For many people, every day is Earth Day. From recycling, to using less paper, to driving hybrids, to planting trees, to lobbying on Capitol Hill, for some people there is no end to making this a greener and healthier planet.
But once a year, there's a day set aside for everyone to pay attention to the planet – Earth Day. Created in 1970, Earth Day was first celebrated by 20 million people, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. That year, President Richard Nixon also created the EPA with a mission to protect the environment.
"Public opinion polls indicate that a permanent change in national priorities followed Earth Day 1970," according to an EPA Journal article from 1990. "When polled in May 1971, 25 percent of the U.S. public declared protecting the environment to be an important goal, a 2,500 percent increase over 1969. That percentage has continued to grow, albeit more slowly, so it is fair to say that the ideals espoused on April 22, 1970, however naive and simplistic they were in many ways, have left an enduring legacy."
Also in 1970, Congress amended the Clean Air Act to set national air quality, auto emission and anti-pollution standards. In 35-plus years, efforts to protect the environment have continued. Government actions include: Congress banned ocean dumping of sewage sludge and industrial waste in 1988; in 1990, Congress required states to demonstrate progress in improving air quality; and in 2005 the EPA issued the Clean Air Interstate Rule and the Clean Air Mercury Rule. (For more on Earth Day's history and U.S. environmental actions, visit www.epa.gov/earthday.)
While Earth Day is officially April 22, celebrations get under way in Richmond this weekend. Here's a look at what's happening. If you don't see your event listed, send an email to david.hylton@corp.richmond.com to have it included.
April 19
Manchester's Peace, Love and Planet Earth (updated April 18)
Earth Day, The 14th Street Fish Festival and Arbor Day are all rolled into one big event for the annual Earth Day Celebration in Manchester. This is the third year the event has been held in the Manchester neighborhood, between the south end of the Mayo (14th Street) Bridge, along Hull Street up to Art Works. Environmental exhibits, nonprofit demonstrations, music, art, education, activities and entertainment will fill the day. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Canal cruises will be available for $5 for adults, $3 for children. As part of the event, the city of Richmond will receive its 17th Tree City USA award from the National Arbor Day Foundation. The presentation will take place at 11 a.m. at the City ShowMobile Stage at Second and Decatur streets.
Short Pump Town Center
Shoppers should prepare for an eco-makeover. The first 700 guests to bring 10 plastic water bottles for recycling will receive a reusable canvas tote bag that says, "I am Eco Chic." Shoppers will enjoy a large reproduction of a Fabergé Egg, a work of art created by The Art Institute of Washington, D.C., from 836 recycled plastic water bottles. The first 200 guests who "Pledge to Make the Switch" from regular incandescent light bulbs to energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) will receive a free CFL bulb. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Main Plaza, guests can participate in and watch an eco-friendly fashion show hosted by the VCU School of Fashion & Design, enjoy musical entertainment by Southwind bluegrass band, Eco Chic consumer educational displays and activities, and much more. Local environmental groups and organizations will offer tips in their fields at their green booths. Short Pump Town Center will donate 5 percent of gift card sales for the day to The Sierra Club. For more information, call 804-360-1700.
Chesterfield Towne Center
The third annual Environmental Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Inside the mall, exhibitors will display information about recycling, water conservation, composting, alternative fuels and other eco-friendly tips. Kids will have fun with Loopy the Clown, music, games and prizes. The first 500 visitors will receive reusable shopping bags featuring the county's Anti-Litter Program theme: "Help Keep Chesterfield County Clean – Be Litter Wise." From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of Sear's Tire America, an "eCycling" event will be held to recycle electronics. Most electronic items will be accepted at no charge, but there will be a $5 fee for plastic-encased televisions and computer monitors, and $10 for wood-encased televisions. Document shredding will be available.
April 22
Innsbrook Earth Day celebration
Get tips on how to make every day Earth Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Seminars will be held every 15 minutes. Richmond.com's very own Sylvia Wright will speak at 1:30 p.m. The event is being held at Markel Re at 4501 Highwoods Parkway in Glen Allen. It is open and free to the public.
Ashland Coffee & Tea
Watch the newly released DVD "Cover Crops and Compost in your Garden" illustrating how to manage cover crops with only hand tools. See the video and meet Cindy Conner (permaculture gardener), Luke Conner (independent filmmaker) and Kevin Damian (musician and farmer). This event will begin at 6 p.m. with music. The video (66 minutes) will show at 6:30. The event is free. Copies of the DVD will be available to buy.
Chez Foushee (added April 17)
Chez Foushee is offering sustainable seafood and natural beef specials along with eco-friendly packaging in the Deli and Deliveries. Earth Day initiatives include: lemon wedges will not come automatically with a glass of water -- only on request; the seafood special will be Halibut, which is classified as sustainable; the beef special will be a natural no-hormone raised product (no fertilizers/chemicals used for feed); and in the deli there will be eco-friendly "green" packaging for carry out. Chez Foushee is located at 203 N. Foushee St. Call 648-3225 for more details.
April 26
Science Museum of Virginia
Pan for treasure; dig for a dinosaur; create a beach-in-a-bottle. Do all these things and more at the Science Museum's Streaming Chemistry for Earth Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is free.
Recent Renewable Richmond columns
April 1: Edible Garden
March 4: Cavalier goes green
Feb. 19: FiltaFry