Founded in 1970, Earth Day promotes environmental responsibility and year-round progressive action. Held annually on April 22, it's the only event celebrated simultaneously around the globe by people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities.
Earth Day's international network now reaches more than 17,000 organizations in 174 countries, while the domestic program extends to 5,000 groups and more than 25,000 educators coordinating millions of community-development and environmental-protection activities throughout the year.
Here in the valley there are a few activities planned. The inaugural "green + green" event will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 19 at the Barkin' Basement thrift shop in Hailey.
"Donating and shopping at thrift stores is a great way to recycle and many people don't realize that they are helping more than their favorite charity. They are helping the community at large as well as the environment," Barkin' Basement manager Kate Lombardi said.
The goal of "green + green" is to help people understand the cycle of goods and help them keep money in their pockets.
"Visitors to the Barkin' Basement will be treated to information, ideas, games and prizes as well as great deals throughout the store," employee Sarah Lowe said.
Proceeds from the Barkin' Basement go to the Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley.
"As the economy takes a downturn, it can be harder to be environmentally responsible," Lombardi said. "People commonly associate being earth friendly with increased cost, but you can actually save money. By re-using goods, you save space in the local landfill and can save up to 75 percent off of retail prices."
Students, too, are working to raise awareness. Hailey resident Lyndsey Lasheck, a member of the Wood River High School's Environmental Club, asked fellow students and school district employees to make banners for each of the grocery stores to promote BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag).
Paper bags use trees, destroy forests and choke landfills. When about 2,000 pounds of paper bags are reused or recycled, three cubic meters of landfill space is saved and about 15 trees are spared. Plastic bags are lightweight and reusable, but they come at just as high a cost. According to the EPA, Americans use about 380 billion plastic bags a year. Fewer than 5 percent are recycled. Rather, they often wind up as litter, some in oceans and rivers where they kill fish, and some in trees. However, if only 1 ton of plastic bags is reused or recycled, the energy equivalent of 11 barrels of oil would be saved.
Plastic bags take 1,000 years to decompose. So what's the answer?
Use cloth bags—lots of them. Keep them in your car, purse, backpack or bike basket. Then use them for all shopping, not just groceries.
As part of The Community School's Earth Day celebration, renewable energy consultant Andy Walker will make a presentation at 6 p.m. Friday, April 18, in the school's theater. An engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo., Walker will provide a "renewable energy optimization" analysis to help the school use renewable energy in the most cost-efficient ways. He will also discuss renewable energy technologies available in the area, economic incentive programs and alternative financing options for renewable energy projects.
Walker worked on renewable energy plans with Frito-Lay, the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., Anheuser-Busch and the town of Greensburg, Kan.
Sun Valley Co. is also doing its part for the environment and Earth Day this year by donating $5 from every lift ticket sold on Sunday, April 20, to the Environmental Resource Center. From noon to 4:30 p.m. at Warm Springs Lodge, ERC representatives will answer questions about climate change and what's being done locally, and provide information on recycling and the organization's programs. Then there will be the first-ever Climate Costume Contest with three prize categories—Coolest Climate Change Costume, Raddest Recycled Rags and Most Eccentric Environmental Ensemble.
"Whether it's a one piece made out of aluminum cans, a windmill on your hat or Planet Earth tattooed on your back, show support for Earth Day by creating your own Climate Costume," ERC AmeriCorps member Kyle Livingstone said.
Also, there will be an opportunity to join the ERC's Commit 2 Take Action program, which helps people learn practical, cost-effective ways to reduce carbon emissions and live more sustainable lives.
For more information call the ERC at 726-4333.
Wood River High School junior Lyndsey Lascheck works a table at the school to help raise awareness for green issues.
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