What “Barbie” Movie Teaches Us: Don’t Expect Perfection and Don’t Do It Alone
By Brittney Nial and Maggie Maue If you have an Internet connection, you’ve probably heard of the newly released Barbie movie. Maybe you’ve already watched the movie, twice. While the set is very pink and plastic, the characters and their struggles are not. Between shots of Venice…
Tips for Making a DIY Air Filter (Consejos: Si opta por utilizar un purificador de aire de bricolaje)
Editor’s Note: Thank you to the Yolo Solano Air Quality Management District and represetative Karin Bloesch for these materials and the research behind them. If you build a DIY air cleaner, use a newer model box fan (2012 or later). The newer models have added…
New Report Estimates 81,000 Housed in Davis, Nearly 40% of Renters Experiencing Severe Housing Costs
by Julia Ann Easley UC Davis News Housing developed within the City of Davis and on the UC Davis campus over the last six years added accommodation for almost 7,000 more residents by fall 2022, according to a new report. The Joint Housing Report from UC…
Did You Catch the Electric Bus with Us ?
By Mari Cruz, Emily Vu & Cool Davis Staff Did you catch the bus with us ? On March 19th, Cool Davis hosted a fun and relaxing tour — by way of an electric Unitrans bus to the bus charging stations — as a way…
Support the Ujamaa Farmer Collective in Yolo County
The main function and purpose of Ujamaa Farmer Collective is to provide affordable and secured access to land for existing land-ready, independently managed BIPOC farm businesses that layers in cooperative economics to encourage collaboration amongst farmers. Long-term and affordable leasing opportunities, ranging from ½ acre…
N Street Park Goes Green and Climate Ready
By Wyatt Garrett, Cecilia Walsh, Torin Dunnavant, and Emily Griswold This past weekend, Tree Davis and the Davis Manor Neighborhood Council co-hosted two volunteer work days at N Street Park, with over 75 community members coming out to get their hands dirty. Under expert guidance…
Fossil Fuel Pension Divestment Bill Reintroduced
Editor’s Note: A message from Miriam Eide, Coordinating Director, Fossil Free CA follows below. Late January 2023, Senator Gonzalez with joint authors of Senator Wiener and Senator Stern reintroduced the divestment bill! SB252 Fossil Fuel Divestment was introduced as part of a Climate Accountability Package that also includes:…
Local Activists Host Local March for Global Climate Strike
Friday, March 3rd at E14th and B Street, Davis at NOON
CALSSA and GRID Alternatives Statements on CPUC’s Vote to Slash Solar Net Metering
“The changes to net metering approved by the CPUC are a step backwards when we really need to be moving forward with solar and battery storage. It is a dark day in California when the utility regulators try to block out the sun.” Sacramento, CA—The…
Renewable Energy Integration Highlights from 2022
Twelve years ago, the Integrated Renewable Energy Systems Network (IRESN) idea was to direct thoughtful, technically well-grounded attention to renewable integration, especially integration of local energy transitions. Then large solar and wind power plant investment and integration accelerated. Local energy integration and collaboration is also…
CPUC Slashes Rooftop Solar wth NEM 3.0 Decision
A messasge from Dave Rosenfeld, Executive Director of the Solar Rights Alliance: On December 15, 2022, the CA Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted 5-0 to effectively put solar out of reach for the millions of households, churches, schools and businesses that don’t have solar yet….
Council Members Favor Voluntary Approach to Home Electrification
The Davis City Council voted Tuesday night in favor of a voluntary approach to building electrification, at least for several years, before reassessing whether to make mandatory a requirement that homeowners replace gas appliances with electric at the end of their useful life. The 4-1…
Sphagnum and Peat Moss Sales to Be Banned in England and Wales, Ireland Since 2018
Editor’s note: This article has been changed from how it appears in the Yolo County Master Gardener newsletter. Local nursery owner Don Shor has corrected the geographical scope of the ban and headings have been changed to reflect that correction. See more reading section at…
Davis youth strike to protest lack of climate emergency planning by city
Editor’s Note: Text below is press release from Fridays for Future Davis Youth leaders from Yolo County led a colorful all-ages march today in central Davis to protest the city’s failure to address the climate emergency. The marchers made their way from the library to…
The Inflation Reduction Act will gut fossil fuels. This is California’s last chance to divest.
By CJ Koepp With the U.S. Senate recently giving the Inflation Reduction Act the green light, Congress is poised to pass a once-in-a-generation climate bill, full of incentives for Americans to switch to cleaner energy. All accounts suggest this bill will transform the nation’s energy…
Local Businesses Help Customers Reduce Single-Use Plastic
By Dylan Ehlers and Dylan Jayalath Single-use plastics are plastic products that are used once, or for a very short amount of time, before being thrown away. These plastics are most seen in drinking bottles, food wrappers, plastic grocery bags, and straws, but they also…
All-Electric Heat Pumps FAQs
By David Springer, Kristin Heinemeier, Bill Dakin, Nathan Breeding, and Dick Bourne, with contributions from Leslie Crenna The featured photo for this article is the work of Cool Davis volunteer Yvonne Hunter. Q. What is a heat pump? A. heat pump is a well-established and…
Proposed Decision Threatens Rooftop Solar in California
Updates: Protests are planned for the January 13th 2022 to coincide with the next voting meeting of the CPUC (agenda link). Save Our Solar Jobs Rally information (San Francisco and LA): https://calssa.org/calendar/2022/1/13/save-our-solar-jobs-rally See the Save California Solar website for more information: https://www.savecaliforniasolar.org/. More information can…
Daily Choices DO Make a Difference
The average person’s daily choices can still make a big difference in fighting climate change – and getting governments and utilities to tackle it, too Tom Ptak, Texas State University The average American’s everyday interactions with energy sources are limited. They range from turning appliances on…
Environmental update: The wet season and pollution prevention
The arrival of fall starts the official “wet season” in California, and whether or not we get rain (and we really hope we do!), it’s always good to remember stormwater pollution prevention tips. When rain runs off roofs and pavements from the places where we…
