Join Us at the Earth Day Celebration on April 23!

There are many local groups that celebrate Earth Day by challenging us to make small but important changes in our day to day lives. Come learn about those simple lifestyle choices that lead to a large impact over time at the Santa Barbara’s 2022 Earth Day Celebration. Stop by the City of Goleta’s table at this year’s Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 23 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Arlington Theatre (1317 State Street). This is a free community event hosted by the Community Environmental Council (CEC); there is also a ticketed concert at 7:30 p.m.

Goleta is a community that cares deeply about its impact on the environment. Every April we get an amazing opportunity to celebrate Earth Day, a movement that began in Santa Barbara. In 1970, 20 million Americans took to the streets and parks on the first Earth Day to learn about how they could protect the environment, creating a national shock wave that fueled rapid and impactful action. Learn more about the History of Earth Day.

Also consider attending Free Day At The Santa Barbara Zoo on Tuesday, April 19 from 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Enjoy free admission, free parking, and special conservation keeper talks. Due to limited capacity, you must make a reservation online for this event.

Earth Month Challenges

The City of Goleta has put together some Earth Month challenges to help residents reduce their impact on the environment. These challenges are for four main areas including Energy, Transportation, Water, and Waste.

Energy

• The Great Unplug: Did you know that Americans add an estimated 44 million tons of CO2 by just leaving their devices plugged in when not in use? Try unplugging your electronics when not in use or using a strip outlet to eliminate phantom power use.
• Opt for 100% Renewable Electricity: Goleta residents enrolled with Central Coast Community Energy can opt up to 100% clean, renewable energy with 3Cprime. Enroll today to reduce your carbon footprint.

Transportation

• Get Alternative: The transportation sector is the number one contributor to Santa Barbara County’s greenhouse gas emissions. If you have access, try riding a bike, taking an MTD bus, carpooling or even walking to get to your intended destination.
• Electrify Your Ride: Goleta residents and businesses enrolled with Central Coast Community Energy can qualify for rebates on new and used electric vehicles, e-bikes, and charging infrastructure. Making the switch can help you save on fuel and reduce emissions.

Water

• Schedule a FREE residential water conservation checkup by calling (805) 964 – 6761.
• Take shorter showers: By reducing shower time from 20 minutes to 5 minutes you can save roughly 37 gallons of water. Review more indoor conservation tips.
• Water landscaping during non–daylight hours: Set your timer for the early morning or late evening for best results. Learn more irrigation tips.
• Switch to drought tolerant landscaping: Landscape irrigation is estimated to account for 50% of annual residential water consumption statewide. It total, it accounts for 9% of all state water use. Lawns alone account for 3.5 – 5% of all state water use. Learn more from the Center for Landscape & Urban Horticulture.

Waste

• Refuse what you don’t need, even if it’s free.
  • Review The Five R’s of Zero Waste and check out our Green Room: Zero Waste 101 article to learn more.
• Refuse Single-Use Items when getting take-out or dining in.
  • Single-use food ware is available only upon request in California. “Need it? Just ask!”
• Bring your reusable coffee cup and carry a reusable water bottle as much as possible.
• Ditch paper towels and transition to reusable cloth towels.
• Join a community cleanup event: Sign-up for Beautify Goleta today!