Happy 50th Earth Day Anniversary, Everyone!

Every year on April 22, people from around the world come together to celebrate Earth Day. This day, which marks the start of the environmental movement in 1970, has spurred decades of positive policy change and a greater awareness of the environment.

This year, as we all navigate unprecedented times due to COVID-19, we are reminded that we stand at a pivotal point in time. As with any crisis, both positive and negative signs for the future state of sustainability have been emerging.  We stand at a crossroad, in front of different futures for the Earth. Our choices span the range between pivoting towards a mindset uniquely focused on profits at all costs - even with a huge footprint and a short-term vision at the expense of future generations -, to learning from the renewed realization that we are all part of interdependant and  networked systems, and thus must incorporate a resilient design for a sustainable future. With clear intent and resolve, now is  our chance to act collectively and help steer things towards the sustainable future we seek, a future that is indeed within reach. Let's use this down  time to think deeply about and plan thoughtfully how we'll resume our lives and activities in the post COVID-19 era. 

What does Earth Day mean to you? How do you celebrate? Post your suggestions and pictures on our Instagram and Facebook account. Use the hashtag #EarthDaySSMC. We'll share some of the posts in our next newsletters!


Together, let's make Earth Day every day,
the hands of a young woman forming a heart patterned with a world map  furnished by NASA  and the text happy earth day
Let's celebrate!
Christine Kohl-Zaugg & the whole SSMC Team


COVID Q&A with Supervisor Dave Pine

A Q&A with San Mateo County Supervisor Dave Pine kicked off SSMC's second virtual happy hour Thursday night, April 16. He addressed questions on the County's public health and economic responses to COVID, and what it will take to
Join us on April 30th to meet old and new friends
get back to normal. Read more here.

Our next virtual happy hour is scheduled for Thursday April 30th from 5-6PM. Please register for it here. We'll add more information about our happy hour topic, zoonotic diseases, as we get closer to the date. Heather Rockwood, Zero Waste Specialist at Recology, will be moderating the session. She has a lot of expertise in this area to share with us.

Don't forget your green drink! Be creative and come ready to share your favorite cocktail (or other) recipe with the group!
Peninsula Clean Energy: 2020 Community Impact Report

Even though 76% of San Mateo County residents feel climate change is not being addressed aggressively enough (according to a recent study), we  are  making progress. Learn how residents, businesses, local government and schools are working with Peninsula Clean Energy to make a difference. Check out Peninsula Clean Energy's 2020 Community Impact Report to see some of the stories.
 


About Peninsula Clean Energy:
Peninsula Clean Energy launched in October 2016 as California's fifth Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program and is the official local electricity provider for San Mateo County. Peninsula Clean Energy has the goal of providing 100 percent greenhouse gas-free power by 2021. Find out more at peninsulacleanenergy.com
Upcoming Events

Check our e-calendar here for a full list of upcoming events! 
Please check directly with the organizer for the latest status as events have now gone online or were cancelled/postponed. 
Thanks!

Spotlight on Earth Day - April 22:
  • 24 hours of Earth Day: Earth Day goes digital! Click here. Use their map to find a digital event nearby, like South San Francisco's Parks and Recreation's fun Virtual Earth Day Activity & Scavenger hunt from home. 
  • 11:00AM-12PM "Earth Day Q&A". Presented by RethinkWaste and Recology. Bring all your waste-related questions! Details and registration  here Registration required & spots are limited.
  • 11:45AM-1PM: 
    "Virtual Earth Day" with Earth Day co-founder and former Congressman Pete McCloskey and his wife Helen on the story behind the first Earth Day in 1970 and how activism changed U.S. policies. Hosted by Green Foothills. Details here.
  • 12:30AM-1:15PM "Design challenge: feeding all humans. Solutions involve changing food choices and reducing food waste. Presented by the California Academy of Sciences, target audience: 4th-8th graders. Live streamed on YouTube and Facebook. Details and registration here.
  • 4:30PM-6PM: "San Mateo County Community Climate Action Plan Public Workshop: Come learn about the Community Climate Action Plan and share your thoughts!". Organized by the County's Office of Sustainability. Register here
    . Questions? Contact Avana Andrade at: aandrade@smcgov.org

 

Don't see your event and want it publicized? Contact Nicole today at:  ssmccalendar@gmail.com


SSMC is a public charity nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status, so your contribution is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

Check out our 2019 Impact Report HERE
STAY CONNECTED: