Earth Day began on April 22,1970 as a large-scale grassroots demonstration, which succeeded in raising awareness about environmental issues and transforming public attitudes. Today, Earth Day activities, as reported by Earth Day Network, include more than 1 billion people, making it “the largest secular civic event in the world.” history.com

Earth Day reminds us to think globally but act locally.  There is much we can do right here at home to make a difference and help mitigate climate change.  First, a bit of education…

Climate change is caused by the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas, methane), which release carbon dioxide (CO2), changing our atmosphere and warming the earth. CO2 accumulates and lasts on the order of 1,000 years. We have only a few years left to have any chance at mitigating the worst effects of climate change (which cannot be undone).  The risks include melting glaciers causing flooding of low-lying areas, warming of the oceans, impacts to their salinity and making them more acidic all with far reaching impacts on aquatic lifeforms.  We will also be eliminating habitats for other species driving them to extinction. We are already experiencing severe weather including changes to rainfall along with storm intensity and frequency.  

In addition, our energy demands are only growing for things like heating, cooling, transportation and manufacturing. New construction of homes and commercial spaces need clean energy. And as people migrate to helpful green technologies such as heat pumps and electric cars there is also the need for clean electricity. So, how can we increase our energy production without excessive CO2 generation? 

Here are a few things we can do . . . 

• If you are a resident of Westchester County, Sign up for Community Solar through Sustainable Westchester.  There is no cost, and you will receive clean energy from a local solar farm. This will take about 10% off your electric supply charge.  There are similar programs (we recommend you search on your utility website) in other regions.  What’s not to like?

• If you have a sunny roof in good shape, consider installing Rooftop Solar.  If you have ConEdison as your electric supplier you are paying some of the highest rates in the country and they are planning another rate increase. Contact us at Yorktown100 or visit the Sustainable Westchester site which will soon have a “Residential Solarize” program which will make the transitions very easy.

• If you are a ConEd customer, enroll in Grid Rewards.  This program is also available through Sustainable Westchester and pays you money to reduce your electric use during peak times (like summer afternoons when polluting “peaker plants” are running to keep up with the loads).  It is completely voluntary. NYSEG also promises to be offering Grid Rewards within the year.

• Buy less! Consider the “cradle to grave” environmental impacts of  the new items you are considering.  Think about the pollution created while manufacturing and transporting new items, and how the item will finally be disposed of.  

• Support clean solar energy development in your town. Have you considered coming to the town meetings or writing a note to your Town Board or Supervisor sharing your views?
  • Tell the Town if you believe all new development should include rooftop solar.
  • Encourage the Town to promote rooftop solar to homeowners and businesses.
  • Support properly sited and thoughtfully designed large scale ground mount solar installations and modern battery storage.

• Review your investments to ensure your money is not supporting the fossil fuel industry, and instead supports environmentally responsible activities such as generating clean electricity.  Many offerings have ESG ratings (Environmental, Social and Governance).  Have you looked at investing, for example, in an environmentally conscious mutual fund?

• Gather some like-minded folks in your town, and join CURE100 or simply contact us to see how you can help.

CURE100 is an all-volunteer community-based organization that seeks to reduce global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions to net zero urgently and with high priority, through a combination of advocacy, education and campaigns at the local and global levels.

Bob DeAngelis is a retired IBM engineering manager often seen biking or hiking and is President of Yorktown100.

Susan Buck, a retired elementary educator is deeply concerned about the planet we are leaving the next generation, and a Yorktown100 board member.

Mother Earth Day image designed by Freepik