When San Franciscans and anyone else living in the Bay Area hear about Richmond the first thing that comes to mind certainly isn’t anything related to Green, Eco, or Sustainable anything. That will hopefully change as the semi-rural farm Eco Village Farm Center, which already teaches sustainable farming and growing practices to underprivileged local youth, recently added a solar system to power the farm.

In a not so pastoral location surrounded by freeways and railroad tracks, the Eco Village offers a green sanctuary to local youth who wish to find a green place to learn and relax. The farm grows a variety of vegetation including: fruit trees, Oaks, Beach, Banana, California Buckeyes, Bay Laurels, Blackberries and Walnuts.

The recently added solar system not only will decrease their energy bill but many young Richmond residents received an opportunity to help install the system. The program sponsored by Solar Living Institute, Solar Richmond, Rising Sun Energy Center, Sun Light & Power, SunPower Corporation and Bay Area Air Quality Management District brought a human element to the system by providing access for disadvantaged children to gain skills and interest in the green business movement.

We’re big fans of this project not just because of the reduced carbon footprint but the program gives youth an opportunity to become more eco-literate, as it creates a cross cultural dialogue and moves across economic lines as well. Learning about Green power, grey water harvesting and urban food production isn’t just for people who can afford it.

We’d like to see more solar training and eco-literacy spread from the suddenly Green city of Richmond.

In a not so pastoral location surrounded by freeways and railroad tracks, the Eco Village offers a green sanctuary to local youth who wish to find a green place to learn and relax. The farm grows a variety of vegetation including: fruit trees, Oaks, Beach, Banana, California Buckeyes, Bay Laurels, Blackberries and Walnuts.

The recently added solar system not only will decrease their energy bill but many young Richmond residents received an opportunity to help install the system. The program sponsored by Solar Living Institute, Solar Richmond, Rising Sun Energy Center, Sun Light & Power, SunPower Corporation and Bay Area Air Quality Management District brought a human element to the system by providing access for disadvantaged children to gain skills and interest in the green business movement.

We’re big fans of this project not just because of the reduced carbon footprint but the program gives youth an opportunity to become more eco-literate, as it creates a cross cultural dialogue and moves across economic lines as well. Learning about Green power, grey water harvesting and urban food production isn’t just for people who can afford it.

We’d like to see more solar training and eco-literacy spread from the suddenly Green city of Richmond.

>> California residents, learn the solar potential of your home with Renewzle’s residential solar power calculator.

Animals can be struck by vehicles while indulging their salt fix. Like many drugs, it can slow the reaction time of birds, causing them to be less alert around approaching cars .

“Birds get apathetic, they can’t fly off and that’s when they get schmucked by an 18-wheeler. So, while they’re getting hit by the cars, we believe the root cause is road salt,” said scientist Pierre Mineau.

Aquatic life is also at risk when melting snow gathers salt, finding its way to lakes and streams. Chloride concentrations can reach more than 1,000 milligrams per liter (mg/l), preventing the distribution of oxygen and nutrients. Environment Canada estimates that 10% of aquatic species are harmed by prolonged exposure to concentrations greater than 220 mg/l.

Vegetation is also effected by road salt, causing it to turn brown with dehydration. Salt intolerant species, such as Maple trees are disappearing from roadways. Vegetation as far as 162 feet from roads can be damaged. Because of the intricacy of the web of life, harm to vegetation can have a residual effect on wildlife.

Salt can also have an effect on health in humans although there is little evidence of salt addiction. The U.S. E.P.A. stated, “Especially since the construction of the interstate highway system, water contamination due to wintertime road salting has become an increasing problem.” Salt not only increases chloride levels in water, but can also increase the corrosion of pipes. This releases lead and other metals into the drinking water.

Many times this winter, I have seen salt trucks covering the roads with salt. Although this certainly offers a numerous benefits to the public, it does come with a price. Many states have been using alternatives to salt with success.