Happy Earth Month 2017! How will YOU celebrate? March for Science! and Climate!

In this time of alternative facts, the eradication of information from government websites, the slashing of science budgets, and being that April is Earth Month, now more than ever we need to stand up for SCIENCE.

Join a nationwide movement to champion support and funding for science, science-based policy, and diversity

On Earth Day 2017, scientists and fans of science will march together because as Neil DeGrasse Tyson noted in an interview with Bill Maher,

The good thing about science is that it’s true whether or not you believe in it.

The other good thing about science is we have so many great scientists around who love to talk about science — and that are fun to listen to and learn from, like Bill the Science Guy who will be saving the world on Netflix starting today.

While a fan of Bill Nye, I am not the aficionado — like my son is. Now 13 and in 8th grade, every Friday in 7th and 8th grade, he’s looked forward to getting out early, having shorter classes, and, in science, watching an episode of Bill Nye The Science Guy.

So I asked the expert in the house to watch the trailer with me — and yes he’s impressed!

“Much better production values,” the 8th grader says knowingly. “Can we watch it now?”

Ha! Later, I said, I’ve got this blog post to finish and other things to do as we prepare for the Climate March in Ventura April 29. But we will, I promise! Soon!

Most people have probably figured out how they are going to celebrate Earth Day and which March for Science they will participate in. But just in case you haven’t got those kinds of friends who tell you about stuff like this, here’s a few of the BIG events going on around here.

Or do as the Sierra Club suggests, and take a hike! “It doesn’t matter where you are or how you do it–it can be a walk through your neighborhood, a stroll through your local park, or an urban hike in your city,” the Sierra Club says. “Share your corner with us. There’s something special about each corner of our Earth–we want to know about yours! Use the hashtags #EveryCornerand #TeamSierra.”

SELECT SOCAL MARCH FOR SCIENCE and EARTH DAY EVENTS FOLLOWED BY CLIMATE MARCH EVENTS

SELECT SOCAL MARCH FOR SCIENCE and EARTH DAY EVENTS

LA MARCH FOR SCIENCE PERSHING SQUARE APRIL 22 9AM

March for Science Los Angeles startS at 9 a.m. in Pershing Square, 532 S. Olive Street  with speakers at 10 a.m., and a march at 11 a.m to City Hall where second round of speakers will start about noon. Pershing Square will also host a Science Expo from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Info: marchforsciencela.com.

VENTURA CHARTER SCHOOL’S EARTH DAY ECO FEST PLAZA PARK APRIL 22 10-5PM

NO SCIENCE MARCH IN VENTURA April 22 (but two climate marches one April 24 and another April 29! details below) but you’ll enjoy the Ventura Earth Day Eco Fest which “brings fun, entertainment, children’s activities, exhibitors, and education to Plaza Park on April 22, 2017, 10:00am – 05:00pm. Each year this successful community event is attended by over 5000 people and 80 exhibitors. Come join us celebrate our environment at a beautiful Plaza Park.” Plaza Park is located between Thompson and Santa Clara across from the downtown post office and near the downtown parking garage; bike valet parking will also be available. With lots of educational exhibits, kids crafts, and raffles with goodies from sponsors such as Patagonia, this is a family favorite and we’ve enjoyed attending many years. This year, two stages will offer entertainment including Spencer the Gardener. 

OJAI MARCH FOR SCIENCE LIBBEY PARK 9AM
OJAI EARTH DAY Women’s Center APRIL 22 10-4PM

March for Science Ojai rallies at 9 a.m. at the fountain in Libbey Park, 269 E. Ojai Ave. then participants  will march to the Woman’s Club, 441 E. Ojai Ave. where the Ojai Valley Green Coalition, the Ventura River Water District and the Center for Spiritual Living will feature an Electric Vehicle Show Case and a Water Security Theme,  booths, panel discussions, Garden activities, earth healing activities, water conservation demonstrations,  and more.

SANTA BARBARA MARCH FOR SCIENCE APRIL 22 11:00 a.m., De La Guerra Plaza to Alameda Park (SB Earth Day)
SANTA BARBARA EARTH DAY APRIL 22 11-7pm and April 23 11-6pm Alameda Park

“Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival began in 1970 as Community Environmental Council’s first opportunity to educate the public about dirty energy fossil fuels, inspire our community to find solutions, and take action at the grass-roots level. Now, 47 years later, the need for community activism to protect our environment is greater than ever.” Multiple stages with great speakers and music, plentiful venders, this is the granddaddy of all Earth Days.

At the Earth Day Festival, Explore Ecology and other booths will offer an opportunity to make signs for the Climate March and Rally April 29. Explore Ecology is also hosting sign-making workshops at their studio at 302 E. Cota Street from 10:00 – 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.

SELECT SOCAL CLIMATE RALLIES AND EVENTS 4/29

• People’s Climate Mobilization Rally, Santa Barbara
  Saturday, April 29, begins 12:00 p.m. at Santa Barbara City College’s La Playa Stadium. 

Thousands will march on Washington DC and around the world on April 29. CEC is helping organize a coalition of climate, environmental justice, labor and youth/campus groups here in Santa Barbara to take a stand for climate justice and a clean energy economy.

“We see a compelling need to come together and leverage the potential of our powerful community,” said Wright. “One of CEC’s greatest strength is in the partnerships, networks, and coalitions that we actively cultivate each year. The Earth Day Festival is our biggest opportunity to plug more individuals and organizations into these networks and create impactful momentum toward climate solutions.”

• Youth Climate March Ventura Plaza Park 4pm
  Monday, April 24, begins 4pm at Plaza Park and march to City Hall

Poster making at Rincon-Vitova Sunday afternoon.

• People’s Climate Rally, March, and Thermo-Climb, Ventura
  Saturday, April 29, begins 2pm at Mission Park, Ventura and ends at Ventura Botanical Gardens

Americans from Ventura County to Washington D.C. will unite to march in solidarity for Climate, Jobs and Justice. Together, we will send a message to our leaders, and the world, that the United States of America stands for values of human decency, equal rights and freedom from discrimination. Climate march color flyer here to print out.

Please join us in Ventura at a rally in Mission Park where we will form a Rainbow and a Circle to show our commitment to unity and justice. Next we “swarm” down Main St and up California St to the Ventura Botanical Gardens where we will organize by color to ascend the trail for a thermo-climb, with those wearing red shirts leading the way, followed by those in orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and, finally, violet for photographs of our human thermometer: an artistic representation of global warming.

Choose a color and RSVP to this FREE event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/275301409589868/
 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ventura-county-climate-rally-march-and-thermo-climb-tickets-33914938494?aff=ebapi

More details to follow here on Art Predator as I am one of the organizers!

Here’s the source of that great Neil DeGrasse Tyson quote: