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Take the Earth Day Challenge and Win Fabulous Prizes
First Prize
A $50 Certificate to a vegan/vegetarian restaurant or garden nursery (winner's choice)
Second Prize
$25 Gift Certificate to Changing Hands Bookstore
Third Prize
$25 Gift Certificate to Singh Meadows Produce Market, a local all organic farmer's market in Tempe.
1490 E Weber Dr, Tempe, AZ 85281
Fourth Prize
A Trial Kit of EC30 Earth Friendly Personal Care and Home Care products to lighten your carbon footprint. (The manufacturer plants a tree for every Trial Kit!)
Fifth Prize
Complete one or more of the following challenges and then enter the drawing.
HERE'S HOW: The VUU Earth Day Contest runs 4/1 – 4/30. Below are a list of activities and links to an entry form. Keep track of all of your completed Earth Day activities with the printable list of the activities (see link below). Once done, fill in and submit the online entry form, including your name and contact information. Every adult and child is eligible to enter. If your entire family participated in an activity, each may enter that activity on their individual forms.
Each completed activity earns one entry into the prize pool.
The more activities you complete, the more chances to win!
Entry forms must be submitted by Saturday, April 30 at 5pm.
1) VUU Adopt-a-Highway Clean-Up Event
Saturday, April 2, 8:45-11:00 AM
WHO: 8-10 VUU Volunteers; No children under 12 please.
WHAT: Our Green Sanctuary has been participating in the Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Adopt- A- Highway program 2 times a year since 2008. Our "road" is a 1 mile stretch of Queen Creek Road west of Old Price Road. Wear sturdy shoes and a hat (I have gloves but they are really big, so may want to bring your own). We meet first to distribute the equipment (gloves, bags, litter sticks and safety vests), go over the rules, and have everyone sign a consent form. Minors must have parental approval and consent). No children under 12 please.
WHERE: Circle K Market parking lot (SW corner of QUEEN CREEK RD /PRICE RD) at 3033 W Queen Creek Rd
WHEN: Saturday April 2nd-- 8:45 AM -11:00 AM
WHY: It is a fun way to meet people. Work is easy and a rewarding way to help our environment.
TO REGISTER, CONTACT PAM SWAN
pdswan@cox.net or 480-467-8978 (text or call)
2) EAT Presents: "Hope for a Cleaner Earth: Moving Toward Zero Waste",
a Zoom presentation by Amanda Lindner, environmental activist and zero-waste expert
Sunday April 3, 12:30-1:30 PM
If you missed this event, you can view the recording here.
Amanda Lindner is an environmental activist in New York City. She lives a zero-waste, vegan lifestyle and hasn't owned a trash can in almost four years. In her work, Amanda uses her skills as a writer, speaker, and communications professional to help combat environmental injustice. She leads talks and workshops on zero-waste living and has been featured in The New York Times, on NBC New York, and the Rachael Ray Show. You can follow Amanda's zero-waste/vegan life hacks on Instagram, @Enviromensch.
Her presentation will give an overview on how anyone can transition to a zero-waste/low-waste lifestyle and detail how she's fit almost all of her trash from the past four years into a one-quart mason jar.
She will be sharing her zero-waste life hacks, DIY recipes, and demonstrate how individuals, communities, and religious institutions can make a difference for our planet and all species that inhabit it.
Click link below to join the Zoom meeting on Sunday April 3 from 12:30-1:30 PM.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82389122012
Meeting ID: 823 8912 2012
3) "Solar 101" presentation by Adrian Keller with Solar United Neighbors
Thursday, April 7 at 6:30-7:30 PM
If you missed this event, you can view the recording here.
Solar United Neighbors is a nonprofit organization that arranges solar co-ops for group purchase of home solar panel installations. Adrian Keller is the Arizona Program Associate for Solar United Neighbors. He believes strongly in solar energy and its ability to improve quality of life and lower costs for communities across Arizona. His background in policy work and municipal government provide insight into the benefits of building community partnerships from the bottom up, to expand access to sustainable, affordable energy.
Adrian will provide basic information about solar, about Solar United Neighbors and what it does, and answer questions attendees may have. VUU member, Mary Rothschild, who recently switched to solar, will speak about why and how she made the decision.
Click the link below to join the Zoom Meeting on Thursday, April 7 from 6:30-7:30 PM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88478387843
Meeting ID: 884 7838 7843
4) "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Electric Vehicles But Didn't Know Who to Ask"
Zoom Session with Ken Muir
Tuesday, April 12 at 6:30-7:30 PM
Ken has a background in the world of semiconductor manufacturing and solar development and design. Has been an EV owner for many years.This session is for those interested in/thinking about making a transition from an internal combustion engine vehicle to a non-fossil fuel mode of personal transportation. It will be about the world of electric vehicles: a basic overview of electric vehicles, history of their evolution, hybrid vs EV, pros and cons of ownership, maintenance requirements for EVs, costs, and EV car makers located here in AZ.
Click the link below to join the Zoom meeting on Tuesday, April 12 from 6:30-7:30 PM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89901362924
Meeting ID: 899 0136 2924
5) Share Your Favorite Earth-Friendly Products, Services, and/or Restaurants
Change is easier when we all share our ideas. Share your favorite earth-friendly products, services, and/or restaurants. We will provide the final list to the congregation. Click here to share.
6) Commit to One Small (or Large) Earth-Friendly Lifestyle Change
All of us can make lifestyle changes to benefit the environment. Examples are composting, reducing use of plastic, walking more instead of driving, doing Meatless Monday. What lifestyle change can you commit to that will have a positive impact on our Earth? Describe your change here.
7) Watch the documentary: "David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet"
During his lifetime, Sir David Attenborough has seen first-hand the monumental scale of environmental change caused by human actions. Now for the first time, he reflects on the devastating changes he’s witnessed and reveals how together we can address the biggest challenges facing life on our planet. Watch the film on Netflix.
8) Visit the Environmental Working Group (EWG) to Learn More About Hidden Health Dangers in Food, Water, Household and Personal Care Products.
9) Learn More About the Most Recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report on Climate Change
Click on the links below to download three articles that provide thought provoking and disturbing information on climate change.
Time Is Running Out to Avert a Harrowing Future, Climate Panel Warns
Opinion | The Supreme Court Confronts Climate Change - The New York Times
10) VUU / Citizens’ Climate Lobby Earth Day Quiz
CCL supports a policy for carbon pricing to clean up our air and reduce green-house gas emissions that contribute to global warming. The Energy Innovation Act – H.R. 2307 – was introduced in Congress April 2021. A fee would be placed on fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. It starts low and grows over time. Energy companies, leading industries, and American consumers will move toward cleaner, cheaper options. The money collected from the carbon fee is allocated in equal shares every month to the American people as a carbon cashback dividend to spend with no restrictions. Program costs are paid from the fees collected; the government does not keep any of the money. To protect U.S. manufacturers and jobs, imported goods will pay a border carbon adjustment, and goods exported from the United States will receive a refund.
11) Take Action
Take Action Today: Write the President and Senators Sinema and Kelly to let them know we want strong climate policy that reduces America’s carbon pollution 50% by 2030. Click here to access an editable script to email all three.
12) Do Meatless Monday for the Month of April
Reducing your meat consumption is one of the top five initiatives individuals can take to positively affect climate change. For recipe ideas, visit Cookie + Kate, Forks Over Knives, Bon Appetit, or search “vegetarian recipes” for many other sites offering delicious menu ideas.
13) Review the Recycling Rules in Your City
Review the recycling guidelines in your city. Rules have changed, especially for plastics. Find out how your town handles the disposal of plastics, as well as glass, paper, cardboard, and metal.
14) Make a Donation to an Earth Friendly Organization
A donation is a great way to show your appreciation for the work people do to show their love of the earth. Click here to see a list of environmental organizations.
15) Do Your Own Earth-Friendly Activity
Maybe you didn't see your favorite Earth-Friendly activity on our list. Do your own!
Click here to describe your activity. We will share the list with the congregation. Maybe next year we will use it in the Challenge.