EARTH DAY 2015, Hope for Our Future
When we learn about the condition of our most valuable resource—this spinning planet we call home—we may feel a sense of urgency, desperation or even defeat. Global climate change is a powerful foe, and current efforts may seem like a losing race against time.
Yet, mounting evidence suggests that the global community is making progress, giving rise to the possibility that climate change may not be the insurmountable obstacle we once thought. The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) article, “We Can Do This: 10 Reasons there’s Hope for our Climate,” by Dan Upham, summarizes a speech given by EDF President Fred Krupp at the 2014 Aspen Ideas Festival (Tinyurl.com/HopeForTheClimate). Here are some encouraging highlights.
The price of solar energy panels has dropped by 75 percent in the U.S. since 2008, and affordable wind energy is increasingly available. According to a study published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, carbon dioxide emissions from energy in this country dropped by 10 percent between 2005 and 2012. In addition, China, the world’s largest producer of greenhouse gases, is actively seeking ways to reduce emissions.
Proof of progress is also found in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan to cut billions of tons of pollution, a goal supported by two-thirds of Americans, according to a survey conducted by Harstad Strategic Research. Aligned with this, the government is requiring that manufacturers double automobile fuel mileage by 2025.
Perhaps the best argument for hope reflects the priorities of America’s younger generations. A recent bipartisan poll of young voters conducted by Benenson Strategy Group and GS Strategy Group suggests that 80 percent of voters under the age of 35 support the president taking action to address climate change, making it an issue that both major political parties must take seriously.
It’s time to realize that mankind is making decided progress, that the majority of us do care, that what local communities accomplish has a positive effect and that the global community can take the steps needed to avert catastrophic climate change.
Become a part of the solution by attending one or more of the community events listed here.
NEW JERSEY PALISADES PARK CLEANUP
12 p.m. – 2 p.m. April 11
Ross Dock Picnic Area, Palisades Interstate Park, Henry Hudson Drive, Fort Lee, NJ
Help clean up the Hudson River shoreline at Palisades Interstate Park. Gloves, trash bags, pickup sticks, and snacks will be provided. For more information, call Annabelle Bower at 201- 968-0808 or email ambassador@hackensackriverkeeper.org. Registration required: PipCleanup.Eventbrite.com. Rain date April 12, same time.
CEL-EARTH-BRATION
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. April 18
Hawthorne High School, 160 Parmelee Avenue, Hawthorne, NJ
Games, Educational Booths, food and Rizzo’s Reptiles. Featuring a Trashion Show and the 1st Green Robot Zoo Competition. Paper shredding event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. three free box limit, $5 for each box thereafter. HawthorneEC@gmail.com.
EARTH DAY HIKE
2 p.m. to 3 p.m. April 19
Flat Rock Brook Nature Center, 443 Van Nostrand Avenue, Englewood, NJ
Join Flat Rock Brook educators and the Englewood Environmental Commission to take a hike around the preserve and learn about Flat Rock Brook and how to make every day Earth Day. Questions@flatrockbrook.org.
BERGEN COUNTY ZOO EIGHTH ANNUAL EARTH DAY CELEBRATION
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 19
Bergen County Zoo, 216 Forest Avenue, Paramus, NJ
Visit exhibitors throughout the zoo or attend a special program in the Education Center to discover ways to connect to your local environment this Earth Day. Learn about eco-friendly products, programs, and services available in our area. For more information, call Taryn McCrystall at 201-262-3771 x124 or email Tmccrystall@co.bergen.nj.us.
EARTH DAY IN THE MEADOWLANDS
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. April 22
DeKorte Park, 1 DeKorte Park, Lyndhurst, NJ
Celebrate Earth Day by joining us on this free two-hour guided nature walk in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst. We’ll walk around parts of the park, looking for spring arrivals, bald eagles and other birds. For more information, call Don Torino at 201-230-4983 or email greatauk4@gmail.com.
BERGEN COUNTY EARTHFEST
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 25
Overpeck Park, 50 Fort Lee Road, Leonia NJ
A wide mix of activities is planned which include environmental nonprofits, green vendors, animal rescue groups, healthy living advocates, live entertainment and a beer garden. For more information, call 201-968-0808.
NORTHERN VALLEY EARTH FEST
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 25
Stone Point Park, Forest and Westwood Avenues, Old Tappan NJ
The fair will include a wide range of activities and events on the day that include green exhibitors and vendors, live animal displays and shows, live music, free raffles with prize drawings, document shredding and e-waste drop off. For more information, contact Dave Keil at 201-937-3515.
BOGOTA COMMUNITY CLEANUP
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 25
Olsen Park, 162 West Main Street, Bogota, NJ
This cleanup will involve cleaning up Olsen Park and the areas around it. Free lunch for all volunteers. BogotaBeautiful@gmail.com.
THE GREAT CLEANUP OF GREAT OAK PARK 2015
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 25
Great Oak Park, Route 202, Oakland NJ
Join the effort in transforming the park into something new and beautiful. Please wear long sleeves, pants, sturdy shoes and gloves. Registration is required: email Steve Saliani at Steve.Saliani@gmail.com or Mark Ostapczuk at Ostapmark@verizon.net.
FOURTH ANNUAL BERGEN COUNTY EARTH DAY FAIR AND MARKET
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 26.
Veterans Park (corner of Hillsdale Avenue & Broadway next to the Train Station) in Hillsdale, NJ
Enjoy live music from School of Rock, Birds from the Tenafly Nature Preserve, local and handmade vendors. Also learn about the various ways you can make the earth a better place with the many earth friendly groups that will be on hand. For more information, call 201- 470-4483.
SECAUCUS 2015 GREEN FESTIVAL
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 9.
Secaucus Exchange, 5000 Riverside Station Boulevard, Secaucus, NJ
An environmental festival that promotes green activities, products and services. Some of the activities will include live music, eco-presentations, organic farmers, green vendors and bird exhibits. For more information, contact Amanda Nesheiwat at 201-864-7336 or email anesheiwat@secaucus.net.
CITY OF HOBOKEN GREEN FAIR
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 16.
Church Square Park, Willow Avenue and 4th Street, Hoboken NJ
This event is intended to introduce sustainable lifestyle choices to the community, raise awareness regarding environmental issues, and demonstrate how consumers can reduce their impact on the earth by selecting sustainable, eco-friendly products and services. For more information, contact Christopher Brown at 201-239-6642 or email cbrown@hobokennj.gov.
