Sustainability Bill of Rights Resolution

Santa Monica has continuously been a leader in environmental sustainability. The Santa Monica City Sustainability Plan was first adopted in 1994. Now, in 2012, the council is taking under consideration the Sustainability Bill of Rights Resolution. The passing of the SBR ordinance means the rights of people will be protected and people will have access to clean air, land, and water. On January 24th, Team Marine went to the Santa Monica City Hall to support the Sustainability Bill of Rights. Prior to the City Council Meeting, the supporters gathered on the steps of City Hall for a rally. Team Marine signed the SBR Student Support Poster, showing that the youth care about the environment and the future of Santa Monica. As a unified group, we entered the council chambers and our members spoke in front of the council explaining that people are entitled to constitutional rights, not corporations. We made our opinions heard about our vision of a future where renewable energy sources are used to generate energy, clean water is affordable and accessible, and wastes are disposed of in a way that does not harm the environment. This event was an important movement in mitigating environmental crises such as climate change, pollution, and ocean acidification, bringing us one step closer to our goal of a sustainable future.

Written by Angelina Hwang

Car Committee Lesson Plan

As of late, the car committee's top priority has been to complete its lesson plan. Developments in the interactive portion of this project have increased drastically in the past few days. We have undertaken the construction of three educational display boards that each break down the implications, cycles, and benefits of contemporary fuel and electric vehicles. The first board informs students of the process of ocean acidification by means of illustration explaining carbon dioxide's cycles in the natural environment and it's impacts on marine and human life. The second board will focus on informing the students of different types of renewable energy, also by means of illustration. And lastly, the third board's progress has been greatly expedited by the arrival of our new 3mm LED's. Each one is as bright as a small flashlight and will serve as a representation of carbon dioxide wafting from the tailpipe of a conventional gas car. When the students place small electric components into the car on the board via cardboard cut outs and velcro, the carbon dioxide will cease its ascent and the LED's will turn off, respectively.

Beach Clean Up

On January 12th, Team Marine, with help from Heal the Bay, organized and hosted a beach cleanup and invited all of SAMOHI's Marine Biology students as well as other members of the community. We collected trash all along the shore and especially around the mouth of the storm drain. With the trash we picked up we created an image of the Santa Monica Pier using items like cigarette butts, bottle caps, straws, styrofoam pieces, and other plastics. With the rest of the trash we created a sign of our motto ‘Rethink’. People walking along the boardwalk stopped to talk to us about what Team Marine does to help the environment such as informing people with our art about how the buildup of trash in the ocean affects animals, their ecosystems and ultimately us. Photographer Fabian Lewkowicz took some pictures of us creating our Santa Monica Pier inspired artwork and posted them on the Santa Monica Close-up’s Facebook, furthering our audiences. A big thank you to him and everyone who participated!

Written by Edie Cote