In ancient Greek mythology, Gaia is mother earth from which all else, mortal and immortal, was born. And for the children who gathered on April 22 to take part in this year’s Earth Day commemoration and who held pots of flowers to transplant into the flower beds on either side of the building’s front lawn, the celebration seemed as sacred as a ritual.
Each child took on a different role, some carrying plants, some digging the holes, while others carried watering cans.
Paying tribute to Mother Earth and developing strategies for sustainability were part of this year’s Earth Day celebrations in Jersey City for adults, too.
This year, Jersey City has been rated 10th greenest city in America, according to an on-line study done by NerdWallet.com. While this is a financial research website, the study did actually refer to trees and grass, not money.
The rating coincided with the city’s celebration of the 45th anniversary of Earth Day with a festival of events held around City Hall.
“We are being innovative in how we approach sustainability, promoting policies that encourage the use of solar energy, utilize rainwater runoff, and foster biking and mass transit to create an environmentally-friendly community.” – Mayor Steven Fulop
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Jersey City’s annual Earth Day Celebration was a combination of a festival and informational event, designed to highlight Jersey City’s sustainability efforts while featuring food and crafts from local vendors, as well as music and activities for adults and kids.
Surpassing last year’s turnout
More than10, 000 people attended the event in 2014. With fair weather this year, city officials estimate even more turned out.
“We are being innovative in how we approach sustainability, promoting policies that encourage the use of solar energy, utilize rainwater runoff, and foster biking and mass transit to create an environmentally-friendly community,” said Mayor Steven Fulop. “Our Earth Day Celebration is a great opportunity for residents to learn about the city’s green initiatives, while supporting our local small businesses – one of the basic acts of sustainability.”
The festival featured more than 30 participants, from food vendors to artisans and products made from recycled materials. The festival also featured free workshops for kids, sustainability information sessions, and eco-friendly giveaways. The popular Adopt-A-Lot and Stop the Drop campaigns had a presence as well, encouraging visitors and residents to decrease the amount of litter and increase the green-living spaces throughout the city.
Since taking office, the Fulop Administration has expanded the city’s commitment to sustainability in several areas, including a more than $6 million investment in parks improvements, installing more than 22 miles of bike lanes, launching a bike share system that will connect with NYC’s bike share system, and expanding the use of solar energy through the construction of LEED certified projects, as well as LEED training for city employees.
For more sustainability information, the Jersey City Green Guide (www.jerseycitygreen.com) is a useful resource for residents and business owners, providing a framework and educational foundation on such topics as energy conservation, renewable energy, waste reduction, storm water runoff reduction and water conservation.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.