South Bay Environmental Services Center

Environmental Charter High School Gets Solar; Greenius Goes EcoMedia

February 5, 2012February 7, 2012citizen volunteer, energy efficiency, environment, green building, green education, renewable energy, solar power, Sustainability, water conservation1 Comment

Ribbon Cutting & Greenhouse — Alison Diaz (with scissors) along with ECHS staff and supporters about to cut the ribbon in front of Environmental Charter High School's new solar-powered greenhouse. (photo by Glenn Marzano)

I have seen the future and it looks like a solar-powered greenhouse, a solar-powered pump driving aquaponics, a non-toxic termite treatment for buildings, students growing their own fruits and vegetables on their high school campus irrigated by captured rainwater, and other sustainable practices paid for by grants from corporations with no strings attached.

Event banner — The on-stage banner heralding the ribbon cutting event @ ECHS. (Courtesy of CBS EcoMedia)

In a still repressed economy during an era when “no new taxes” is the mindless mantra that forces cutbacks and the elimination of educational programs and resources, the only place the dollars are going to come from are nontraditional, innovative sources. You can argue the merits of that if you want, but I’m done arguing. I just want to see projects get funded, renewable energy put to work, energy efficiency retrofits instituted, conservation measures adopted and sustainable practices replace business-as-usual before the climate crisis makes any positive action a moot point.

That’s why for the past week I’ve been working at my new job in Manhattan Beach where I’ve transitioned from the volunteer advocacy efforts I’ve been contributing since 2008 to a professional role in sustainability partnerships for CBS EcoMedia. EcoMedia employs exactly the kind of nontraditional, innovative business practices I’m talking about through their EcoAd program – the kind of innovative business practices that found me on the campus of Environmental Charter High School (ECHS) in Lawndale on Friday morning to celebrate the ribbon cutting for their new solar-powered greenhouse.

Continue reading ➞ Environmental Charter High School Gets Solar; Greenius Goes EcoMedia

Moving Planet South Bay Shaping Up To Be Spectacular!

August 31, 2011environmentLeave a Comment

What, pray tell, has the Greenius been up to? No posts on Creative Greenius, no new columns on Patch. What gives with that? Did he go to DC to get arrested with the rest of the 350 gang? Fraid not, friends. I’ve been busy working to get the South Bay Bicycle Master Plan passed in the seven cities it covers and helping to get the Vitality City Livability Plan passed in Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. And for the past couple of months I’ve been combining that passion with my organizing work for 350 and this year’s Moving Planet event on September 24 and the result is Moving Planet South Bay. We’ve got over 35 different organizations, groups, businesses and local cities partnering with us and putting on incredible demos, workshops and displays on how we’re going to make our communities more bikeable, more walkable and more livable. Check it out and then join us in Manhattan Beach – You’re going to love it!

Sure, AB811 is Dead & Buried, But There’s Still Green Work for Contractors!

September 21, 2010energy efficiency, environment, green building, Saving Energy1 Comment

Tired of waiting for the green economy to start offering green jobs that pay real money? Wait no more if you’re a contractor here in the South Bay of California because the cavalry has finally arrived in the form of the L.A. County Energy program. We’ve got 30,000 homes to upgrade and contractors are needed for the before, during and after segments. You’ll be hearing plenty about this from the mainstream media next month, but right now you can get make your move ahead of the crowd thanks to your Creative Greenius and my pals at the South Bay Environmental Services Center . Just read the graphic and then click on it to get all the details.

Greenius on The Green Show at Environmental Charter High School

August 15, 2010environmentLeave a Comment

In June I was interviewed by Rodrigo Padilla of The Green Show produced by Lawndale’s Environmental Charter High School and talked about my volunteer work with the South Bay Environmental Services Center and my other environmental activism.

Meet the Greenius @ the Torrance Environmental Fair this Saturday

March 25, 2010March 26, 2010campaign, citizen volunteer, climate change, energy efficiency, environment, fossil fuels, green education, recycling, renewable energy, Saving Energy, sea-level rise, solar power, Sustainability, water conservationLeave a Comment

EPN member Joe Galliani volunteering for the SBESC — Joe Galliani, the Creative Greenius at the 2009 Torrance Environmental Fair

That’s your friendly, neighborhood Creative Greenius volunteering his time for the South Bay Environmental Services Center at the 2009 Torrance Environmental Fair. I’ll be back again this year, at Madrona Marsh on Saturday, March 27 from 10am t0 3pm talking about ways to save energy, save water, save money and cut your greenhouse gas emissions.

Check out the roster of speakers and presentations after the jump.

Continue reading ➞ Meet the Greenius @ the Torrance Environmental Fair this Saturday

350 Climate Action – South Bay Style! The Whole World is Watching…

September 30, 2009October 1, 2009citizen volunteer, climate change, energy efficiency, environment, environmental legislation, Environmental Politics, fossil fuels, green jobs, Ocean, renewable energy, Saving Energy, sea-level rise, solar power, Sustainability1 Comment

That’s the banner that will be strung across Manhattan Ave in downtown Manhattan Beach next week to herald our South Bay 350 Climate Action Group event on the beach as our part of the International Day of Climate Action. It’s thanks to our host city of Manhattan Beach and our wonderful partners at the South Bay Environmental Services Center.

And here’s the banner that will be stretching across Highway 1 at Marine Avenue courtesy of our great allies at Surfrider Foundation

We’ve got the entire South Bay fired up, ready to go! And we’re reaching out to all 10 million citizens of the County of Los Angeles. These are YOUR beaches, this is YOUR time, this is the issue of YOUR generation. Join us and lets stand shoulder to shoulder to take action for our children and their children!

That’s why the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted yesterday to pass a resolution declaring October 24, 2009 “International Day of Climate Action” for L.A. County. Check it out after the jump.

Continue reading ➞ 350 Climate Action – South Bay Style! The Whole World is Watching…

The View From Here Today

August 31, 2009August 31, 2009citizen volunteer, climate change, energy efficiency, environment, fossil fuels, renewable energy, Saving Energy, sea-level rise, solar power, Sustainability, water conservationLeave a Comment

I contributed the following to the World Wildlife Climate Witness site last week and it was published this morning. I took the photos that now illustrate it here on my blog within the last hour:

My name is Joe Galliani, I’m 52 years old and I’ve lived in Southern California for 33 years.

(c) 2009 by Joe Galliani - This afternoon's view from my studio's patio

Since 1993 my wife and I have lived in Torrance California, just a half mile from the beautiful beach and the Pacific Ocean. We feel very fortunate to live here at the base of the gorgeous Palos Verdes Peninsula, but today we’re breathing a big sigh of relief learning that the Palos Verdes Wildfire was 100% contained this morning. What we’re not breathing is clean air, because the smoke from the La Canada-Flintridge fire, about 38 miles from here, is still making air quality hazardous and people in the L.A. basin are being advised not to spend too much time outdoors and to keep their doors and windows closed and their air conditioners running.

Continue reading ➞ The View From Here Today

Electric Company Too Scared To Tell Truth About Climate Change

June 26, 2009June 26, 2009carbon producers, climate change, environment, environmental legislation, Environmental Politics, fossil fuels, green building, green education, greenwashing, Killer Coal, Saving Energy, solar power, Sustainability, Yes We Can!1 Comment

If SCE Won’t Tell The Truth About Climate Change Why Should We Trust Them About Anything?

I attended the Southern California Edison’s free Solar session for homeowners last night. I was there as a volunteer for the South Bay Environmental Services Center. After my volunteer stint was over I stayed for the presentation and workshop.

P1040773 Overall it was a good workshop with lots of solid basic information for people who don’t know much about solar but are considering a solar electric system. Javier Burgos, a Project Manager with the SCE’s California Solar Initiative program gave a nice, if overlong and overwordy PowerPoint presentation.

The workshop was very well attended with over 130 local people showing up. Their interest level was very high and they were a very attentive audience.

But it’s too bad Javier was too afraid to tell the truth about climate change to the people who came to his presentation hoping to get the facts and the straight story.

Continue reading ➞ Electric Company Too Scared To Tell Truth About Climate Change

Greenius Goes All AB 811 Over Green Task Force

May 31, 2009June 1, 2009citizen volunteer, climate change, environment, environmental legislation, Environmental Politics, green building, green education, Killer Coal, renewable energy, Saving Energy, solar power, Sustainability2 Comments

Creative Greenius talks AB 811 Financing to the Green Task Force / photo (c) Debra Bushweit Galliani

Last Thursday afternoon your Creative Greenius took yet another step on my journey to employ my professional skills, talents and resources for greater green good and not just to line my own pockets.

And so it was that I found myself in the Hermosa Beach City Council Chambers addressing the Green Task Force audience you cannot see in this photo as I presented my Finding The Green To Green The Grid House By House PowerPoint. (Click Here to Download a PDF copy of my presentation)

That audience is made up mostly of city staff members from the 17 different cities that make up the South Bay COG plus some interested citizens of those cities. On this day it also included several board members of the Environmental Priorities Network, the Reverend Ron and even Mrs. Greenius.

Fortunately I suffered no stage fright or stress because I had spent many weeks researching, interviewing, analyzing and then crafting a presentation that simplifies the information and makes the subject clear and easy for everyone to understand. For the past two decades I’ve been one of the top freelance pros in the United States doing this kind of work for my multinational corporate clients. I bring the same level of focus, dedication and work ethic to the pro bono work I’m now doing.

But I also bring something more on top of all that.

Continue reading ➞ Greenius Goes All AB 811 Over Green Task Force

Greenius & Obama Celebrate Our First 100 Days!

April 30, 2009May 1, 2009citizen volunteer, environment, green building, renewable energy, solar power, Yes We Can!Leave a Comment

Answering the President’s Call To Serve A Higher Purpose

hfh-intsall-4_14-080 — April 14, 2009 GRID Alternative solar install for Habitat for Humanity

That’s your Creative Greenius in the orange hardhat, and my buddy the Reverend Ron giving the Hang Loose salute, atop the roof of a Habitat for Humanity home we successfully installed a Solar PV system on. And when I say “we” I mean GRID Alternatives the non-profit whose mission is to empower communities in need by providing renewable energy and energy efficiency services, equipment and training.

That’s Steve from GRID on the far left. He’s a great guy, working for the modest Americorps paycheck he and the other GRID staff folks make. It was an honor to work with them and I can’t wait to do my next install with GRID.

Continue reading ➞ Greenius & Obama Celebrate Our First 100 Days!