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 22nd. The Northern Arizona
Climate Change Alliance (NAZCCA) is hosting a Cyber Celebration for the 50th 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
