First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day began as a nationwide movement to raise awareness about air and water pollution and has since grown into a global call to protect our planet. More than five decades later, its purpose remains the same: to inspire everyday people to take action for a healthier, more sustainable world.
Here in Alameda, there are countless ways to be part of that effort, from community events to simple changes at home that reduce our carbon footprint. Whether you spend a few hours volunteering, learning something new, or making a few small shifts in your daily routine, Earth Day is an opportunity to turn good intentions into constructive action for the environment.
One of the easiest and most fun ways to celebrate is attending Alameda’s Spring Shindig, happening Saturday, April 18, noon to 3 p.m., at Alameda Point. It’s a free, family-friendly Earth Day celebration featuring games, crafts, and interactive activities. Local organizations and vendors will share sustainability ideas and provide hands-on demonstrations and educational exhibits. 100K Trees for Humanity will be giving away oak seedlings, and the Rotary Club of Alameda will be distributing free fruit-tree saplings, all to increase canopy coverage in Alameda. Experiencing Spring Shindig is a great way to connect with others who care about the environment.
We can also attend Electrify Alameda: Why? How? How about now? on Sunday, April 26, 2-4 p.m. at REAP Climate Center, 2133 Tynan Avenue. Learn how to convert from gas to electric appliances with Alameda Municipal Power’s zero emissions electricity—it’s critical for meeting Alameda’s climate protection goals.
It may be easier than you think to commit to changing a few habits for the good of the environment. Try choosing a few new habits, such as having a plant-based meal once a week, line-drying clothes, replacing old light bulbs with LEDs, starting to compost food scraps and food-soiled paper products, switching from paper towels to dish cloths, and from paper napkins to cloth napkins. Get around the green way by walking or biking for short trips instead of driving, taking the bus or ferry, carpooling and combining errands to reduce car trips. Shop locally to reduce transportation emissions and support businesses with sustainable practices.
Mark your calendars for these upcoming environmental events in May and keep the Earth Day momentum going:
- May 2, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Bike Festival at Ruby Bridges Elementary, 351 Jack London Avenue.
- May 2, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Home Electrification Faire at Ruby Bridges Elementary, 351 Jack London Avenue.
- May 9, 10 a.m. – noon (second Saturday of each month) | Shoreline Cleanup at Seaplane Lagoon Promenade Park 1801 Ferry Point.
- May 14, 5 – 6 p.m. | Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda Volunteer Orientation via Zoom.
- May 14 | Bike to Wherever Day with energizer stations at various locations in Alameda.
- May 16, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Rotary Club of Alameda Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Event at City Hall Plaza (old rechargeable items like cell phones, rechargeable power tools, electric toothbrushes, and laptops as well as loose lithium-ion batteries).
Earth Day is ultimately about connection to our community, to nature, and to the future we want to create. Whether you spend April 18 at Alameda’s Spring Shindig, join a cleanup, or simply make a few new climate-friendly habits at home, your actions matter. When thousands of Alamedans take small steps together, those steps add up to something powerful.
This Earth Day, let’s celebrate, but more importantly, let’s commit to carrying that spirit forward all year long.
Joyce Mercado is the author of Save the Planet in Your Spare Time: A Climate Protection Handbook for the Busy Person, a member of Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA), and President of the Rotary Club of Alameda. Her columns are collected at alamedapost.com/Joyce-Mercado. She can be reached at [email protected].
