Pittsburgh Earth Day pivots to online for 2020 Events
Halfway to Earth Day Celebration October 22nd
PITTSBURGH, PA (October 16, 2020) – Since 2015, Pittsburgh Earth Day has worked in collaboration with the mayor’s office and Earth Day Global Network to produce, curate and celebrate sustainability initiatives from local businesses and key-stakeholders in Pittsburgh.
Through signature events, such as the Sustainable Business Breakfast, The Ecolution eco-Fashion Show and Events in Market Square, Pittsburgh Earth Day has aimed to supply engaging and educational programming that showcase how important the topic of sustainability is to the city as well as the global impact.
Originally scheduled for the week of April 20-24, 2020, Pittsburgh Earth Day, like many others, has needed to pivot because of COVID-19 and safety restrictions. Pittsburgh Earth Day has now released a lineup of virtual event offerings scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 22 and branded as Halfway to Earth Day Events in conjunction with the Earth Day Global Network’s Halfway to Earth Day themed events.
“We are so grateful to the sponsors who have continued to support us — especially given the transition to a new platform, “said Ronda Zegarelli, founder of Pittsburgh Earth Day. “We want to educate and inform in an engaging way so that actionable changes can be made on a daily basis and that we can establish the branding that Earth Day is Every Day. The venue may have changed to digital, but the commitment and the mission remains the same. How do we as a city change default behavior and make small changes in our life that encourage a greater impact.”
In addition to virtual events, Pittsburgh Earth Day produces a weekly e-newsletter entitled The Green Voice. The Green Voice provides stories of sustainability, advice on how to live greener, information on events and festivals happening in the community and serves as a testament that people want to learn how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Notable Contributing Editors include Natalie Bencivenga, Eco-Fashion, Doug Oster, Gardening, Mia Bencivenga, Home & Lifestyle, Amanda Waltz, Eco-Travel, Reese Randall, Eco Business & Lifestyle and Editor, Meghan Rodgers bring you the latest updates on sustainability and green living news, tips and shout outs to local, regional and global businesses.
- The Green Voice Special Edition featuring interviews and links to all of the video content.
2020 Digital Event Lineup
Ecolution Fashion Show: Ecolution Eco-Fashion Show Rewind:
Hosted by Natalie Bencivenga with special guests: Richard Parsakian, curator and fashion icon; and Emilio Cornacchione, co-owner of Izzazu Salon, Spa and Blowout Bar & Izzazu Haircare. This talented trio will discuss all things eco-fashion and also chat with local designers and eco-experts. You will have a chance to catch a glimpse of past fashion shows with special “Meet the Artist” video chats.
Ecolution Talent Includes:
Bradford Mumpower
Pearleann Porter
Vanessa German
Jessica Beck
Nisha Blackwell
Staycee Pearl
Kari Kramer
Brian David
Sustainable Biz Breakfast: A virtual and sustainable panel discussion launched at 9AM hosted by Grant Ervin, Chief Resilience Officer for the City of Pittsburgh and moderated by Bill Flanagan, Chief Corporate Relations Officer of the Allegheny Conference Community Development.
Panel topics include:
1. We’re celebrating Earth Day just days before a Presidential Election, when you think about the economic impact of climate change versus the cost of doing something about climate change, which concerns you more?
2. Please share one example from your organization where taking sustainability and the environment seriously has saved you money, made you more efficient or otherwise benefited your bottom line.
3. It doesn’t seem to matter whether an organization is seeking to deal with sustainability or racial justice, CEOs are often on board; the barriers often seem to reside within middle management. As a leader within your organization, how do you break through? What strategies or tactics can make a difference?
4. In the midst of a pandemic, a recession and waves of social protest, it may be tempting to set the environment and climate aside for the time being and focus on these pressing immediate issues. Why might that be a mistake?
5. Clearly your organization is doing what it can to walk the walk when it comes to the environment, so what’s your biggest success to date, where are you falling short, and how to do you plan address the issues.
Panelists Include:
CB Bhattacharya, Zoffer Chair of Sustainablility and Ethics from the University of Pittsburgh
Dan Donovan, Director of Corporate Communications at Giant Eagle
Samantha Hartzman, Associate Manager, Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability
from Duquesne Light Company
Scott Lammie, Chief Financial Officer, UPMC Health Plan & Senior Vice President, UPMC Insurance Services Division
Rebecca Lucore, Head of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility from Covestro, North America
- The Dirt Podcast: The Debut Launch of The Dirt Podcast hosted by Grant Ervin, Chief Resilience Officer, City of Pittsburgh with special guest Steve Malnight, CEO of Duquesne Light.
- Duquesne Light’s EV Driver Voices: An electric car showcase from the driver’s perspective.
- The Pittsburgh Earth Day Pop-Up at Market Square Farmers Market, presented by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, will feature sustainable vendors and live music.
- The virtual version of these events can be accessed via Pittsburgh Earth Day’s social media channels. Links Below or for more information, visit PittsburghEarthDay.org. “Like” Pittsburgh Earth Day on Facebook and follow @PghEarthDay on Twitter & Instagram and @PittsburghEarthDay on Pinterest. Join the conversation online with #PghEarthDay.
ABOUT PITTSBURGH EARTH DAY:
Pittsburgh Earth Day 2020: Are You In? is a citywide celebration of advancements made in sustainability, technology and innovation where people live, work and play, taking place in October 2020. With exciting activities held in venues throughout the city of Pittsburgh. Honoring the transformation from Pittsburgh’s Steel City past to a thriving home for green innovation, LEED certified development, farm-to-table initiatives and environmentally friendly events, Pittsburgh Earth Day honors the collaboration of businesses, community organizations and green purveyors who are changing the landscape of our region. Since 2015, Pittsburgh Earth Day has been produced by Acrobatique Creative; Pittsburgh Earth Day was established as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Pittsburgh Earth Day events are made possible with generous support from: Duquesne Light Company, UPMC Health Plan, Pitt Ohio, Carmeuse, Covestro, Port Authority, Giant Eagle, Alcosan, The Heinz Endowments, Dollar Bank, Great Lakes Brewing Co., Commonwealth Charter Academy, BNY Mellon, Entercom Pittsburgh, Table Magazine, Pittsburgh Magazine, Natural Awakenings, Next Pittsburgh, Allegheny Conference, Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, PDP, Carnegie Science Center, The Church Studio, Studio L., Docherty Agency, CDC, Eons Fashion Antique, Salon & Spa, University of Pittsburgh Center for Sustainability
