Our Great Planet

What We Can Do to Celebrate Earth Day at 55

This opinion piece was originally published in The Greater Park Hill News, where the author is a monthly columnist. Previous columns can be found here: http://greaterparkhill.org/?s=tracey+macdermott

Earth Day is April 22. How will you celebrate our great planet this year?

Here in Park Hill, we know that, really, every day is Earth Day. Every day brings new reason to take action. If anyone is up for getting our hands in the dirt — literally and metaphorically — it is our neighborhood. Time and time again we show up to make the world a better place, knowing Mother Earth is counting on us.

Organizers of this year’s 55th Earth Day global event are asking humans to unite behind renewable energy and triple the global generation of clean electricity by 2030. How can we do that?

We can demand rapid renewal energy deployment from governments, industries and businesses. We can also individually make smart energy choices, including taking steps to add solar and switching to electric in our living spaces.

We can start by making small changes. Here are a few suggestions:

• Weatherize your home: Seal air leaks around windows and doors, install weather stripping, and ensure proper insulation in walls and attics.

• Upgradetoenergy-efficient appliances: Choose Energy Star-rated appliances for lower energy consumption.

• Switch to LED lighting: LED bulbs use significantly less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs.

• Smart Thermostats: Use programmable or smart thermostats to optimize heating and cooling based on your schedule.

• Optimize HVAC: Regularly maintain your HVAC system, including changing filters and ensuring proper ventilation.

• Lower Water Heater Temperature: Lower the temperature of your water heater to reduce energy consumption.

• Reduce Phantom Load: Unplug electronics when not in use, as they can still draw power even when turned off.

If you are thinking that in the future you may want to electrify, begin researching rebates that are available. When you are ready you can add solar, install an electric water heat pump or convert your gas stove top to induction or electric. One easy step you can do is join a solar co-op, allowing you to purchase an offset for the energy you use in your home.

This Earth Day there are recent victories to cheer. Did you know that the Greater Park Hill Community building at 2823 Fairfax St. is 100 percent electric and generates its own energy from the solar panels on the building? Elsewhere, Texas — a state known for its oil production — now leads the U.S. in wind energy production. President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) boosted investments and growth in renewable energy. In 2023, there was a 50 percent increase in renewable capacity added to energy systems worldwide.

But we have to measure these successes with reality

— and this year reality is a toxic fume that threatens to take us far back in time. Under the new administration, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act and Endangered Species Act are in the crosshairs. The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), overseen by an administrator who outright mocks scientists and environmentalists, announced last month that it will roll back or change 31 rules and regulations.

Though studies show that two out of three Americans support transitioning away from fossil fuels to 100 percent clean energy and even more support regulating carbon, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has announced plans to move in another direction —

backward. For starters, plans are underway to step up drilling, including in protected areas.

Decades of critical work is being dismantled in moves that are clearly out of step with the wishes of the majority.

So, what can you do this Earth Day? In the short term, join us at one of our Earth Day events in Park Hill (see the sidebar below for details). Visit earthday.organd check out other actions you can take — both in the area and around the globe.

For the long haul, roll up your sleeves. We are the ones who can change this. Our kids can’t afford major setbacks. We must fight for them, their future and a livable planet.

Tracey MacDermott is an at-large board member of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. She was trained as a Climate Reality Leader in 2017. She chairs the Sustainability Committee for the Business and Professional Women of Colorado and the National Federation for Business and Professional Women. Email her at traceymacdermott@gmail.com

Tracey MacDermott
NFBPWC Environment and Sustainable Development Committee Chair
2024-2026