MPCA launches #EarthWeek2021 with virtual events, calls to action

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is celebrating Earth Week 2021 by highlighting Minnesota’s promotion of healthy air, sustainable lands, clean water, and a better climate. By focusing on supporting healthy soils, reducing food waste, choosing cleaner transportation, preparing for and adapting to our changing climate, and planting more trees, we celebrate these pockets of opportunities to make significant strides in our shared environment, our health, and our quality of life.

The week’s activities include two virtual public events and a social media campaign. Each day will feature a separate theme with social content promoting the good work of MPCA and other state agencies paired with a more personal call to action to engage Minnesotans in our celebration of Earth Week and environmental stewardship.

Earth Week themes and events include:

Monday, 4/19: Supporting healthy soils

• Video feature on Twin Oaks Farm in Northfield, which embraces strategies to keep soil healthy to prepare for heavy storms that tend to wash soil away, contributing to poor water quality. The farm is certified by the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program that helps farmers with climate smart farming, soil health, and integrated pest management.

• Personal call to action for residents to seek alternatives to chemical fertilizers and herbicides through the Planting for Pollinators guide distributed by the MN Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR)

Tuesday, 4/20: Reducing food waste going to landfill

• Virtual event, 10 a.m., YouTube live: Prevention of Wasted Food Roundtable. MPCA Commissioner Laura Bishop examines the connection between wasted food and greenhouse gas emissions, and applauds four organizations using MPCA grant funding to lead innovative programs to prevent wasted foods. Includes media Q&A; registration required (see below).

• Personal call to action to join a challenge to stop wasting food at home, which includes tips for tracking wasted food, meal planning, and more.

Wednesday, 4/21: Making the switch to EVs

• The MPCA is helping expand the state’s network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations so that Minnesotans can drive longer distances without charging their EVs. More info on Our Minnesota Climate website.

• Personal call to action: Plan a road trip this spring/summer with your EV: Check out Plugshare for the best route.

Thursday, 4/22: Earth Day

• Virtual event, 6 p.m., YouTube live: Our Minnesota Climate Forum Series: Adapting to more extreme weather. This Earth Day event will explore how increasing extreme weather due to climate change is impacting local communities — and ways that Minnesotans are preparing for these major events.

• Personal call to action: #OneDayIsNotEnough for Minnesotans. What are you doing to make every day Earth Day?

Friday. 4/23: Increasing tree cover

• Shade trees lower the temperature in dense, urban communities that tend to have higher temperatures than surrounding areas. MPCA grant funding is supporting the planting of trees in North Minneapolis to replace those lost during the 2011 tornado, a partnership between Tree Trust and the City of Minneapolis.

• Personal call to action: Plant a tree! In Minnesota, trees cover about 27% of our land, but that percentage is declining.

Both virtual events will be streamed on YouTube and the public are invited to watch. Media wishing to attend Tuesday the event and ask questions of participants should contact Lucie.Amundsen@state.mn.us for special media access.

Follow our social campaign #EarthWeek2021: Facebook/MnPCA, Twitter/MnPCA, Instagram/MnPCA.