With the light seemingly showing at the end of the pandemic tunnel, it is quite fitting that this year’s Earth Day theme is “Restore Our Earth”. The COVID-19 pandemic caused humanity to remember how to preserve and improve our health, livelihood, and quality of life. This year, we at Octane feel that Earth Day is the perfect time to reflect on how we can improve the quality of our lives through the preservation of our planet.
Typically, we hear about climate change, pollution, and deforestation as some of the problems facing Earth, but as most of us have been “sheltering in place” for the past several months – rightfully so – there’s been an uptick towards in-home energy use. Burning fossil fuels to generate electricity is just one contributor of greenhouse gas emissions that causes climate change and decreases the quality of our lives as living beings on this planet.
Earth Day is not only about acknowledging a need to do better for our Earth but also making and implementing those plans. The District is committed to fighting climate change and has plans and programs in place for climate adaptation and preparedness. Washington, D.C. has one of the most ambitious climate plans in the United States, including transitioning to 100 percent renewable electricity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent in 2032!
Working with government departments, sustainability companies and groups in the District, Reduce Energy Use DC launched on April 19th encouraging businesses and residents of DC to increase climate literacy, take inventory of energy use, and pledge to continue these habits for a better future. Today, Octane invites you to minimize your energy-use footprint and unplug for the day, clean up a local park or attend a virtual event that teaches ways to reduce energy consumption. Together, we can fight climate change and commit to a better Earth for our community, our families, and our future!