Agenda - 04-20-2021; 4-a - Earth Day 2021 Proclamation

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2 • A daylong Orange County Facebook "Earth Day Blitz", streaming live and including interactive children's games and other opportunities for action - both locally and nationally, • Shred-A-Thons for recycling of confidential papers, Saturdays, April 24 and May 1, • The second annual Creek Cleanup sponsored by Carrboro and Chapel Hill Stormwater (more info at: https://www.townofchapelhill.org/government/departments-services/public- works/stormwater-management/public-education-and-participation/annual- cleanup-with-carrboro#ad-image-0, and • Other activities and opportunities that are being created by many partners (to be announced) A flyer with information about these and other activities will be developed and released as Earth Day approaches, and this will be shared with the Board and with the public through a variety of platforms. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with adoption of the proclamation related to Earth Day 2021. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to this item: • GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, policies, and decisions. Fair treatment means that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies. The proclamation focuses on protecting the local environment and celebrating and acknowledging the shared sustaining natural resources. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The following Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal impact is applicable to this item: • ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND WASTE REDUCTION Initiate policies and programs that: 1) conserve energy; 2) reduce resource consumption; 3) increase the use of recycled and renewable resources; and 4) minimize waste stream impacts on the environment. The proclamation promotes waste reduction, promotes the purchase of recyclable and eco- friendly food containers and products, protecting and conserving natural resources by reducing the amount of harmful plastic products introduced into the land, air and water; and take actions for Earth Day to help conserve and protect natural resources. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation declaring April 2021 to be "Skip the Stuff Month;" July 2021 to be "Reduce Single Use Plastics Month;" and April 22, 2021 as Earth Day 2021; and encourage County residents to participate in events and activities throughout the community to celebrate this day and the planet.