Green Policies For A Healthier Foster City

By Huijun Z. Ring

Our beautiful city, surrounded by waterways and the San Francisco Bay, is a unique urban environment. Lets make sure we are doing our part to make Foster City green.

Foster City can also take more specific steps to conserve. As Foster City spends over ten million dollars per year on water and sewage, there is potential here a significant long-term savings in energy and money if we promote the use of low-flush toilets as begun recently by Redwood City. I believe that efforts should also be made to encourage development that is environmentally conscious, both by commercial developers and residents. Also, I believe that the City could do more to promote recycling and waste reduction by our businesses and residents- such as establishing pharmaceutical drop-off locales within Foster City to properly discard unused medications, promoting both safety in our homes and helping the environment. Control and abatement of over flying aircraft noise is also an environmental issue that affects Foster City residents.

My efforts to protect the environment have also been of an individual nature. I am a member of the Sierra Club and help my family to recycle and conserve. Our family enjoys camping and hiking with the Scouts, we hope that by encouraging our children to enjoy the outdoors they will grow to respect and conserve the land and its resources. While volunteering as the Senior Director of Silicon Valley Chinese Engineers Association, I facilitated the discussion of using Green Technology to combat global warming in China. I am excited about bringing my energy and convictions to help Foster City grow in ways that are environmentally friendly.