The world has lost one-third of its forests since the ice age. Why does this matter?  More than half the world’s land-based species of animals, plants, and insects make their homes in forests. By feeding our rivers, forests supply drinking water for nearly half of the world’s largest cities while also buffering the impacts of storms and floods. And, although planting new trees is critical, old-growth forests remove and store far more carbon than newly planted trees. Harvesting those ancient forests returns much of that carbon to the atmosphere.

For billions of years, natural systems have regenerated themselves with no waste. Then came humans, who have often used an extractive approach to nature. By supporting and emulating natural processes instead, we make more room for nature to regenerate and thrive. And we benefit in the process. For example, using regenerative farming practices rebuilds soils, increases biodiversity, and enhances the quality of our food.  

Everyone lives in a watershed. Protecting its condition is important to everyone and everything that uses and needs water. Healthy watersheds not only filter and provide clean drinking water. They enhance nutrient cycling, carbon storage, fisheries, and outdoor recreation. As a river town, Petaluma is fortunate to have a wetland. But wetlands today are disappearing at a rate three times faster than forested areas. In the face of today’s extreme weather, restoring and conserving our remaining wetlands in Sonoma County is critical.

When it comes to plastic, less is more. Among the many dangers of plastic are the harmful impacts on watershed, farms, food, and many species. Thousands of chemicals used in plastic packaging are known to be toxic, but there are many, many more about whose safety we know nothing. 

Protecting fish habitats and restoring fisheries benefits people as well as the plants and animals that live in waterways and oceans. Creating marine protected areas is critical, but you can also take small steps to help.   

Why grow gardens and trees? Too many reasons to list! For you, the benefits include increased exercise, improved nutrition, time in nature, reduced stress, and social connection. Planted wisely and well, gardens and trees also conserve water, provide habitat for pollinators, increase biodiversity, and capture carbon. 

As you well know, drought is a reality. We can never take our water for granted – even in years when we’ve been deluged with rain. Learning the following techniques will help you do your part to capture and conserve water in your garden. 

As if altruism and appreciation weren’t sufficient motivation to support wildlife, how about the fact that we are all connected? Taking steps to protect wildlife enhances ecosystems, promotes biodiversity, helps protect livelihoods, secures food, and provides access to fresh water. People with minimal resources benefit the most. 

There are many benefits to choosing and conserving your use of cleaner energy sources. The obvious ones? You may save money, help reduce your climate impact, and achieve greater reliability and security -- especially in an area of potential shutoffs due to wildfires and storms. 

Did you know that the average American uses about 17 gallons of water with every shower? But it all goes down the drain! And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. 

Nearly 40 percent of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions originate from the building sector. Seventy percent comes from building operations. The remaining 30 percent comes from the mining, manufacture, transport, installation, and maintenance of materials used in building construction. This is called upfront or embodied carbon.

California often takes the lead in new housing trends, and the same is true with water and space heating: You may not have heard, but our state is set to phase out new natural gas furnaces and water heaters by 2027. When it comes to home electrification, installing heat pump technology is where we can get the biggest bang for our climate “buck.” Heat pumps are really taking off – in no small part due to the generous federal tax credits and rebates like those offered through Sonoma Clean Power and BayREN.

Consumer Reports is seeing a trend toward greener choices: In a January 2022 nationally representative CR survey, 90 percent of Americans said individuals are at least somewhat responsible for protecting the planet; 72 percent said they sometimes, often, or always avoid purchasing products that are environmentally harmful; and one out of two Americans said they consider the environmental impact when buying products for their homes.

It may take a little time to adjust to changes and make the transition, but chances are good you’ll love the outcome – cleaner, quicker, and healthier cooking!

You might have other gas-burning hazards in unsuspecting places. 

Sonoma Clean Power's Advanced Energy Center is a great free resource - you can call for expert advice (707-708-0444), stop into their showroom for a tour of their equipment displays (741 4th Street Santa Rosa, CA, 95404), find relevant rebates and qualified contractors on their website, and learn more about electrification on their education hub.

No matter what this year's winter rains delivered, we know that California has a feast-or-famine pattern of rainfall – one that’s greatly intensified by the climate crisis.

You can learn more about your water use at the City of Petaluma website or schedule a Water-Wise HouseCall, and keep up to date on the latest water-use restrictions.

Before you make bigger electrification plans, take a few simpler steps (unless you’ve taken them already). These all work together to make a difference in your energy use – and your energy bills.

Does your home feel about as drafty as a tent atop a bluff? Or does it roast in summer or get cold the second you turn off the furnace in winter? These signs might suggest the need to improve your home’s “shell.” Making changes like these will not only conserve energy, but also save on your energy bills. Read on to learn about other benefits. 

The benefits of EVs are plentiful, starting with great get-up-and-go and sparing the air and climate. Research shows that California’s EVs are already keeping asthma patients out of emergency rooms! If you have solar or EverGreen from Sonoma Clean Power, the clean-energy benefits are even greater. 

By contrast, each gallon of gasoline carries a $3.80 price tag in health and environmental costs. Over its lifetime – from manufacturing to operation to disposal – the average EV produces about half the GHG pollution of a comparable gas or diesel vehicle. 

An electric car is often more expensive upfront, but becomes less expensive over time due to low fueling and maintenance costs. EV drivers tend to spend about 60 percent less each year on fuel compared to those who drive “gas guzzlers.” Can’t wait for an EV that suits your budget? Try a cargo bike or microcar as your second vehicle instead. So many options!

Locating an EV charger used to feel a little like going on a wild goose chase. There’s still lots of room for improvement, but now there are more than 100,000 charging stations across the country. No doubt, it will still ease anxiety to know where to easily find them.

Simple math: Cut the distance in half, cut the pollution in half.

In Sonoma County, transportation – mainly the passenger car – is responsible for 67 percent of our local greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which magnifies air pollution with harmful health effects. (Tire wear from all kinds of cars causes pollution – tires are one of the most common causes of microplastic pollutants). To help lessen these sources of pollution and promote other networks of transportation, California passed a bill in 2020 that evaluates the impact of transportation using vehicle miles traveled (VMT). 

If “wanderlust” is your middle name, you might be drawn to scores of exotic or exciting worldwide destinations. Even if you grant yourself the occasional dream vacation, consider this: We live in an area that’s a dream vacation for other travelers! Learn to see our city and county through tourists’ eyes. Besides cutting your greenhouse gas emissions, you may discover some local and regional gems you didn’t know about. Planning a home staycation is even easier on the planet and may get your creative juices going! 

According to the EPA, commercial airplanes and large business jets contribute about 10 percent of our country’s transportation emissions. If you want to get the biggest bang for your “emissions buck,” cutting air travel would be a good place to start. You may not be able to completely eliminate it – especially if it’s required for work or seeing your family on the other side of the country. But you can take steps to reduce the number of flights you take.

No mystery here: Operating under your own steam – whether walking or biking – is the most efficient way to travel. But did you know that Americans are bringing up the rear with our peers when it comes to the number of walking trips we take? You can spend an hour walking around town doing errands instead of an hour at the gym walking on a treadmill!

Did you know that using a bike instead of your car for short distances reduces your travel greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by about 75 percent – in cities, cycling is actually ten times more effective than EVs for reaching climate goals!