EarthDay.Org Calls for a Global Plastics Treaty

NATIONAL NEWS

EarthDay.Org Calls for a Global Plastics Treaty

Plastic pollution is one of the most fundamental issues threading the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems worldwide. Micro-plastics are found everywhere, from mountaintops to the deepest oceans — and now even inside human beings. Unfortunately, addressing the crisis is beyond the ability of any single country, and despite the growing global consensus, no multilateral efforts have existed to combat this issue until now.

In 2018, EARTHDAY.ORG launched a global campaign, End Plastic Pollution, to eliminate single use plastics and support regulations for the disposal of plastics. These efforts have led to increased actions by activists, corporations, and governments worldwide.

Last year, Peru and Rwanda introduced a new draft resolution to create a global legal framework regulating the use of plastic. The fifth session of the United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA-5.2) agreed in February to initiate negotiations on a global agreement to end plastic pollution.

The move was endorsed by 700 civil society groups from 113 countries, creating an unprecedented momentum for change.

Through its 2022 theme, Invest In Our Planet, EARTHDAY.ORG is bringing together communities, governments, and corporations to meet these challenges through policy changes and innovation.

EARTHDAY.ORG is calling on government leaders across the globe to:

• Negotiate a new legally binding global instrument on plastic pollution, including measures along the entire life cycle of plastic • Promote a circular economy action plan and ban single-use plastic • Establish a common structure that is consistent and complementary with national and regional action plans • Enhance investment planning and stimulate innovation to prevent plastic from entering any ecosystem • Support research and funding of innovations related to plastic alternatives “Plastics and climate are the most pressing issues facing our planet today — and both have ties to fossil fuels,” notes Kathleen Rogers, President of EARTHDAY. ORG. “We must — and we can — overcome these challenges through global action and innovation.” n

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For more information on EARTHDAY. ORG’s plastic pollution resources, please visit: https://www.earthday.org/campaign/cleanup/

“Cake” from page 20 1 oz. melted dark chocolate Garnishes Raspberry Sauce: I 10 oz. bag of frozen raspberries, thawed. Honey (sweeten to taste) Chocolate sauce: 1 bar of your favorite chocolate Fresh raspberries

Directions

First, put nuts and dates or apricots in a food processor with sea salt and pulse to chop until they are well processed but still a little bit coarse. The crust mixture should hold together if you squeeze a little with your fingers. Pour the crust into a 7” spring-form pan and press down firmly until the crust is evenly distributed.

Next, combine the honey and coconut oil in a small saucepan. Use medium low heat until they are liquified.

Then drain the soaked cashews. In the most powerful food processor/blender you own, (a Vitamix works best) place the cashew, honey-coconut oil mix, lemon juice, and vanilla, and blend on high until very smooth. If you have a Vitamix, use the tamper tool to help mix the ingredients. This takes a few minutes to get smooth.

After that, pour about 1/3 of the mixture into a small bowl. Add 2 oz. of melted chocolate and blend it thoroughly. With a spatula, transfer the chocolate cashew cream onto the crust and smooth with the spatula.

Take another third of the remaining vanilla cashew cream out and carefully add it on top of the chocolate layer.

Add 1/2 cup of thawed raspberries to the remaining filling and blend on high until smooth. Pour on top the vanilla layer of filling and smooth it out.

Cover the spring-form pan with a piece of Saran Wrap. Place a piece of foil over the top and seal it well. Place in the freezer until solid.

Raspberry Sauce

Put the bag of thawed raspberries in a blender and blend until smooth. I like to pour the blended berries into a fine mesh wire strainer and press with a wooden spoon to remove the seeds. It’s not necessary but makes a very smooth sauce. This mixture will be a little tart, so add honey or your preferred sweetener to taste.

Chocolate Sauce

Break up a 3 oz. chocolate bar and place it in a heatproof bowl. Bring about an inch of water to a simmer in a saucepan. Set the heatproof bowl over the saucepan, making sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the bowl. Stir the chocolate until

Share A Recipe! melted. Make sure not to get any water into the chocolate mixture. Do you have a recipe that is a family favorite? Or maybe one To serve, remove from freezer 30 minutes prior to eating. Run a smooth, from your childhood you would like sharp knife around the edges before to share? The Capitola Soquel Times opening up the spring-form pan. With the will be publishing one recipe each spring-form bottom intact, transfer the issue from a community member. cake to a serving dish.

Feel free to add a little history to Garnishing the recipe if you want (approximately Drizzle some of the chocolate sauce 75 words). Every issue we will ran domly choose a recipe to publish. - over the top of the cake in an interesting pattern. Take the fresh raspberries and dip the bottom of each one in chocolate, and

Find your favorite and send it to place them around the edge of the pie.cathe@cyber-times.com today! Use a sharp knife to cut into wedges. Serves about 12-14 people, as it is very rich. Pour some of the raspberry sauce on the plate. Gently transfer a wedge of the cake onto the sauce. Feel free to add more of the chocolate sauce. Enjoy! n

“New Clinics” from page 21

Community Health is about halfway complete, windows going in, framing the second story, and working on the exterior. Follow the construction on the live camera: 1500capitolaroad.org/construction/

These state-of-the-art clinics will increase access to affordable health care in a neighborhood where 13% to 26% of Live Oak School District students are homeless, thousands of adults do not have a doctor, and 78% of adults on Medi-Cal do not have a dentist.

“We are extremely grateful to Rep. Panetta,” said Dientes CEO Laura Marcus. “This is a significant step in addressing the urgent need for access to health care for our most vulnerable — those who face risks and adversities that pose lifelong threats to health, school success, and overall well-being.”

Santa Cruz Community Health CEO Leslie Conner added, “Our community has come together in an extraordinary way to support this project. These new facilities provide a strong foundation for health, opportunity, and prosperity for people of all ages because of the generosity of our partners and neighbors.”

“We are celebrating the good that happens when people work together to improve access to critical services for all people, regardless of circumstance,” said Community Foundation Santa Cruz County CEO Susan True. “We are honored to have played a part … and so grateful for all the community members who have stepped forward to support it.” n