Every day is Earth Day
Locally, Earth Day 2017 activities will be held on Friday, Saturday and April 29. Details later follow in the column. In the U.S. and internationally, the Earth’s celebration will be held on Saturday. The overarching theme for Earth Day 2017 is environmental and climate literacy. When I am at local city, county or San Diego State University events, I am astonished that even in 2017 people are still mixing plastic bottles and cans in with the basura, the regular trash. Some think that the blue recycle cans are just for decoration. Please recycle at home, at the office, or at the party. You’ll give the plastic bottle or aluminum can a second chance.
Well, you might say that we have a long way to go to become environmentally literate. And what’s all this about climate change? It’s usually hot here for half the year, so what’s the big deal? The big deal is that the earth, including our area, is warming, and this can be measured by scientists. Storms are becoming more violent and sea levels are rising. At issue on the policy level is how much of this is created by people. The Obama Administration took the initiative in attempting to improve the earth’s environment based on studies by the vast majority of the scientific community. The people now in charge in Washington, D.C., especially the Environmental Protection Agency head, are climate science deniers. I figure they missed more than a few earth science labs during college.
Reducing the earth’s warming and improving the environment are huge tasks. So what can we do?
1. Don’t idle your car and don’t use McDonald’s or any other drive-thrus. We waste gas idling and by stop and go driving thus adding to greenhouse gases and pollution.
2. Plant a tree, preferably before the end of April or after October in the Valley. Trees add oxygen and shade to our paved streets and sidewalks.
3. Buy a smaller car that gets good gas mileage. Read the sticker on the new car window, and look up mileage stats on the internet. It’s all there.www.fueleconomy. gov
You will save money as gas prices rise again, and your vehicle will emit less pollution into the air that your kids and grandchildren breathe.
4. Be water wise. Use low flow shower heads. Set up soaker hoses for your trees and plants. You will save money, and your plants will love you.
5. Talk with your children about how you can take small steps to improve the environment. There’s a lot of useful info online and plenty of books for all ages www.earthday.org.
OK. So whas happening locally to celebrate Earth Day?
Begin on Friday with environmental films at the State Street Coffee House, 1027 W. State St., El Centro. Plan to arrive at 6:30 p.m. for family-friendly activities and commentary by Ivan. First film is Dr. Seuss’s “The Lorax,” an animated movie that children will love. Admission is free. “The Lorax” will be shown from 7:30 p.m. to 9:05 p.m. A second film, “This Changes Everything,” a documentary, will be shown from 9:15 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. Coffee will be available.
The following morning Saturday, there will be a Home Garden Irrigation Workshop at the State Street Coffee House from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Vince and Simon will walk us through setting up drip systems for home gardens and trees.
On April 29, Comite Civico del Valle (CCV) will be hosting “Every Day is Earth Day” at Stark Field, 830 S. Fourth St., El Centro from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The CCV Earth Day celebration will have two components. One will be an El Centro cleanup by local high school and college students concentrating between Orange Avenue and Vine Street. The general public celebration with be at Stark Field. Twenty exhibitors will be presenting educational materials including hands on activities for improving our local environment. More information is available at the CCV website, www.comitecivico. wixsite.com/ivearthday.
Walk, bicycle, or share a ride to these events. The air we breathe is up to you. Happy Earth Day.