LETTERS

Gardening for a cause

Caring people doing great work [See “Adventures in gardening,” Vol. 15, Issue 9]. I have been a gardener pretty much since the beginning and enjoy getting out in the fresh air each morning to tend to my garden.

Reminds me of working with my grandma in her garden some 60 years ago.

Come join us!

—Ronna Fillart, via sandiegodowntownnews.com

Thank you so much for sharing the SMARTS Farm story! I read it with interest and really enjoyed the pictures and info on their website. And, you are so right, our kids deserve to feel special and this program and environment seem well suited to that goal.

—Sarah, via email

EDITORIALS

Editorial: Approve November water measure or suffer the consequences

By Jim Madaffer

“Serious drought. Help save water.”

We see lit-up signs with these five words everywhere in California. More importantly, we feel the effects of this “serious” drought and mandatory water restrictions that have come with the problem.

But, to say it’s a “serious” drought is an understatement. The country’s most populous state is suffering through the most severe drought in modern history with scientists warning of a “megadrought” if California doesn’t take action.

Investing in our water infrastructure is crucial for a state that supplies half the country’s fruits, vegetables and nuts, and will be home to 60 million people by 2050.

The state Legislature made tremendous headway this week when it passed a $7.5 billion water bond package to be known as Proposition 1 on this November’s ballot. The deal is the largest investment the state has proposed since the $1.75 billion State Water Project in 1960.

The money will go toward dams, groundwater, recycling, water quality and watershed improvement – and more, throughout the state — all designed to improve and stabilize California’s water supply.

In San Diego, we’ll benefit from the passage of the ballot measure in a number of ways including:

• $1.5 billion will go toward water recycling and water treatment technology
• $52.5 million will fund regional water management projects
• $100 million would fund water-use efficiency projects
• $17 for the San Diego River
• Conservancy

The future of California’s water supply is now in the hands of its citizens. Voters have the responsibility of passing Proposition 1 in November or we must suffer the consequences of a drying Golden State.

—Jim Madaffer is a San Diego County Water Authority board director, former San Diego City Council member and president of Madaffer Enterprises. He uses water daily.

Editorial: Ways to go green while kids return to school

School is back in session for kids and Waste Management of Southern California would like to encourage everyone to kick off the new school year by being green, both in classrooms and at home.

“Back to school is an exciting time for everyone and a great opportunity to recommit to good recycling habits,” said Eloisa Orozco area communications manager for Waste Management of Southern California. “Fostering good recycling habits among children at an early age can help develop the next generation of environmental champions so that together, we can conserve earth’s precious resources.”

Waste Management would like to share the following tips to reduce, reuse and recycle this school year:

• Purchase products made from recycled materials: A new school year means new notebooks, binders, paper and printer ink all of which are available with recycled content.
• Pack a lunch with reusable gear: Packing a lunch is a healthy habit for everyone in the family. Buying lunch at school or eating out often means more calories, more money and more waste, whereas packing a lunch gives you an opportunity to use leftovers and save money. By utilizing reusable gear, like a fun lunch box or environmentally friendly water bottle, you can also save on waste.
• Utilize carpools or public transportation: While cars may be convenient, traffic and high gas prices certainly are not. Taking advantage of school buses to transport children to and from school is not only cost-effective, it can also save you time. Or, take a break from driving by organizing a neighborhood carpool or consider green options like walking or biking as a family.
• Turn off and unplug appliances when you are not using them: Computers, printers, fax machines and other wired devices cost money when not in use, even when they are in sleep mode or turned off. Help conserve energy by unplugging these appliances when you are not using them. Encourage kids to get involved too and make them responsible for doing one last check before leaving the house to make sure all lights and small appliances are turned off and unplugged.
• Donate last year’s clothes to charity: A new back to school wardrobe is many students favorite part of summer’s end but don’t forget about last year’s clothes! Encourage children to donate old outfits to charity and help give their wardrobe a second life.

—Waste Management Inc., is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America. Through its subsidiaries, the company provides collection, transfer, recycling and resource recovery and disposal services. It is also a leading developer, operator and owner of waste-to-energy and landfill gas-to-energy facilities in the United States. To learn more, visit wm.com or thinkgreen.com