Earth Day 2012 Event Extravaganza

All kinds of Earth Day events are happening . . . well . . . all over the earth. These are some of the Center’s favorites — that we’ll be attending, at least. See you there! Or celebrate in your own town.

Arizona

University of Arizona Earth Day Event
April 20, 2012
Tucson, Arizona

Come learn how University of Arizona locals and organizations — like the Center for Biological Diversity, of course — are helping make the Southwest region and world more sustainable. This year, as many as 50-60 university programs and local businesses and organizations will be on hand to inform and engage the entire Tucson community. Besides learning about sustaining our natural world in general, you can:

• Fill out an Earth Day "passport" and win a prize.
• Climb a four-face rock climbing wall.
• Listen to live music.
• Eat dinner at one of the many restaurants at Main Gate Square.
• Ride your bike and valet for free.

The Center will definitely be there tabling, with lots of information (and stickers!) to share. There will also be a kids’ section with a fun inflatable, face painting, balloon animals, and more! We will have validated parking in the nearby Tyndall parking garage for those who need to drive.

When: Friday, April 20, 4-8 p.m.
Where: The university area’s Main Gate Square, 814 E. University Blvd.
Cost: Free

Check the university’s website for more information and to register.

18th Annual Tucson Earth Day Festival
April 21, 2012
Tucson, Arizona

This event features environmentally themed exhibits, music, performances, and food vendors. Admission is free, and all exhibits include hands-on environmental activities for young and old alike. The Center will be there tabling, with lots of information (and stickers!) to share

We’ll also be participating in the “All Species Procession” Make a banner proclaiming how your favorite or chosen species is so important to planet Earth. Are you helping clean the air (trees and plants)? Are you an endangered or threatened species? Dress up as your species, draw a poster for it—whatever you want to do to make sure everyone knows how important it is to the heath of the planet. The parade begins at 10 a.m., and winners for the best species representation are announced at 11:30.

There will also be a solar cook-off and an alternative-fuels vehicle show. If you bike to the zoo at the park, too, you’ll get free admission there before or after the festival on the same day by showing your safety helmet.

When: Saturday, April 21, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Tucson’s Reid Park, 900 S. Randolph Way
Cost: Free

Visit www.tucsonearthday.org, call 206-8814 or email tucsonearthday@yahoo.com for more information.

Film Screening: Baraka 
April 22, 2012
Tucson, Arizona

“If man sends another Voyager to the distant stars and it can only carry one film on board, that film might be Baraka.” — Roger Ebert

The Center for Biological Diversity is cosponsoring a screening of the film Baraka, directed by Ron Fricke, at the Fox Theatre in Tucson, Arizona. This film — with no plot, actors or dialogue — focuses on the Earth and its habitats and species (including humans) by combining world music with dramatic images of nature, religious ritual, oppressive city life and war to create a visual masterpiece.
Filmed during a 13-month period in 24 countries, at more than 150 locations, Baraka follows in the tradition of the groundbreaking nonverbal film Koyaanisqatsi (1983), for which director Fricke was cinematographer.

Named after the Sufi term for “blessing,” the film has been described as “a kaleidoscopic, global compilation of both natural events and . . . [the] life and activities of humanity on Earth.” Points of interest include Iguaçu Falls in Argentina, Ayers Rock in Australia, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, and even Auschwitz and the streets of Calcutta, in an effort to warn the viewer of the fragility of humanity — and the planet.

When: Sunday, April 22, 2 p.m.
Where: Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St., Tucson, AZ
Cost: $7 general, or $5 for seniors and students

The Center will receive a donation of $1 from every ticket bought and will be tabling at the event. (Of course, you can always donate online if you can't make it.)

Population Growth Presentation
April 22, 2012
Tucson, Arizona

Our planet has reached a staggering milestone: On October 31, 2011, the world population reached 7 billion people eking out a living. By the end of the century, it’ll top 10 billion. This has major implications for the Earth as we know it — hence, unsustainable human population was one of the main focuses of the very first Earth Day.

In honor of that, and to keep people’s minds on unsustainable human population and overconsumption, the root causes of environmental destruction, the Center’s Population Coordinator Amy Harwood will give a talk at 12 noon, Sunday, April 22, at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Northwest Tucson, 4831 E. 22 St. The talk is free and open to everyone.

Learn more about saving the Earth from unsustainable growth at our 7 Billion and Counting website and contact Amy Harwood for more information. Then check out our Take-Action Toolbox to get busy.

California

Occupy Earth Day at Richmond
April 20, 2012
Richmond, California

Communities for a Better Environment, West County Toxics Coalition, and Occupy groups from the around the Bay are coordinating a demonstration on Earth Day weekend to expose the Chevron Richmond refinery. This demonstration adds to the ongoing community activism in Richmond directed at the ways in which Chevron has been a bad neighbor. Chevron is a perfect example of how the 1 percent of destroys the health and well-being of the 99 percent. In the case of Richmond, this includes major pollution. Chevron is the largest industrial greenhouse gas polluter in California. And Chevron is investigating using dirtier crude oil, which would create even more pollution. There are periodic bad air alerts in Richmond and the ever-present danger of fires, flares and explosions.

In addition to pollution, Chevron endangers the community because of its greed. Chevron is attempting to get a refund of more than 100 million in taxes it paid in Contra Costa County over a six year period. If Richmond and other governments have to pay this money to Chevron, it will have a devastating impact on services to residents.

These are just some of the issues that will mobilize us on April 20.

When: Friday, April 20, beginning at 5 p.m.
Where: the Richmond BART station (marching to a rally at the Richmond Civic Center)
Cost: Free

Learn more at the Occupy Earth Day website.

Film: A Sea Change
April 20, 2012
Berkeley, California

Imagine a world without fish. A Sea Change is the first documentary about ocean acidification, sometimes called, along with global warming, "the other CO2 problem"—which could cause dramatic changes to our seas, harming species from corals to fish to whales. Learn more about this looming threat to our oceans and their web of life and find out what you can do to help.

The film features internationally known scientists and highlights the personal story of a family of fishermen. With Sven Huseby — retired educator, Center for Biological Diversity supporter, and concerned grandparent — we travel from Norway to northwestern America, learning about the scientific, economic, and cultural implications of ocean acidification.

The film includes an interview with Center attorney Miyoko Sakashita, who discusses the Center’s legal approaches to addressing the problem of ocean acidification.

At this screening, Sakashita will also be giving a live speech about the film and the problems our oceans face.

When: Friday, April 20, 4 to 6 p.m.
Where: U.C. Berkeley, 2200 University Ave., Wurster Hall, Auditorium 112
Cost: Free

Email jhsiao@berkeley.edu or call (626)716-8919 or visit the A Sea Change website for more information.

Then learn more about the Center’s Endangered Oceans campaign.

iMatter March
April 22, 2012
San Francisco, California

This Earth Day, youth will be marching in record-breaking numbers around the world, revealing (and "celebrating") the mindset that makes global warming possible. In San Francisco, we’ll get to the Earth Day SF's celebration in time for a Sing Out, a youth poetry slam, and a flash mob "die-in" similar to this one, in an effort to draw attention to the importance of curbing the effects of climate change.
 
This is a sarcastic "Rally to Celebrate Global Warming," so make a poster, come out and use humor to open minds.

The aim of the march is to show the world that our future matters, and the longer they delay action on climate change, the worse things will be for our children. Just as Martin Luther King Jr. marched for civil rights, as women marched for the right to vote, as youth protested the war in Vietnam, the time has come to fight for our right to a safe future for us, our children, and our planet. 

Note: This is not a youth-only event. This is a march for anyone concerned about the future of generations to come. Also, while we’ll be ending our march at the SF Earth Day Celebration, the march itself isn’t affiliated with Earth Day SF. 

Remember to invite your friends—tell everyone. The better the turnout, the stronger our message. This is the mission of our generation. Will you rise up to the challenge and tell the world that enough is enough, that you matter?

Where and when: Meet at Justin Herman Plaza at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, April 22; we'll be marching to UN Plaza to meet up with Earth Day SF's celebration.
Cost: Free

Find out more here and RSVP here.

Florida

Earth Day Every Day Celebration
April 21, 2012
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 

The Center for Biological Diversity will be tabling at and participating in a multi-faceted, family-friendly Earth Day celebration in Florida on the day before the official Earth Day —- and you're invited, too. This all-day-long  "party with a purpose" will offer engaging activities celebrating the values of sustainability, community and fun, including:

• Sea oat planting and dune restoration
• A variety of organic and vegan food
• Ecologically-focused workshops
• Activities for kids and adults all day
• Volunteer opportunities — such as for sea turtle rescue and more
• A free giveaway of 100 native trees
• Live entertainment featuring Teri Catlin, the Didgeridoo Band and a sunset drum circle
• Educational displays by local sustainable businesses and organizations
• A free water-saving shower-head exchange

When: Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Where: Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, 3109 E. Sunrise Blvd.

Email the Center's Jacki Lopez if you'd like to RSVP or meet her there. And learn details at the event's website.