Small communities like Morgan Hill must take action and play their part in protecting the planet.

Kindergartners plant a tree on Earth Day. Photo by Elver Avendano, age 12

This editorial is the opinion of Morgan Hill Life

As Earth Day 2023 approaches, residents of Morgan Hill have a unique opportunity to come together and make a positive impact on our planet. From educational events to neighborhood clean-up efforts, the people of the South Valley can get involved and show their commitment to creating a more sustainable future.

By participating in Earth Day 2023 events, we can send a message to our elected leaders that we want to see meaningful differences in local, state, and national energy policy — and inspire others to take action as well.

The American Association of University Women, Morgan Hill branch, will be hosting an Earth Day Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at the downtown amphitheater and surrounding outdoor space in the Community and Cultural Center. The booths will focus on what community members can do locally, including Cutrignelli Fattoria Apiaries, FillerUp Shop, the city of Morgan Hill, Morgan Hill Library, Gavilan College, the Open Space Authority, the Community Garden, CalFire, Recology, the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center, and various energy businesses such as a solar panel company. There will also be hands-on activities for kids, entertainment, and food trucks. There is something for everyone.

The Morgan Hill City Council adopted a Climate Action Plan in 2021 to address the issues of global warming on a local level. The plan included a central goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by the community reaching carbon neutrality by 2045. To achieve this, we need to strive for several sub-goals, action items, and planning efforts. Helping fund this ambitious endeavor, Silicon Valley Clean Energy awarded our community two grants.

The first grant provides $500,000 to fulfill the Climate Action Plan goal of converting all municipal buildings to “all-electric” by 2035. This includes the development of a new “all-electric” fire station next to the South County Courthouse as well as an interpretive meeting area in the adjacent park space. The proposed interpretive area will serve as a meeting point for newly established fire station tours. This space will be designed to include picnic tables with accommodations for groups as large as a classroom of students. It will feature displays depicting how the “all-electric” fire station building operates, how “all-electric” facilities reduce carbon emissions, and why these actions matter to our community. The city’s new fire station is anticipated to open in late 2024.

The second grant for $95,748 will help implement the Climate Action Plan’s outreach, education, and engagement initiatives. The money will go to support community activities related to climate change, including funding for booth supplies and events, the design of brochures and flyers, outreach campaigns, a Loaner Induction Stove Program, development of Clean Air Week, surveys and research, and hiring a part-time teammate to support in planning and implementation of these community engagement items.

We would like to see families with young children and teens play a vital role in advocating for climate and clean energy action on Earth Day 2023. Among the ways they can get involved and make a difference:

  • Participate in local demonstrations and marches to raise awareness about climate change and the need for cleaner energy.
  • Use social media platforms to share information about climate change and promote clean energy initiatives with friends and families. They can get creative and share videos, posts, and graphics that they make to educate others about the issue and encourage action.
  • Write letters or send emails to their elected officials (from city council and school boards to state and national leaders), urging them to support climate and clean energy policies. They can also call or personally visit their representatives to discuss their concerns and advocate for change.
  • Organize campaigns to promote sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their communities. By collaborating with local organizations and businesses, they can advocate for clean energy initiatives and inspire others to take action.
  • Take the lead in educating their peers and family members about the importance of climate and clean energy action. They can give presentations at school or in their communities, or organize information sessions to share their knowledge and encourage others to make positive changes.

As the threat of global warming looms, it is increasingly important for small communities like Morgan Hill to take action and play their part in protecting the planet.

Earth Day 2023 presents a critical opportunity for us, especially young people, to come together and advocate for cleaner, greener energy infrastructure and more sustainable practices. Let us raise awareness about the urgent need to address climate change and the impact of fossil fuels, and work towards a brighter, more sustainable future for everyone.