Staving off despair at Windsor's Earth Day celebration

Global environmental reports have been grim, with climate change being described as an existential threat to humanity — but the mood was far from gloomy at Windsor's annual Earth Day celebrations.

Hundreds of citizens gathered in Malden Park on Sunday to browse exhibitions, take part in activities, and mark the 54th anniversary of the international day meant to show support for environmental protection.

"Every day is Earth Day, but I think the meaning of this date, specifically, is that we're taking some time to consciously think about what the planet, and what the environment, mean to us," said Niharika Bandaru, president of the local environmental group Windsor of Change.

"We come together on this day and talk about what we've done so far, and what we can do better going froward. So it's like any festival — you don't stop thinking about it on other days."

Niharika Bandaru, president of the environmental group Windsor of Change, at Earth Day festivities at Malden Park on April 21, 2024. (Dalson Chen/CBC)

But such festivities take place under the shadow of global data: The World Meteorological Organization — a part of the United Nations — reported that 2023 was the planet's warmest year on record, with categories such as greenhouse gas levels, surface temperatures, sea level rise, and ocean acidification reaching unprecedented territory.

The non-profit watchdog organization CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) has found that more than 70 per cent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions are being generated by just 100 companies — all of them fossil fuel producers, many of them state-owned.

It's enough to make any person ask: What's the point of Earth Day?

"I won't say that despair is an emotion that you need to completely shelve," Bandaru said. "I think part of the journey is to feel it, and to own it. But then to use that despair to, you know, do something about it."

"I do get depressed. But then, I don't see any choice but to act. You've got to keep going, because not doing anything is not an option."

The crowd at Windsor's Earth Day celebration at Malden Park on April 21, 2024. (Dalson Chen/CBC)

City of Windsor campaigns against 'flushable' wipes 

The first Earth Day celebration was held in California in 1970. The City of Windsor began officially marking the occasion in 1989.

"We've always had a great turnout ," said Karina Richters, the city's supervisor of environmental sustainability and climate change. "Lots of energy, over 40 exhibitors are here... We have something for everybody to learn about environmental sustainability."

Attendees of all ages enjoyed such features as: a pedal-powered art-making machine, a sun-powered hot pot, live snakes and turtles, ecologically-themed games, and a costumed "green robot" hero.

The City of Windsor brought out a prop toilet to get across the message that disposable wipes cause problems for the city's sewer systems and wastewater treatment.

Karina Richters, supervisor of environmental sustainability and climate change for the City of Windsor. (Dalson Chen/CBC)

"We're teaching people what not to flush down a toilet," Richters explained. "Even if it says 'flushable,' that doesn't necessarily mean that it will get out of your drains. And those could make big impacts on our systems."

Despite disposable wipes being sold in every supermarket and pharmacy in the country while being advertised as 'flushable,' Richters said there's no actual standard attached to that marketing: An enforceable code has been under development for the past decade.

"The regulation is underway. But a lot of the products right now aren't following that regulation," Richters lamented.

The City of Windsor's prop toilet at Earth Day festivities at Malden Park on April 21, 2024. (Dalson Chen/CBC)

Asked if there's a performative aspect to Earth Day — considering that it's single day of awareness about problems much bigger than any individual — Richters agreed. "There's probably some accuracy in that."

"But, right now, if you come here and learn what's going on, that can help you change your activities for every day for the rest of the year — for the rest of your life," she said.

"It's our opportunity to connect with our community and actually bring forward a message."

Solid waste authority highlights 'green bin' plans

Some exhibitors pointed out that positive, large-scale changes are in the works.

Cat Griffin, community relations coordinator for the Essex Windsor Solid Waste Authority (EWSWA), is optimistic about plans for the region's first "green bin" program.

Once implemented, the county-wide program will allow for curbside pick-up of organic materials in order to reduce food waste.

"About 30 to 40 per cent of what's in a regular household garbage bag is food waste," Griffin said. "We want to get that out of the garbage, out of the landfill — because we can turn it into a resource."

Cat Griffin, community relations coordinator for the Essex Windsor Solid Waste Authority. (Dalson Chen/CBC)

Among the uses for the collected organic material is conversion to nutrient-rich fertilizer that can be used to enhance agriculture. "We can take the food waste to feed the crops," Griffin explained.

Earth.org considers food waste to be the third biggest environmental problem the world is facing today — just below global warming due to fossil fuels and "poor governance."

EWSWA hopes to launch its green bin program in Windsor, Lakeshore, Essex, LaSalle, and Tecumseh in the fall of 2025, with Amherstburg, Leamington, and Kingsville to follow in 2027.

"It's a big job," Griffin admitted. "There's some ground work that still needs to be laid. But many, many households will be receiving a green bin for free."

"I would just like the public to understand what they're generating."

Attendees of the Earth Day celebration at Windsor's Malden Park on April 21, 2024. (Dalson Chen?CBC)

Community invited to volunteer for 'Trash Mob' day on April 27

The Earth Day event also offered information about granular actions one can take. Windsor of Change, for example, promoted a volunteer park-cleaning event taking place next Saturday, April 27.

Starting at Gateway Park in Windsor's west end, the "Trash Mob" event invites citizens to join in picking up pieces of garbage in municipal parks.

"Especially after winter, you see a lot of plastic, you see a lot of trash," Bandaru said. "I feel like it's a good opportunity to actually see the outcome of our consumption."

"We'll provide gloves, we'll provide trash bags... Bring your friends and families."

People enjoying Windsor's Malden Park on April 21, 2024. (Dalson Chen/CBC)