We’re sharing some Earth Day inspired resources. Below, you’ll find virtual activities, books, movies, webinars, organizations and more that we hope will help inspire you and others to take action for the planet on the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. Contacting us for free information about solar for your home is just one step you can take for the planet.
Here’s a good place to start, a short film from the Outrider Foundation.
When the Earth Moves reclaims the authentic story and original vision of Earth Day as a bipartisan and socially just environmental movement and highlights the need for people across generations and on both sides of the political aisle to play an active part. It also calls attention to the urgent need for Americans to unite around a common goal and purpose.
Earth Day Founder, Senator Gaylord Nelson’s speech in 1970 rings true today and hearing the intergenerational thread with his daughter Tia Nelson in When The Earth Moves is a great way to start celebrating Earth Day 2020.
For a very local twist, we suggest reading the New York Times article, about Pacific Northwest native, Denis Hayes, who was instrumental in the creation and promotion of the first Earth Day and is featured in the New York Times on the 50th anniversary of this watershed moment. Mr. Hayes continues to be heavily involved in environmental issues
“That’s the way it was” on April 22nd, 1970. Just 600 months, 2609 weeks, 18263 days ago.
Check out YouTube video of CBS’s Walter Cronkite Covering The First Earth Day
Earth Day Inspired Reading
Cranky Uncle vs. Climate Change: How to Understand and Respond to Climate Science Deniers, John Cook
Let It Shine: The 6,000-Year Story of Solar Energy, John Perlin
Coming Clean: Breaking America's Addiction to Oil and Coal, Michael Brune
Recovering a Lost River: Removing Dams, Rewilding Salmon, Revitalizing Communities - Steven Hawley
The Backstory: A global premiere of Earth Day art, and a collection of rare, local talent, Seattle Times Pacific NW Magazine.
Art for Earth Day - Seattle Times Artists Share Their Views Of Our World , Seattle Times Pacific NW Magazine
What Coronavirus tells us about climate change on earth days 50th anniversary - Seattle Times.
https://www.earthday.org/11-actions-for-the-planet-during-a-pandemic/ - EarthDay.org
Earth Day Movies/Documentaries recommendations
https://www.filmsforaction.org/ Films For Action is a community-powered, digital library for people who want to change the world. Our mission is to provide citizens with the knowledge and perspectives essential to creating a more beautiful, just, sustainable, and democratic society. Browse and watch 4,500+ films. Share with friends. Add and rate content.
Sustainability Adventurers
Route Del Sol - Solar Electric Camper Vans is our drive to creating a better tomorrow. Join us in proving the impossible on the longest road in the world: Alaska to Argentina.
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Routedelsol/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/routedelsol/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/routedelsol
Local Government and Sustainability-Focused Organizations
City of Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment
Seattle City Light Renewable Energy Department
Bullitt Foundation - Since 1992, the Foundation has granted more than $200 million, developed the Bullitt Center, permanently protected $100 million in ecologically valuable lands through a revolving loan fund, funded the preparatory work to protect nearly 300,000 acres in national monuments, invested in emerging leaders, and endowed several professorships. It has played a leadership role in emphasizing JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion) elements in green grantmaking.
Living Future Institute - You can create buildings that generate more energy than they use, capture and treat all water on site, and are made using healthy materials. The Living Building Challenge framework will help you to create spaces that reconnect occupants with nature.
Built Green - To serve as the driving force for environmentally sound design, construction, and development practices in Washington’s cities and communities.
EcoBuilding Guild - The Northwest EcoBuilding Guild is a 501(c)(3) community of builders, designers, suppliers, homeowners, and partners concerned with ecological building in the Pacific Northwest. The Guild empowers people through education to transform the built environment for long term sustainability.
Sustainable Ballard - Sustainable Ballard, a blueprint for Everytown, USA, educates, inspires, and engages neighbors to take action to live more sustainably both individually and collectively. Our vision is an inclusive, joyful, sustainable community co-creating a world for this and future generations where eco-systems are healthy and peace is inevitable.
Shoreline Solar Project - Shoreline Solar Project was founded 1 April 2004 for the purpose of promoting the practical application of renewal energy and environmentally responsible practices to enhance the economic, ecological, and social environment of our community. As evidence is pointing towards energy resource scarcity and as fuel and utility costs are rising, we seek to educate the public on the importance of conservation, efficiency and renewable energy generation. We see the opportunity to bring together interested parties and initiate renewable energy projects in our community. We support the development and expansion of renewable energy and wish to effect actual use and expansion of these technologies.
Solar Washington - Solar Washington is a non-profit organization comprised of people, companies, programs and organizations joining together to advance solar energy in Washington State. We are an association of solar energy equipment manufacturers, system integrators, distributors, dealers, designers, installers, consultants, students, teachers, homeowners, and solar enthusiasts.
Spark Northwest - At Spark Northwest we believe creating communities powered by locally controlled clean energy is interconnected to promoting a just society. Through distributed energy projects that allow for community-level participation and equitable ownership, we can reduce the energy burden while aspiring to build wealth for frontline communities. Full disclosure, we are encouraging people to donate to SparkNW’s giveBIG campaign - https://www.givebigwa.org/SparkNW
Tilth Alliance - Tilth Alliance works in community with Washington farmers, gardeners and eaters to build a sustainable, healthy and equitable food future.
Virtual Earth Day Activities:
https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2020/
The Hidden World of the National Parks
Free Solar Workbook For Children
EPA Earth Day Classroom Exercises
11 ACTIONS FOR THE PLANET DURING A PANDEMIC
Earth Day virtual schedule
Registration is required on most websites but all are free. See descriptions below table.
| Time | Description | More Information |
| 100AM - 915AM | The 2020 We Don’t Have Time Climate Conference | https://www.wedonthavetime.org/event/earthdayweek#register |
| 930AM - 1030AM | NW Energy Coalition, Earth Day Northwest Webinar: Electric and Natural Gas Utilities 101 | https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjnTU_wekCNkwvIEDX24bQLFNMRoDW1CHlXj7RLwcWvgWmUQ/viewform |
| 10AM - 1030AM | KBFG’s Pam Burton, Climate and Energy News | http://fulcrumcc.org/listen/ |
| 1100 AM | Drive Electric Earth Day Virtual Event: EVs Making a Difference | http://www.sc.org/DEED2020FB |
| 1030AM - 1200PM | Seattle University Earth Talk Session One | https://www.seattleu.edu/cejs/events/earthmonth/earth-talks/ |
| 200-315 | Seattle University Earth Talk Session Two | https://www.seattleu.edu/cejs/events/earthmonth/earth-talks/ |
| Ongoing | EarthX National Geographic 50th Earth Day Celebration | https://earthx.org/50th-earth-day-celebration/ |
We Don’t Have Time - Together with Earth Day Network and Exponential Roadmap we invite you to join us for Earth Day Week, April 20–25, 2020. We’ll be broadcasting live talks and other daily shows from Washington DC, Stockholm and with speakers, thinkers and doers from all over the world.
For the third consecutive year we bring you a public, free, online, no-fly climate conference. The program features the brightest minds to discuss solutions to the most daring challenge humanity has ever faced: the climate crisis.
We need climate action and an open dialogue. We need you and everyone to join in.
Earth Day Webinar
This webinar will explore the impact electric and natural gas utilities have on our lives and will educate participants in how they can engage with their utilities to advocate for equitable rates, renewable energy, energy efficiency, smart grid technologies, home weatherization, and bill assistance programs for low-income communities. The presenter will be the NW Energy Coalition’s executive director, Nancy Hirsh, who has decades of experience as a clean energy advocate and policy expert.
1100 AM Drive Electric Earth Day Virtual Event: EVs Making a Difference
This event is for the EV curious -- those just learning about electric cars -- so invite your friends and family! It is hosted by the Electric Auto Association, Sierra Club and Plug In America.
1100AM - 1200PM - Seattle University Earth Talk Session One
200PM - 315PM Seattle University Earth Talk Session Two
EarthX - https://earthx.org/
5oth Earth Day Celebration
https://earthx.org/50th-earth-day-celebration/
And don't forget to fill out our Get Started form and so one of our solar consultants can contact you to see if solar is right for you.
About the author
Started Puget Sound Solar in 2001 with 30 years of construction contracting experience, and a desire to turn Seattle on to solar energy. Achieving NABCEP certification in 2004, Jeremy believes that our customers often follow a path similar to the one he took, starting out with solar daydreaming, then progressing to education on the subject, and eventually leading to action. In addition to leading the company he also does some teaching and speaking engagements about various aspects of solar energy, and experiments relentlessly with various solar, energy efficiency, and electric vehicle projects.
Jeremy Smithson
