Water

31 01, 2024

The New Sustainability Ideas Bank: Online, Searchable and Downloadable!

2024-02-02T19:03:09-05:00

Implement new sustainability programs and policies in less time with fewer issues. Doing anything for the very first time is hard. There’s a learning curve. Like when I recently built kitchen cabinets. The first one was a painstaking process to figure out which pieces went together, in what order, which screws to use, how far to drill them in, etc. After the first one, I whipped out five more with ease. The same is true for designing policies and implementing programs to become more sustainable. Establishing a renter equity program, getting people to try an induction cooktop, establishing deconstruction waste [...]

The New Sustainability Ideas Bank: Online, Searchable and Downloadable!2024-02-02T19:03:09-05:00
11 10, 2023

2023 Indicators Report Launch Event

2024-10-02T16:25:34-05:00

The Well-Being of Children, Youth and Families in San Mateo County Sustainable San Mateo County’s 27th Annual Indicators Report was unveiled on October 26, 2023, at a free in-person event at the CZI Community Space in Redwood City. The report takes an in-depth look at the many factors affecting children, youth and families in our county. Read the press release. Read a summary of key facts in the report. At the event, SSMC’s Indicators Report Program Manager, Simone Vallone, shared some of the key findings and highlights of the Indicators Report, along with recommendations for next steps. Other [...]

2023 Indicators Report Launch Event2024-10-02T16:25:34-05:00
25 10, 2022

2022 Indicators Report Launch Event

2022-11-30T19:02:52-05:00

Building Electrification in San Mateo County, IR 2022 Launch Event Sustainable San Mateo County’s 26th annual Indicators Report was unveiled November 10 at a free in-person event hosted by Genentech. This year, we took a deep dive into examining San Mateo County's progress on building electrification, with a special look at the existing building stock. SSMC's Indicators Report Program Manager, Sarah Cassanego, shared some of the key findings and highlights of our Indicators Report, along with recommendations for next steps. Read the 2022 Indicators Report Read our press release Watch videos of the Indicators Launch event: Entire program [...]

2022 Indicators Report Launch Event2022-11-30T19:02:52-05:00
30 03, 2022

Time to Turn off the Faucet: Drought Implications in San Mateo County

2022-03-31T13:37:09-05:00

As the growing multiyear drought in California continues to make headlines, we were happy to invite two water experts to speak at our March Happy Hour. Tom Francis, the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency’s (BAWSCA) Water Resource Manager gave an update on the status of the drought in San Mateo County, while Kan Parthiban, Sustainability Director of LYNGSO Garden Materials, Inc. spoke about how healthy soil can support water conservation. Francis warned that San Mateo County will have to make wise choices to conserve water in the near future. The county and surrounding region currently fall within the [...]

Time to Turn off the Faucet: Drought Implications in San Mateo County2022-03-31T13:37:09-05:00
30 06, 2021

Just How Bad Is the Drought?

2021-06-30T20:33:25-05:00

On June 22, Santa Clara County’s Board of Supervisors declared a local emergency due to this year’s extreme drought conditions. To date, 2021 ranks as the second driest year for California, with 1977 being the driest year on record. Yet San Mateo County hasn’t asked residents to cut back water use. Why? At our June Happy Hour, Tom Francis explained that San Mateo County’s water reserves are in much better shape than many jurisdictions in the state. As Water Resources Manager at the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA), Tom tracks water levels closely. He said 85 percent [...]

Just How Bad Is the Drought?2021-06-30T20:33:25-05:00
5 10, 2020

Community Education and Outreach Efforts on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

2020-10-09T15:23:14-05:00

San Mateo County Office of Education's Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Initiative The San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) launched its Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Initiative at the start of the 2017-18 school year. The initiative's vision is for the school communities and leaders to prioritize sustainability integration and environmental literacy for all students. The initiative supports a broad variety of complementary programs and efforts, including: Collective Impact - Campus as a Laboratory for Learning Program: This program utilizes the Collective Impact Approach to bring together school districts and their broader community to “green” one aspect of their school’s [...]

Community Education and Outreach Efforts on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency2020-10-09T15:23:14-05:00
4 10, 2020

Water Use and Water Conservation

2020-10-09T15:29:50-05:00

Water-Energy Nexus and Importance of Storage Water use and energy use are inextricably related. The extraction, treatment, distribution and use of water, and the collection and treatment of wastewater, require a significant amount of energy. Conversely, hydroelectric and thermometric power generation require large amounts of water. Water can be used to store energy economically. For example, Hawaii has a fleet of 500 grid-enabled heat pump water heaters that store energy during the day when there is an excess of renewables on the grid.   The water-energy nexus. Click here for more information and image credit. It is important when addressing [...]

Water Use and Water Conservation2020-10-09T15:29:50-05:00
26 09, 2020

2021 Indicators Report Launch

2021-10-21T12:20:46-05:00

2021 Indicators Report Focuses on Equitable Housing At the launch of our 25th annual Indicators Report on October 19, speakers outlined the challenges facing the need for more affordable, equitable housing as well as some proven solutions that are making it happen.Panelists were:Rick Bonilla, Deputy Mayor, San MateoDiana Reddy, Council Member, Redwood CityMatt Franklin, Chief Executive, MidPen HousingSee a video of the Indicators Report LaunchRead a blog about the eventRead the Indicators Report on Equitable Housing About the Speakers Rick Bonilla joined the San Mateo City Council in 2015 after serving on city commissions since 2001. He [...]

2021 Indicators Report Launch2021-10-21T12:20:46-05:00
4 09, 2020

2020 Key Indicator

2020-10-19T09:05:03-05:00

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency The Dual-Axis Solar Carport in Burlingame supports up to 600 solar panels. Conventional fossil-fuel energy sources such as coal and natural gas are huge contributors to climate change. Non-renewable electricity and power generation use large amounts of scarce energy and water resources and pollute both the air and water, greatly harming our health and environment. On the other hand, renewable energy generated from sources including sun, wind and tides provides substantial benefits for mitigating climate change and restoring our health and environment. Last year, Sustainable San Mateo County’s annual Key Indicator report [...]

2020 Key Indicator2020-10-19T09:05:03-05:00
27 07, 2020

Indicators Report

2024-07-31T12:57:51-05:00

About the Indicators Report Sustainable San Mateo County has been tracking sustainability progress in the county since 1997 through its annual Indicators Report. This report provides fact-based information on sustainability indicators and local trends impacting San Mateo County’s economy, environment and social equity. Since its inception, the Indicators Report has been welcomed as a credible source of information by governments, businesses, civic groups and nonprofit organizations that use it to set goals, measure progress and prioritize resource allocation. Propelled by the philosophy that “what gets measured, gets managed,” the report presents metrics, success stories and showcases positive changes that [...]

Indicators Report2024-07-31T12:57:51-05:00
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