Of course we can all write letters, convince friends, contact legislators, participate in rallies. But let's focus here on what we can all do for sustainable life on earth in our own daily routines. You are already doing many of these things....

Reduce fossil fuel use in driving, heating, cooling.

Walk and bicycle more.

Use and promote alternative energy. See Sierra Club's Ready For 100% Renewable Energy Campaign. http://www.sierraclub.org/pennsylvania/southeastern/ready-for-100

Plant native trees and flowers (which require less watering and care).

Raise some of your own food organically and buy local produce (which has traveled less far to reach us).

Avoid using toxic pesticides and herbicides; promote pesticide-free solutions.  Don't curate herbicide-dependent lawns.

Conserve water. Don't hose driveways; use a rain barrel for garden watering; shorten showers.

Ask restaurants to supply non-styrofoam take-away containers (or bring  your own).

Shop with reusable bags and keep an emergency plastic bag in your pocket.

And much more, of course.

Our Sustainability Subcommittees depend on members' interest. Please contact us to explore forming a new group. And please support the extant groups:

Don't Spray Me

The West Chester Don't Spray Me campaign has made great strides in educating residents about reducing both mosquito populations and pesticide spraying.

By eliminating standing water on our properties, we deprive mosquitoes of their favorite breeding grounds and therefore make it less likely that neighbors of government entities will spray unwanted pesticides that harm bees, dragonflies, some other species, pets, small children, and other individuals hypersensitive to toxic chemicals.

Learn more about the 2017 Don't Spray Me campaign at http://DontSprayMe.com/.

Sidewalk Grass Killer Experiments

Are you a RoundUp user? Would you consider alternatives if they were cheap, effective and harmless to animals and desirable plants?

This committee is conducting an experiment with the help of some local high school students to see which alternatives are effective in killing invasive grass and weeds on brick sidewalks.

Two formulas are currently being tested: one with vinegar, salt and detergent and the other borax with hot water.

Contact Margaret Hudgings mhudgings@gmail.com for more info.