Representatives from nearly every country on Earth gathered in Paris for the 2015 United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called the Paris Agreement a triumph for people, the planet and multilateralism. The signing ceremony is set for Earth Day, April 22, at UN headquarters, in New York City. 

For the first time, every country has pledged to curb their emissions, strengthen resilience to related impacts and act internationally and domestically to address climate change. Other key elements aimed at achieving a state of climate neutrality—having a zero carbon footprint—before the century’s end include transparency, accountability and a plan for developed countries to support climate action in developing countries. 

“A big part of the Paris agreement focuses on reduced use of gas, coal and oil, but there is also a focus on preserving trees and expanding forests,” says Earth Day Network (EDN) spokesperson Timothy McHugh, referring to this year’s Earth Day theme of Trees for Earth. 

This year also kicks off a four-year countdown to the environmental campaign’s 50th anniversary on Earth Day 2020. “By that mark, we hope to have planted 7.8 billion trees—approximately one tree for every person on the planet. Trees are vitally important because they soak up carbon and clean the air,” McHugh explains.

In addition to countering climate change and pollution, EDN’s global tree planting seeks to support communities and local economies, protect biodiversity and inspire environmental stewardship.

From global leaders convening at the UN to people participating in community events close to home, billions of the world’s citizens will celebrate our precious home planet this year. To join the worldwide observance, find an event online at EarthDay.org or participate in one or more of the local events listed here.

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Join us at one of these Fairfield County Earth Day Events. 

Woodbury • April 23 

Woodbury Earth Day is preparing for its 21st Annual Earth Day Celebration, a free event that will be held on, April 23 from 11am to 4pm at Hollow Park in Woodbury. The largest Earth Day celebration in Connecticut, Woodbury Earth Day includes earth-friendly activities for the entire family.

Visitors will enjoy a lively vendor fair with more than 130 vendors, including artisans, farmers and growers, environmental organizations, and home improvement services, along with demonstrations like the Live Birds of Prey presented by Audubon Sharon. A main stage, a community stage, a kids’ activities tent, and some of the best food trucks in Connecticut will keep attendees engaged and well fed. Among the many talented performers, The Regulators and HannaH’s Field will rock the audience while Bring the Hoopla gets everyone moving. Caseus Cheese Truck, Hardcore Sweet, El Camion and several others will serve up favorite eats and Aquarion Water Company will provide drinking water to help wash it all down.

“We are proud to be an event that focuses on supporting our local economy while also protecting and improving the nature of our communities, our land and water, and ourselves,” says Carol Haskins, Woodbury Earth Day’s chair.

Woodbury Earth Day is presented under the leadership of the Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition, a Woodbury-based environmental nonprofit organization, and a team of dedicated community volunteers. Event sponsors include New Morning Market, Aquarion Water Company, O&G Industries, Eversource, The Farm of Woodbury, Brown Tufts Montessori School, Civil 1 Engineering, Power Home Remodeling Group and ECS Aeroseal.

For more information visit WoodburyEarthDay.org. Location: Hollow Park, Woodbury.

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Fairfield • April 30

A spring highlight for families and the “environmentally inquisitive”, Fairfield’s Earth Day Celebration will take place on April 30 from 10am to 4pm at Fairfield Warde High School. Since 1997, Fairfield has been celebrating Earth Day as a way of bringing together the community as we explore ways to live gently on the earth.

This year’s event will feature face painting, kids’ games and crafts, live music, food trucks, gardening specialists, an 1899 flying machine facsimile, and a high school “trashy fashion” show, just to name some of the many highlights.

• Students doing art: Along with learning how to reduce our footprint, the annual Arts Contest—with the theme of “What if…—has inspired Fairfield students of all ages to create art work, poetry, essays and videos. Student fashion models will present “Trashy Fashion” designs made from recycled materials.

• Gardening groove: Talk to a master gardener about your garden. Learn about beekeeping, invasive plants, and how to keep your compost pile healthy. Talk to Metrocrops about urban farming.

• Kids having fun: There is an array of activities and games, face painting, crafts (made from recycled items) and live music. Discovery Museum will offer earthy activities while folk singer Evelyn Avoglia will show kids how to turn household recyclables into rhythm instruments. The boy scouts of Troop 88 will be demonstrating “square foot gardening”.

There is no charge for admission or parking. The event will be held rain or shine.

For more information visit FairfieldEarthDay.wordpress.com. Location: Fairfield Warde High School, 755 Melville Ave, Fairfield.  

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Newtown • April 23 

Newtown’s 9th Annual Earth Day Festival will be, April 23 from 10am to 4pm in front of Newtown Middle School. The day will feature live music (bands, singing and Taiko drumming), activities for children and adults, a multitude of vendors, food, and educational and nature exhibits. Special programs include Bees and Beekeeping at 1pm and Birds of Prey at 2pm. In addition, the annual Silent Auction will feature local and handcrafted items and services.

Proceeds from this event support green scholarships for Newtown High School graduates to pursue degrees in environmental fields.

For more information, visit Newtown Earth Day Festival on Facebook or NewtownEarthDay.org. Location: 11 Queen St, Newtown (in front of Newtown Middle School).

 

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Wilton • May 1 

This year’s Wilton Go Green Festival, sponsored by Ross Solar Group Wilton Town Green and Wilton Library, will take place on May, 1 from 11am to 4pm at the Wilton Library and town center. The 2016 celebration of green living has a new Emerald Sponsor in Gardel Home Improvement.

The free annual event will feature the following events and activities: 5km Run sponsored by Outdoor Sports;  dog parade; electric car rally; bounce house; more than 80 exhibitors; live music; food; and a silent auction.

For more information, visit WiltonGoGreen.org. Location: Town center at Wilton Library.