| Action | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Buying an Energy-Efficient Car | LA - CA Drive Clean Buying Guide |
Check out this California state resource for buying a clean and energy efficient car. |
| Knowing the Place Where You Live | SF - Rec and Parks - Natural Areas Program |
The Natural Areas Program (NAP) is the branch of San Francisco's Recreation & Parks department responsible for managing the City’s natural areas. The program aims to: preserve, restore, and enhance remnant natural areas, and to develop and support community-based site stewardship of these areas.It founders recognized the value of “Significant Natural Resource Areas” in supporting habitat for native plants and wildlife; ecosystem functions such as soil and water retention; and socioeconomic values, as well as being outdoor classrooms and living museums protecting natural heritage. |
| Reducing Your Household Waste | SF - Stop Junk Mail |
Links to sign up and stop receiving junk mail, provided by SF Environment. |
| Switching to Renewable Energy | SF - CleanPowerSF |
Become "SuperGreen" by buying 100% renewable energy! CleanPowerSF offers competitive rates for cleaner power. CleanPowerSF is a partnership with PG&E and the transition to cleaner power will be seamless. CleanPowerSF buys power from cleaner sources for its customers, which PG&E then delivers to customers through its power grid. PG&E continues to do all the billing. |
| Planting Trees | LA - Urban Forestry |
Find out the procedures in place for planting trees on public land. Make your neighborhood a greener and more beautiful place to live by planting trees. See also City Plants and North East Trees. |
| Reducing Your Household Waste | SF - Stop Unwanted Junkmail and Yellow Pages Opt-Out |
Did you know that over 2 million unwanted phonebooks are distributed to San Francisco residents every year? Use this link to opt out of receiving a phone book and to be removed from direct mail registries and specific catalogs. |
| Reducing Toxic Products in Your Household | SF– Tips for Healthy Homes |
Your home may not be as safe as you think, particularly from exposure to toxic chemicals. Here are tips to get you started towards a healthier home, provided by SF Environment. See also Residential Toxic Reduction for resources to learn more about toxics in pest management, safe medicine disposal, plastics, cleaning products, garment cleaners, cosmetics & personal care, and children’s health. |
| Stewarding Neighborhood Infrastructure | SF - 311 |
311 is the official site for obtaining information, reporting problems or submitting service requests to the City and County of San Francisco. |
| Creating Sustainable Landscaping | Palo Alto - Free Workshops on Sustainable Landscaping |
Every spring and summer, the City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) offers free classes in partnership with BAWSCA (Bay Area Water Supply & Conservation Agency) on composting, mulching, waterwise landscaping, irrigation, graywater and rainwater harvesting and tree drought survival workshops. Visit the website or call (650)329-2241 for more information. |
| Reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) | LA - Plan your trip on bicycle |
The city of LA has provided maps of bicycle routes and transportation options so that you may combine a bike journey with public transportation. Metro buses and trains allow bikes on all lines. |
Our neighborhood. Our planet.
Resources
“Cities are the platform for change in our world today. The Cool Block links the challenges facing our planet to the intimate, personal, social scale of the city block. This program starts and ends with the premise and promise—that the individual, household, and neighbors are the way forward in the face of seemingly insoluble global problems.”
