CINCINNATI — Fifty years after its inception, Earth Day 2020 will look a little different as most people will be celebrating online in Cincinnati thanks to COVID-19.
Social distancing orders forced the Greater Cincinnati Earth Coalition to cancel their first major event for the holiday. Chuck Lohre, an environmental advocate, said the group he is associated with was planning an Earth Day celebration for its 50th year, which now must move online.
“We plan all year for the event,” Lohre said. “We have about 125 exhibitors.”
Instead, Lohre’s group will be hosting a virtual Earth Day which encourages Tri-State families to learn more about gardening, composting and proper recycling.
“I think more people are thinking about the environment because they're stuck in their houses,” Lohre said. “They're taking walks in the local park, they're spending time getting ready to garden.”
Earth Day has always been a special day for Kaity Japiske, an avid lover of the outdoors.
“We love just being in nature with our family,” she said.
The Anderson Township mother of two is also an advocate for The Cloth Option, a non-profit urging parents to use cloth diapers instead of paper ones.
“Every little bit makes an impact on the amount in our landfill,” she said.
Japikse is conducting a webinar instead of doing in-person demonstrations this coming weekend”
As we all get ready to embrace a new normal here on planet Earth, environmentalists suggest getting your hands dirty -- in a safe way -- this year.
“Plant a family garden, buy some seeds online,” Japiske said. “I think it's a great time to celebrate Earth Day, and it's a good way to stay at home.”
