Join us on Friday Mornings at Sheraton Palo Alto Hotel
Environmental Impact Committee
Don MacKenzie
Co-Chair
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Meredith Warshaw
Co-Chair
"Rotarians taking action to protect environment for a sustainable future"
The Environmental Impact Committee (EIC) is committed to raising awareness and inspiring meaningful action to protect our natural world. We strive to motivate and equip our club members and community members with available expertise, networks, education and best practices to implement sustainable and impactful environmental projects.
The Need
Climate change and global warming are no longer distant threats — they are realities we face today. Our planet’s temperature continues to rise, and we are rapidly depleting the Earth’s natural resources. The overwhelming amount of plastic pollution in our oceans is harming marine life, as animals become entangled in plastic debris or ingest it, leading to injury or death. Plastic waste now contaminates not only our oceans but also the air we breathe. Meanwhile, climate-related disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity, threatening communities and homes across the globe.
The climate crisis has captured global attention, calling on each of us to learn, act, and innovate. Climate change, plastic and toxic pollution, and species extinction are urgent challenges that demand creative and effective solutions.
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As Rotarians, caring for the environment and protecting biodiversity are core priorities. Recognizing this, Rotary International has made the environment one of its key areas of focus, inspiring members worldwide to take meaningful action for a sustainable future.
What We Do
Our committee is focused onpromoting environmental sustainability and addressing climate change through education, action, and support. We achieve this through a variety of initiatives, including:​
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Educating members on climate change and environmental sustainability topics.
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Sharing a Thought for the Week slide at meetings, offering thought-provoking and educational insights.
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Hosting breakfast speakers who highlight important environmental issues and solutions.
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Encouraging Service Days where members engage in hands-on activities such as tree planting, habitat restoration, and community projects that reduce waste and combat climate change.
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Providing financial support to organizations focused on climate change, tree planting, and environmental sustainability.
​Together, we strive to protect our planet for future generations through learning, action, and partnership.​
Our Signature Projects
These are ongoing efforts that engage and/or are supported by a large portion of our members. They reflect the club’s deep, sustained commitment to environmental impact. While addressing local community needs, our signature projects bring members together to make a meaningful, lasting difference.
First Friday Recycling
We made significant strides in waste diversion this year. Together, through Ridwell, our club members kept 198 pounds of materials out of landfills — including 28 pounds of plastic film, 21 pounds of multi-layer plastic, and 25 pounds of threads. We took part in 23 of Ridwell’s special featured categories and collected large quantities of lightbulbs, batteries, and ten 45-gallon bags of Styrofoam.
Midway through the year, we elevated this initiative to a Signature Project. This led to an expansion of our collection efforts, the inclusion of new waste categories, and a deeper engagement among our members—further increasing our contribution to a cleaner, more sustainable community.
Environmental Speaker Series
As part of our commitment to environmental education and awareness, we host talks featuring distinguished experts and changemakers on vital sustainability topics.
Speakers in past have included Walter Moore from the Peninsula Open Space Trust; Rotary Scholar Tomo Kumahira, sharing insights on Project Mizu; Jan Huckfeldt, discussing carbon capture; Dr. Ted Marston, addressing nuclear power; representatives from the Palo Alto Student Climate Coalition; Margaret Bruce of the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority; and Dr. Christopher Gardener, exploring the connection between nutrition and sustainability.
This initiative fosters dialogue and inspires informed action on pressing environmental challenges.
French Forest
The Mini Forest in Provence, France, now in its third year, was created using the Miyawaki method, a technique pioneered by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki. This approach helps establish dense, native forests that grow up to ten times faster and are thirty times denser than conventional plantations.
By planting dozens of native species close together, the forest quickly becomes self-sustaining — as is now the case with this thriving Mini Forest. The method can be applied to small urban spaces, as little as 30 square feet, and this project draws on guidance from Afforest, a service dedicated to creating natural, wild, and maintenance-free forests.
Ongoing Member Education
Our committee is dedicated to raising awareness and inspiring action through member education. Each week, we share engaging slides at Rotary meetings that highlight thought-provoking insights on key environmental topics. A sample set is shown above.
These brief but impactful presentations spark conversation, generate new ideas, and deepen understanding of sustainability challenges and solutions. In the past, we’ve explored practical topics like what and how to recycle, and we also launched the EIC Passport , which encouraged members to complete environment-focused tasks and earn recognition for their efforts.
Through these efforts, we’re empowering our club to become better informed and more active stewards of the planet.
Our Pop-up Initiatives
These member-driven smaller-scale activities come together on short notice and typically last a day or two at a time, a few times a year. They provide flexible opportunities for members to step in, lend a hand, and make a positive impact where it’s needed most.
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As member interest deepens and a case for larger impact can be made, these pop-up efforts may evolve into our club's signature projects.
Hands-on Activities
Our hands-on environmental initiatives bring members together in meaningful service to protect and restore local ecosystems.
We regularly collaborate with organizations such as the Xerces Foundation, Grassroots Ecology, Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), Canopy, and others to support activities like planting native trees and plants, habitat restoration, and assembling native pollinator kits. Our members also participate in community events, including Earth Day festivals, nature education programs, and large-scale service days that unite volunteers from Rotary and partner organizations.​
Through these efforts, we foster environmental stewardship and strengthen partnerships across our region.
Who Benefits
Everyone gains when we work together for the environment. Each of us has a role to play in slowing climate change and protecting the health of our planet for future generations. By taking action and making thoughtful choices, we help create a safer, healthier world for our children and our community.
When Rotarians and the wider community engage in efforts to reduce climate impacts and promote sustainability, we build a brighter, more resilient future for all.
How To Get Involved
There are many ways to get involved at a level that fits your busy life. Do what you can, when you can — we’re here to help connect you to meaningful opportunities. This is a chance for Rotarians and community members to work together and make a positive impact.
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We have projects that need helping hands and funding to succeed. If you’re interested in joining us and/or supporting us, please fill out the interest form and one of our committee members will be in touch.