Earth Day may be several days away, but for one local organization, it’s “more than a one-day event or annual environmental wake-up call.It is a catalyst for ongoing education, action, and change.” Earth Day Initiative has made a mission out of taking the “spirit of Earth Day,” launched in 1970, and bringing it into the 21st century. The nonprofit does so throughpartnerships with schools, community organizations, businesses and government. There are also year-round programs and annual Earth Day events. RELATED:Earth Day products that will bring you back to nature One of those events includesEarth Day New York 2016, taking place onSunday, April 17, from 12 to 7 p.m. in Union Square (North Plaza — E. 17th Street and Park Avenue).
The event features a presentation of the 2016 Earth Day Initiative / NRDC-NY Awards to New York City Department of Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia, food advocate and urban farmer Karen Washington, and chef Tom Colicchio. There are also exhibitors, interactive displays, live performances and kids activities, and the opportunity to learn more about the organization’s #carfreenyc initiative, a campaign to promote greener and healthier modes of transportationcitywide. See what people are saying about the Earth Day Initiative event below, and about the annual support of our environment: