10 July 2025
Image: "This is Not Fine" by KC Green
"Unless Someone Like You Cares a Whole Awful Lot..." (a.k.a Summer Advocacy for People Who Are OVER IT.)
We get it. You're tired. You're reading every day about ::gestures broadly::. You feel overwhelmed. You want to help beyond your trusty reusable water bottle and bike commute, but how?
We're here to help with some ideas. (Pro-tip: Share these with friends or get the family involved! There's strength in numbers, you know.)Start Local: Get involved in local decision making. Attend City Council meetings where you live (schedules and agendas are posted publicly) and pay attention to climate action plan progress.
Pssst.. Check the "Take Action With Acterra" section below for ideas.
Advocate Smarter: Many state bills this legislative cycle are still being heard in their second chamber which means you can still contact legislators. Learn more about California’s legislative process and how you can make a difference with your advocacy. Watch a training video ([link removed] (part 2 is here ([link removed] from Climate Action California and allies.
Lend a Hand: Volunteer for a group that provides human services to those in need. Food banks on the Peninsula ([link removed] or East Bay ([link removed] Catholic Charities ([link removed] (multiple branches), Sacred Heart Community Service ([link removed] and Veggielution ([link removed] farm in San Jose, and SF Bay Area Mutual Aid ([link removed] are organizations that especially could use support.
Team Up: Amplify your voice through an organization. Whether you care about policy, plant-based eating, open space, transit, climate justice, or something else, you can join with fellow allies — it helps keep us energized and motivated to continue!
Stay Informed: Attend a public workshop hosted by the Bay Area Air District on draft strategies for climate action including building and vehicle electrification, composting, expanding urban green spaces, and more. You can find even more workshops and public meetings posted on the Air District’s calendar ([link removed]
Remembering Andy Fenselau (1970-2025)
It is with a heavy heart that we share the sad news of the sudden passing of our friend and champion, Andy Fenselau.
Andy was wholly passionate about education and environmental stewardship, dedicating over two decades to nonprofit board leadership.
Andy first joined Acterra as a board fellow while a graduate student at Stanford Graduate School of Business. He served on our Board for over a decade, including his tenure as President.
Working with Andy was a joy. His absence is deeply felt, but his legacy of kindness, leadership, and purpose will live on in all who knew him.
We will share details of any upcoming memorial or celebration-of-life gathering as they become available.
The family is directing contributions in honor of Andy to Caring for Cambodia ([link removed] Grassroots Ecology ([link removed] and Acterra ([link removed]
Please hold Andy’s loved ones in your thoughts during this tender time.
([link removed] a Tour Host for Marin!
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([link removed] a Tour Host for the Peninsula!
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Marin and South Bay Green Homeowners - We Need You!
We're seeking tour hosts who have low emission homes to volunteer for our Green@Home Tours. If you have converted at least two or three major appliances in your home from gas to electricity and are ready to showcase your home to the public, join us!
Tours will take place in Marin in September and in the ([link removed] Bay in October. ([link removed] These events are a great opportunity to highlight your sustainable home upgrades to your neighbors interested in combating climate change.
NEW EPISODE Exergy TV: Food Forests
Curious about what local communities can do to increase access to fresh food, green cities, and improve livability?
In our latest Exergy TV episode, landscape designer and Acterra HomeGrown Bay Area volunteer Lisa Charpontier walks viewers through Acterra’s work building a food forest in the Santee neighborhood of San Jose.
Watch it now:[link removed] ([link removed]
EVENT RECAPS
Farm Fresh Futures Farmers Market Tour
Last week, team Acterra and the Ravenswood Central School District Child Nutrition Education department headed to the East Palo Alto Community Farmers Market.
This trip was part of Farm Fresh Futures, ([link removed] a joint farm-to-school initiative that works to ensure fresh, nutritious, and seasonal food reaches school cafeterias.
At the market, we connected with farmers from Castellano Farms and Gallardo’s Organic Farm, and scored some hand-sewn cloth bags for carrying our hauls. Two of the crew also picked up compost buckets so they can begin collecting their home food scraps to turn into nutrients for the East Palo Alto Community Garden.
Want to see more pics? Check out our Instagram ([link removed]
Induction Healthy Cooking Workshop with Stanford OB/GYN
Our friends at Stanford OB/GYN borrowed 9 of our induction cooktop kits (and donned their most hilarious aprons) to put on a cooking demo for expectant parents. The parents-to-be learned how to cook high-iron vegetarian dishes, and boyyyy did they look delicious ([link removed]
This summer, check out one of our induction cooktop kits ([link removed] for your gathering. Totally FREE! It’s a great way to learn about the ease and responsiveness of induction cooking before you make the leap in your own kitchen. (Bonus: using induction keeps your kitchen at cooler temps, too!)
Want more info about our induction cooktop loaner program? Visit: [link removed] ([link removed]
AB 306 Aftermath: Wrong-headed “solutions” to housing affordability folded into must-pass budget bill
At the end of June, the budget trailer bills AB 130/SB 131 were passed by both chambers and signed into law by Governor Newsom. Environmental advocates were dismayed that the budget contained highly controversial text from AB 306, the bill designed to “streamline” building codes by putting a six-year moratorium on reach codes. How will this affect the Bay Area’s cities and towns?
There may be some wiggle room: The new law still allows local jurisdictions to enact reach codes until October 1, 2025. After that, a six-year freeze on any changes to building codes (state or local) will be in effect. We will try to provide updates on local reach codes decisions as they happen.
For example, at its July 8 Council meeting, the City of Menlo Park continued to advance consideration of two building code amendments: air conditioning to heat pump (AC2HP) and prewiring for electric readiness.
The AC2HP policy would trigger the replacement or new installation of central air conditioning (in residential and non-residential construction) to default instead to heat pump installation.
The City of San Mateo is another jurisdiction that will discuss reach codes (at its July 28 Council meeting).
Finally, despite outcry In the Senate Budget Committee, efforts in the legislature to sponsor “clean up” amendments to the budget trailers are ongoing but long considered shots at best.
Endorsed Events
Food Insecurity: Current state, example of efforts, and what we can do together
July 12, from 2 – 3 PM. Link ([link removed]
Workshop: Draft Strategies for Regional Climate Action - Bay Area Regional Climate Action Plan Public Workshop #3
July 22, from 6 – 7:30 PM. Link ([link removed]
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Our Contact Information
Acterra
3921 E Bayshore Rd Suite 210
Palo Alto, CA 94303
650.962.9876
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