It's Earth Day! It's Earth Day!

Maybe there are some people out there who believe that Christmas is a better holiday than Earth Day. Heck, there are probably people out there who don't consider Earth Day a holiday at all, considering we still have to work and everything, but those attitudes don't diminish the importance and awesomeness of Earth Day for a single second.

I won't bore you with a recap of what ED is and why it exists (you can read about it farther down on this page if you haven't already), but I will say that I hope everyone is taking a least a few minutes of their busy, work-filled day to do one green thing for their community and/or the planet. It can be as small as picking up a few pieces of trash on your way home or deciding to skip the chicken breast and eat vegetarian this evening...just do SOMETHING. This is one day that everyone who cares about the future of the Earth needs to band together and show their solidarity against the degradation of our planet, and if we all do one little thing, it can add up to great change. Seriously, if we all take the time to pick up and recycle one or two bottles today, that's hundreds (if not thousands) of bottles that will never reach a landfill...and that's simply if the readers of this blog make an effort. Think about the effect we could have if we encourage our friends and family to do the same! Our humble, initial efforts could end up with a far greater result than we had expected.

So, let's make this effort's growth exponential. If all my readers make sure that at least two other people know that today is Earth Day and encourage those other people to do the same, today's message could go viral Susan Boyle-style. What are you waiting for?!!? GO PASS SPREAD THE WORD, YBG-STYLE!

Inexpensive and Easy Earth Day Activities

I know, I know...you're beyond excited for Earth Day, but you have no idea what to do? Don't worry, YBG (via ecomii) has plenty of things you can do that are cheap, easy, and fun.

For $10

• Make a $10 donation (or more!) to Replanting the Rainforests, an organization collecting donations to help restore and permanently rebuild some of the 80% of the world’s native forests that have been destroyed.
• Offset your carbon footprint. Carbonfund.org allows you to see how much your carbon footprint is for your home, car, travel, or event and allows you to offset it. Or just select the Gift option to choose your offset in $10 increments (it’s tax deductible!).
• Go see Disneynature’s first film: Earth, adapted from the Emmy Award Winning Planet Earth, which follows three animal families and their journey. During opening week Disney will plant a tree for each ticket purchased (this is one thing I am DEFINITELY doing. So excited!).

For Free

• Volunteer at a local environmental or pro-green organization. Make a once a month commitment.
• Start a green habit. Buy reusable bags, get biodegradable poop bags for your pooch, start timing your showers, carpool, walk, take the bus, whatever you’ve been meaning to do, use Earth Day as a green New Years Eve.
• Plant something. Nothing feels greener than planting a tree or a garden.
• Get outside! Take a walk in the park or a hike in the woods and say thanks to Mother Nature up close.
  

Also, if you want to find events in your area, go to http://www.epa.gov/ and navigate to the interactive map.

Earth Hour Activities

Initially, I was going to post a list of Earth Hour activities for people to partake in, but on second thought, I'd love to hear what my READERS are planning to do for Earth Hour. Set your fingers a typin' and please leave a comment below letting me (and the rest of my totally devoted YBG following) know what you'll be up to on Saturday night. For example, I'll be out celebrating my friend Jenn's birthday, and since I have no idea where we'll be at 8:30 sharp, I plan to carry candles and headlamps so that I'm prepared to celebrate Earth Hour anywhere in the city. Additionally, because I'll be with a crowd of similarly green-minded friends, I'm hoping to convince them to head to Dolores Park for "Fun in the Darkness" or Medjool to dance under the stars on the rooftop. Howevs, I know no matter what we do, we'll take part in the action...even if we have to crawl over a bar and turn off the lights ourselves (which is not unheard of)!

So what are you waiting for?! Let's up know what you're up to.

Earth Hour: Cast Your Vote

Hi YBGers,

This Saturday, March 28th, from 8:30-9:30 pm local time is the 3rd annual Earth Hour. If you're not familiar with Earth Hour, it is a global movement in which people all over the world turn off their lights for an hour to show worldwide unity in fighting global warming. Famous landmarks all over the world also participate, and I'll have the pleasure of watching the Golden Gate Bridge go dark for an hour on Saturday night. Earth Hour is not simply an exercise in saving energy. It is a demonstration of our personal commitment to sustainability and a greener Earth. So, if you care about the future of our planet and want to be a part of a worldwide movement to make a change, turn off your lights for an hour on Saturday and make a difference.

Stay tuned for fun Earth Hour activities to be posted tomorrow!

YBGly,
Dale

The following information was taken directly from the Earth Hour website:

VOTE EARTH: YOUR LIGHT SWITCH IS YOUR VOTE

This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.

For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.

VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.

Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm.

YBG Goes to SXSW

Wooohoo! Vacation here I come! I am currently chilling in the Houston Airport, waiting for my connecting flight to Austin, TX, where I'm meeting two of my best friends for South by Southwest. One friend, Elizabeth, is a 3L at UT law school, so I'm going to enjoy the glorious experience of having a "local" as my tour guide for the weekend. Does it get any better than your best friends in a fun city full of awesome music? I'm not sure it does.

SXSW, while a large and crazy multimedia extravaganza, definitely makes an effort to be a greener large and crazy multimedia extravaganza...and despite the fact that cross-country air travel is decidedly NOT environmentally friendly (or cheap), I can feel a little bit better about my weekend's carbon footprint, knowing the steps SXSW is taking to reduce the impact of the week's activities. From paperless planning to promoting films with a green agenda to making lists of sustainable hotels, the event's website has tons of tips and suggestions for greening your festival experience. While it's no burning man, SXSW is taking baby-steps in the right direction.

Additionally, Austin is a very walkable city, so we plan on hoofing it everywhere, saving not only dollars but carbon emissions (and burn off a few calories too). Apparently, there are pedi-cabs too! Just in case we do end up a little fatigued after a long day outside.

I've already done a bit of research on local watering holes, and I think there going to be more than a few local beer options. Local microbrews are something that I will never cease to get excited about each time I travel to a new city.

Finally, if you're trying to find a music festival that won't break your wallett, SXSW is a great one to explore. With ZILLIONS of free events and lots of free music, I'm fairly convinced you can spend the entire weekend eating, drinking, and listening without spending a dime. In fact, we're hitting the Insound's Party the moment I touch down for free music and $2 all-you-can-drink beer. YES, PLEASE!

Free Food/Drink for a Good Cause Alert!

SF YBGers, I have a great event for you! Tomorrow night (yeah, late notice) Greg Mcnamara, the big wave surfer, is going to be at 111 Minna for an event in partnership with Outside Magazine and Surfrider. Check out the details on the flier below.

Just in case you can't read it, the details are this:

5:30-9pm tomorrow - Free Hawai'ian food and beer at 111 Minna
7pm - Mcnamara will speak

Space is limited so sign up fast! Reply to cwaldrup@outsidemag.com if you want to attend. See you there!