Make A Difference: Citizens Action
It is not surprising to learn that collectively, Bay Area residents have an enormous impact on our environment, community life, and economy. From the food we purchase, to how we get around town, to how active we are in our community, individual actions add up to make a BIG difference to our communities.Home Energy Use:
Reduce your utility bills and protect the environment by improving home energy efficiency with florescent lighting, Energy Star appliances, optimized thermostat settings, photovoltaic panels and purchasing power from renewable sources.
Alliance to Save Energy Provides information to consumers on how to save money, increase comfort and reduce pollution through energy efficiency. www.ase.org/section/_audience/consumers
California Energy Commission Offers a consumer education program in renewable energy. www.energy.ca.gov/renewables/consumer_education/index.html
EPA's Energy Star Provides information about energy efficient appliances. www.energystar.gov
Green Home Guide Offers information for homeowners about energy efficiency. bayarea.greenhomeguide.com/
Flex Your Power Find energy-saving incentives/rebates, technical assistance, retailers, product guides, and case studies (www.fypower.org)
Pacific Gas & Electric Energy Center Offers educational programs, design tools, advice, and support to create energy efficient buildings and comfortable indoor environments. (www.pge.com/pec)
Garden and Landscape:
Create beautiful yards and gardens using native plants and shade trees while protecting the environment.
Green Home Guide Reviews and information from professionals and homeowners about native gardens and landscaping. www.greenhomeguide.com/index.php/knowhow/topic/C282
StopWaste.Org Helps you select native plants and gives information on sustainable gardening and landscaping in the Bay Area. https://www.stopwaste.org/home/index.asp?page=141
Sustainable Urban Landscape Information Series Comprehensive site for maximizing landscape functionality, cost effectiveness, and minimizing environmental impacts (www.sustland.umn.edu/)
Food:
Support local farmers, protect agricultural land and reduce transportation costs by buying locally grown, organic and healthy food.
California Farmers' Markets Association Guide to your local farmer's market. www.cafarmersmkts.com/guide.html
Farmer's Markets in the San Francisco Bay Area Find your local farmer's market for locally grown, fresh fruits and vegetables at: www.sallys-place.com/food/farmers_markets/sf_mkts.htm
The Green Zebra Consumer directory to healthy, sustainable Bay Area living, with coupons enclosed. (www.thegreenzebra.org/participants.html)
The Sustainable Table educates consumers about sustainable food through awareness campaigns and events. Includes a sustainability shopping guide. (www.sustainabletable.org/shop/)
Commuting:
Improve the Bay Area air quality and reduce your contribution to global climate change by getting around on public and shared transportation and investing in alternatively-fueled vehicles.
Bay Area Transit Information Helps you plan your trip in the Bay Area and includes traffic information. www.transitinfo.org/
Bay Area Traveler: Public Transportation A guide to traveling in and around San Francisco without a car. www.sfgate.com/traveler/guide/transportation/publictrans.shtml
Commute.Org Provides commuting and transportation alternatives to Bay Area commuters including cycling, rideshare, trains, ferries and buses. www.commute.org/easy_guide.htm
Union of Concerned Scientists www.ucsusa.org/clean_vehicles/ Provides information to consumers interested in buying clean vehicles.
Waste:
Find ways to reduce household waste including composting, recycling programs and remember to safely dispose of batteries and electronic goods.
>Bay Area Recycling Resources A resource guide for recycling computers, batteries, Styrofoam, and light bulbs and more in the Bay Area. www.colehardware.com/recycle.htm
Earth 911 Provides access to both community-specific and national resources for help on everything from recycling, household hazardous waste, electronics recycling, to environmental education. www.earth911.org/
GreenCitizen - Recycle your electronic waste (computers, TVs, phones) the healthy and responsible way - bring them to a local GreenCitizen store. www.greencitizen.com
Recycle Works recycling program sponsored by San Mateo County www.recycleworks.org/energy/index.html
StopWaste.Org A great resource for household hazardous waste, food scrap and other recycling information for Alameda County. https://www.stopwaste.org/home/index.asp?page=3
Lifestyle:
Incorporate sustainable values into your lifestyle. Teach your kids about sustainability, shop and invest in environmentally responsible companies, and use safe cleaning products at home.
The Center for a New American Dream Helps people live consciously, buy wisely and make a difference in the community. www.newdream.org
CREEC network that connects teachers and students with environmental education programs. www.creec.org/
Ecology Center A guide to East Bay Resources for sustainable living www.ecologycenter.org/fact_sheets/eastbay.quickguide.html
Fight Global Warming
Calculate your ecofootprint and get on a low-carbon diet. www.fightglobalwarming.comGreenHome.com An Internet portal to shop for clean & green products for your home. www.greenhome.com
The Green Pages Directory of socially and environmentally responsible businesses, products and services. www.coopamerica.org/pubs/greenpages/
Kids for the Bay Organization that provides hands-on environmental experience for kids and incorporates activism into environmental education. www.kidsforthebay.org/
ResponsibleShoppers.Org Information on consumer companies, including the social and environmental impact of major corporations www.coopamerica.org/programs/rs/
Union of Concerned Scientists Provides information to citizens to make the right choices on food, vehicles and energy. www.ucsusa.org
Community Life:
Get engaged in your neighborhood and community. Start by becoming aware of local issues, politics and volunteer opportunities.
Bay Area Community Resources Offers a variety of services such Youth Development, After School Programs and Alcohol and Drugs through volunteerism and partnerships. www.bacr.org/
East Bay Community Foundation Charitable giving programs for Alameda County and Contra Costa (www.eastbaycf.org/)
Ella Baker Center Dedicated to challenging human rights abuses, and developing and advocating for proactive, community-based solutions to systemic "criminal injustice." (ellabakercenter.org/page.php?pageid=10)
Global Citizen Center Educates the public about our need to engage in new economic practices - as consumers, businesses, and communities - that are environmentally sustainable and socially just. www.globalcitizencenter.org/
Greenbelt Alliance Protecting open space and promoting livable communities throughout the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. (www.greenbelt.org)
Hands on Bay Area Provides flexible volunteer opportunities for social change in the Bay Area. www.handsonbayarea.org/
League of Women Voters of California A non-partisan, non-profit organization that encourages informed and active participation in the government ca.lwv.org/
Local Government Commission Provides inspiration, technical assistance, and networking to local elected officials and other dedicated community leaders who are working to create healthy, walkable, and resource-efficient communities (ca.lwv.org/)
Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California Promotes housing solutions for low-income people who suffer disproportionately from the housing crisis in Northern California. www.nonprofithousing.org/actioncenter/campaigns/index.atomic
Peninsula Community Foundation Connects people, ideas and resources for the common good in Silicon Valley and the San Francisco peninsula (www.pcf.org/)
San Francisco Foundation Leading agent of Bay Area philanthropy. (www.sff.org)
Sierra Club Works to protect our communities and the planet. The Club is America's oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. (www.sierraclub.org)
Transportation and Land Use Coalition Join this coalition whose vision is a region with healthy, vibrant, walkable communities that provide all residents with transportation choices and affordable housing. (www.transcoalition.org/home.html)
United Way of the Bay Area An organization that enables people to strengthen their communities by volunteer opportunities and donation. www.uwba.org/
Urban Habitat Works in partnership with low-income communities and communities of color to advance social, economic, and environmental justice in the Bay Area region and beyond. urbanhabitat.org/
Volunteer Center The one-stop resource for volunteers and nonprofit agencies in San Francisco and San Mateo counties. (www.thevolunteercenter.net/)