Pacific Environment’s July 2024 Newsletter: The stories of our work for people and the planet
Welcome to the July 2024 edition of Pacific Environment’s monthly e-newsletter! This is an opportunity to highlight some of our work and share our victories for communities, climate and wildlife.
Plastics
How are you celebrating Plastic Free July?
As we usher in the last week of Plastic Free July, our team at Pacific Environment has been thinking about how to make every month plastic free.
In case you’re new to Plastic Free July (PFJ), it is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution, encouraging us to rethink our relationship with plastic, advocate for systemic change and refuse single use plastics whenever possible.
We have been working across geographies to increase awareness among consumers and businesses about the dangers of plastic — and sustainable alternatives — and encourage systems change to transition away from single use plastic. We are working to make every month plastic free by:
- Pressuring the U.S. government to lead on a strong UN Global Plastics Treaty;
- Publishing reports on the plastic-climate crisis;
- Supporting zero waste movement building through grants and capacity building programs in China and Vietnam;
- Advocating for stronger national and regional plastic policies, including target setting and solutions building in major plastic consuming sectors like hotels and takeout beverages;
- Helping spread the zero waste model — where reduction and reuse are prioritized first — through pilot projects in cities and schools.
Let us know what reusable swaps you’ve made for PFJ!
| As part of Plastic Free July, Pacific Environment’s team in Vietnam helped facilitate International Plastic Bag Free Day, dedicated to raising awareness about the environmental impact of plastic bags and promoting sustainable alternatives. With the theme “Less Plastic Bags, More Life,” the campaign organized events in collaboration with retailers across Hanoi, including mini games with Q&A sessions related to plastic waste, a photo booth and an online competition. Read more about the event. |
Ports for People
Long Beach, CA takes action: Clean ports & rails!
Pacific Environment, in tandem with member groups of T.H.E. Impact Project — a coalition of community-based organizations, lawyers and eNGOs — participated in a day of advocacy at a Long Beach, California City Council meeting. The group hand-delivered a petition of nearly 100 signatures and provided public comment urging Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson to strongly support the Rail and Ports Indirect Source Rules (ISR). These rules would set facility-wide emission reduction regulations, ensuring those responsible for fossil fuel emissions are held accountable. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), who formulated the rules, will vote on the railyard ISR on August 2nd.
In Long Beach, there is up to a 17-year difference in life expectancy simply due to where residents live! Mayor Richardson promised to remedy this injustice by implementing environmental policies to ensure clean air, unpolluted water and toxic-free homes for all neighborhoods in Long Beach. Ports for People calls on Mayor Richardson to stick to these commitments by championing SCAQMD’s ISRs.
Clean Ships
The ferry making history
On a perfect San Francisco morning on July 12, history was made. The world’s first hydrogen-powered passenger ferry, the Sea Change, made its inaugural sail from the San Francisco Ferry Building to Pier 41 near Fisherman’s Wharf. The vessel will ferry people the 1.2 nautical miles three times a week for free, a short trip but one that has significant impacts for the future of zero-emission ocean vessels. Read more about this historic event!
Arctic
Arctic Sea Ice Day
Arctic Sea Ice Day (July 15) is an opportunity to draw attention to the rapid decline of sea ice and wildlife habitat. One of the biggest threats to the Arctic is black carbon, and Pacific Environment has been at the forefront of international negotiations to limit this damaging pollution. What is black carbon? Read more about it here.
Support our work
Learn more about Pacific Environment’s Business Sponsorship Program
Become a Business Sponsor and contribute to a sustainable future while elevating your brand and making a tangible difference. Align your brand with Pacific Environment and help us support local partners and community leaders across the Pacific Rim to clean up climate and plastic pollution and protect our oceans.
For more information check out our website or email us at [email protected]!
Come work with us! Now hiring for multiple positions
Check out the jobs currently open at Pacific Environment and share with your networks!
