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A Look into Sustainable Living in the San Gabriel Valley
Featured Apr 16, 2012
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A Look into Sustainable Living in the San Gabriel Valley
By
Krishna Rajagopalan
The Pasadena Earth and Art Festival was held on April 14th, 2012 at Memorial Park in Pasadena. The public was invited to explore the many ways to “go green” as well be introduced to some of Pasadena’s most well known environmental organizations and activists. Organizations that were present included the Pasadena Department of Water and Power (PDWP), Amnesty International, County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, and the Pasadena Public Library.
The Pasadena Department of Water and Water had a light bulb display that showed how much energy one light bulb uses versus several put together. Among the other displays were a solar powered attic, a fan demonstration, and a refrigerator exchange program in which the PDWP will pick up your old refrigerator free of charge and provide you with a low energy refrigerator so long as you qualify. Also on hand was Bike San Gabriel valley, an organization that advocates for bikers in the San Gabriel valley.
However, the fair was not limited to displays from local organizations. There was a performance by native tribal dancers as well as live music that visitors could enjoy. Food was available for sale from vendors such as Pita Pita located in Pasadena. Visitors also enjoyed the environmentally friendly beer garden among the other festivities the festival had to offer.
On a more personal level, the Pasadena Department of Public works advertised a program wherein residents could call the department’s number if they felt that their neighborhood was in need of more trees and the department would then schedule a tree planting in the resident’s neighborhood. Similar organizations that were present included Pasadena Beautiful, the Theodore Payne Foundation, and the Arroyo Seco Foundation that focuses on conservation, water quality and preventing pollution.
Other features of the festival included a clothing sale put on by Lucy and Mei Certified Organic Cotton Clothing as well as wood products for sale including bird callers, cooking utensils, serving trays and animal decorations. Vendors also displayed some of the most environmentally friendly plants that are available locally. There was also a light energy display which included a seven minute relaxation technique which was sponsored by Sukyo Mahikari.
All in all, the festival was an excellent way for people of all ages to find out what steps they can take to protect their environment. Activities for all ages including children exposed them to the benefits of environmentally friendly practices. Activities for children included a scavenger hunt as well as an arts and crafts table. This event was clearly a time for people to reflect on what steps they are taking and should be taking in the future to make the environment as conducive to human life as possible.
