In recognition of their outstanding contributions to environmental protection, fifteen Sunnyvale residents were recognized by the Sunnyvale City Council at the annual Environmental Achievement Awards ceremony.

"The City of Sunnyvale has garnered a strong reputation for its efforts to be environmentally responsible, but the real credit for environmental achievements rightly belongs to the people who live and work in or serve this community," remarked Marvin Rose, Director of Public Works, during the awards ceremony.

Winners of residential awards either wrote essays describing individual or family activities, or were nominated by others for their achievements in promoting environmental well-being. Here are some of their ideas about how to protect our environment. Charles Coston eliminated a potential environmental threat by helping to properly dispose of hazardous waste that was present in his neighborhood. Lee Dobyns helps to reduce the impact of his energy use by improving energy efficiency within his home. Kevin Jackson believes in individual responsibility. For some this may be as simple as turning off a light when leaving the room.

Alice Kawash does her part by recycling magazines, junk mail, and packaging. Alice also takes reusable bags to the grocery store, bicycles whenever possible, and composts her garden material. Arlene Schmidt protects open space and habitat in her own backyard. Carol Wong and her family conserve water, compost, recycle, carpool, wash only full loads of laundry, and they have installed "sun tunnel" skylights in their home.

back to top

The youth of our community wrote inspiring stories about how to improve our environment for years to come.

Robert Anderson wrote about how he and his family reduce energy use, recycle, reuse materials, and reduce air pollution. Robert stated, "We have too much garbage everywhere and we need to clean it up."

Yukti Gangwani said, "I feel really sorry for trees sometimes. They get cut down and people just use them once and then just throw them away. It was a waste to cut down the trees...not even recycled and trees take about 100 years to grow. I hope someday people realize that recycling is a big thing for the environment."

Claire Flanegin shares ways to save the earth in her essay, and says, ". . . if we do not take care of the earth, we will end up living on Mars."

Shaheen Jeeswoody has insight on waste management. "Nothing is useless when reducing waste by recycling." Shaheen and her family help to reduce waste by reusing clothing within her family or giving them to charity. They recycle bottles, newspapers, and paper.

Syriya Malladi chooses to help our environment by conserving energy--by layering clothes and turning down the thermostat in the wintertime, keeping the lights off when not in a room, keeping the refrigerator turned down, running appliances as little as possible, reducing shower time, and installing compact fluorescent light bulbs.

Natasha Melita writes, "Destroying habitats of plants and animals or building homes and industries on open spaces is harmful to human beings, plants, and animals. The living things residing there can become endangered or extinct. It can also cause pollution which is hazardous." Natasha stresses the importance of educating people on the importance of preserving open spaces and protecting natural habitats.

Kenneth Mendes is the Environmental Commissioner at his school and has helped to start a paper-recycling program there. Kenneth sums up the goal of environmentalism in one sentence, "I know that if we all work together, we can make Sunnyvale shine like the sun. We are moving forward technologically, but we must not forget where we get the name Sunnyvale!"

Sara Mokhtary discussed the importance of the earth as a home to human beings. Sara informs us that during the energy crisis she and her family are doing their best to, "Flex their power." They have cut back on their energy use and they try to bike, skateboard, rollerblade, or use anything without an engine when possible.

Anthony O’Malley wants to make the world a better place. "The earth is our home and we should keep it clean just like our bedroom. I hope that there won’t be another oil spill in the future. In the future I know a lot of people will buy hybrids to keep the earth clean. The cool thing is smog doesn’t come out of these cars, pure water comes out."

Chelsea Ranche tells about how she and her family help their community by composting, using both sides of paper, and recycling newspapers, aluminum cans and glass. They also carpool to and from school with neighbors. They pick-up trash at school to keep their school grounds clean and clear of litter. Chelsea’s "...number one wish for the world is that everybody would keep the air clean, save electricity, and most importantly save and protect our community for our future and generations to follow."

back to top

back to past winners