Environmental Education
On September 13, 2018, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 720 (SB720) into law. This bill adds en
vironmental education and principles into the Education Code so that they are integrated into the content standards and curriculum frameworks in relevant subject areas. Ten Strands, who sponsored the bill, tweeted that SB720 “strengthens CA’s commitment to ensuring that all public school students have the opportunity to become environmentally literate.” The bill approves California’s Environmental Principles and Concepts and encourages governing boards and school districts to promote instruction in environmental literacy. Click here to read the full text of the bill.
Climate and Energy
- Also in September, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 100. The 100 Percent Clean Energy Act of 2018 mandates energy from 100% renewable sources by 2045.
- The University of California announced it is aiming to run completely on renewable energy by 2025. Read more about the University’s carbon neutral goals here.
- San Francisco hosted the Global Climate Action Summit in September. People from all around the world got together to showcase what is being done to reduce emissions and pledge funding specifically for climate action. Find out more about what climate action is being taken here.
Marine Debris
- California recently became the first state in the nation to ban restaurants from providing straws. Starting in 2019, full-service, dine-in restaurants won’t be able to hand out straws unless customers ask for them.
- Earlier this year, California passed the Sustainable Packaging Act of 2018. To be enacted on January 1, 2021, it will require that food service facilities in a state agency or large state facility serve prepared food in reusable, recyclable, or compostable containers.
- The City of Richmond’s updated food ware ordinance “bans the use, sale, and distribution of plastic straws and stirrers by food providers, retail establishments, and transient lodging establishments. Non-plastic alternative straws and stirrers can only be provided upon request by customer.” This ordinance goes into effect December 15, 2018. Check out this brochure for more details.
Parks and Restoration
- In June, California passed Proposition 68, which authorized $4 billion in general obligation bonds for state and local parks, environmental protection and restoration projects, water infrastructure projects, and flood protection projects. This includes a $254.9 million grant program for park development and community revitalization. For more information about this grant, visit www.parks.ca.gov/spp.
- Measure FF, the East Bay Regional Parks District parcel tax, passed on November 6. According to the East Regional Park District website,
“Measure FF will continue funding for regional park services including:- Wildfire prevention
- Public safety
- Maintaining and improving visitor use facilities, public access, and trails, including closing gaps in the Bay Trail
- Restoring and enhancing natural areas/habitat, including sensitive redwoods, urban creeks, marshlands, grasslands, and hillsides”
