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How Can I Make a Difference?
There are many ways you can take action for the climate and environmental sustainability in your own life, which in turn will contribute to climate protection for the entire local and global community. If every community member took steps to increase the sustainability of their own lifestyle, the results from this collective action would be substantial. This is why the choices of each of us matter and can help Cotati become a leader in sustainability. Take a look at the links below to find out how you can make a difference.
Energy Use
- Sonoma Clean Power: A local energy company providing renewable energy to Sonoma and Mendocino counties.
- Advanced Energy Center: A showroom operated by Sonoma Clean Power showcasing electric appliances, vehicles, and more.
- County of Sonoma Climate Action and Resiliency: Learn about solar, energy upgrade financing, and more.
- Incentives for energy-reducing home improvement projects, solar panels, and home battery storage systems.
- Spare The Air: Sign up for text alerts on air conditions and be notified about No Burn days. In addition, receive rebates on replacing wood burning appliances with the California Air Resources Board's Woodsmoke Reduction Program.
Transportation
- Join the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition
- Learn about bicycle commuting
- SMART train website
- Learn about the facts and myths of electric vehicles
- PG&E rebates on pre-owned EVs, Clean Vehicle Rebate Program
Eat and Shop Local
- Cotati Chamber of Commerce: Dedicated to promoting the local businesses of Cotati
- Local food production in Cotati
- Go Local: An organization dedicated to strengthening Sonoma County's local economy
Trash, Recycling, and Compost
- A guide on what items can be recycled, composted, and landfilled in Sonoma County
- How to recycle plastic bags, Amazon mailers, and other soft plastics
- Hazardous waste disposal (including batteries, electronics, and more)
- Dispose of your un-needed medicines at Cotati Police Station
- Where to donate your unwanted items
**Free countertop compost bins are available for pickup in the City Manager's office at City Hall**
Water Usage and Drought-Friendly Landscaping
- Water Wise Gardening: A landscaping guide specific to Sonoma and Marin Counties, including helpful plant lists, drought-tolerant garden examples, watering guides and more
- Drought-Tolerant Landscaping: A helpful guide to prepare your yard space for drought-tolerant landscaping
- Cash for Grass Rebate Program: Cash for replacing lawn area with low-water landscapes
- Daily Acts' Guides: Wildlife friendly gardening, water-wise plants, drip irrigation, installing a laundry-to-landscape gray water system, and more
- Cotati's Water Conservation Page
General Guides
- Sustainability Magazine's top 10 ways to increase sustainability
- Center for Biological Diversity's 12 ways to live more sustainably