{"id":28523,"date":"2012-04-17T14:09:26","date_gmt":"2012-04-17T18:09:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/?p=28523"},"modified":"2025-08-21T10:04:25","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T14:04:25","slug":"earth-day-nyc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/28523\/earth-day-nyc\/","title":{"rendered":"Earth Day in NYC: The New Yorker&#8217;s Guide to Going Green This Spring"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>During his TED talk, top climatologist James Hansen cited his grandchildren as motivation for stepping onto a world stage to plead with his viewers to reduce CO2 and stabilize the climate before it&#8217;s too late\u2014not for us, but for them. His words were earth-shattering and hard to listen to. &#8220;The total energy imbalance now is\u2026enormous. [It is] 20 times greater than the rate of energy used by all humanity,&#8221; said Hansen. &#8220;It is the equivalent to exploding 400,000 Hiroshima atomic bombs per day, 365 days per year. That&#8217;s how much extra energy Earth is gaining each day.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"max-width: 854px;\">\n<div style=\"position: relative; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25%;\"><iframe class=\"lazyload\" style=\"position: absolute; left: 0; top: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" data-src=\"https:\/\/embed.ted.com\/talks\/james_hansen_why_i_must_speak_out_about_climate_change\" width=\"854\" height=\"480\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>At oM, we try to do our small part to help our readers cut back on carbon emissions. This season, we have unearthed dozens of fun, worthwhile ways friends, couples, co-workers, and families can celebrate Earth Day in New York City and beyond. Whether you choose to book a green getaway, attend a party in a park, shop local, buy a reusable tote (and get a free Chipotle burrito), enjoy a rooftop viewing of Planet Earth or join a CSA, there is a sustainable activity idea for everyone in this guide.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Events<br \/>\n<\/strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-28533 alignright lazyload\" title=\"Harlem Earth Day event\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/4543815899_27cc1ab8f7_z.jpg\" alt=\"Harlem Earth Day event\" width=\"301\" height=\"213\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-28533 alignright lazyload\" title=\"Harlem Earth Day event\" src=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/4543815899_27cc1ab8f7_z.jpg\" alt=\"Harlem Earth Day event\" width=\"301\" height=\"213\" srcset=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/4543815899_27cc1ab8f7_z.jpg 640w, https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/4543815899_27cc1ab8f7_z-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/4543815899_27cc1ab8f7_z-35x25.jpg 35w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 301px) 100vw, 301px\" \/><\/noscript>New York is celebrating the Earth in every borough, hosting events like official <a title=\"permanent link to earth day ny site\" href=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/60083\/go-green-in-union-square-with-earth-day-nyc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Earth Day New York<\/a> throughout Manhattan; the theatrical pageant of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/create-costumes-for-climate-change-action-tickets-44238084301?aff=erelexpmlt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Costume&#8217;s for Climate Change<\/a> on the Lower East Side; 100s of vendors in McCarren Park for the annual <a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.evbuc.com\/eventlogos\/79819639\/ggposter2cnodatev1.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Go Green! Brooklyn Festival<\/a>; Rooftop farming at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/harlem-growns-earth-day-celebration-tickets-42283612423\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Harlem Grown Earth Day<\/a>; and a lecture by climate scientist Stephen Prekar at The Central Queens Y Earth Day.<\/p>\n<p><strong><strong>Hotels<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/strong>Many Green and LEED-certified hotels offer special deals for Earth-minded travelers, like Kimpton Earth Week\u00a0discounts.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mohegansun.com\/events-and-promotions\/promotions\/earth-day-giveaway.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mohegan Sun<\/a> is giving away thousands of sustainably made, reusable tote bags. Staycationers can enjoy a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1hotels.com\/thefieldguide\/celebrate-earth-day-with-1-hotels\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">variety of sustainability-themed activities<\/a>\u00a0at 1 Hotel properties in Brooklyn and Manhattan<\/p>\n<p><strong>Parks<br \/>\n<\/strong>What better way to celebrate Earth Day than by enjoying the outdoors?\u00a0Wave Hill will lead a Garden Meditation; The Bronx River Alliance will host a river cleanup; and\u00a0\u00a0Prospect Park\u00a0will have free Earth Day bird watching and nature tours.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Eats<br \/>\n<\/strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16337 alignleft lazyload\" title=\"good commons feast\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/09\/good-commons.jpg\" alt=\"good commons feast\" width=\"181\" height=\"258\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16337 alignleft lazyload\" title=\"good commons feast\" src=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/09\/good-commons.jpg\" alt=\"good commons feast\" width=\"181\" height=\"258\" \/><\/noscript>oM has its share of favorite <a title=\"green restaurants review on offmetro.com\/ny\" href=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/2011\/08\/17\/green-restaurants-in-brooklyn-and-queens-nyc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">eco-friendly restaurants<\/a>, but there are plenty of other eateries that are going green this month. Whole Foods Union Square invites guests to sample from vendors at their Enviro Bash, and Chipotle will also be giving out free burritos with the purchase of reusable bags. Earth Dayers can also grab a 100% grass-fed burger, chips and a beverage for $15 as part of a new Tuesday special at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.icirestaurant.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">iCi<\/a>. Or plan an organic, locally-sourced picnic at the <a title=\"nymg earth day picnic 2012\" href=\"http:\/\/www.nybg.org\/visit\/dining.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">New York Botanical Garden<\/a>. Also check out these <a title=\"permanent link to outdoor dining in brooklyn article \" href=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/2012\/03\/19\/outdoor-dining-brooklyn\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brooklyn restaurants<\/a> with outdoor-seating.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Boutiques<\/strong><br \/>\nSustainable clothing hasn\u2019t been synonymous with the word fashion until just recently, and boutiques in every neighborhood of the city are proving that you can be conscientious and couture at the same time. Stores like <a title=\"permanent link to panda snack website\" href=\"http:\/\/www.veraglam.com\/PandaSnackWebsite\/pandasnack.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Panda Snack<\/a> are proving that Bamboo can be made into cozy T-shirts and aGaiN NYC is taking recycled material to a whole new level with their handbag line. From Teich\u2019s locally manufactured accessories for the whole family to the handmade, eco-friendly lines being carried at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sodafine.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sodafine<\/a>, there is no excuse for you not to be a hemp-wearing hippie these days. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.buffaloexchange.com\/giving-back\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Buffalo Exchange<\/a> donates $1 from every Earth Day purchase to an environmental non-profit.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Adults Only<\/strong><br \/>\nEarth Day is also for the grown-ups, with events like Kinky Crafting at\u00a0Babeland SoHo (oh the things you can do with recycled bike tires), a special <a href=\"http:\/\/www.localwineevents.com\/events\/detail\/416938\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">free Earth Day wine tasting<\/a> in Rochester, and an Eco-Job Fair and Beer Garden (just don\u2019t mix the two!) at the Green Festival in the Javits Center.<\/p>\n<p><strong>CSA<\/strong><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-28531 alignright lazyload\" title=\"CSA share\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/388874_316314771731902_205695982793782_1217561_1816372990_n.jpg\" alt=\"CSA share\" width=\"301\" height=\"200\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-28531 alignright lazyload\" title=\"CSA share\" src=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/388874_316314771731902_205695982793782_1217561_1816372990_n.jpg\" alt=\"CSA share\" width=\"301\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/388874_316314771731902_205695982793782_1217561_1816372990_n.jpg 960w, https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/388874_316314771731902_205695982793782_1217561_1816372990_n-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/388874_316314771731902_205695982793782_1217561_1816372990_n-37x25.jpg 37w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 301px) 100vw, 301px\" \/><\/noscript>One of the best ways to green your lifestyle is to participate in Community Supported Agriculture. Fortunately for New Yorkers, there are many fabulous local CSA programs to choose from that will benefit your health and the environment. Whether you buy a share from <a title=\"high point farms website\" href=\"http:\/\/www.highpointfarms.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">High Point Farms<\/a>, My Farm Share or <a title=\"Local Roots NYC CSA website\" href=\"http:\/\/localrootsnyc.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Local Roots NYC<\/a>, you&#8217;re sure to receive a weekly box filled with the most delicious, fresh items, ranging from vegetables to eggs to pasture-raised pork to bread and cheeses. As a bonus, you&#8217;ll be inspired to get even more creative in the kitchen.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Animals<\/strong><br \/>\nMove over cats and dogs. When it comes to sustainability, New Yorkers are adopting some intriguing types of pets. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nycbeekeeping.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New York City Beekeepers Association<\/a> has found that bees are a man\u2019s newest best friend, thanks to their ability to pollinate plants and produce honey. Just Food\u2019s City Chicken Project has created a Meet Up group for New Yorkers raising chickens. (Fresh eggs every day? There\u2019s nothing fowl about that!)<\/p>\n<p><em>For more ideas on ways you can enjoy lightening your carbon footprint, read <a title=\"guide to bike events 2012 nyc\" href=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/2012\/04\/13\/cycling-events-nyc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Once Upon a Bike: A Guide to the Best NYC Cycling Events This Spring<\/a> and <a title=\"green living tips on offmetro.com\" href=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/2011\/01\/07\/green-living-tips-nyc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">11 Easy Green Living Tips for New Yorkers<\/a><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Earth Day NYC Photos: Highline, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/green4all\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">greenforall<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/green4all\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">.org<\/a>, Good Commons, <a title=\"marji beach photos\" href=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/rinalia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marji Beach<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>During his TED talk, top climatologist James Hansen cited his grandchildren as motivation for stepping onto a world stage to plead with his viewers to reduce CO2 and stabilize the climate before it&#8217;s too late\u2014not for us, but for them. His words were earth-shattering and hard to listen to. &#8220;The total energy imbalance now is\u2026enormous. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":83,"featured_media":28539,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[324,315,325],"tags":[669,145,254,363,130,534,133,421],"class_list":{"0":"post-28523","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-connecticut-destination","8":"category-day-trips","9":"category-new-york","10":"tag-csa","11":"tag-dining","12":"tag-free","13":"tag-garden","14":"tag-green","15":"tag-hotel-packages","16":"tag-outdoors","17":"tag-sustainable"},"acf":[],"mv":{"thumbnail_id":28539,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/431038_10151415273285122_20957710121_23874959_469764430_n-e1523067732886-350x197.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28523","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/83"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28523"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28523\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28539"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28523"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28523"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28523"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}