Welcome to Bluedot San Diego! Every other Sunday, we share stories about local changemakers, sustainable homes and yards, and the nature all around us, along with planet-friendly recipes
and advice from Dear Dot. Together, we can make a difference for the blue dot we call home. – Nicki and Jim Miller
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SIMPLE / SMART / SUSTAINABLE / STORIES
|
SIMPLE / SMART / SUSTAINABLE / STORIES
|
|
|
 |
Welcome to 2024! We hope you had a relaxing, sustainable holiday season. Since Bluedot Living San Diego started last March, we’ve run tons of inspiring stories about living the green life here, and this week we’re resharing our most popular. First up: Biking is one of the greenest ways to get around, but we often hear excuses about how it’s not feasible with kids, especially with our hills. One family says, “LOL, no,” to all the naysayers with an awesome family e-bike that they use for school commuting and more.
|
|
|
|
|
Quick Links
|
Skip scrolling! Here's what you'll find in today's Bluedot San Diego Newsletter:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Here are two more of our most-read articles: Gardening guru Laura McLean’s guide to saving water in the yard includes her top ten tips that will get you green in more ways than that, since reducing water use also reduces the energy used to deliver and purify
the H2O. Another energy reducer is electric transportation, which though mainstream still has people pushing the technology. Read about the Aptera, a futuristic-looking
solar car that can save you money while performing like a Porsche. BTW, the company recently announced they were still on track to deliver their first vehicles late in 2024.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top San Diego Dear Dot of 2023
|
Dear Dot: Does Solar Work on Cloudy Days?
|
 |
Dear Dot,
What happens when solar panels do not gather enough energy to power the home? Does solar gather power during cloudy/rainy/snowy days or only during sunny days? I wonder how effective solar is on the East Coast compared to the West Coast where there are more sunny days.
Thanks.
– Sam
Dear Sam,
What happens on cloudy days, or at night, when the sun isn’t shining? Good question, Sam! Imagine what happens when you’re sitting outdoors without sunscreen. On a full sunny day, you are likely, if you have fair, freckled Irish skin like Dot’s, to burn quickly. That’s because the sun’s rays are strong and direct. On a cloudy day, however, you might be able to stay out longer before your skin begins to sizzle. The sun is still penetrating, just not as powerfully. At night, of course, no sunscreen is required.
It’s the same for your panels. A full sunny day will produce the most energy, a cloudy day will still allow sun’s rays to hit your panels but won’t produce as much. And at night, my little app tells me that no power is being generated at all. …
Read the rest of Dot’s
answer.
Got a question for Dot? Write her at deardot@bluedotliving.com.
|
|
|
Paid Advertisement
|
|
|
|
|
BUY LESS/BUY BETTER:
Nurturing Hobbies in the New Year
|
The San Diego newsletter and The Bluedot Marketplace include affiliate links.
If you purchase a product through one of our links, we may earn a small digital finder’s fee.
These commissions help us fund the valuable journalism that you see on Bluedot.
|
|
|
What is it that you’re looking forward to in 2024? For some of us, it can be easy to talk about a resolution, but actually making
things happen may be harder. We recommend these three Bluedot favorite reads for those of you looking to pursue laudable goals in 2024. If you want to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
San Diego Nature Watch
|
 |
Our #1 nature story this year was Editor Nicki Miller’s article about San Diego nature photographer Rick Barr. His #1 tip for aspiring outdoor shutterbugs? Patience. Rick says, “No matter what your subject may be, landscapes, nature, animals, birds, or even people,
patience is the key to finding the best image. Patience can be waiting for someone to get out of the frame of your photo or waiting for cars to get out of the way, waiting for a bird to catch a crab or a fish, or to take flight.” He’s a master at timing the most colorful sunset skies.
Do you have a special San Diego nature photo or story to share?
Email sdeditor@bluedotliving.com.
|
|
|
|
|
BLUEDOT KITCHEN:
Alcohol-Free Cocktails for Dry January
|
As we took a New Year’s Day hike, our friend mentioned he was going to try “Dry January” (abstaining from alcohol for the month). Ten minutes later at dinner, he had a beer in hand. But maybe if he had these recipes, he’d be having a Dry January to remember … and it’s not too late for a damp January!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
This was our most popular Climate Quick Tip of the year. And if you missed it above, here are Ten Gardening Tips to Conserve Water for rainy and dry days in San Diego!
For more Bluedot Climate Quick Tips, click here.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Sharing a Greener 2024
|
The twenty-eighth UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) wrapped up last month in Dubai, UAE, with a ground-breaking pledge to “transition away” from fossil fuels in a “just, orderly and equitable manner.” People are still debating whether the conference was a disappointment or a triumph. While firmer, faster action is needed, nothing is ever going to be perfect or easy when it comes to creating a greener, sustainable future. It’s important to understand that even symbolic victories like this are important to keep the momentum.
And here at Bluedot, we found plenty to celebrate in 2023; just look at the top stories above. Regardless of what happens on the “global stage,” there is progress and innovation happening everywhere you look. And there are things you can do right now to help, whether it be composting or buying better or spreading the word: Please share this email with someone else who needs to hear some good news!
Happy New Year! We’ll be back in two weeks.
– Nicki and Jim Miller
Editors, Bluedot Living San Diego
sdeditor@bluedotliving.com
|
|
|
|
|
We live in San Diego and love the opportunity to be on the water and in the mountains in one day. Nicki, a writer and editor, and Jim, a writer and environmental economist, are excited
to combine skills as the editors of Bluedot Living San Diego. Since we’re avid cyclists, you may see us riding along the Silver Strand or hitting the trails in Cuyamaca (probably not on the same day). Thank you for joining us on this Bluedot ride!
|
|
|
