Elected officials in Los Angeles are taking legislative action to reduce takeout trash after a steep increase in single-use plastic consumption. But what does it mean to “Skip the Stuff”? And how does it help fight plastic pollution? Let’s dive in.
Skip the Stuff is the latest legislative push through Heal the Bay’s plastics work with the Reusable LA coalition. #SkipTheStuff would require takeout and delivery “extras” — like single-use utensils, straws, condiments, napkins, and more — to be provided only upon request. If you need them, you can get them. If you don’t, no need to waste.
The use of single-use plastic has skyrocketed due to COVID-19, including here in Los Angeles, where our beloved local restaurants are forced to rely primarily on takeout and delivery. Consumption of single-use plastics has increased by 250% – 300% since the pandemic began, with a 30% increase in waste attributed in part to disposable foodware. Nationwide, billions of food accessories are thrown away each year, many of which aren’t even used once. (Many of us even keep them in that dreaded drawer of takeout “extras”, hoping that they’ll be used one day.)
The vast majority of these single-use items cannot be recycled. They add to the plastic pollution crisis, litter our neighborhoods, rivers, and ocean, and clog already overfilled landfills. Using fossil fuels to produce plastic items that aren’t even used is the last thing we need during a climate crisis. These impacts also present significant environmental justice issues, with frontline and fenceline communities bearing a disproportionate burden of the impacts from climate change, fossil fuel extraction, and incineration associated with single-use waste. Heal the Bay and Reusable LA are advocating for #SkipTheStuff legislation in both Los Angeles City and Los Angeles County. In January 2021, Los Angeles City Councilmembers Paul Koretz and Paul Krekorian introduced a motion to draft city-wide legislation to #SkipTheStuff. It would require all foodware accessories to be available only upon request for takeout, delivery, and third-party delivery apps. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors followed suit in February 2021 and unanimously passed a similar motion after it was introduced by Boardmember Sheila Kuehl.
This legislation recognizes that community members may need single-use straws, utensils, and/or other foodware accessories. It is crucial that restaurants and third-party delivery apps readily promote and provide accommodations for all. This “on request” model is intentionally structured to meet all ADA requirements and accommodations to ensure equitable access to easily enjoy dine-in, takeout, or delivery from LA eateries. Under this ordinance, businesses may provide foodware accessories to customers who request them. Restaurants and food delivery apps should default to no single-use accessories for orders, unless the customer requests them. Switching to foodware accessories “upon request” reduces unnecessary waste and saves restaurants money. Los Angeles has done this before with straws on request. At a time when local restaurants and small businesses are struggling to stay open, this is a simple solution to cut down on both excess costs and plastic pollution. We support these ordinances as a win-win for our LA communities, businesses, and environment. We’re counting on your support to get this ordinance passed, so take action below and stay tuned for updates on how you can #SkipTheStuff.
El muelle de Hermosa Beach esuno de losmuellesmástranquilos para pescaren la bahía de Santa Mónica. Estárodeado de hermosas playas, bares y restaurantes. Esunmuellemuysencillo sin vendedoresnirestaurantes, pocagentecaminando, pocospescadores y unahermosa vista para ver el atardecer.
El muelle, construidoen 1965 y renovado a principios de 2000, se extiende a 1,140 pies sobre el océano. Estáabierto para todoslosvisitantes, asícomo para la pescadesde las 6:00 am hasta las 10:00 pm. Los pescadoresdebenasegurarse de seguir las regulaciones de pesca, asicomo el tamaño de peces, límites y temporadas de ciertasespecies que no se debencapturar. El lanzamiento de la caña de pescaporencima de cabeza de otras personas y el tirarbasuraen el muelle son actividadesprohibidas.
Hermosa Beach Pier antes de la pandemia
La pescaesmuyrelajanteen el muelle de Hermosa Beach. Los pescadorescapturan con frecuenciamacarelas, umbrinaroncador, corbinas, sardinas, entre otrospeces. Tambiénescomúncapturar la corvinetablanca, pero hay que evitarlaporqueesuno de lospeces que estánen la lista de “No consumir”. Estalistacontienepeces que no debenconsumirsedebido a los altosniveles de contaminaciónpor DDT, PCB y mercurio – tambiénenestalista se encuentran la corvinetablanca, cabrilla, corvinetanegra, pejerrey y barracuda.
El ProgramaEducacionalPesquero de Heal the Bayeduca a lospescadores de muelles y costa enloscondados de Los Ángeles y Orange sobrelosriesgos de consumirpecescontaminado con toxinascomodicloro-difenil-tricloroetano (DDT) y bifenilspoliclorinados (PCBs). Actualmenteestamosenpausadebido al COVID; peroestaremosreanudandonuestrasactividadesenlosmuellescuando las autoridades de salud locales lo permitan, y losmiembros de nuestroEquipoEducacionalPesquerocontinúeneducandosobreestospecesque no se debenconsumir.
No se requiereunalicencia de pesca para pescaren el muelle de Hermosa Beach, perosipescaen las playas alrededordelmuelle, tendrá que comprarunalicencia.
Entodo el estado, el Departamento de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de California (CDFW, porsussiglaseninglés) ofrecedos días de pesca gratis cadaañodonde no se requiereunalicencia para motivar a losnuevospescadores a estaactividad. Enel 2021, esasfechas son el 3 de julio y el 4 de septiembre. Pescarenunmuelle o en un día de pesca gratisesunaexcelentemanera de probar un nuevopasatiempo o cenar para sufamilia. CDFW ofrecealgunosvideos instructivos para principiantes y elgrupo de Fish Contamination Education Collaborative (FCEC) ofrece videos sobrecómoprepararpeces de forma segura. ¡Felizpesca!
The Hermosa Beach Pier is one of the quietest piers for fishing within the Santa Monica Bay. It is surrounded by beautiful beaches, bars, and restaurants. It is a very straightforward pier with no vendors or restaurants, few people walking, few anglers, and a beautiful view to see the sunset.
The pier, built in 1965 and renovated in early 2000, extends 1,140 feet over the ocean. It is open for all visitors as well as fishing from 6:00am until 10:00pm. Anglers must also make sure to follow fishing regulations such as size, limits, and seasons of certain species that not allowed to catch. Overhead casting and throwing bait or trash on the pier are prohibited activities.
Hermosa Beach Pier before COVID-19 pandemic
Fishing is very relaxing at Hermosa Beach Pier. Anglers frequently catch mackerels, yellowfin croaker, corbinas, and sardines, among other fish. It is also common to hook white croaker on this pier, but it must be avoided because it is one of the fish that are on the “Do not consume” list. This list contains fish that should not be eaten due to high levels of contamination from DDT, PCBs, and mercury – also on this list are white croaker, barred sand bass, black croaker, topsmelt and barracuda.
Heal the Bay’s Angler Outreach Program educates pier and shore anglers in Los Angeles and Orange County about the risks of consuming fish contaminated with toxins such as dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). We are currently on pause due to COVID-19 restrictions; we will resume our activities on the piers when the local health authorities allow it, and our Angler Outreach Team members will continue to educate about fish that should not be consumed.
A fishing license is not required to fish on Hermosa Beach Pier, but if you fish on the beaches around the pier, you will have to purchase a license.
Throughout the state, the CA Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) offers two days of free fishing every year where a license is not required in order to motivate new anglers to this activity. In 2021, those dates are July 3 and September 4. Fishing on a pier or on a free fishing day is a great way to try out a new hobby or catch dinner for your family. CDFW offers some instructional videos for beginners and the Fish Contamination Education Collaborative (FCEC) offers videos on how to prepare fish safely. Happy fishing!
Failure is not defeat when we hold ourselves accountable, learn, improve, and move forward together. Our Science and Policy team highlights some environmental policy woes in Part 2 below, and in Part 1 we reflect on wins from the past year.
In a year like 2020, it is worth the time to celebrate our environmental policy wins. But it may be even more important to recognize our woes, setbacks, and challenges. Failure is a part of life, and it may be painful at times, but it does not mean defeat. It is an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to find ways to improve our work moving forward. Let’s reflect on three of our 2020 environmental policy woes, and set some new goals for 2021.
California Environmental Legislation
It was a challenging year in the CA legislature. With critical COVID-19 relief bills understandably taking priority, many environmental bills that were expected to pass this year did not make it through. One major loss was Senate Bill 54 and Assembly Bill 1080, twin bills also known as the California Circular Economy and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act, which would have set a goal of reducing single-use plastic waste by 75% by 2030. Following heavy and expensive lobbying campaigns from the plastics industry, these bills narrowly missed passing on the final day of the legislative season in August.
While this was a devastating blow, there were also wins in plastic pollution reduction policy this year. Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 793into law, making California the first state in the country to set minimum levels for recycled content in beverage containers. California residents also got the Plastics Free California Initiativeon the 2022 ballot. If it passes, this initiative would be the most comprehensive plastic pollution reduction policy in the nation. Heal the Bay is not giving up the fight and we are ready to push for strong plastics legislation in the coming year. Sign up to learn more on this from Reusable LA.
Offshore DDT Dumping
The recent discovery (as reported by the LA Times) of a very large number of dumped barrels of DDT off the coast of Los Angeles was a shock to us and many others who have been working on issues surrounding DDT contamination for over 30 years. We knew about the other large site contaminated by DDT and PCBs on the Palos Verde Shelf, but this new discovery of a potentially similar sized underwater DDT dump was devastating, to say the least. The news left us with many questions. Who is responsible and how can we hold corporate polluters accountable? What is the impact to marine ecosystems and human health? Can this pollution be cleaned up?
Heal the Bay is currently meeting with elected officials, government agencies, and partners to push for increased scientific understanding of the problem, increased education and outreach particularly to communities at risk from contaminated fish, and increased accountability and transparency.
Stormwater Regulation with the MS4 Permit
The Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit regulates stormwater pollution. The LA County MS4 Permit has been around since 1990, and yet stormwater is still the leading source of water pollution. The lack of accountability in the last MS4 Permit has allowed permittees to fall woefully behind schedule in reducing this pollution. Although renewal of this critical MS4 Permit is already 3 years behind schedule, adoption was again delayed until 2021. Unfortunately, permittees have dominated this process, demanding a weaker permit at the expense of our surface water quality, and so far the Los Angeles Regional Water Board has been receptive to their grumbles.
Heal the Bay’s Take LA by Storm campaign launched this year to provide support for new advocates to engage in this permit process, too. Voices from respected NGOs across LA County attended the Regional Board’s October MS4 Workshop; and in December, 34 NGOs and 19 individual community members weighed in through written comments. We are starting to shift the narrative as the Board hears from communities, but there is still a lot to do before permit adoption in summer 2021.
Heal the Bay will continue to advocate for a strong permit and provide better support to LA communities.Sign up to Take LA by Storm, and together we can hold permittees accountable and reduce stormwater pollution.
2020 was a long and difficult year. At times it felt like we were going backwards. In this 2-part series, our Science and Policy team highlights some forward-moving progress and setbacks on the environmental policy front in California. We review our wins in Part 1 below, and in Part 2 we reflect on policies woes from the past year.
2020 was tough. Systemic racism and environmental injustices continue to disproportionately impact BIPOC communities. More prevalent media coverage has elevated this painful reality, and as a nation, as organizations, and as individuals, many of us have challenged ourselves to do better. Despite this awakening, injustices remain, the climate crisis is escalating, and we’re struggling to maintain our day-to-day lives in the face of a new global public health pandemic with the spread of COVID-19.
Even as these crises rage on, the wheels of government keep turning to address ongoing environmental issues, and Heal the Bay’s Science and Policy team has done its best to keep up. Let’s take a few minutes to highlight three environmental policy wins from 2020.
Statewide Toxicity Provisions
After nearly two decades, the State Water Board adopted Toxicity Provisions in December, establishing an approach using Whole Effluent Toxicity (the collective adverse effect on aquatic life from all pollutants contained in wastewater) as a numeric limit with a clear pass/fail result. Toxicity testing provides an important back-stop to detect harmful conditions caused by chemicals and chemical mixtures that aren’t otherwise tested like new pesticides, household chemicals, pharmaceuticals, etc.
Heal the Bay has been waiting for this since 2003. We even released a report in 2009 on the impacts of not including numeric toxicity limits in permits. In 2014, our Los Angeles Regional Board took a prudent step forward by adopting the use of numeric toxicity limits in local permits, creating momentum for the State Board to follow suit. We’re excited to finally see the adoption of these Provisions, though we did make a few concessions over the years. For example, these Provisions apply only to non-stormwater permits; however, thanks to our advocacy work alongside our partners at the California Coastkeeper Alliance, the State Board committed to starting on stormwater toxicity requirements next.
Biological Objectives
The San Diego Regional Water Board became the first region in CA to adopt Biological Objectives for streams using numeric water quality standards for the biological community of a stream (based on the benthic macroinvertebrate community) in December. The Clean Water Act’s objective is to “restore and maintain the chemical, physical, andbiological integrity of the Nation’s waters,” but until now, implementation has focused solely on chemical integrity. Biological Objectives tell a meaningful and comprehensive story about the stream’s water quality, habitat, and biota. Unfortunately, these objectives do not apply to concrete lined streams; however, while not perfect, this is a big step forward.
Heal the Bay advocated for the San Diego Biological Objectives alongside our partners at San Diego Coastkeeper and LA Waterkeeper. With this momentum from the San Diego region, we also advocated for the LA Regional Water Board to adopt their own Biological Objectives. We were thrilled to see a data project related to Biological Objectives make the Los Angeles Regional Board’s priority list this year! We will continue to work with our NGO partners and the Regional Board staff to move this effort along.
Safe, Clean Water Program Implementation
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved over $95 million in new investments under Measure W (the Safe, Clean Water Program) in October. The nine Watershed Area Steering Committees (WASCs), which each include five community representatives, have been working diligently all year to determine where and how funds should be spent. This first round of funding was approved for each WASC to hire Watershed Coordinators, and for the Program to fund 41 infrastructure projects, 15 technical assistance projects, and 4 scientific studies.
Heal the Bay, as a core team member of the OurWaterLA Coalition, has been involved in this program since its inception. We have engaged with the public and met with County staff to help ensure that the goals of the Program are met, while our President and CEO, Shelley Luce oversaw progress as Co-Chair of the Regional Oversight Committee. Heal the Bay has been selected as the Watershed Coordinator for the South Santa Monica Bay. We will lead public engagement efforts in this area for the Safe, Clean Water Program, and coordinate across the county with all 12 Watershed Coordinators. We also applied to be Watershed Coordinators for the Central Santa Monica Bay watershed area – the final decision for that position will be determined within the next few weeks.
Mikaela Loach reminds us all that “we have a lot of power to make changes to these [problematic] systems.” And so we urge you to advocate with all your might for good policies and the systemic changes we need. As hard as we fight, there will be setbacks. Read Part 2 to learn about three environmental policy woes in 2020.
Necesitamos su ayuda para hacer responsables a los contaminadores y a sus aliados políticos.
Una reciente investigación del LA Times destapó que la corporación contaminadora Montrose no solo vertió medio millón de barriles con residuos contaminados con DDT en la bahía, el doble de lo estimado, sino que junto a agencias del gobierno escondieron el vertido cerca de la isla Catalina durante décadas, exponiendo a personas, animales y ecosistemas marinos enteros a uno de los compuestos químicos tóxicos más peligrosos que se ha hecho nunca.
Heal the Bay está presionando a las agencias y a los cargos electos para que se ocupen de limpiar el DDT y protejan la salud pública.
Foto de LA Times, David Valentine, ROV Jason
Originalmente desarrollado como insecticida, el compuesto químico DDT es conocido hoy en día por su impacto en la salud y la destrucción del medioambiente. El DDT es especialmente devastador porque nunca desaparece. El productor de DDT más grande de los Estados Unidos, Montrose Chemical Corporation, tenía su base en Torrance entre 1947 y 1982. Y durante esa época vertieron cientos de toneladas de residuos tóxicos al océano en la zona de Palos Verdes. Fueron a juicio y terminaron pagando un acuerdo, y el área fue designada como superfund site (zonas contaminadas de Estados Unidos que requieren una respuesta de limpieza a largo plazo por contener contaminantes nocivos) por la EPA en 2000.
Décadas más tarde, nos enteramos de que la misma corporación contaminadora vertió cerca de la isla Catalina el DOBLE de DDT que se había estimado previamente, junto a otros compuestos tóxicos además. Nadie está rindiendo cuentas por ese medio millón de barriles que se están filtrando a nuestro suelo marino hoy en día.
Las agencias gubernamentales necesitan redoblar sus esfuerzos de una forma clara. No nos podemos escurrir de estos desastres del pasado. Y tampoco podemos ignorar los retos que suponen estos compuestos tóxicos para el presente y el futuro.
Las pruebas demuestran que el DDT ha entrado en la cadena alimenticia, afectando la salud de miles de personas que comen alimentos del mar procedentes de la bahía, y también está llevando a especies, como las águilas calvas, hacia la extinción. La comunidad científica y los expertos en salud están preocupados por el impacto a largo plazo de la bioacumulación de DDT en el océano.
LA no puede esperar otra década para lidiar con los compuestos tóxicos en nuestro océano. La crisis climática está acelerando la subida del nivel del mar y las temperaturas, que ya de por sí tienen un impacto suficientemente negativo en el océano y nuestras comunidades.
Heal the Bay está lista para embarcarse en otra batalla para proteger nuestro océano, hacer responsables a los contaminadores, y a mantener al público, especialmente a los pescadores locales y usuarios recreativos del agua, informados sobre los riesgos para la salud del legado tóxico de DDT en LA. Su contribución posibilita nuestra misión de mantener el agua limpia para todos. Done a Heal the Bay.
El sur de California ofreceunavariedad de muelles con todotipo de actividades para loslugareños y visitantes, además de servircomolugaresprivilegiados para la pescadeportiva y de subsistencia. Anteriormentehablamosdelmuelle de Venicecomo un favorito de la pesca local. Ahoradirigimosnuestraatención al muelle de Redondo Beach, unmuellepreferidoporlospescadores para la pesca de macarela que se puedecapturardurante el año.
Desafortunadamente, estemuelle se encuentradentro de la zona roja, al igual que otrosmuelles de la Bahía de Santa Mónica, dondeciertospecesno debenconsumirsedebido a su alto contenido de químicostóxicos (DDT y PCB) y debido a la proximidad al sitio Superfund Palos Verdes Shelf. Los peces que nodebenconsumirse son la corvinetablanca, corvinetanegra, cabrilla, pejerrey y barracuda.
Enunavisitarecienteennoviembre de 2020, observé plena actividadpesquera, vifamilias con niños, que en gran medidadesconocíanlosriesgos de consumirpecescontaminado.
Habíancartelescon avisosendiferentespartesdelmuelle que recordaban a losvisitantes que mantuvieranunadistancia social de 6 pies para reducir la transmisión del coronavirus. A pesar de las señales, muchos de lospescadores no llevabanmascarillasprotectoras.
Antes de la pandemia, estemuelleoperaba las 24 horas del día y era comúnver a numerososgruposde pescadores de subsistenciaen la nochepasandolargas horas para obtenersuscapturas.
Esperamos que losmiembros de nuestroEquipoEdcuacionalPesqueropronto puedacontinuareducando a nuestracomunidadenlosmuelles localessobrelosriesgos de consumirpescadocontaminadodentro de la zona roja. Porahora, continuaremosconectándonos con pescadores a través de nuestraspublicaciones de blog, redessociales y presentacioneseducativaseninglés y español.
Southern California offers a variety of piers with all kinds of activities for locals and visitors. Piers also serve as prime spots for sport and subsistence fishing. We previously highlighted Venice Pier as a local fishing favorite. Now we turn our attention to Redondo Beach Pier, a pier favored by anglers for mackerel fishing throughout the year.
Redondo Beach Pier is a beautiful place to walk, enjoy ocean views, eat, and fish. The pier was originally built in 1889 and has undergone numerous iterations over the years. It is unique because it is the largest “endless” pier along the California coast. It is considered “endless” because it is shaped like a horseshoe and does not have an end to it like a traditional pier. Prior to the pandemic, this pier operated 24-hours a day and it was common to see numerous groups of subsistence anglers out at night spending long hours to get their catches. See this recent survey of anglers to learn more about the vibrant community.
Unfortunately Redondo Beach Pier is within the red zone, like other piers in Santa Monica Bay, where certain fish should not be consumed due to their high content of toxic chemicals (DDT and PCBs) and due to the proximity to the Palos Verdes Shelf superfund site. Fish that should not be consumed are the white croaker, black croaker, barred sand bass, topsmelt, and barracuda.
On recent visit to Redondo Beach Pier in November 2020, I observed lots of fishing activity! I saw families with children fishing. There were signs along part of the pier reminding visitors to maintain a social distance of 6 feet to reduce coronavirus transmission. Despite the signs, many of the anglers were not wearing protective face masks. It seemed like anglers were unaware of the contaminated fish risks within the red zone.
We hope our Angler Outreach Team members can continue educating our community at local piers, especially Redondo Beach Pier soon. For now, we will continue to connect with anglers through our blog posts, social media, and educational presentations in English and Spanish.
Yes on Prop 16: Affirmative Action / State of California
Notes: Failed
A success in Los Angeles County, but didn’t gain enough support from California voters to pass. The fight to allow people the option of considering equitable access to opportunity in the workforce of government agencies, contractors, and universities continues.
_____
Yes on Prop 17: Restored voting rights for felons / State of California
Notes: Passed
Finally possible for people who are on parole for felony convictions to vote. Voters also passed the potential for people who are on parole for felony convictions to run for office in California. People who have served their time deserve to participate in democracy.
_____
Yes on Prop 18: 17 year old people vote in primary / State of California
Notes: Failed
First introduced 16 years ago, would have allowed 17 year old people to vote in primary and special elections, if they turn 18 by the subsequent general election. This modest effort to expand voting rights and increase youth civic engagement failed. There are already 18 states and Washington D.C. where this is legal.
_____
Yes on Measure J Reimagine LA County / Los Angeles County
Notes: Passed
Investments in programs that respond directly to local needs is how we move toward healthier communities. Heal the Bay advocates for prioritizing equitable access to green jobs and a clean environment across Greater Los Angeles.
_____
Yes on Measure RR / $7B Bond for LAUSD / City of Los Angeles
Notes: Passed
All children in Los Angeles County deserve clean water, improved school safety standards, asbestos-free facilities, and classrooms equipped with technology for the 21st century. This funding for the Los Angeles Unified School District was deeply needed to protect students, families, teachers, and faculty.
[END OF UPDATE]
If you want to make waves, you have to get in the water. With voting season upon us, make use of these handy resources to create your ocean of change.
Did you know California is one of a few states that allows “Conditional Voter Registration?“ This means you can register to vote conditionally all the way through Election Day on November 3. Contact the Los Angeles County Election Office for more information if you still need to register to vote. Early Voting takes place October 5 – November 2. If you are voting by mail-in ballot, the USPS recommends that you do so no later than October 27.
Heal the Bay’s mission—to make our coastal California waters and watersheds safe, healthy, and clean—is affected by issues of environmental justice.
We can only keep our rivers and oceans clean and accessible when we support and invest in all of our communities. That is why we are recommending yes votes on ballot initiatives that enact reforms that support communities most impacted by environmental injustices. Environmental justice is inextricably linked to social justice, and improving equity improves the health and environment across our communities.
Heal the Bay Voter Guide:
The Heal the Bay team created this brief voter guide for the November 3, 2020 election in Los Angeles County.
Yes on Prop 16: Affirmative Action / State of California Yes on Props 17 & 18: Increasing Access to Voting / State of California Yes on Measure J Reimagine LA County / Los Angeles County Yes on Measure RR / $7B Bond for LAUSD / City of Los Angeles
_____
Proposition 16: A vote to allow the consideration of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin to address diversity in public employment, contracting, and education.
The issue: This proposition repeals Prop 209, a ban on affirmative action in the California Constitution. This will allow for the consideration of diversity as a factor in public employment, public contracting, and public education decisions.
The stakes: Proposition 16 would diversify the composition of the workforce and the hiring pool available to government agencies, contractors, and university collaborators that work with Heal the Bay. As members of the environmental NGO community, we recognize the lack of diversity in leadership and staff within environmental organizations. Diverse perspectives provide a wider array of creative solutions to the environmental problems we face. With our commitment to advance environmental justice, Heal the Bay has taken strides to increase internal diversity, including updating our hiring policies. This proposition would help other agencies and universities to do the same in an effort to increase diversity at all levels.
Our recommendation: Cast your ballot to advance equity. Vote YES on Prop 16.
_____
Propositions 17 and 18: Votes to increase access to voting.
The issue:Proposition 17 would amend the Constitution of California to allow people who are on parole for felony convictions to vote. Proposition 18 would allow 17-year-olds to vote in primary and special elections, if they will turn 18 by the subsequent general election.
The stakes: The issues confronting our state, including climate change, the resulting intensity of wildfires, and the human right to clean water, affect everyone, and everyone should have a say in them. The felons who’ve served their time and are on parole, as well as our youth in California, have to live with our decisions and should be able to participate in making them.
Our recommendation: Cast your ballot to increase voting access. Vote YES on Props 17 and 18.
_____
Measure J (Los Angeles County): A vote to dismantle systemic racism by investing in health, housing, and jobs.
The issue:Los Angeles County spends vastly more money – 42% of all revenues – on law enforcement and the legal system, at the expense of other community needs including the environment. Measure J will permanently allocate at least 10% of the county’s unrestricted general funds to community counseling, mental health services, youth development programs, small businesses, job creation, career training, and affordable housing. These much-needed investments move us toward healthier communities and can support green jobs and a cleaner environment for low-income communities and communities of color in Los Angeles.
The stakes: Heal the Bay wrote a comment letter in June 2020 supporting the People’s Budget to increase investments in community health in Los Angeles. Measure J includes programs and values similar to those we advocated in Measure W two years ago: good jobs, career training opportunities, and equity.
Our recommendation: Cast your ballot for the health, housing, and jobs of the communities who need it most. Vote YES on Measure J.
_____
Measure RR (Los Angeles): A vote to upgrade LAUSD schools and increase school safety.
The issue:Heal the Bay believes deeply in the value of education. We must invest in our children and our future. LAUSD infrastructure requires upgrades to aging buildings that aren’t safe for students. This Measure would authorize $7,000,000,000 in bonds at legal rates to address real infrastructure issues at LAUSD schools. It would include independent audits and citizens’ oversight, with none of the money going to administrative salaries.
The stakes: Heal the Bay works with LAUSD schools regularly, and we have seen first hand through our Speakers Bureau program the inequities and lack of resources between different school districts. We believe that all children in LA County deserve clean water, improved safety standards, asbestos-free facilities, and classrooms equipped with technology for the 21st century.
Our recommendation: Cast your ballot for long-needed upgrades and safety measures in LAUSD schools. Vote YES on RR.
Recent school closures mean many students are not getting the daily science education they need. We need to practice physical distancing at this time, and we also need to put our brainpower and creative energy to good use, so students can learn about our environment remotely.
Heal the Bay created the online science education webinar series, “Knowledge Drops” in 2020 and it covers dozens of topics ranging from single-use plastics during COVID-19 to interesting marine animals found in SoCal to the most pressing local climate issues we are tackling today. Our team of scientists, experts, and advocates explore the water world and offer fun lessons about the marine environment. Each video session is about 1-hour long and includes a prerecorded live presentation, Q&A, polls, and videos. Our archive of webinars and resources are generally geared for 3rd – 8th grade students and up, but all ages are welcome!
2020 Knowledge Drops Live Schedule (Link to Resources and Recordings Below… Keep Scrollin’)
3/18 – THE SEWAGE SYSTEM 🚰 3/20 – KNOW THE FLOW 💦 3/23 – MARVELOUS MOLLUSKS 🐚 3/25 – STORM DRAINS ☔️ 3/27 – MARINE PROTECTED AREAS 🛡 3/30 – SHARKS AND RAYS 🦈 4/1 – BEACH REPORT CARD 💯 4/3 – PLASTICS 🥤 4/6 – SEA JELLIES 💧 4/8 – ECHINODERMS ⭐️ 4/10 – CLEAN WATER ACT 📜 4/13 – COASTAL SHORE BIRDS 🦆 4/15 – COMMUNITY SCIENCE 🔬 4/17 – CONTAMINATED SEAFOOD ⛔️ 4/20 – KELP 🌿 4/22 – HISTORY OF EARTH DAY 🌎 4/22 – LA HISTORIA DEL DIA DE LA TIERRA 🌍 4/24 – CLIMATE CHANGE ⚠️ 4/27 – TIDE POOLS 🐌 4/29 – SEA TURTLES 🐢 5/1 – STREAMS OF THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS ⛰ 5/6 – CONOCE EL FLUJO 💦 5/8 – VIRUSES AND WATER QUALITY: IS IT SAFE TO SWIM? ❓ 5/11 – MICROSAFARI 🔎 5/13 – DESAGUES PLUVIALES 🌧 5/15 – ALGAL BLOOMS 🌊 5/18 – PENGUINS, OUR OCEAN FRINDS 🐧 5/20 – PLASTICOS 🥤 5/22 – NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS 🌳 5/27 – PESCADO CONTIMINADOS 🎣 5/29 – NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM 🏞 6/3 – BLOOMS ALGAL 🌊 6/4 – NICK GABALDON DAY 🏄🏾♂️ 6/8 – HISTORY OF WORLD OCEANS DAY 🌏 6/10 – VIRUS Y CALIDAD DEL AGUA ❓ 6/12 – AQUATIC TOXICITY: SOURCES AND SOLUTIONS ❗️ 6/15 – HOW DO I EAT? 🍴 6/17 – SITIO SUPERFUND 🆘 6/19 – SEA LEVEL RISE AND CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION 🔝 6/22 – SEAHORSES AND OTHER FINTASTIC FATHERS 🏅 6/24 – ACUARIO Y LIMPIEZA COSTERA 🐙 6/26 – RIVER REPORT CARD 📊 6/29 – GO WITH THE GLOW: MARINE BIOLUMINESCENCE & BIOFLUORESCENCE 💡 7/1 – ÁREAS MARINAS PROTEGIDAS (MPAs)🛡 7/6 – CRUSTACEANS 🦐 7/8 – MICROSAFARI 🔎 7/10 – THE SCIENCE OF SURFING: MAKING WAVES 💨 7/15 – TOXICIDAD ACUÁTICA ❌ 7/17 – THE SCIENCE OF SURFING: BREAKING WAVES 🏄🏽♀️ 7/22 – SEAHORSES AND GARIBALDI / LOS CABALLITOS DE MAR Y GARIBALDI 🐴 7/24 – THE FUTURE OF CALIFORNIA’S MPAs 🔮 7/29 – SHARKS AND RAYS / TIBURONES Y MANTARRAYAS 🦈 7/31 – NOWCAST AND COMPUTER CODING 🖥 8/28 – UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY 📸 9/9 – COASTAL CLEANUP MONTH: STREAMS OF THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS / MES DE LA LIMPIEZA COSTERA: ARROYOS DE LAS MONTAÑAS DE SANTA MÓNICA 9/10 – COASTAL CLEANUP MONTH: STREAMS OF THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS 🌄 9/16 – COASTAL CLEANUP MONTH: RIVER WATER QUALITY AND RECREATION / MES DE LA LIMPIEZA COSTERA: HEAL THE BAY’S CALIFICACIONES DEL RÍO 9/17 – COASTAL CLEANUP MONTH: RIVER WATER QUALITY AND RECREATION 🚣🏾♀️ 9/24 – COASTAL CLEANUP MONTH: HOW TO PROTECT OUR COASTAL RESOURCES AND PEOPLE 👨👧👦 11/19 – BALLONA WETLANDS: HISTORY, NEED FOR RESTORATION, & FUTURE PLANS 🌾 12/3 – WAIT, WHAT’S HAPPENING TO THE LA RIVER? 🧐
If you are a teacher with a topic suggestion, please contact us with your idea.
Resources and Videos Archive:
All previously recorded Knowledge Drops webinar videos are posted here as an ongoing marine science education repository for you to access. (To view the webinar recordings please visit the ‘gotowebinar’ links below and enter in your contact information. We will only use your email address to update you about upcoming “Knowledge Drops”, volunteer events, and action alerts – you can opt out at any time.)
Heal the Bay wins 2024 California Nonprofit of the Year Award!
Thanks to your generous support, Heal the Bay has accomplished award-winning successes for our coastal waters. As we continue our journey into 2025, we invite you to stand with us and help fuel our mission.
Every contribution makes a difference in preserving and protecting our precious marine environment. Join us in riding the wave of change!
The vast majority of these single-use items cannot be recycled. They add to the plastic pollution crisis, litter our neighborhoods, rivers, and ocean, and clog already overfilled landfills. Using fossil fuels to produce plastic items that aren’t even used is the last thing we need during a climate crisis. These impacts also present significant environmental justice issues, with frontline and fenceline communities bearing a disproportionate burden of the impacts from climate change, fossil fuel extraction, and incineration associated with single-use waste.
Foto de LA Times, David Valentine, ROV Jason
