Every Day is Earth Day at the County

Message from CAO Helen Robbins-Meyer

Each year, April brings beautiful spring flowers, more sunshine and the globally recognized Earth Day. The celebration places a sharper focus on our planet and all we need to do to care for it. Here at the County, we’re now making sustainability central to all our operations. Earth Day is April 22, but we’re going bigger and celebrating April as Earth Month with a long list of activities around our theme: Committed to Caring for Our Earth.

Sustainability is about using our resources in a way that we can make sure there’s enough for future generations. We’ve made it one of the pillars of the County’s new vision and values.

From big to small, the County is doing things that make a difference for the environment. 

Having many of our employees shift to permanent telework and alternate schedules keeps cars off roads. That and other Climate Action measures lower greenhouse gas emissions – one the biggest contributors to climate change.

Our new Regional Decarbonization Framework is leading the entire region toward zero-carbon emissions to create a healthier future for all.  

We’re working at the broad intersection of protecting the environment and promoting social justice. A new element in our General Plan will help ensure equity when it comes to land uses. A new office is focused specifically on environmental justice.  

Our fleet vehicles are shifting to electric, and we’ve installed solar on many County properties.  

Every County department is right now crafting its own sustainability plan. Your departmental reps are passionate about the work, and they’ve shared these videos so you can hear and catch some of their enthusiasm.

A few of my colleagues and I also have a video talking about some of the big County initiatives and things we’re doing on our own to protect the environment. We also want to hear what you’re doing! Share steps you’re taking personally by pledging your support for the Earth. 

We have a long list of Earth Month activities planned to celebrate sustainability and call attention to what more still needs to be done collectively to save our planet. You may want to join a tree-planting event. Or visit the County Operations Center in-person fair on April 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Or celebrate remotely with the Virtual Earth Fair website, where you’ll find many ways to engage, explore, and learn about the Earth.

However you choose to mark the occasion, do it with pride knowing that the entire County organization is right there with you. Happy Earth Month!