Flagstaff Earth Day Celebration

For Immediate Release / April 4, 2020

Northern Arizona – While COVID-19 is shutting down many Earth Day events, you can still participate in a celebration on April 22^nd. The Northern Arizona Climate Change Alliance (NAZCCA) is hosting a Cyber Celebration for the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day and we hope to “see” you there.

Mayor Coral Evans, Matt Ryan, Art Babbott, and other elected officials will speak about Earth Day and climate change at this event that will be hosted by Flagstaff historian and long-time resident Jim Babbitt. The Earth Day Network (EarthDay.org) has chosen climate change as the overarching theme for this year’s Earth Day observance. Please join in to hear from your elected officials on their vision for how we can come to grips with this ever increasing threat to our way of life.

Climate change presents us with enormous challenges, but we can also take advantage of large opportunities as our economy shifts to carbon free energy, electric transport, telecommuting, and longer-lasting products. Many of the things we need to do to fix climate change also mean fewer toxins in our air and water, more sustainable agriculture producing healthier food, and things like fewer microplastics in our tissues. All of these changes would improve human health, strengthen our economy, and lead to a healthier and happier society.

Flagstaff’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan begins to take us in the right direction. It aims to lessen the impacts of climate change and move our local economy onto a more sustainable path. The city municipality’s goal of using all renewable energy by 2025 is stimulating the development of solar energy at Red Gap Ranch and a 477 MW wind power plant at Chevelon Butte south of Winslow. The Chevelon Butte Power Plant is projected to bring $8 million in indirect economic benefits during its construction. Combining the benefits of these projects with APS’s pledge to go 100% renewable by 2050, Flagstaff may achieve its goal of net zero for the entire city by 2040, maybe even by 2030!

Jump on board to celebrate our Earth, hear from Mayor Coral Evans and other local leaders, and learn how you can fight climate change at the Earth Day Cyber Celebration. We understand the sacrifices you and all citizens are making during this critical time with the coronavirus pandemic impacting all of our lives. So come and celebrate with us at 5:00 pm on April 22^nd. You will find links to participate by going to the Events calendar at www.NAZCCA.org. You’ll have the option to join in via Facebook Live, YouTube Live, Earth Day Live, or ZOOM. Please join in with your family, friends and neighbors to celebrate this 50^th Anniversary of Earth Day.

For more information contact NAZCCA’s community organizer for Coconino County, Jenna Ortega at Jenna.NAZCCA@gmail.com.

This event is currently co-sponsored by:

Arizona Students’ Association

Citizen’s Climate Lobby

First Congregational Church of Flagstaff

Flagstaff Quaker Friends Meeting

Earth Day Live

US YOUTH CLIMATE STRIKE