Earth Day, April 22 - Bright Green News from the Office of Sustainability

April 21, 2020

April 2020

Earth Month Week 4

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, April 22!

“The solar system reminds us that, just as the Earth is not at the center of the Universe,

neither are we humans the center of the Earth. We, along with the rest of the natural world,

are all interconnected within the larger web of life.”

April 22 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate and learn about the next 50 years online:

With gratitude, The Office Team

Earth Month EcoChallenge - Week #4

Dedicate your actions to Earth and all inhabitants throughout April!

What is the Earth Day EcoChallenge?

Earth Day EcoChallenge is a 30-day environmental and social engagement program that helps you put your Earth Day intentions into action by providing you with the information, motivation, tools, and community to make a difference for our planet Earth.

Each week, our newsletter will highlight two key challenges, which contain a list of actions related to the topic. These challenges are not a competition, but a way for all of us to engage in conscientious actions to help our planet and its inhabitants.

If you’re interested in joining the UC Berkeley team, please click here

(You may also partake in the challenges individually.)

Challenge #1: Climate

Our changing climate is negatively impacting our freshwater, oceans, forests, wildlife, food supply, and human health. Human activity is causing climate change, but human activity can also solve climate change. Today, write a love letter, poem, or song to Earth.

Check out other “Climate” actions for the week >>

Challenge #2: Building Resilience

Building resilience is more important now than ever. All actions within the Building Resiliency Action Track help us to build resilience in our communities and in ourselves. Take the one-time action to watch a documentary on food sovereignty.

Check out other “Building Resilience” actions for the week >>

UC Berkeley Eco-News

Environmental work by graduating seniors recognized with CACS sustainability awards

UC Berkeley students Sylvia Targ, Sage Lenier, Nicole Haynes, Bridget Gustafson, Dante Gonzales, and Ella Griffith are recognized by the Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Sustainability (CACS) for work ranging from climate action to sustainable seafood.

Read their stories >>

Triplets in the tower: Berkeley’s falcon family grows

More than 1,000 viewers saw the second chick hatch — double the viewership for last year’s Hatch Day, which was shown on the big outdoor screen at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive. This year, because of the COVID-19 social distancing mandate, the hatching was livestreamed via the 24/7 webcam focused on the nest in the bell tower

Read the full article >>

UC Berkeley leads the way with country’s strongest single-use plastic ban

Announced on April 15, the campus has committed to an unprecedented, comprehensive plastic policy, which eliminates all non-essential single-use plastic by 2030.

CALPIRG wins national award for work to fight climate change

EcoAmerica announced the winners of the 2020 American Climate Leadership Awards in a virtual ceremony today recognizing CALPIRG Students for their successful campaign for a University of California-wide commitment to 100% renewable electricity.

Learn about UCB’s commitment to 100% clean energy by 2050 >>

Get Inspired & Learn Something New

Short Film: “His Epic Message Will Make You Want to Save the World”

In this short film, spoken word artist Prince Ea makes a powerful case for protecting the planet and challenges the human race to create a sustainable future.

Watch here >>

This Week’s TED Talks

Each week, we will be sharing TED Talks in theme with our Earth Month celebrations.Learn how Greta Thunberg took matters into her own hands by striking for climate action, or listen to a talk on the importance of rethinking climate change

Stay Informed & Engaged with Online Reading

Quote from the NY Times article “Where the Virus and Climate Intersect”:

“What really matters is the same for all of us. It’s the health and safety of our friends, our family, our loved ones, our communities, our cities and our country. That’s what the coronavirus pandemic threatens, and that’s exactly what climate change does, too.”

News outlets are providing free access to COVID-19 related articles. Here are a few options:

(And, consider supporting your favorite journalist and providers with a subscription.)

*UC Berkeley students have free and unlimited access to online NYT

Plant-Forward Recipe of the Week

With the recent surge in home cooking, it’s the perfect time to try out a plant-forward recipe! Eating a plant-based meal has great benefits not only for our individual health, but for the health of our planet.

This week, we’re featuring this fresh and easy recipe for creamy pasta primavera

Check out some of the plant-based recipes below:

Prioritize Your Well-Being

Earth Day Yoga

Check out this grounding yoga practice to help you create harmony and balance, connect to the Earth, and find peace from within.

Watch the video >>

How to Keep the Greater Good in Mind During Coronavirus

“In the midst of our panic around COVID-19, we must look to each other to help us get through it… We [must] remember our social hygiene—looking for the heroes, staying calm ourselves, being grateful, and remembering our common humanity.”

Announcements & Resources

If you have any thoughts to share, please email sustainability@berkeley.edu.

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