Tag: earth day

Earth Day 2009 in Edmonton

Happy Earth Day! This annual celebration of our planet is observed in 175 countries, according to Wikipedia. There is an event here in Edmonton to mark the occasion of course, but this year is particularly important as we’re hosting the 2009 ICLEI World Congress from June 14th to 18th. The conference takes place every three years and provides governments from around the world with an opportunity to discuss environmental sustainability. For Edmonton, it’s an opportunity showcase just how green we are!

Leading up to ICLEI, there are are a number of green events happening in Edmonton, starting with the 20th anniversary of our Earth Day celebration:

Featuring 6 hours of mainstage entertainment, a blend of environmental, wholistic, animal and human rights exhibitors, hands on environmental education activities for the kids, body friendly food and more – this is one of Canada’s largest environmental festivals.

Head down to Hawrelak Park on Sunday, April 26th from noon until 6:00pm to join in the festivities, and check out the Facebook group for more information. You might also want to visit the ETS Community Fair on Saturday, April 25th to celebrate the opening of the latest LRT extension.

Celebrating Earth Day is great, but it would be better to make every day Earth Day. Here are some local tools to help you go green:

Carrying a reusable bag to the store and using a reusable coffee mug are a couple of other simple things you can do. I take my reusable coffee mug to work every day, but I usually make my coffee at home. On Earth Day however, I always go to Starbucks for free coffee!

Finally, as my Mom likes to say: reduce, reuse, and recycle!

Happy Earth Day!

globeDid you know there are actually two Earth Days? I didn’t (or else I forgot) but as usual, Wikipedia has the answers. Evidently the March equinox (around March 20th) is also called Earth Day, though I think today is the more popular and commonly celebrated day.

Earth Day is a name used for two different observances, both held annually during spring in the northern hemisphere, and autumn in the southern hemisphere. These are intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth’s environment. The United Nations celebrates Earth Day, which was founded by John McConnell in 1969, each year on the March equinox, while a global observance originated by Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in, and since January 1970 also called Earth Day, is celebrated in many countries each year on April 22, including the U.S.

Like most of these events lately, companies are not shy to take advantage of them for marketing purposes. Starbucks has historically celebrated Earth Day by offering free drip coffee to customers with personal cups, but not this year:

On April 22, Earth Day, Starbucks will donate five cents to Conservation International (CI) for every purchase made that day with a Starbucks Card at any Starbucks store in the U.S. and Canada.

Why couldn’t they just abolish splash sticks, balance print-outs for Starbucks card holders, and other environment unfriendly practices? I guess that would be too easy.

The official site of the March Earth Day is here, and Canada’s Earth Day site is here.

And hey, what better way to celebrate than by venturing out into our fourth day of blizzard-like conditions!

Celebrate Earth Day at Starbucks

Post ImageEarth Day is coming up this weekend, and that means it’s about time for companies to capitalize on the environment being so prevalent in our social conscience. Sharon told me about this last week (not sure how she knew), but I just found the press release from Starbucks:

On Sunday, April 22, customers who bring in their own reusable tumbler will receive a complimentary cup of Café Estima Fair Trade coffee.

And as always, if you bring a reusable mug in to get your coffee, you’ll save ten cents. The press release highlights other “green” efforts from Starbucks, including their Post-Consumer Fibre Cup, Ethos Water, Grounds for Your Garden program, and more.

I think they should have launched new sleeves with Earth trivia on them! You know, like the “Akeelah and the Bee” sleeves they came out with last April. Speaking of trivia, my Dad is posting Earth trivia on Tuesdays, so feel free to go show him how smart you are.

Here’s a random thought for the day: maybe we should rename “Earth Day” to “Gore Day”! After all, when you think Al Gore doesn’t the word environment come to mind? Maybe it’s just me.

Read: Newswire.ca