EARTH DAY 2024
Planet Vs. Plastic
April 27-28, 2024 marks the 54th anniversary of the Community Environmental Council’s hosting of the Earth Day Festival in Santa Barbara. The festival’s mission is “to educate, inspire and take action”, and this year’s theme is Planet vs. Plastic. The plastic problem cannot be overstated. Take a look below for some startling facts. While this state of affairs may seem hopeless, the best antidote to hopelessness is action! And our Earth Day Festival is the perfect time and place to learn about what we can do to turn the dangerous tide of plastic pollution.
Did you know?
- World plastic production has increased exponentially from 2.3 million tons in 1950 to 162 million in 1993 to 473 million today.
- As of 2023, 46% of plastic waste is landfilled; 22% becomes litters, 17% is incinerated and only 15% is collected for recycling.
- More than 5 trillion pieces of plastic are already floating in our oceans.
- Worldwide, 85 percent of marine litter is plastic: filters from cigarette butts, bottles, bottle caps, food wrappers, grocery bags, and polystyrene containers.
- Around the world, nearly a million plastic beverage bottles are sold every minute, and in the U.S. alone, up to 500 million drinking straws are used every day.
- Estimates for how long plastic endures range from 450 years to forever.
- The largest market for plastics today is packaging materials. That rubbish now accounts for nearly half of all plastic waste generated globally—most of it never gets recycled or incinerated.
- Every day the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic are dumped into our oceans, rivers and lakes. As a result, plastic pollution is set to triple by 2060 if no action is taken.
Come join in true community to discover ways to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle and become part of the solution. The Festival offers a myriad of fun, inspiring and educational opportunities to learn new lifestyle practices, connect with other like-minded neighbors and empower ourselves to make a difference.
- Eco-Marketplace
- Food & Drink Zone
- Music & Performers
- Green Car Show
- Kids’ Corner
- Public Square connecting us to our elected officials
- Environmental Hero Award presentation by actress and activist, Jane Fonda
There are a few other activities in honor of Earth Day happening around town, so check out the Earth Day calendar below and Save the Dates that work best for you.
There will also be an opportunity to connect with A Kinder World of Commerce’s key sponsor, Brighten Solar, who will be hosting a booth at the festival.
We plan on attending Sunday, the 28th and hope to see you there!
Monica & Claudia