The days must be getting shorter, because Sun Day is fast approaching. Midway between the longest and the shortest days of the year are the equinox, when all the world stands in equilibrium—in the solar sense, at least. So in this brief time of planetary stability, the people who gave us Earth Day thought maybe the time had come for a Sun Day. Which falls, this year at least, on an actual Sunday: Sept. 21.
The idea of Sun Day itself dates back to the first president who put solar collectors on the White House roof, Jimmy Carter. In the positive wake of Earth Day, founded in 1970, the 22nd president declared May 3, 1978, as Sun Day. It didn’t quite catch on—May 3 was a Wednesday—but the intent was clear.
“Today the need to develop and expand renewable energy sources that can provide heating, cooling and power for homes, farms and factories is greater than at any other time in our Nation’s history,” Carter wrote in his 1978 proclamation. That part hasn’t changed, but the next part has: “For this reason, Americans are seeking ways of using the sun as an inexhaustible source of clean energy.”
The political realities of the past year have demonstrated that re-engaging with the climate goals of the original Sun Day are more important than ever. Following two retreats where members of Climate Action Healdsburg (CAH) workshopped ways to continue their commitment to environmental concerns even as the social and political landscape was changing dramatically, the group decided to join the national Sun Day movement, at thirdact.org/sun-day.
“We all still believe that local action is absolutely necessary, but there are also other things that have occupied our hearts and minds,” said Tyra Benoit, spokesperson for the CAH group founded in the wake of the Healdsburg 2040 program. “I’m trying to respond in a way that is more focused on some other larger issues, too.”
A political action team was organized to add what resources the CAH could to local protest events and actions, such as the No Kings march in June 14 and the upcoming one planned for Oct. 18. The anti-idling committee has successfully lobbied for “No Idle” zones at several elementary student pick-up stations, and plan a film program on Wednesday at Little Saint. Move! Healdsburg continues to promote emissions-free travel with bike rides and community walks.
Leading up to Sun Day are five days of events, beginning on Monday night, Sept. 15. At 6pm the City Council will issue a proclamation in support of Sun Day, then Assistant City Manager April Mitts will offer an update on Healdsburg’s Climate Mobilization Strategy, one of her first significant public presentations since she started in April.
On Tuesday at 7pm at The 222 (222 Healdsburg Ave.), two local Al Gore-trained Climate Reality Leaders, Tyra Benoit and John Mihalik, will celebrate the success of solar and wind power globally. A recent New Yorker article, “4.6 Billion Years On, the Sun Is Having a Moment” by Bill McKibben, is almost required reading.
Wednesday night upstairs at Little Saint the classic environmental advocacy film, Idle Threat (60 minutes, 2013), will screen at 6pm. It follows a one-man campaign against vehicle idling in New York City, showing impacts on air quality, public health and the climate. The Climate Action Healdsburg anti-idling committee will introduce the film and take questions. 6-7:30pm.
Thursday, Sept. 18, brings a rare opportunity to tour the second largest floating municipal solar array in the U.S. at Healdsburg’s Waste Water Treatment Plant (340 Foreman Lane). Operations superintendent Rob Scates of the plant and Terra Sampson, conservation analyst for the City, will join the 10am tour. RSVP to save a spot.
A Saturday morning presentation and tour of the green features of Enso Village, the new retirement community at the north end of Healdsburg. Included are looks at solar panels, the kitchen garden, and an Enso residential apartment using heat pumps, energy recovery ventilation systems, and other all-electric features. From 11am to 1pm, more info and signups here.
Then what?
The original intention was that it would all lead up to the actual Sun Day rally and celebration at the Plaza on Sunday, with music and information booths much as the same group had thrown Earth Day “Climate Fests” previously. But the city has changed their permitting process, and the CAH applied too late with their plan, which was still in development. While alternate venues were considered, none met the goals of a city-wide Sun Day event.
So this year’s actual Sept. 21 event on the Plaza will be limited to a Sun Day Rally and Celebration, starting at noon for no longer than one hour per city code.
Some events request reservations though all are free. See climateactionhealdsburg.org.
