Happy Earth Day!

April 22 marked the 50^th Anniversary of Earth Day

First launched in 1970, 20 million people nationwide campaigned against industrial pollution. The event led to new legislation to protect air, water and endangered species, and helped create the national Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Here are a few things you can do to celebrate:

• Make a bird feeder out of a pine cone: www.tinkerlab.com/two-creative-outdoor-activities
• Learn how to recycle better during COVID-19 from Recology: www.recology.com/mercer-island
• Stop receiving unwanted junk mail by opting out: www.catalogchoice.org
• Listen to climate change talks online:
  • Seattle University Earth Talk 2020 Program with Earth Day Co-Founder Denis Hayes, on April 22, 11:00am-4:00pm: www.seattleu.edu/earthmonth
  • Join Pulitzer Prize-winning environmental journalist Elizabeth Kolbert, on April 22 at 7:30pm: www.lectures.org
• Support locally-grown produce by signing up for a summer farm-share: www.farm-guide.org and make plans to attend the MI Farmers Market.
• Grow more tree canopy! Plant a tree in your backyard, or protect trees already on your property by removing Ivy: https://tinyurl.com/King-Co-Ivy
• Trim your home energy use with help from Puget Sound Energy: www.pse.com/rebates
  • Swap out your light bulbs to new LED models
  • Recycle your old, inefficient fridge/freezer – free haul away and $25 bonus!
  • Sign up for green power (solar or wind) for as little as an extra $4/month
• Calculate your own carbon footprint and find easy ways to reduce it: www.carbonfootprint.com

Earth Day 2020 has a global mission of climate action. Here in the PNW, we’re tackling that through:

• Clean Energy
• Clean and Equitable Transportation
• Zero Waste
• Healthy and Sustainable Food
• Clean Air and Water