April 19, 2023 at 11:10 am
Earthfest 2023 is coming to central London on Saturday and will be the largest Earth Day celebration in all of Canada.
The second annual Earthfest will feature more than 90 exhibits, inspiring talks, live music, engaging events, food vendors and more. Organizers said there was something for everyone at Saturday’s event, from interactive art workshops to tree-planting classes to e-bike test drives.
Due to the unpredictable weather expected in April, both indoor and outdoor venues for Earthfest 2023 have been confirmed.Citi Plaza will ‘transform into an ecological extravaganza’, according to event site. Meanwhile, Dundas Place will be closed to traffic to make room for games and food vendors. The Central Library will also be in on the action, hosting workshops, booths, events and “repair cafewhere people can bring broken or damaged items and have them repaired for free.
“This year, the real focus is on celebrating green action in London,” says Heenal Rajani, an eco-conscious London-based entrepreneur who helps organize Earthfest 2023. “There are always great things happening, and people don’t know or know how to get involved, and they might be disappointed or confused, or they don’t know where to find information about environmental initiatives.”
Every year on April 22nd, Earth Day is a great opportunity for those who feel disconnected from the natural world to find ways to reconnect. Founded in 1970, Earth Day has been celebrated around the world for more than 50 years.
“It’s something that unites the world, thinking about our shared planet,” Rajani said. “It’s not just about wearing a button, or sharing a sentence on social media, or taking some token action — make it an opportunity to reconnect with each other, an opportunity to reflect, an opportunity to take action. “
Earthfest 2023 will kick off Saturday with a special watering ceremony at Tracey Whiteeye at noon. The event will run until 5 p.m. at all three downtown locations.
This year’s festival will highlight Aboriginal perspectives on the environment and, as Rajani said, their connection to the natural world is something everyone in urban society can learn from.
“Many people think that the climate crisis breaks down into problems—pollution, waste, carbon—and there are yes All of these problems, but not just problems and solutions. It’s about relationships,” Rajani said. “The relationship between humans and the planet we inhabit is broken. “
Just a few years ago, the issue of climate change was gaining traction, but now, Rajani believes, the movement has lost some steam as the world is distracted by pandemics, wars and economic recession. In just a few years, the climate crisis has gotten worse.
“It’s a crisis of everything. It’s a crisis of the environment, water, air, soil, biodiversity, oceans, coal leaching, ice melting,” Rajani said.
Earth Day is an opportunity to refocus attention on climate change and start taking environmental action. Many people adopt their own traditions on April 22, such as turning off the lights, eating plant-based foods, or striving to achieve zero waste on this day.
For others, like New Years, Earth Day is an opportunity to make a resolution or commit to a lifestyle change, like buying only second-hand or biking to work.
Those interested in getting involved in community activities, such as the city’s 12 days clean, can be contacted London Environment Network more ideas.