Enlightened Santa Monica

AWARENESS MAGAZINE May/June 2015

Santa Monica is refreshingly engaged and at the forefront of creating eco-friendly city living. The local attitude is not only inspiring, but a perfect example of how a relatively small number of people can make a difference.

The city, with its beach front setting, laid-back lifestyle and a population of around 85,000 residents, is home to award-winning local farmer’s markets and possibly more farm-to-table restaurants than any city in the country. Yoga studios are everywhere and 120 museums and galleries are located within the city limits. A 22-mile bike trail runs along the beach from Torrance to Pacific Palisades.

My friend DJ and I stayed at Hotel Casa del Mar, an historic beach front hotel, within easy walking distance to everywhere we wanted to go. When the elegant hotel opened in 1926, it was the “hottest address” on the Southern California coast and frequented by many of L.A.’s elite. During World War ll, this historic landmark was converted into a military hotel. Many changes have taken place since the war and today this award winning destination oozes with old world sophistication and opulence. The Palm Terrace, with its sparkling pool and Mediterranean garden deck, offers sweeping views of the coastline from Palos Verdes to Malibu.

First-class hospitality is offered throughout the hotel. The eco-friendly Sea Wellness Spa is designed as an intimate retreat in a quiet and elegant setting. Catch Restaurant and Wine Bar takes guests on an epicurean journey by combining creations from top-notch chefs using the freshest ingredients. The expansive wine list at Catch is honored with Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. The Veranda is the perfect place to enjoy casual dining and a drink, as you take in the spectacular ocean view through the impressive 20-foot windows!

During our stay, we walked to Palisades Park and savored the breath taking, cliff-top views of the Pacific Ocean. We rented bikes at Perry’s and strolled around the historic Santa Monica Pier. We stopped to watch the children ride on hand-carved wooden carousel horses that were built in 1916. We went hiking in the nearby trails of the Santa Monica Mountains and window shopped a few blocks away at Third Street Promenade.

While visiting, it was a priority to spend an afternoon at the Aquarium at Santa Monica Pier and learn about the Heal the Bay marine education program. This marine environmental facility offers programs, activities and special events dedicated to marine conservation, biodiversity, pollution prevention and environmental education. I’d like to share a few fascinating facts I learned from the program.

1 Some of the highest concentrations of plastic pollution in the environment are found floating in an area of the Pacific Ocean, which is commonly referred to as the “Pacific Garbage Patch.” This plastic soup area is estimated to be twice the size of Texas and it contains an estimated six times more plastic than plankton by mass.

2 The plastic trash poses a significant threat to marine life. Animals eat plastics, mistaking them for food, and can starve to death because their stomachs are so full of trash. Plastics can also trap and entangle animals, wounding or killing them.

3 One of the most dangerous types of plastic pollution is plastic bags. Plastic bags (which resemble jelly fish in the water) can easily be mistaken for food or prey by seabirds, marine mammals, fish, and sea turtles.

The Heal the Bay program offer these specific suggestions about how we can make a difference and put an end to plastic pollution:

1 Make wise purchases. Buy things in glass or metal containers. If it has to come in plastic, try to make sure it’s recyclable. Never buying anything packaged in Styrofoam.

2 If you see a piece of trash on the street, pick it up.

3 Use a reusable bag when you go to the market.

4 Cut plastic six-pack rings or other plastic rings (like packing straps) into little pieces before discarding them to prevent marine animals from becoming entangled in them.

5 Tell your friends to ditch their plastic bottles and bags and go reusable instead.

The “Watch Your Water” game is a good example of a fascinating interactive exhibit offered at the aquarium. Viewers test their knowledge about where water comes from by choosing from one of five categories: Storm Water; Urban Water Cycle; Conservation; Drinking Water; or Water at Home.

Correct answers are rewarded with a round of applause, wrong answers are met with an image – and the sound of - a flushing toilet.

A couple of examples of questions:

• How much water per minute is used to take a shower? A) one gallon B) 2.5 gallons C) 10 gallons

• What percentage of plastic water bottles end up in a landfill (vs. being recycled)? A) 10% B)50% C) 85%

• Where does storm water end up? A) in the ocean B) absorbed in the ground C) in lakes

• What’s the best way to clean driveways or sidewalks? A) Sweep into the gutter B) Wash debris away with a hose C) Sweep and place debris in a trash can

Answers, in order from top to bottom: B, C, A, C

It’s important to note that Santa Monica has been a leader in creating several important initiatives, including a clean air initiative, through a no-smoking ordinance and a no-Styrofoam policy for restaurants serving to-go items. Public transportation (The Big Blue Bus) is equipped with newer state-of-the-art technology and cleaner burning fuel. Forty-three percent of the fleet of 210 bus-es are fueled by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). This type of gas is 77% cleaner burning than diesel-fueled buses.

Santa Monica thrives and comes alive through practicing holistic living and supporting and incorporating environmental causes. This city, with it’s progressive and positive vibe, is truly inspirational!

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION:

Santa Monica Pier Aquarium & Heal the Bay - Call (310)-393-6149 or contact www.healthebay.org/santa-monica-pier aquarium

Hotel Casa del Mar - Call (310)-581-5533 or contact www.hotelcasadelmar.com

Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau - Call (310)-393-7593 or contact www.santamonica.com