California just legalized controversial after-death option for remains
California is joining three other states in adding a new option for those at the end of their life.
And while some may find it distasteful, others believe it’s a much greener option than traditional burial or cremation.
According to SF Gate, a new bill signed by Governor Newsom will allow you the option of “human composting” after death.
They also call this “Natural Organic Reduction.”
California proposal allows for “human composting”
Without diving too deep into the grisly details, the process is similar to at-home composting of organic foods, though there are significant differences.
SF Gate quotes Assemblymember Cristina Garcia, from Los Angeles County:
With climate change and sea-level rise as very real threats to our environment, this is an alternative method of final disposition that won’t contribute emissions into our atmosphere.
Indeed, as SF Gate notes, National Geographic’s data indicates cremations are especially fossil fuel heavy.
Each year, 360,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide are emitted through the process alone.
Colorado, Oregon, and Washington have also made human composting legal.
Santa Clara County bans outdoor lawn watering for businesses
Santa Clara County is getting serious about Water Conservation.
According to KRON4, the Santa Clara Board of Directors voted to ban watering decorative lawns.
Those specifically on commercial properties, industrial sites, and at institutions.
But the ban doesn’t restrict all watering.
Which lawns Santa Clara wants to stop watering
In the new law, “ornamental” lawns can only be watered 2 days per week, and only between 6pm and 9am.
Businesses aren’t able to over-water, resulting in runoff.
And, obviously, they can’t water within 48 hours of rainfall.
KRON4 quotes Valley Water District’s chair John L Varela:
The Valley Water Board of Directors will consider every option available to help protect our county’s water supply… We must all work together so we can protect our current and future water supply.
If any business or institution violates the ban, they could face pretty extreme fines, upwards of $10,000.
The move comes after one of the driest winters on record, and one of the warmest summers, to boot.
