Programs of Sustainable PG

CURRENTLY SPG IS WORKING ON

CURRENT PROGRAMS

SPG programs are aimed at three levels:

1. Personal Activities

We can be more sustainable and provide an example to others through:

• using less energy and supporting the development of renewable energy,
• using products in our homes that are safe for the environment,
• planting home gardens and supporting farmers markets and locally grown food,
• composting, recycling, and reducing the amount of waste,
• conserving water and capturing rainwater,
• walking , biking, or using alternative transportation, and
• buying local products and services

2. Working with Neighbors

We are committed to helping others make changes of their choosing. We will organize work parties and events in which we can share ideas, tool, and our labor to build a more sustainable future. By working together with neighbors to build a composting bin, a vegetable garden, or cisterns we hope that through that we will also be building strong social networks as well as transfer skills and ideas.

3. Community Projects

Sustainable Pacific Grove is also committed to undertaking community projects. Our focus will be on completing concrete projects and on assisting the City and the schools with projects that enable self-reliance and sustainability. We are committed to assist the city in its efforts to implement the actions recommended in the Urban Environmental Accords and the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. We envision promoting such projects as development of community gardens, a local farmers market, locally based manufacturing and services, a local water supply, use of solar and other energy saving installations on for public buildings. Sustainability Transitions and Resource Tools Site is being proposed as a central location to showcase sustainability techniques, tools, and resources. The identification of a site is currently underway.

POTENTIAL FUTURE PROGRAMS

In addition to these activities, Sustainable Pacific Grove will continue to explore additional programs as time and volunteer assistance becomes available. The following is a listing includes e xamples of community-initiated projects that are being explored in other areas to increase self-reliance.

Economic Development

• Development of new local manufacturing and local serving retail
• Shop locally programs (scavenger hunts, community business maps)
• Promoting food produced within 100 miles (Interdependence Day Celebrations)

Food

• Community gardens to provide food for local residents, planting rows for needy
• Residential gardens (converting one lawn at a time, walking tours of residential gardens, seedling distribution program, technical assistance to residential gardeners)
• Food cooperatives, farmers markets, food banks distribution
• Transport backup to bring food from regional/local growing areas
• Food storage education drying and canning
• Aquaculture programs to supplement food sources (ponds and ocean)
• Congregate meal programs (Meals on Wheels programs expanded)

Water

• Use of cisterns, small collection systems to capture rainwater, drip systems, low flow toilets
• City-wide collection and storing storm run-off for use for irrigation purposes
• Conservation, including xeroscaping for home and business landscapes
• Local desalination projects (requires energy)

Energy

• Audit of energy practices and retrofit of local government/school districts buildings
• Educational programs encouraging residential and business energy saving retrofits.
• Electricity production from renewable sources such as wind turbines, water turbines (tidal exchange), solar photovoltaic cells
• Biofuels supplied by crops and local distribution centers

Transportation

• Rail, transit expansion, bicycle and walking,
• Speed limit reduction, driving restrictions on non-essential trips
• Telecommuting, compressed work week, worker relocation closer to job sites
• Carpooling, ride sharing, certified hitchhiking programs, car cooperatives
• Local delivery services for food and pharmacy
• City use of hybrids or electric for non-pursuit vehicles

Other

• Community barn buildings and shared project construction (all project types)
• Recycling programs (community garbage fashion shows), reuse - community sharing
• Consumer education (12 step consumer program)
• Education in self-reliance, gardening, carpentry, etc
• Apprentice programs to transfer skills
• Community theater, local entertainment, counseling
• Sustainability reference library