There are few issues as important to all living creatures as climate change and the degradation of our planet.  Rotarians are stepping up.  For decades Rotary International has committed to protecting the environment. In 2020 The Rotary Foundation and the Board of Directors of Rotary International voted to approve the Environment as the seventh Area of Focus. Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Groups (ESRAG) exist around the world. Our own club has a long history of environmental actions from tree planting, Huron River cleanup, to Adopt-a-Highway.  On September 21, 2022, our Board of Directors strengthened the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor (RCAA) commitment to environmental action when they approved creation of an Environmental Action Group (EAG) as a new committee within our Rotary Club of Ann Arbor.

Scope and Aspirations

MEMBERSHIP consists of sustaining members, activity members, and collaborators. We are seeking new members. Please join us — start with contacting Don Duquette. 

Projects – should be practical, hands-on environmental action.

Focus – on a few projects.  We cannot do everything, but we can do something! For now – Zero Waste/Circular Economy and Trees.

Renew – structure in an annual review of initiatives as needs and volunteer interest evolves.  Some would be renewed; others might fall off.

Collaborate – with other Rotary groups and other service groups.

Educate – Education is an essential element of all projects.

Rotary International Seeking ALL Clubs to be Green House Gas/Carbon Friendly Certified

Supporting and being a vital part of Environmental Sustainability is now one of the seven areas of focus for Rotary International (RI).  Rotary International states, “Climate change is happening now.  It is serious and life threatening.  Humans are part of the problem and solution.”  The webpage link for more information and to stream a brief video that describes Rotary’s Climate Action Roadmap is: https://youtu.be/cmLie5eXAec

* Rotary International Stepped Up the Climate Action Club Challenge

Rotary International (RI) Policies, global activities, and guidance to all local clubs has strengthened their commitment to many environmental sustainability goals.

* RI Policy Environmental Sustainability and Climate Statements

1)  The Science is Clear

2) Climate Change is Happening Now

3) It is Serious and Life Threatening

4) Humans Have Caused It

5) We Know How to Fix It

6) The Environmental Tide is Turning

7) BUT, We Need to Act Quickly, Ambitiously, and Sustainability

8) We Need to Act Together

* Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group’s (ESRAG’s): Official Climate Action Policy Statement Passes The 4-Way Test

Is it the truth?  The science behind the climate crisis is clear, with agreement by an overwhelming majority of the world’s climate scientists.  Rotary International and the Rotary Foundation support projects, “addressing the causes of climate change through reductions in the emission of greenhouse gases and interventions in energy usage.”

Is it fair to all concerned?  The current and future consequences of climate change will be unfair to all people and life, especially to our children, grandchildren, future generations, and those Rotary works hardest to help.  Understanding we must act now; recent Rotary International Presidents increasingly focus on the urgent need to mitigate and address effects of climate change.

Will it build goodwill and better friendships?  Efforts in slowing and eventually stopping runaway climate changes is already building goodwill and bettering friendships across communities and attracting people across generations and continents to Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact (differing club organizational structures for various age groups).  To get more information about these Sustainability and Climate Action projects and programs read/review one or more ESRAG newsletters https://esrag.org/newsletters/ .

Will it be beneficial to all concerned?  Adverse Climate changes are intertwined with a broad range of societal issues; including human and planetary health, economic security, food, water, waste, sanitation, disease, armed conflicts, etc.  Addressing climate change brings benefits to all while mitigating and reducing the frequency and severity of adverse climate events.  Sustainability and climate actions can be a key part of what we do in the Rotary family; to do good in the world for people and the environment; service above self.

* Climate action addresses ALL SEVEN of Rotary’s priority areas

* Rotary has a specific Greenhouse Gas/Carbon neutral/negative roadmap for local clubs (see link to ESRAG Webpage):

https://esrag.org/climate-action-roadmap/  with solutions aligning with Rotary’s Four Way Test.  See this webpage link to the roadmap and information on how every club/organization can become climate friendly https://esrag.org/every-club-climate-friendly/

EVERY CLUB CLIMATE FRIENDLY

* How The Roadmap Works:

Your club can lead the charge to positive environmental and climate change!  How?  Like any team sport where the goal is to get the LOWEST score.  With practice, good coaching, and everyone’s committed participation, your club will get to zero and some even make it to negative Greenhouse Gas/Carbon Footprints.

1) Step One: Estimate Your Club’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG)/Carbon Emissions – Identify your club’s CEO, Environmental Officer/Committee, this person or small team works with your club’s various officers, committees and members to estimate your carbon footprint and find a way to reach zero.  Invite your affiliated/sponsored Interact (High School), Rotaract (Post High School Young Adults), and/or other local groups to collaborate and help.

2) Step Two: Your Club’s Low GHG/Carbon Activities – Identify and celebrate your club’s low carbon activities:

* Avoid single use items

* Share or compost left-over food

* Source your meal ingredients locally

* Offer vegetarian meals with smaller serving utensils and dinnerware

* Offer ride-sharing

* Reduce travel by encouraging virtual alternatives

* Select environmental care and climate change mitigation projects

* Share, replicate, promote your good works with others in your community, recruit their help and participation

* Lead or participate in projects sequestering carbon like planting/maintaining trees, revitalizing marshes, mangroves, wetlands, woodlands, etc.

* Help your community improve building standards; electric appliances, renewable energy, green spaces, tight properly insulted, etc.

* Initiate and support circular economies

* When travel is required, compensate for the carbon emissions with ESRAG’s https://esrag.org/flight-carbon-estimator/

3) Step Three: Your Club’s High GHG/Carbon Activities – Identify and modify your club’s high GHG/Carbon activities:

* Offer more plant rich foos at club meetings and easy way to improve health, lower blood pressures, eliminate cholesterol and reduce emissions.  See https://esrag.org/plant-rich-diet/ recipe book.

* Work with meal providers to reduce food waste, saving money and carbon.  If food waste were its own country, it would be the 3rd largest GHG/Carbon emitter behind China and the USA.  See https://esrag.org/food-waste/ for ideas.

* ESRAG’s https://esrag.org/plastics-solutions/ Task force has ways to reduce single use items made with plastics.

* Offer hybrid meetings, conferences, and events to reduce/eliminate unnecessary travel.

* Hold meeting is virtual rooms like https://framevr.io/esragcentral and here is the associated tutorial Venmo ESRAG EXPO Tutorial

4) Step Four: Can’t Reach Zero, Then Also Offset/Compensate – Still can’t get to zero GHG/Carbon emissions, then adopt one or more of the offsetting/compensation activities using climate funds or a mix of these suggested activities.  Every event requires some GHG, consider your club donating to the Climate Fund, Rotary Sustainability Climate Action Projects (volunteers/grants), and ESRAG initiatives that further reduce GHG/Carbon.

* The Climate Fund https://esrag.org/donate/, initiated by members of ESRAG D&CH, you club’s donations will be used towards projects sequestering carbon and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.  Please contact Dr Ludwig Kalthoff for more information.

* Fight Carbon Estimator https://esrag.org/flight-carbon-estimator/ looks at how air travel contributes to your club’s carbon footprint.  It is possible to compensate for the carbon consequences of our air travels through Rotary’s Flight Carbon Estimator.  Your donation to ESRAG’s Carbon Compensation Fund goes to The Rotary Foundation’s Environmental Fund to support Global Grants protecting and repairing the environment.

* Solar Safe Water https://esrag.org/donate/: When your club donates to $150.00 to purchase a Solar unit for a family, your club will offset 7 tons of CO2.

* More ideas and technologies for offsetting Greenhouse Gas and Carbon emissions keep coming into the marketplace.  We will update this list periodically to ensure you have access to the offset options Rotary supports and verified.

5) Step Five: Make a Plan and Periodically Update It – Join with your local organization planning group and leadership, working to incorporate environmental sustainability and climate improvement activities into your 5 year action plans and club community project strategies.  Use one of the carbon calculators, determine how you can cut and eliminate emissions over the coming year, 3 years, and 5 years.  Set realistic and achievable goals.  Regularly update your measures of success and communicated how your club is progressing, what else needs to be achieved.  Work to collaborate with other groups and organizations.  Celebrate and communicate successes, adjust your activities, set tougher goals, and keep working towards negative overall Greenhouse Gas and Carbon emissions.  Record, share, publicize, celebrate, and recruit others to expand the beneficial impacts in your communities.  Educate, ACT, and Help.

Tell your story with a “Journey to Zero” graph or “Club Climate Scorecard.”  Share those on your websites, newsletters, and meeting announcements.  Together we can reduce our Greenhouse Gases and Carbon emissions to net-zero and lower.  GAME ON!

Rotary Climate Action Team (RCAT) San Francisco’s 3-Step Challenge: https://rcatnow.com/

1.) Sign the Global Climate Pledge – I have the power to make a positive difference in our climate crisis. I will use my power to do everything I can, through my actions and my voice, to bring about change. I will lead and encourage others to work as a team to solve this challenge. Together, we will succeed! The change begins here, with me, now.  Sign as an Individual https://www.globalclimatepledge.com/individual-pledge/  We have the power to make a positive difference in our climate crisis. We will use our power to do everything we can, through our actions and our voice, to bring about change. We will lead and encourage others to work as a team to solve this challenge. Together, we will succeed! The change begins here, with us, now.  Sign as an Organization/Club https://www.globalclimatepledge.com/organization-business-or-government-pledge/

2.) Start the Climate Action Team – Learn how to start a team, request support in starting a team, or become part of the RCAT Network.  Enter a community of people and clubs from over 92 Countries.  Utilize the Rotary ESRAG or RCAT partner and support services for presentations, training, and educational materials.  Visit their webpages for the latest vetted information on sustainability and climate actions to help you understand how to take part in these valuable and needed services.  Attend capacity building and informative webinars, events, and forums.  Many of these are publicized in the Ann Arbor Area via the UofM Record, A2Zero Newsletters, Ann Arbor Observer, etc.  Learn how to fulfill you Climate Pledge: Start a climate project, browse projects undertaken and supported by Rotary and other collaborative organizations.  Submit a project of your own to the Ann Arbor Rotary (grants up to $5,000 can be applied for annually – emphasis on those that benefit youth and must be for the local community typically within Washtenaw County).  Nominate climate experts to speak at meetings.

3.) Share Your Results, Connect Globally – You can upload your project’s results to the RCAT Network, inform EAG, and ask for help where your information and experiences can be posted and distributed for others to be inspired, informed, and given ideas of how they too can undertake environmentally meaningful service works.  Keep in mind and check: Does your project follow Rotary’s 4-Way Test, Fall under at least One of Rotary’s 7 Areas of Focus, Embrace Rotary’s 8 Pillars of Positive Peace, and Have a long-term strategy aligning with 1 of the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals?  Reflect on your efforts, the struggles, lessons learned, valuable new experiences and skills acquired.  Take part and support the global climate action and environmentally sustainable conversations, connect with those like-minded, educate those without awareness and knowledge, shape the behaviors of children and the young in your communities.

A New Book Endorsed by Rotary and written by Rotarian Michael Koch (of Rotary Club Munich-Residenz and ESRAG Europe):

The Book provides guidance addressing climate change in our lives and as a community.  It inspires Rotarians and others to mitigate and reverse climate change as soon as possible.  The clearly described seven steps are well understood and practiced enabling organizations, communities, and clubs worldwide to become climate friendly environmentally sustainable entities.  The presentation of the materials is clear, the book contains easy to understand approaches, and includes over 120 examples of Rotarians and Rotary Clubs from all over the world helping to encourage and inspire individuals in their own communities and clubs to make effective contributions to climate protection.  All profits from the book sales are donated to Rotary projects reducing carbon and greenhouse gas emissions.  Look and ask for it from your favorite bookstore or publication source.

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A2 Climate Teach-In Event Video Recordings and Pictures

We are pleased to announce and be a sponsor of the third annual A2 Climate Teach-in event taking place on May 4th, 2025 1:30 to 5:15 p.m. at 4001 Ann Arbor Saline Road.  An excellent opportunity to be part of insightful discussions and presentations by leading experts in the fields of environmental sustainability and climate change. Video recordings will be available afterwards and the streaming webpage link to those videos will be posted to this webpage.  To access more information about the A2 Climate Teach-In, click on the link below.

https://www.a2climateteachin.com/

To register (Opens March 15, 2025) to attend this in-person event click here
Event is FREE. To make a donation to help cover Teach-in costs, click here

A2ZERO Spring 2025 FreeTree Giveaway and Sustainability Volunteer Opportunity!

Link To EAG Quizzes

• Plastic Recycling from Jan 2024
• Water Quiz from Feb 2024
• Compost Quiz March 2024

Make Your Own Climate Change Toolkit

Without the right tools, it’s difficult to get things done.

There are 18 tools in the Climate Action Toolkit. Just select a couple to get started. The March 10 A2 Climate Change Teach-in will help you understand the tools. You don’t need to hit a homerun. You’ll feel great if you can hit a couple of singles.

New Changes on Compost Rules for A2

The EAG Committee would like to inform our members about the new compost rules for the City of Ann Arbor. Starting January 1, 2024, WeCare Denali (WeCare), the compost facility operator, will no longer accept BPI-certified material in compost carts or at the city’s compost facility.

To read the announcements regarding the new compost rules, please click here.

You can find more information about the acceptable and unacceptable items list by clicking here.

Last, do you need a list of City Approved Compostables? Contact BGreen Distributor in Ann Arbor at 734-214-3000.

Climate Change Optimism & Invest WITH Ann Arbor REBATES!!

Some of our nation’s top climate scientists are having strange feelings of optimism. Sure, we have an existential crisis, but the role of scientists is changing. They are not just warning of danger anymore. “We’re showing the way to safety. We have a better story to tell.”  People are listening. They are hearing that responding to climate change will create a better world for our children and grandchildren and make the world better for us right now. Eliminating the sources of greenhouse gas emissions makes our air and water cleaner, our economy stronger, and our quality of life better — RIGHT NOW.

Scientists are encouraged because businesses and governments at all levels are taking action. Some politicians now campaign on climate change instead of ignoring or lying about it. Congress passed federal climate legislation! People are realizing that “business as usual” will not do. They know that some personal sacrifice is required.

We have a long way to go. It is urgent. But we are on the move!  If you can INVEST now with Rebates Available from Ann Arbor.  Here is the link to Home Energy Rebates:

Here is the Link and Information to Ann Arbor’s Lawn Care Electrified Equipment Rebates:

Do what you can.  Washtenaw County Also has Financial Help for Home Heating Upgrades and Recently Adding Financial Help for Solar!

EAG Recycling Plastics Quiz

We received several requests for our December 13 Quiz.  Here it is. Try it on your family and friends. Check their plastic recycling I.Q.

SWEDISH DISHCLOTHS
Are Amazing!

EAG gave these out as prizes at our December Quiz. They created quite a stir. I just ordered several for Christmas gifts. Amazon has a vast selection of designs, colors, and sizes. I went for the Lemon pattern.

Ecologically, these are awesome! They are an affordable and eco-friendly cleaning accessory that absorbs 20 times its weight in water and dries out much faster than typical sponges. You can reuse them multiple times. Unlike microfiber cloths made of plastics, these are made of organic materials that will eventually decompose. One cloth can efficiently perform the tasks that 50 to 100 rolls of paper towels would.

https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/swedish-dishcloths/

EAG Trash Talk Tour

It’s heartwarming to hear about the recent Trash Talk Tour that took place on October 15, 2023, in Ann Arbor! It’s so inspiring to see the community coming together to make a positive impact on the environment. This event was organized by ZeroWaste.Org, a fantastic organization that’s dedicated to creating a zero-waste world. They believe that practical actions can be taken today to bring us closer to a future where people and the planet can flourish without harm. You can learn more about their work by visiting https://zerowaste.org/.

The Trash Talk Tour is a great opportunity for community members to learn about ways to achieve a zero-waste lifestyle and tackle the challenges that come with it. It’s wonderful to see people coming together to reduce landfill waste and connect with others who are working towards the same goal. During the tour, participants got to see the UM Athletic Department’s efforts to recycle and compost at least 90% of waste to avoid contributing to landfills. They also visited the Recycling Center, which is managed by Recycle Ann Arbor, a 501(c)(3) organization that contracts with the city. It’s amazing to hear that only 12% of the center’s materials go to landfills, compared to the industry average of 25-35%. All recycled products are sent to facilities within 200 miles of Ann Arbor.

It’s important to note that producers and packaging designers have a significant role to play in promoting recycling and reusing packaging. Local lawmakers are proposing legislation that will make producers responsible for their packaging, which is a great step towards reducing waste. The Kiwanis Thrift Sale was also a part of the tour, and it was wonderful to see so many people coming together to donate, shop and celebrate with music, donuts, and organizations from all over Ann Arbor.

Lastly, it’s fantastic to hear about Zingerman’s efforts to protect the community, environment, and public health. They have launched a reusable container program at their deli and are supportive of the use of food containers that are reusable, compostable, or recyclable. In the future, it would be great to see Recycle Ann Arbor co-sponsoring this significant event. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Trash Talk Tour, and let’s continue to work towards creating a more sustainable future for everyone!

New Environmental Sustainability and Climate Educational Resources!  National, State, and Local School Districts are combining efforts to get vetted educational materials out to all public and private educational institutions, teachers, volunteers, administrators etc.  Links to this information and to how your educational institution can be “GREEN CERTIFIED”  listed below and some background information to the people doing this wonderful educational resource work.

Sustainable Teacher Fellowship website is full of vetted K-12 grade educational materials.  Certifications, and many resources from teachers throughout the nation are available on this website.  Go to the left side of this webpage to access additional information and teaching materials https://www.ditfellows.org/climate-conversations#h.t5dcss7ovqgt

Here is a link to the Zoom meeting agenda in February, links in that announcement and agenda to various individuals running this valuable project, and if you view the recording of that meeting, look at the “chat” to see many other links to various websites that contain an amazing wealth of educational materials for use https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xc84kfibSfZ6Ex7-BHjcz21aivJwhftkx-0dlrJ359c/edit?tab=t.0

Spring 2025 Adopt-A-Highway 1-94 Clean Up Event – Tentative Schedule April 12, 2025: Stay tuned for a link for you to volunteer, lunch, safety vest, tools etc. included!

Members of the EAG Committee participated in the Adopt-A-Highway event on September 30th.

Participate in the Circular Economy

The circular economy is an economic system that generates value by reusing, repairing, sharing, lending, and promoting all activities that give goods and resources a new life or extend the useful life of an item. A linear economy makes waste. Items are produced, sold, used, and thrown away. Building a circular economy means rediscovering a culture of reclaiming products and materials, following the model of many cultures – notably indigenous ones – that prize conservation and creative reuse of material resources.  Check out resources at A2Zero Website.

Get started with this short but amusing video.

Fix It, Don’t Toss It!

DO YOU HAVE THE SKILLS AND INTEREST FOR A Repair Cafe or Virtual or In-Person​ Fix-it Clinic? Or help others find the tools and expertise you need to repair broken items, from clothes and furniture to bicycles, toys, and appliances.

The University of Michigan Rotaract Club also began an environmental action committee within their club.  The UofM Rotaract Club and RCAA cooperate on many sustainability projects.  Two Rotaractors are on the EAG Committee.  Their perspective and enthusiasm about environmental matters and the cross-generational collaboration are essential to the Rotary EAG efforts.

Breaking Up with Plastic – It’s not me, it’s YOU!

This is hilarious — and instructive.  Please enjoy this two-minute video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DEc16dEMns 

Plastics are everywhere

Plastic pollution around the Great Lakes – w/o care

In 2025 the weight of  plastic waste generated by people in the Oceans WILL EXCEED the weight of ALL Living Things in the Oceans

The Great Lakes – w/ care ❤️

The Detroit River

Resources

• The A2Zero Plan 
• More on Rotary International ESRAG their monthly newsletter