Vendors, organizations, and musicians gathered at the Riverfront Plaza Sunday afternoon to celebrate Earth Day.
Festival-goers could learn about using solar cookers from someone preparing cookies and beans.
Information about energy audits, safe routes to school, cycling, non-GMO foods, the Farmington River Watershed, reusable moving boxes, and more was made available.
Besides the usual suspects at this sort of event, there was strong representation from the faith community, particularly Catholic. The Franciscan Action Network was one of the groups pressing for social justice.
On one table were cards urging people to “take the St. Francis Pledge,” which includes acting “to change my choices and behaviors by reducing my carbon footprint” and advocating “principles of solidarity and stewardship for God’s creation in climate change discussions and decisions, especially as they impact those who are poor and vulnerable.”
Other literature echoed the seamless thread ideal: “Protecting life involves addressing the obvious threats to children’s health and development: abortion, violence, and lack of adequate food, shelter and health care. But the less obvious threats are very real, especially toxic pollutants that reach the infant in the womb and harm growing children. […] These pollutants come from sources such as electric power generation, trucks and autos, pesticides, industrial and household chemicals, and wastes.”