The World is Yours: 5 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day in Stockton

Spring has sprung and every April, Earth Day celebrations across the country remind us to honor our planet through education, entertainment, and conservation efforts. In Stockton, the 35th annual Earth Day Festival has become much more than just an annual event; it’s helping people establish lifestyle choices that benefit the earth all year long.

Stockton is the largest inland seaport in California and is the gateway to the Central Valley, acting as an important agricultural region known for producing a sizable majority of popular fruits, vegetables, and nuts distributed throughout the United States. Thus, Stockton—and the San Joaquin Valley as a whole—has taken steps with local farmers, ranchers, and businesses to be more eco-friendly to meet high demands for sustainability.

Only One Earth

This Earth Day, attendees of the Stockton Earth Day Festival will enjoy programs and activities geared toward education, conservation, and recycling—which makes it a great starting point for people interested in learning more about going green.

There are many ways to go green, but making huge lifestyle changes overnight can be overwhelming—if not altogether defeating. On April 21, the Stockton Earth Day Festival will help you get into the groove with like-minded people who want to help you grow a little greener.

Eat Green

Eating green is about understanding your local food system and making choices that support a healthy and robust food economy. For example: buying seasonal produce or substituting a vegetarian meal once a week at dinner. These are small changes that can have a huge impact on the earth, as well as your health and local economy.

Stockton has access to high-quality fruits and vegetables almost year-round, not just on Earth Day. Make it a point to meet local farmers and specialty purveyors at weekly farmers’ markets throughout the community.

Geek Out

Some might assume that green technology like solar power is reserved for homeowners or the well-to-do, but that’s not the case at all. In fact, there are all kinds of affordable solar-powered gadgets that can help you go green. Did you know you can charge your phone with a portable solar-powered charger? You can also listen to your favorite music on a solar-powered bluetooth speaker. Not only are these innovative products super convenient, they’re also earth friendly. Plus, they’re a great way to support companies that are forward-thinking about the environment.

Get Sharing

The term “collaborative consumption” was coined by Time magazine, which recognized that a sharing economy could provide more access and opportunity in lieu of ownership and mass production. Services like Zipcar are transforming the way we travel and transport. Instead of producing more, a sharing economy emphasizes lending, borrowing, recycling, reusing, renting, gifting, and trading as a way to access the things we want without producing more. Earth Day is the perfect time to learn from people already engaged in collaborative consumption and pick up tips on how to work them into your daily life, upcoming travel plans, and more.

Grow Something

Planting a tree on Earth Day is something we’re all familiar with, but how many of us ever get around to actually doing it? You don’t have to plant a rainforest to enjoy the simple joys of growing a fern or flower, planting fresh herbs or sowing seeds in a small garden. It’s not the size that counts; it’s the collective effort that makes the difference.

Creative Recycling

One of the easiest ways to regularly contribute to conservation efforts is to recycle. In addition to recycling soda cans and pickle jars, you can also take old, broken home electronics to certified e-waste recyclers. Recycling can also be a creative way to enjoy things you already like to do, like antique shopping or crafting. Flea markets are full of recycled treasures that can bring new life to your home or garden in fanciful ways limited only by your imagination. Stockton hosts several flea markets and open-air malls, featuring items of every variety and at every price point. From home décor to garage hardware, oddities of all kinds can be discovered at weekly thrift markets like the San Joaquin County Fairground Flea Market or the Stockton Open Air Mall and Flea Market.

You see, Stockton’s got the green thing going on. Isn’t it time you joined in on the fun? Join Stockton on April 21 for the Earth Day Festival and take the opportunity to expand your green horizons—on this day and everyday. Learn from Stockton’s own industry experts, local farmers, and conservationists on how to incorporate these environmentally friendly ideas and many more. Find out what green solutions work for you and commit to making a difference on Earth Day, Stockton style.

For more on Stockton's Earth Day Festival, check out their website by clicking here.

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