Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival 2021 Highlights Announced; Virtual Event April 22 – 24 Gathers Community to #CelebrateClimateLeadership

Kenny Loggins, Zach Gill, Glen Phillips To Perform; Greenpeace USA’s Annie Leonard, 1% for the Planet’s Kate Williams, Elected Officials To Speak; Climate Summit & Activism Events Drive Community-Based Action. Courtesy image.

SANTA BARBARA — The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is hosting #CelebrateClimateLeadership, a virtual Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival dedicated to inspiration, community building, and climate action. The FREE livestream event begins on Thursday, April 22 at noon and runs until Saturday, April 24. It will be available to view at SBEarthDay.org. 

The virtual Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival – which will be fully online again this year due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions – is FREE to attend and will feature three days of conversations with climate leaders, musical performances, art contests, inspirational speakers, and opportunities for individuals to learn how they can lean into action at this urgent moment.

Each day will celebrate a key area where climate leaders are stepping up to do the critical work needed to combat the climate crisis:

• April 22: Youth Leadership: Emcee – Florencia Ramirez, CEC’s 2018 Environmental Hero who is an author, climate activist, and Director of the Pesticide Free Soil Project
• April 23: Business Leadership: Emcees – Eric Cardenas and David Fortson from LOACOM
• April 24: Community Leadership: Emcee – April Price, CEC Renewable Energy Program Senior Manager, and friends from the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

“The activists, thought leaders, organizations, and community members coming on stage this Earth Day are taking the courageous, hard-hitting action this moment demands,” stated Sigrid Wright, CEC’s CEO/Executive Director. “We must commit – individually and as a community – to learning, to leading, and to taking bold steps every day toward ending the climate crisis.”

Kathi King, Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival Director, added, “We are proud of the wide variety of community groups participating in this year’s event. While we wish we were together in the park, we know that the passion of our participants will jump off the screen, bring us together to celebrate climate leadership, and propel us into a year of inspired climate action on the Central Coast.”

The event will also support local businesses and organizations by including an interactive virtual Exhibit Hall. This provides 24/7 access to browse virtual stores and take climate action through eco-friendly initiatives, products, and services, plus LIVE video chat 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m Thursday – Saturday. This exhibit hall will stay “open” for 30 full days, April 22 through May 22, providing ongoing opportunities for interaction and exposure for exhibitors. Registration for exhibitors is still open at www.SBEarthDay.org/exhibit.

A full festival line up is available at SBEarthDay.org/schedule. Highlights of the three days include:

AWARDS & CONTESTS

• CEC’s Environmental Hero Award. Hear Executive Director of Greenpeace USA Annie Leonard as she accepts this annual CEC award. When: Saturday, April 24
  • Past Environmental Hero Award recipients include “Drawdown” author and activist Paul Hawken, filmmaker James Cameron, U.S. Congressmembers Lois Capps and Salud Carbajal, Marcus Eriksen of 5 Gyres, 350.orgfounder Bill McKibben, science educator Bill Nye, activist/actress Daryl Hannah, and Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk.
• “Earth Day – Every Day” Pledge Campaign. All community members are encouraged to take this pledge to establish earth-friendly daily habits. Choose from 21 actions that have a positive impact on the planet. Post photos of your new habits tagged with #SBEarthDay and #EarthDayEveryDay to be eligible for prizes. Designed by UCSB Environmental Studies Lecturer and CEC Partnership Council member Deborah Williams, pledge winners will be announced during the virtual festival. When: Take the pledge NOW at www.sbearthday.org/eded.  
• Live Earth Day Mural Painting at Paseo Nuevo.Watch a mural come to life in a real time over the course of the festival with contest winners Adriana Arriaga and Claudia Borfiga. We had 28 Santa Barbara artists submit stunning pieces depicting what climate leadership means to them. Hosted in partnership with The Arts Fund, Community Environmental Council, Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara, Paseo Nuevo, and Santa Barbara BCycle. When: Livestreaming Thursday, April 22 – Saturday April 24.
• “Why Earth Day Matters” Poetry Contest. Writers of all ages were invited to interpret Earth Day from their point of view. This contest intends to highlight the importance of standing up to protect the planet’s dwindling natural resources and working against the threats of climate change. Awards will be announced by former Santa Barbara Poet Laureate (2015-2017), Sojourner Kincaid Rolle, a Santa Barbara Poet Laureate. Hosted by Wilding Museum. When: Thursday, April 22.
• “What the Channel Means to Me” Art Contest. Students were invited to share their visual interpretation of the Santa Barbara Channel. Winners will be honored at a ceremony during the festival. Juried by local artist (and Earth Day Mural winner) Claudia Borfiga. Hosted by Santa Barbara Channelkeeper. When: Thursday, April 22. 

THOUGHT LEADERS

• Terry Tamminen Interview. CEC’s Sigrid Wright will discuss energy and the environment with this esteemed author, lecturer and strategist who also held a cabinet post in the Schwarzenegger Administration. When: Saturday, April 24.
• Better World Interviews. Emcees Eric Cardenas and David Fortson from LOACOM will interview Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet; Karen Lickteig, Strategic Advisor for the B Corp Climate Collective; Gregory Landau, CEO of Regen Network; and the team from Oniracom, a longtime CEC partner and local certified green marketing business. When: Friday, April 23.
• Elected Officials. U.S. Congressman Salud Carbajal, California Senator Monique Limón, and Assemblymember Steve Bennett will provide an inspirational message. When: Throughout the festival.

ACTIVISM VIRTUAL EVENTS

• Annual Climate Crisis Leadership Summit. Meet new allies and build new partnerships with others committed to making the California Central Coast a bright spot of environmental leadership and action. Space is limited. Register at https://sbearthday.org/climate-leadership-summit. Co-chaired by Sigrid Wright and Dr. David N. Pellow, UCSB Environmental Studies Professor. When: Saturday, April 24.
• Our Climate Emergency: Nature Based Carbon Drawdown Solutions. League of Women Voters Climate Forum, moderated by CEC Renewable Energy Program Senior Manager, Allegra Roth. Presented in English with Spanish interpretation. When: Saturday, April 24.
• Santa Barbara County Food Action Network. Short videos, created by Mercury Press International, showcase this growing network’s mission to connect, align, and activate food system changemakers to develop a robust, local food economy. When: Videos each day of the festival.
• The Year of Climate Action: A Climate Policy Workshop. Presented by Citizens Climate Lobby. When: Saturday, April 24.
• Green Jobs Discussion. Presented by Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator. When: Friday, April 23.
• Eco Activism on Campus. Presented by UCSB Environmental Affairs Board. When: Thursday, April 22.
• Carbon Sequestration Technology.  Presented by Central Coast MIT Enterprise Forum. When: Friday, April 23.
• Pesticide Free Soil Project. Learn about an environmental justice initiative led by young people in Oxnard to build soil, increase access to good food, and uplift the links between human and ecological health. When: Thursday, April 22.

GREEN LIVING VIRTUAL EVENTS

• CEC’s Santa Barbara Green Car Show. Our 20th year of the latest clean driving technologies – the longest running public show in the U.S. – brought to you via video. When: Friday, April 23.
• Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: The All-Electric Home Webinar. Presented by Tri-County Regional Energy Network. When: Friday, April 23.
• Water Conservation Assembly. Presented by the County of Santa Barbara Water Agencies and provided by Shows That Teach. When: Thursday, April 22.

MUSIC AND ARTS VIRTUAL EVENTS

• Musical Lineup. Grammy-award winner Kenny Loggins will debut a new song called “Great Adventure” which highlights the importance of connecting young people with nature.
  • Other highlights: Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket, Zach Gill of Jack Johnson’s band and ALO, Tina Schlieske, Santa Barbara Teen Star Jackson Gillies
• New Films. Features from the Santa Barbara County Food Action Network, Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Barbara Audubon Society and the Pesticide Free Soil Project in Oxnard. When: Throughout the festival
• Earth Day Dance Party. A family-friendly dance along. Hosted by World Dance for Humanity. When: Thursday, April 22

LEAD UP VIRTUAL EVENTS

• Santa Ynez Chumash Earth Day
  April 20 at 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  Preregister for this free Earth Day virtual gathering themed “Heal Earth.” CEC’s Allegra Roth and Sharyn Main will present their work to repair the damage caused by climate change and protect the community from future climate threats. https://bit.ly/3aa5wer.
• SBEE Garden Projects’s Monarchs and Native Pollinators Webinar
  April 21 at 11:40 a.m. to 1:40 p.m
  Charis van der Heide and Denise Knapp will talk about what’s happening to monarch butterflies and other pollinators. Find out how your garden can attract and support these amazing creatures. https://exploreecology.org/sbee-garden-project/
• TEDxSantaBarbara Making Waves: Climate Justice – Essential Practices to Advance Justice and Equity in the Climate Movement
  April 21 at 4:00 p.m.
  CEC’s Jennifer Hernández will discuss her work with the Central Coast Climate Justice Network and the advancements needed to support communities impacted by climate change. https://tedxsantabarbara.com/
• UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Dr. Robert Bullard: The Quest for Environmental and Racial Justice
  April 21 at 5:00 p.m.
  Dr. Robert Bullard, the father of the environmental justice movement, discusses why communities of color face some of the worst environmental devastation in the nation. Followup Q&A will be moderated by Dr. David N. Pellow. Presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures in association with CEC, the Central Coast Climate Justice Network, UCSB Bren School for Environmental Science & Management and UCSB Environmental Studies.
  https://artsandlectures.ucsb.edu/Details.aspx?PerfNum=4594

Festival Partners and Sponsors

In 2021 the Community Environmental Council is partnering with Carp Events, Central Coast Clean Cities Coalition (C5), Cultivate Events, LOACOM, Mercury Press International, New Noise Music Foundation, Oniracom, Pharos Creative, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3C-REN), UCSB Arts & Lectures, West Beach Films, and Write Kinda Girl to produce the event.

Sponsors currently include Marborg Industries, the City of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Clean Energy, Carp Growers, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, Oniracom, Santa Barbara Independent, Advanced Veterinary Specialists, Armand Hammer Foundation, Bye Bye Mattress, Central Coast Community Energy, County of Santa Barbara One Climate Initiative, Ebikezzz Santa Barbara, Farmacy Santa Barbara, Glass House Farms, Homelight, LOACOM, maps.com, Quantum Energy Squares, Lazy Acres, Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, and Will Hahn Productions. Media sponsors include KJEE, Edhat, El Latino Central Coast, Hope Ranch Living, Noozhawk, and Voice Magazine.

About CEC’s Santa Barbara Earth Day:

Widely acknowledged as the birthplace of Earth Day, Santa Barbara’s involvement began with the devastating 1969 oil spill off its coast. This led a local group of concerned citizens to begin discussing a different way of looking at environmental systems. During that time, Senator Gaylord Nelson visited Santa Barbara to view the oil spill damage. When he returned to Washington, D.C., he introduced a bill designating April 22 as a national day to celebrate the earth. Over the next few years, the environmental movement was born across the country – including CEC. Led by a group of forward-thinking youth and elders, CEC incorporated in the spring of 1970 and its first act as a new nonprofit was to hold an Earth Day celebration – a one block long teach-in between State St. and Chapala St. along Anapamu. Around the country, 20 million concerned citizens attended similar events. We recognize that “every day is earth day” and that special events like this are a way to bring diverse voices from our community together as a reminder to tread lightly on the planet.

For up-to-the-minute information on CEC’s #CelebrateClimateLeadership Virtual Earth Day Festival:

• Find Earth Day on the web at SBEarthDay.org 

• Like “Santa Barbara Earth Day” on Facebook.com/SBEarthDay 

• Follow the event on Twitter @SBEarthday and on Instagram @SB_EarthDay

About the Community Environmental Council (CEC):

Recognized as a 2020 California Nonprofit of the Year and 2020 City of Santa Barbara Climate Hero, CEC has worked since 1970 to incubate and innovate real life environmental solutions that directly affect the California Central Coast. Our current work advances rapid and equitable solutions to the climate crisis – including ambitious zero carbon goals, drawdown of excess carbon, and protection against the impacts of climate change. Our programs lead to clean vehicles, solar energy, resilient food systems and reduction of single-use plastic. Learn more about why CEC is one of only five nonprofits in Santa Barbara County to have the highest possible ratings on Charity Navigator and Guidestar at CECSB.org/impact. Find CEC on the web at CECSB.org and on Facebook.com/CECSB, Instagram.com/CEC_SB, Twitter.com/CECSB, and LinkedIn.com/CECSB.