coastkeepers Wheelhouse Credit Union COME VISIT OUR BOOTH TO LEARN ABOUT
Culture For Good Corporation San Diego County Air Pollution Wild Zone Conservation
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park ISKCON Control District League THE BENEFITS OF DRIVING CLEAN.
Interpretive Association Jingle Sprinkles San Diego County Democrats WishGarden herbs
Democratic Socialists of Josie’s Kitchenette for Environmental Action Word Of Mouth Kitchen
America Kali Foods San Diego County Fair ZasGrass Artificial Turf Recycled
Didjeridoo Daddy & ReWear kb Pure Essentials San Diego County Registrar of Zero Waste San Diego
Clothing Kulla Voters Zumo Zuzhi Burrito
Dirt Don’t Hurt Kynd Clothing Inc. San Diego Floral Association 48Solar
April 2019 19 San Diego Earth Timesand Graphic Designer, and sells artwork on
Art and artists at EarthFair Etsy under Raquel’s Art Studio. She is apart Live Artist Painting
of a team of artists called the Southeast San
This year’s event features a host of “artists in residence” that you Diego Art Team, a group that is in the process
at the Sun Stage Beer
can watch creating their works, and a chance for you to express of fundraising to open an Art Gallery in the
Garden
yourself artistically on the Mural Wall Project.
by Alice Martinez
Southeast San Diego Community. See her on
Instagram: @raquelsartstudio. H osted by Sierra Nevada, San Di-
ego native and surrealistic artist
Accompanying the artists with live music
A
Jimmy Ovadia will be painting live in
rtwork is probably not the first thing door wildlife and nature mural exhibit. Mi- murals: Earth Day Moose, Earth Day Lion,
will be Hariel Cosair, who joins with his the beer garden next to the Sun Stage
that comes to mind when you think chael began creating murals for the public to Desert Bloom, and California Dreamin’. We
wife Lisa to promote safe, fun events for at the EarthFair.
about the environment. If not, then color at the EarthFair in Balboa Park in 2016, are told these murals will be available for sale
like-minded individuals who enjoy dance Throughout the day, raffle tickets
this EarthFair 2019 will offer some pleasant and also paints a panel during the event. His after the event.
(Continued on page 26 ) will be sold and the painting will be
surprises. In addition to our usual offerings art has been a popular feature ever since.
Hip Hop Hooray awarded to the winning raffle ticket
in the eARTh Gallery arts & crafts area, (Last year, it was often hard to see the mural
drawn at 4:45pm. The beer gardens
and the Mural Wall Project presentation of through the crowd having their picture taken Joining Michael Rosenblatt this year is
at EarthFair open from 11am to last
Earth Day art, volunteer photos, and a public in front of it.) the “Hip Hop Art Team.” Joe Ire Segura and
call at 4:30pm and closing at 5pm.
coloring space, this year we feature no less Born in New York, Michael mounted his Raquel Rhone will also be painting mural
Jimmy attended EarthFair grow-
than 5 artists who you can watch creating first one man show in high school. He moved panels live at the event.
ing up: “I absolutely enjoy Earth Day!
their eco-friendly art pieces. Here’s a teaser to San Diego in 1977 and has been creating Joe is a Southeast San Diego Rapper.
It’s been part of my life since I was
of what you can expect to see. art ever since. He has been producing murals Artist and graphic designer Raquel
about 14 in San Diego at Balboa Park
since 1983. Rhone was born and raised in San Diego. She
Rosenblatt Redux and I look forward to it every year. It’s
In addition to his live painting this year, graduated from San Diego State University
like my Christmas!”
Michael Richard Rosenblatt, of Rosen- the Mural Wall will feature four of Michael’s in 2013 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic
Jimmy Ovadia’s art leads us on a
blatt Studios, presents his third annual out- existing 7’ by 15’ impressionist canvas Design. Currently, she freelances as an artist
transformative psychedelic odyssey
full of unique and creative dreamlike
portholes. Come and see him work!
Musician Hariel and Lisa Cosair
“Superbloom” mural on canvas by Michael Richard Rosenblatt. The inspiration for this
picture was the superbloom in the desert two years ago, just like the one occurring now. Artist Raquel Rhone
Tree walkabout: the wonderful trees of
Balboa Park
R
C E L L
oger Boddaert, the Tree Man of Fall-
E D kind of trees are present, and the important
by Alice Martinez
served many organizations and has been ac-
N
brook, and Mark Wisniewski, each benefits they provide. You’ll come away with knowledged for planting hundreds of trees.
CA
certified arborists (tree experts), will a much greater appreciation of the trees. His accomplishments include working with
lead two walks during EarthFair. These Meet Roger and Mark behind the seats Cal Trans to plant 2,000 oak trees along I-15.
walks, held at 11am and 1pm, will increase at the back of the Organ Pavilion. Each walk Working with 750 volunteers, he managed
your appreciation of trees in general and at is limited to the first twenty participants to the planting of 435 native trees in Fallbrook
the EarthFair: The Wonderful Trees of Bal- arrive. in only five hours. Really, he should be called
boa Park. Roger Boddaert – arborist, landscape the Forest Man!
This is a great opportunity to learn what designer, and horticultural expert – has
San Diego Earth Times 20 April 2019 April 2019 21 San Diego Earth TimesCity of San Diego plastic ban takes effect
Pollution and Waste … with Styrofoam having a special place in regulator’s hearts.
PU 4 PLU!
by Alice Martinez
I
f you have been paying attention at all to of San Diego: special events) at parks, recreation centers,
the national and local debate about waste • A food vendor may only distribute plastic beaches, lakes, offices, and other city-
All about those annoying little tags on fresh fruit. plastic, you probably know the horror straws upon request of the customer (sit owned or -leased facilities.
by Carolyn Chase stories: Texas-sized islands of plastic waste down or takeout).
W
hen thinking of small, single-use ally grown produce. The digit ‘9’ is mid-ocean, more plastic in the sea than fish • A food vendor may only distribute plastic Effective May 24, 2019
disposable plastic items (like placed in front of the 4-digit con- by 2050, micro-sized plastic particles in our utensils upon request of the customer These rules may have already taken effect
drinking straws), I often curse ventionally-grown code to identify food and water doing who-knows-what to our (takeout only). by the time you read this:
the existence of those terrible, tiny stickers organic produce. So an item with the health, etc. Like me, you may have wondered: • The following shall not be sold or dis- • No person may distribute egg cartons, food
on individual pieces of fruits. Not only do code “1234” would have been conven- is anyone actually going to do something tributed if made in whole or part from trays, or food service ware made in whole
they damage many fruits (peaches, pears, tionally grown; code “91234” would positive about it? polystyrene foam unless encased within or in part from polystyrene foam.
nectarines, and most other soft fruit), but … mean organic. Ready for some good news? This past another material: Food service ware includes: bowls, plates,
what’s the point? And if there is a point, then January, the San Diego City Council ap- – Coolers, ice chests, or similar contain- trays, cups, lids, and other similar items de-
why aren’t they required to be edible? No GMO marker
proved the Single Use Plastic Reduction ers; signed for one-time use for prepared foods,
A “9” prefix was used to iden- Ordinance, which restricts the distribution of – Pool or beach toys; and including containers for eating in, takeout
Why are there stickers on tify genetically-modified items, but polystyrene foam products, and plastic straws – Dock floats, mooring buoys, or anchor food, or leftovers.
individual fruit? that use has been eliminated. and utensils. or navigation markers.
The IFPS media release states, The ordinance takes effect in two steps, Note that reusable coolers and other Relief hiding in the fine print
Online research eventually brings you “Stripping the prefix of this particular Big plastic sticker on a small avocado. At least the first of which has already taken place, and items are still allowed. The city is accepting applications for
to The International Federation for Produce designation will yield one thousand you can peal the sticker off the avo without the second taking effect this May. • All-polystyrene food service ware, food feasibility-based and contractual waivers,
Standards, made up of “national produce additional PLU numbers to be used breaking the skin. On peaches, nectarines, pears trays, egg cartons, coolers, ice chests, and and the ordinance provides for an automatic
associations from around the globe.” The in future years,” and, “This is not a and even apples, not so much. Effective February 23, 2019 pool or beach toys are prohibited from financial-based waiver for entities with gross
long-term objective of the Federation is “to statement on the social or scientific These rules are now in effect in the City City of San Diego facilities (including ( Continued on page 24 )
improve the fresh produce industry supply acceptance of GMO items; it is simply that recycle and/or compost.”
chain efficiency through developing, imple- methods other than PLUs are being used to In fact, to recyclers, pressure-sensitive
menting, and managing harmonized interna- communicate regulatory and other informa- labels contaminate the recycling stream.
tional standards.” Got that? HA! tion to consumers.” The release then asks So, as a “composite,” which is the
They are based in the United Kingdom, whether you would like to buy a bridge. only way these stickers come (i.e., plastic
and the US member is the United Fresh What it does as a practical matter or paper, ink, and adhesive, all compos-
Produce Association. One of the objectives is eliminate any standardized means of ited together), they are not just trash, but
includes, “To develop, implement, and man- identifying GMO products from non- contamination for recyclers.
age an international standard for Price Look GMO (although organic products should They are also fruit contamination in my
Up (PLU) numbers.” never be GMO). kitchen, and tend to stick in the trash can,
The Produce Marketing Association taking more time and effort in service of the
What do the stickers mean? notes, “The codes are not intended to convey cause of global “supply chain efficiency.”
Those numbers are evidently the reason information to consumers. They are simply
for these little stickers on fresh fruit. Accord- business tools for accurate price rings at the Misinformation online
ing to the IFPS, the “voluntary PLU system cash register, inventory control, and category While searching for background on these
has been used by supermarkets since 1990 for management.” little stickers, what I found was a lot of mis-
pricing, inventory control, and sales data.” information. Some claimed that PLUs are re-
In order to receive a PLU code, the prod- What they are is: TRASH quired by the US Department of Agriculture.
uct must be a unique variety, available to the You have to give them a certain kind of I could find no evidence of that.
entire global produce industry, and available credit for even having this question on their Others “claimed” that they must be print-
from multiple marketers. So if it has a sticker, FAQs sheet: “How are PLU stickers sustain- ed on paper or use edible ink. No such luck.
it’s a globalized product. There are currently able in terms of recyclable, biodegradable, The most that can be said is that they are
1,450 PLU codes in use. and compostable?” so small that eating them probably won’t hurt
The PLU code also tells if the fruit was After a few paragraphs of techno-babble, you. But pooping out tiny pieces of plastic
organically grown or produced “tradition- you learn: “Many of the individual compo- into the sewer system is not a great way to go.
ally” with chemical fertilizers, fungicides, nents that make up a PLU sticker can be either While the trade associations claim that
or herbicides. recyclable and/or compostable. However, as supermarket cashiers use the stickers, others
A 4-digit code represents convention- a composite, PLU stickers are difficult to ( Continued on page 24 )
San Diego Earth Times 22 April 2019 April 2019 23 San Diego Earth TimesYou can also read
