Thursday, April 18, 2013

Just in Time for Earth Day 2013




This year I'm hosting another green kind of party, just a few days before Earth Day April 22, 2013. But that doesn't mean I get out of doing good works!  I try to focus on green design every day, but Earth Day is a time for me to try extra-hard to share my excitement and commitment about sustainability with people who might not have heard the good word.

It's easy to get overwhelmed with all the depressing facts and figures about the state of our planet, especially as a citizen of the United States, the single biggest polluter on the earth, per capita. We're living in a seriously dangerous condition and quickly moving towards a devastating outcome for us as well as the billions of plants, animals, insects and other forms of life that we share this planet with.  But there is reason to celebrate too! LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) has helped to start a national conversation about sustainability between our government and local communities. Green design is moving forward in the ranks of required courses at elementary schools, high schools and higher education facilities. And being 'green' or sustainable is now an important factor in big business as well, though there's still far too much greenwashing going on.

That's where Earth Day comes in. There are still people who have not heard that they have the power to make a difference simply by changing their personal habits and becoming more educated about the choices they make every day. The more of us who join together, the louder our voices become, and our reach goes further. I think the founders of Earth Day hoped that they could incite a paradigm shift, and it's our responsibility to keep that momentum going!

Below is a listing of Earth Day activities taking place in the San Francisco Bay Area, my hometown. I encourage everyone, no matter where you are, to find information about your local Earth Day events, pick a fun activity and get out there, sharing your love for people and planet in whatever way you can. You might just make some new friends at the same time!

http://sf.funcheap.com/city-guide/earth-day-2013-guide/
And here are some more not on SF FunCheap's list:

California State Parks Foundation's Earth Day Event - Candlestick Point State Recreation Area. April 13, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. For more information visit www.calparks.org/programs/earth-day

Earth Day Kids Club - Serramonte Center, Daly City. April 16, 5:30 p.m. For more information visit www.serramontecenter.com

San Mateo County's School District "Be Seen Keepin' it Clean" Events. April 19, various times and schools. For more information visit www.smcoe.k12.ca.us

Ocean Beach Clean Up - Ocean Beach, Stairwell 17. April 20, 10 a.m. - Noon. For more information visit www.parksconservancy.org/events

San Mateo County Park Earth Day Events. April 20 & April 21, various times and locations. For more information visit www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/portal/site/parks

San Francisco Recreation and Park Department's Earth Day Activities. April 6-27, various times and locations. For more information visit www.sfrecpark.org/earth-day-volunteer-opportunities

California Academy of Sciences Earth Day Programs. April 20-27, various times and locations. For more information visit www.calacademy.org/earthday

Distribution of free "BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag) San Mateo" reusable bags. April 22, various times and locations. For more information visit www.cityofsanmateo.org/bagban