Earth Day 2020 Special Edition - Burlingame eNews
Earth Day is Here! April 22, 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day - the worldwide movement to recognize and appreciate our planet. The City of Burlingame is proud to be celebrating Earth Day with its wonderful community of residents and businesses.
#earthdayburlingame

Share what you are doing to recognize Earth Day or help the environment. Use our hashtag #earthdayburlingame on Instagram.

Earth Day Poster Contest

The Burlingame Recreation Center is hosting an Earth Day Poster contest. K-8 grade students are invited to upload their poster art to Instagram or Facebook and tag the Rec Center. 
City Council Honors Earth Day
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At Monday's City Council meeting, Burlingame's City Council honored Earth Day's 50th Anniversary by taking multiple actions that benefit our environment.

  • Mayor Beach, on behalf of the entire City Council, signed a proclamation celebrating 50 years of Earth Day and committing the City (and encouraging all residents and businesses) to protect the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

  • The City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the City to prioritize zero emission vehicles (ZEV) when acquiring vehicles and equipment as part of the City's effort to green the City's fleet and serve as a model.

  • The City Council completed the first reading of an ordinance to regulate the use of disposable, plastic, food service ware by food facilities. The ordinance, inspired by San Mateo County's adoption of the same ordinance, creates a pathway for food facilities to replace single use plastic food ware with compostable (fiber-based) or reusable food ware to reduce waste and prevent pollution.

Thank you to the City Council for your leadership in sustainability! 
Our Greatest Environmental Challenge

Fifty years ago, Earth Day was inspired by a massive oil spill and signified a call to change polluting industries and toxic practices. Over the following decades and through much hard work and regulation, industries have significantly improved their environmental health record. 

Today, climate change presents our greatest environmental challenge. More work and regulation is needed to greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate. ​This entails minimizing our use of fossil fuels in our homes, buildings, transportation, and industry. 

Burlingame intends to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent over the next decade. Check out how in Burlingame's Climate Action Plan, which includes a summary of our current emissions and 20 action measures. 
The Three Most Impactful Actions You Can Take Today

The three simplest, and most impactful actions you can do to benefit the environment are:

1. Eat less meat.  From land clearing to burping cows, the meat industry is a heavy hitter in greenhouse gas emissions. A big dent in emissions could be made if people replaced meat with plant based foods in as little as one meal per week. 

2. Use 100% renewable energy. Thanks to Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE), San Mateo County's electricity provider, residents and businesses have the option to choose 100% renewable energy for electricity uses. Stop using fossil fuels to power your electricity by signing up for PCE's ECO100 program.

3. Refuse, reuse, recycle waste. Avoiding waste, specifically waste that can't be composted or recycled, such as plastic single use items (we're looking at you straws!) hugely benefits the earth by reducing ocean pollution and landfill greenhouse gas emissions. Think twice before you purchase unrecycleable items or goods with excessive packaging.
Want More Ideas? Check Out 50 Actions for 50 Years

Want to do more? We've compiled a list of 50 actions for 50 years. From switching to LED lights, to mending your clothes, check off which actions you will do this year.
The Next Generation Speaks Up

Burlingame's very own environmental youth film festival - CEC Film Fest, recently announced their winning films. The festival invites 4th-12th grade students to submit environmental-focused films. This year's winners highlighted food impacts, composting, and carbon taxing.

The CEC Film Fest was initiated and organized by the Citizen's Environmental Council of Burlingame - a volunteer environmental advocacy organization. The CEC has spearheaded many sustainability efforts in the community such as the development of the Burlingame's first Climate Action Plan, a college scholarship fund, and an annual green lecture series. 
Earth Day During a Pandemic

Nature is experiencing a slight silver lining as a result of people staying home.