LA Climate Tech Cities: Nov 18 - Dec 2

ESG Essentials, Vegan Thanksgiving, Pumpkin smashing, and more events in the next two weeks!

Hi friends,

The holiday season is here, a time for cozy gatherings, great food, and reconnecting with family and friends. While we soak up the season’s warmth, let’s also keep our impact on the environment in mind. The season’s sparkle often comes with a hefty environmental cost - think of all the packaging, decorations, extravagant meals, gift-giving, and travel. Making conscious choices can enhance the season’s meaning and bring even more creativity to your celebrations. So, before diving into the festivities, check out this list of gifting ideas for making the season wholesome and eco-friendly. Here’s to a season of warmth, connection, and a little less waste! 🌺

1. Support local: Choose gifts from small, local businesses that prioritize sustainability, like handmade goods (See LAist’s list of ideas), zero-waste products (check out zero-waste stores in LA), or artisanal items from your local farmers’ market.

2. Conscious wrapping: Skip single-use wrapping paper by repurposing newspapers, fabric, or using reusable gift bags. Recycle traditional wrapping paper that isn't metallic or coated with plastic.

3. Conscious online shopping: When shopping online, seek carbon-neutral shipping, recyclable packaging, and fair-trade materials. Many eco-conscious brands are transparent about their practices on their websites.

4. Buy second-hand: Embrace second-hand shopping to reduce waste. Whether clothing, tech, or appliances, check out local stores like Trove LA, Buffalo Exchange, or online platforms like ThredUp and Depop.

5. DIY gifts: Get creative by repurposing materials for handmade gifts. A personalized candle holder or knitted scarf can add a thoughtful touch while reducing the need for new materials.

6. Need to restock beauty and skincare products? Santa Monica’s Sun Moon Rain and Highland' Park’s Luca offers zero-waste and clean beauty products, from lotions to accessories. Alternatively, look for vegan and cruelty-free labels on your favorite beauty and skincare products.

7. For the sporty ones, Second Wind Sports in Chatsworth has high-quality, gently-used sports equipment for your athletic friends, saving both money and landfill space.

8. For friends with green thumbs, consider a plant gift that keeps giving, and growing! Whether it’s a native plant or a countertop herb garden for small spaces, these gifts bring fresh greenery into their home and can even provide homegrown ingredients to enjoy year-round.

9. Give Back: Donate to environmental causes in someone's name with local climate organizations. It’s a meaningful way to give back to the community.

10. Attend an event! Book a volunteer cleanup or an activity (nature journaling with the Theodore Payne Foundation, deep dive into California Oaks with the California Botanic Garden…) for you and your friend(s)/family, and show up for nature together.

Did we miss one out? Send us your ideas and help us inspire the LA CTC community!

We hope you feel inspired to get out there and find the perfect gift for your loved ones. Until then, here are our top event picks for the next two weeks:

• Meet friends this Wednesday at the 🍹Carbonauts Sustainability Sips.

• Head to the Japanese American National Museum on Thursday for a showcase of 🌍 Community Powered-Infrastructure Justice that are making a positive impact.

• Each year, around 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins in the U.S. are sent to landfills after Halloween, where they release harmful methane gas that contributes to global warming. But there’s a better way: 🎃 LA Compost's Annual Pumpkin Smash! on Saturday, November 30.

As always, scroll down for the full list of upcoming events.

Cheers,
Maëlys, Niqat, Raiven & The Climate Tech Cities Team

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This Week’s Events

• 🏠 Flooring Reborn: The Essentials of Commercial Carpet Tile Reuse & Recycling: Wed, Nov 20

• 🍹 The Carbonauts Sustainability Sips: Wed, Nov 20

• 🏭 ESG Essentials: Scope 3 Emissions: Thu, Nov 21

• 🏡 Delivering Building Decarbonization at Home: Thu, Nov 21

• 🌍 Community Powered-Infrastructure Justice: Thu, Nov 21

• 👕 Clothing Swap (Anti) Black Friday: Nov 21 - 22

• 🎥 A Year In A Field –US Premiere: Fri, Nov 22

• ☕ Bioregional Herbalism: Sat, Nov 23

• 📃 Botanical Printing on Paper: A Natural Dye Workshop: Sat, Nov 23

• 🥗 Thanksgiving Vegan Picnic Potluck: Thu, Nov 28

• 🥘 Out in Climate - LA Friendsgiving Picnic: Sat, Nov 30

• 🥕 RootDown LA Garden Workday: Coming in Community: Sat, Nov 30

• 🎃 LA Compost's Annual Pumpkin Smash: Sat, Nov 30

• 🏞 Wisdom of Place: Recovering the Sacred Origins of Landscape: Mon, Dec 2

Read on for more details about this week’s happenings.

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Community Shoutouts!

Claim $25 to back solar projects on Renewables.org
Renewables.org is offering Climate Tech Cities subscribers $25 free to get started with their Global South solar investing nonprofit. When you back solar projects on Renewables.org, your funds help build the world’s highest carbon impact renewables across India and Africa. The best part is you get repaid to your Renewables.org account where you can choose to withdraw funds or redeploy them for even more impact.

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Opportunities

Upcoming and Rolling Deadlines

• 🏭 Scale For ClimateTech Cohort 6 (Due Nov 30)

• 🌇 LACI Incubation C10 (Due Dec 12)

• 💻 Techstars Accelerator Program (Rolling Applications)

👉 Would you like to feature a grant opportunity, fellowship application, or incubation program in the LA Climate Tech Cities newsletter? Reach out to us with the info.

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Upcoming Events

• 🗣️ Annual Low Carbon Open Mic: Thu, Dec 5

• 💡 Climate Fresk & Sustainable Digital Tech: Thu, Dec 5

• ⚡️ Transportation Electrification Partnership (TEP) Summit: Thu, Dec 5

• 🦪 Prying Into the Private Lives of Mussels and Oysters: Fri, Dec 6

• ✍️ Nature Journaling: Drawing Pine Cones with Maryanne Pittman: Sat, Dec 7

• 🚀 ECO ‘24 LA: Dec 9-10

• 🎶 Musical Premiere of Pyrus™, Wood from Food Waste: Tue, Dec 10

• ☕️ Climate Cafe: Tues, Dec 10

• 🏢 USGBC California’s 20th Annual Green Gala & California Green Building Awards: Wed, Dec 11

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This Week in Depth

🏠 Flooring Reborn: The Essentials of Commercial Carpet Tile Reuse & Recycling

When: Wednesday, November 20th from 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Where: Online

Join USGBC-CA’s session describing the California Carpet Stewardship Program’s experience of the challenges and opportunities of commercial carpet tile recycling and reuse. This webinar will cover the essentials of directing commercial carpet tile for recycling or reuse. Hear from an expert about the challenges of finding projects, managing carpet tile collection, and ensuring the longest life and highest, best use of this widely used product derived from fossil fuels. This course is eligible for 1 GBCI CE credit.

🍹 The Carbonauts Sustainability Sips

When: Wednesday, November 20th from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Where: Landi Technologies, 23535 Telo Ave, Torrance, CA, United States

The Carbonauts alongside co-host, Landi Technologies, invite you to join an upcoming, Carbonauts’ Sustainability Sips in Torrance! ​Join them for a complimentary, sustainable non-alc drink, food for purchase from the vegan French Food truck, La Crêpe du Jardin, and inspiring convos!

🏭 ESG Essentials: Scope 3 Emissions

When: Thursday, November 21st from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Where: Online

Join USGBC California and Verdani Partners for this virtual workshop on ESG Essentials Series: Scope 3 emissions are the result of activities from assets not owned or controlled by the reporting organization, but that the organization indirectly affects in its value chain. Register to learn more about how a company’s approach to measuring and managing Scope 3 emissions over time can affect it’s ESG data reporting strategy.

🏡 Delivering Building Decarbonization at Home

When: Thursday, November 21st from 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Where: Online

Join USGBC-CA to discuss case studies around electrification and their recent work on electrification and building decarbonization in low-income communities in Los Angeles through the Green Homes California Program. The session will engage with building owners, managers, and residents to drive cultural change and education that accelerates the decarbonization of existing single - and multifamily housing.

🌍 Community Powered-Infrastructure Justice

When: Thursday, November 21st from 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Where: Japanese American National Museum, 100 North Central Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012

Join Infrastructure Justic LA for a showcase of multi-benefit infrastructure projects that are making a positive impact on our community. Explore how community powered planning of multi-benefit infrastructure projects uplift community character, climate resilience, and public health. Learn what makes a great multi-benefit infrastructure project, how agencies and developers are incorporating community engagement into their projects, and what’s on the horizon for community-powered multi-benefit infrastructure in LA County. Don't miss out on this chance to be a part of the movement towards a more equitable and sustainable future for all!

👕 Clothing Swap (Anti) Black Friday

When: Thursday, November 21st from 3:00 PM to Friday, November 22nd, 7:00 PM

Where: LA Rivers Farmers Market (Thursday) and Echo Park Farmers Market (Friday)

Join ZeroWaste LA in saying no to fast fashion this holiday season at their free clothing swap! They willl also be giving away guides on how to host your own clothing swap, sustainable fashion tips, and plastic free reusables! Clothes swaps make you feel good about grabbing something new and give you a chance to connect with our community! Be sure to register for Day 1 and/or Day 2.

🎥 A Year In A Field –US Premiere

When: Friday, November 22nd from 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Where: Philosophical Research Society, 3910 Los Feliz Boulevard LA, CA 90027

As the year draws to a close, The Philosophical Research Society is honored to host the US premiere of the acclaimed and beautifully contemplative new documentary from BAFTA-winning documentarian Christopher Morris – A Year In A Field. Following the film’s premiere screening, the director will join the group (live from Cornwall, via satellite) for a sure-to-be fascinating Q&A with author and musician Will Sheff (of Okkervil River, and of Cornish heritage).

☕ Bioregional Herbalism

When: Saturday, November 23rd from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Where: Hahamongna Watershed Park, 4550 Oak Grove Drive Pasadena, CA 91103

Join Herb Club LA for a Bioregional Herbalism workshop taught by Naturalist & Clinical Herbalist in Training: Andrea Jimenez. The workshop will focus on local plants that help build resilience during the winter months while taking into consideration modern lifestyle as well as Southern California's environment. It will go over every plant, taste them individually, teach participants how to extract medicinal compounds of the plants through infusions and decoctions as well as appropriate dosages. Attendees will get to craft and take home their personal herbal blend.

📃 Botanical Printing on Paper: A Natural Dye Workshop

When: Saturday, November 23rd from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Where: Theodore Payne Foundation, 10459 Tuxford Street Los Angeles, CA 91352

Join Theodore Payne Foundation for a delightful day of learning to fold tricky Victorian Puzzle books. Designed by upper-class women in the late 18th century, these personal keepsakes fold with a secret inner compartment. In this workshop, Linda Illumanardi, will guide us as we fill our puzzle creations with California native leaves and wild flowers, then immerse the piece into a bubbling pot of natural dye. Experimenting with various types and weights, we will design with two different papers and sizes to see the MAGIC that happens after the reveal! This workshop is suitable for all skill levels and taking notes is welcomed. See website fto learn more about Linda Illumanardi and other workshop details.

🥗 Thanksgiving Vegan Picnic Potluck

When: Thursday, November 28th from 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Where: 2551 Motor Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90064-3410, United States

Join Los Angeles' longest-running vegan potluck tradition at Cheviot Hills Park! For over 26 years, hundreds have gathered annually to share delicious vegan food, enjoy live music, and connect in a welcoming outdoor setting. Guests are encouraged to bring a vegan dish that serves 8-10 people per guest, along with reusable tableware, blankets, chairs, and musical instruments to reduce waste and create a lively atmosphere. The event is open to all, including non-vegans, the event is family- and dog-friendly (leashes required).

🥘 Out in Climate - LA Friendsgiving Picnic

When: Saturday, November 30th from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Where: Old LA Zoo Picnic Area, Los Angeles, CA 90027, United States

Come and meet LA's queer climate community for a Friendsgiving queer picnic! Hang out for a few hours to get to know each other, with (optional) wholesome activities like eating snacks, playing queer catch, and making crafts.

🥕 RootDown LA Garden Workday: Coming in Community

When: Saturday, November 30th from 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Where: George Washington Carver Middle School, 4410 McKinley Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90011

We hope you can join USGBC-CA for their upcoming Garden Workday and KitchenPod celebration! Get your hands dirty as the KitchenPod team’s brilliant vision comes to life- a fully mobile, passively cooled structure with solar-powered refrigeration to house the George Washington Carver Middle School garden’s culinary programming. RootDown staff Andres Chopin Food Production Manager will be in the garden to greet and assign you volunteer work that day. Come prepared with close-toed shoes, sunscreen, and your reusable water bottle.

🎃 LA Compost's Annual Pumpkin Smash

When: Saturday, November 30th from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Where: Cottonwood Urban Farm, 8380 Ventura Canyon Ave, Los Angeles, CA 91402

Each year, around 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins in the U.S. are sent to landfills after Halloween, where they release harmful methane gas that contributes to global warming. But there’s a better way—composting! Join LA Compost for their Annual Pumpkin Smash at Cottonwood Urban Farm, and help turn your pumpkin back into nutrient-rich soil. Composting your pumpkin nourishes the Earth, reduces waste, and supports a healthier environment.

🏞 Wisdom of Place: Recovering the Sacred Origins of Landscape

When: Tuesday, November 12th from 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Where: Online

Throughout time people have shaped their environments according to their first-hand experiences and instinctive understandings of natural phenomena – what is called the genius loci, or “spirit of place.” Recognizing and honoring the genius loci is the first step in preserving the ecological integrity of a place. Join Chip and Elizabeth to discuss the many global myths, legends and folklore that are based on a deep understanding of the Earth’s spirits, and hear about a new framework for their application and interpretation.