Purpose

Apr. 22, 2016 12:55 pm

4 ways to celebrate Earth Day, Philly-style

Here's how to focus on Philly while considering the future of our home planet. (One suggestion: Go to Energy Camp.)

Just look at that beautiful West Philly foliage.

(Photo by Julie Zeglen)

Happy Earth Day!

For the sustainability-minded among us, today’s the day to don your green and shout the praises of shopping locally. Here’s how to focus on Philly while considering the future of our home planet.

1. Plan to attend a Greenworks engagement session

Philly has made a serious commitment to the city’s environmental sustainability, including through the implementation of the city’s comprehensive sustainability plan, Greenworks Philadelphia.

The Kenney administration is seeking feedback on the next version of Greenworks at five public neighborhood discussions. There are four more planned:

  • Overbrook Environmental Education Center (Overbrook) — Monday, April 25
  • Bartram’s Garden (West Philadelphia) — Wednesday, April 27
  • Flying Horse Center (Germantown) — Thursday, May 4
  • Kensington Community Food Co-Op (Kensington) — Tuesday, May 10

RSVP to attend one here. You can also fill out the Greenworks survey through April.

2. Check out #PhillySavesEarth

The title alone is pretty convincing. The play, by artist Marty Pottenger, is being presented this weekend as part of the Painted Bride’s Re-PLACING-ing project, “a series of performances, exhibitions and events that reflect on Philadelphia’s past while re-envisioning its future.”

Characters include Frederick Douglass, astronaut Guy Bluford, urban ecologist Scott Quitel, a SEPTA bus driver, Delaware Riverkeeper Maya von Rossum and Pope Francis — quite the lineup to discuss the “impact of humans on the environment and the opportunity for Philadelphians to revolutionize that relationship.”

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3. Congratulate the Energy Reduction Race winners

The Office of Sustainability‘s yearlong Energy Reduction Race challenging the city’s biggest building to reduce their energy use has come to a close.

Forty buildings participated in the challenge, and 12 met a five percent reduction target, according to a press release from the Mayor’s Office of Communications.

Here are the top three winners:

  • Iroko Pharmacaeutics Building at the Navy Yard 
  • Two Logan Square
  • Comcast Center

The race was organized in partnership with Delaware Valley Green Building Council and City Energy Project, which each contributed to $5,000 stipends for the winners to continue their energy efficiency work.

4. Apply to attend Energy Camp

Yup, this is real. And it’s happening in State College, not Philly, but if you’re super into the idea of building your own passive house or constructing a wind turbine, this might be worth the trek.

Apply here -30-

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