City Of Hermosa Beach: PRESS RELEASE | Hermosa Beach Certified As A “Blue City” By Non-Profit Project O

Press release from the City of Hermosa Beach:

09/27/2021 12:31 PM

Program Recognizes Cities Committed to Healthy Waterways and Oceans

CONTACT: Evelina Marchetti, Executive Director of Operations

PHONE: 310-503-9136

EMAIL: evelina@project-o.org

Hermosa Beach, California – The non-profit organization Project O announced today that it is proud to certify the City of Hermosa Beach as a “Blue City” through the Blue City Network, a certification process using a data-driven approach to assessing communities’ efforts toward protecting our world’s oceans. Upon certification, participants become part of the Blue City Network, a coalition of communities from around the world that collaborates in the ongoing quest to become true champions of the environment.

Hermosa Beach completed a thorough assessment of its current environmental initiatives and programs, resulting in a rating based on the total cumulative score of points achieved. Hermosa Beach scored 340 points out of a possible 500, placing them in the Ocean Champion Tier.

“We’re honored to welcome Hermosa Beach as the newest member of the Blue City Network. This certification proves that Hermosa Beach has taken measurable action through policy and conservancy to protect the ocean and waterways” said Evelina Marchetti, Blue City Network executive director of operations.

Blue City Network recognized Hermosa Beach’s leadership in promoting electric vehicles, its use of reclaimed water for irrigation, its ban on certain polystyrene and other single-use plastics, and its innovative Look Ahead Hermosa project that used virtual reality to educate the public about sea-level rise.

“We appreciate Blue City Network’s recognition of the City’s and the community’s commitment to sustainability, and we look forward to expanding the work we’re already doing with other communities to protect against climate change and ensure a healthier environment for all,” Hermosa Beach City Manager Suja Lowenthal said.

The Blue City Network certification allows communities to credibly and transparently track progress toward overall sustainability objectives. The assessment focuses on four solution areas: waste minimization; climate protection and community resilience; water quality and efficiency; and healthy ecosystems. Participants also gain access to proven resources and blueprints provided by top environmental nonprofits, cities, and governmental agencies working with the Blue City Network. Other certified Blue cities include Manhattan Beach, Imperial Beach, and Santa Monica.

The Blue City Network is supported by Project O, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization founded by noted entrepreneur Rich German and based in the coastal town of Laguna Beach, California. By restoring, protecting, and sustaining the ocean and all that lives in it, Project O ensures the wellbeing of humankind now and for generations to comethrough various programs and projects, such as developing and supporting innovative partner programs for ocean conservation, and educating the next generation to protect the ocean and make cleaning up plastic pollution a priority. Find out more at https://project-o.org/

For more information, please contact Evelina Marchetti at evelina@project-o.org.

This press release was produced by the City of Hermosa Beach. The views expressed here are the author’s own.