What have you done to save the world lately?<\/p>\n
It\u2019s an apt question as people across the globe celebrate World Environment Day.<\/p>\n
Established by the United Nations in 1972 and this year marking the 50th year observed on June 5, the day is intended to raise environmental awareness across the globe.<\/p>\n
Each year, World Environment Day focuses on a particularly pressing environmental issue. This year the focus is \u201cland restoration, desertification and drought resilience.\u201d<\/p>\n
Here at home, groups like the Ventura County Community Foundation make every day an environment day. Through its \u201cEnvironmental Listening Tour,\u201d the foundation determined that 76 percent of donors from a focus group identified the environment as one of their top two areas of interest for their giving.<\/p>\n
The County of Ventura offers ongoing seminars on issues related to the environment. On Tuesday, June 11, the county and Tri-County Regional Energy Network will host a panel for builders dealing with zero net energy\u2014that is, generating more on-site renewable energy than is consumed\u2014in residential and small commercial development.<\/p>\n
In Camarillo, efforts are underway to provide cost-effective, efficient services to the public while minimizing harm to the environment. This includes water conservation, renewable energy generation and reducing greenhouse gasses by transitioning city-use vehicles to electric or hybrid models.<\/p>\n
The second Saturday of the month, Surfrider Foundation of Ventura County hosts \u201cRespect the Rincon Parkway\u201d beach cleanups along a 14-mile stretch of State Route 1 wildlife corridor. More information is available at ventura. by searching Rincon.<\/p>\n
The Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council holds an annual Trail Days, where participants camp free in exchange for a little elbow grease to clean up local trails. Go to or more.<\/p>\n
Find your rhythm while helping the environment at Ventura Land Trust\u2019s Summer Solstice Drum Circle, 6 p.m. Friday, June 21, at Harmon Canyon Preserve, 7511 Foothill Road in Ventura.<\/p>\n
The City of Moorpark offers its residents discounted Earth Machine home compost bins. Composting turns organic materials back into a useful soil product, which can save money while reducing garden watering and weeding. For more, search composting at .<\/p>\n
Starting Jan. 1, 2026, it\u2019s likely that a trip to the grocery store will be as much an environmental endeavor as a way to fill the larder after the state Senate and Assembly passed bills aimed at banning reusable plastic bags.<\/p>\n
The thin, single-use kind were disposed of years ago in California, replaced with the option of reusable plastic bags at 10 cents each. But those reusable bags are being tossed at a rate higher than lawmakers expected, so Sacramento is taking steps to ban them, too.<\/p>\n
Sure to be signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the legislation would allow only the sale of reusable bags made from 50% post-consumer recycled materials\u2014also for a minimum 10 cents each. Paper bags would still be available.<\/p>\n
Whether you tend to it one day a year or every day, we have just one environment and it\u2019s up to us all to make the best of it.<\/p>\n