Local Impacts on Larger Earth Systems
Cuyamaca CollegeFall 2010
Water
Water – Not a lot to spare
Colorado River provides 5.2 million acre-feet per year (AFY)
Carlsbad Desalination Plant will provide 56,000 AFY
Recycled Water – Today’s landscapingTomorrow’s resource?
Water + Plastic
• AB 1998– No plastic bags in
California– 5 ¢ per recycled paper
bag
• The American Chemistry Council– Reusable bags and the
bacteria scare
Disposable vs. Reusable
Water for Drinking(are we on Plastic again?!?)
In this corner: The Glass• Virginia banned the bottle, then
brought it back• Concord, Mass., wants to ban the
bottle• State of Washington’s “sin tax”
includes the bottle• Gourmet Drinking Fountain?• Do all states recycle?• Cuyamaca can recycle ALL plastics
– If you can’t recycle at home, bring it here!
Vs. The Bottle
Water + Chemistry
• The ecosystem STARTS at the soil
• Plants need both water and good soil.
• Composting – not as hard as you think
• The San Francisco Model
Wormy drawing courtesy of Anne Hoglund
AirIs it all about the car?
Faculty and Staff• Carpooling, bicycling is
great, but…– 65% of faculty are Contingent
(that means more than one school)
• Staff and the 4 day workweek
• Full time vs. Part time Students
AirCarpooling – Rideshare
AirHybrid Cars
AirElectric Cars: Chevy Volt vs. European and Israeli EC’s
Energy
• All Energy Comes from the Sun – even wind.
Biosphere
• Cuyamaca College: Setting aside a place for wildlife to be wildlife.
Big Picture
Cuyamaca College• Can we ban plastic?• Continue to recycle• Transportation• Lights and energy• Trees• Ideas?