Earth Day 2012: Coming Soon to a City Near You
This coming Sunday, April 22nd, will be the 42nd Annual Earth Day. During the premier Earth Day, in 1970, 20 million Americans participated by demonstrated against the deterioration of the environment leading to the creation of the EPA, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Earth Day began in the United States but is now celebrated worldwide. Though Earth Day is less than a week away it is not too late to attend a pre planned even or even start one of your own.
Below I have compiled a list of interesting events in a few major US Cities. If you do not see any local events below I suggest visiting Earthday.org and using the Events Tool Bar (find the local events search on the right). You can also join the Billion Acts of Green Campaign or Mobilize the Earth Campaign.
1. Washington DC
The Annual Earth Day On the Mall will take place on April 22 from 11 am to 7 pm at the National Mall between 8th and 14th streets. In 2010 the event included musical headliners like Sting, John Legend, Joss Stone, and the Roots and included speakers like Jesse Jackson, and James Cameron. This years the event will included musical performances (TBA), prominent speakers (TBA), and exhibits including the EPA National Sustainable Design Expo.
2. Chicago
Friends of the Parks will be hosting a Parks and Preserves Cleanup in over 100 Chicago Parks on Saturday April 21 from 9 am until noon. To find the park nearest you go to http://www.earthdaychicago.com/ and click on “View Registered Sites”
3. New York City
Earth Day New York, a non profit, is holding events this Earth Day weekend. Beginning Thursday April 19th, they will be holding exhibits, environmental programming, and children’s activities in Grand Central and Times Square. For a more complete schedule of events including a green car show click here.
The Jacob Javitz Center will also be hosting “The Green Festival” on April 21rst and 22nd . The Green Festival is the largest sustainability event in the world and includes an array of speakers and exhibits addressing fair trade, green business, jobs, food, social justice, and fashion.
Other events of interest in New York City include Earth Day on The Highline, Staten Island Stop and Swap, and Harlem Earth Day. You can also visit NYC Parks and Recreation or Million Trees NYC.
4. New Orleans
The New Orleans Earth Day Festival and Green Business Expo, organized by the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, is taking place April 22 at Bayou ST. John. This year’s festival themes include Sustainable Design; Alternative Products & Lifestyles; and Healthy Eating & Growing. Activities include a bike treasure hunt, yoga by the bayou, crafts, and musical performances by a multitude of artists including Cyril Neville.
5. San Francisco
Earth Day San Francisco is scheduled to take place April 22 at Civic Center Plaza. The event includes 3 stages , which will show movies, dance, a trashion show, death defying bike tricks, and “The World’s Youngest Rock Band” (just to name a few). Earth Day San Francisco includes demonstration and exhibits dedicated to inspire living a more sustainable lifestyle like an electric car showcase, bee keeping, holistic health, youth empowerment, and an artist grove.
Please feel free to post your (or your city’s) events in the comments section.
Happy Earth Day!
heart earth hands via shutterstock