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?