In times like these, it is important to find things to celebrate. The online Earth Day Festival in Santa Barbara was a beautiful example of community adapting, overcoming and showing appreciation for the planet that gives us life.
The earth and its people have faced a lot of devastating destruction, but we cannot just give in or forget the people who continue to fight for the planet and our ability to live on it. As shown in your article, “Issues like the environment don’t take a hiatus: CEC to take 50th Earth Day Festival online,” the adapted festival showcased people who work hard for their cause and general love for the environment.
It is not practical to hold festivals with music and big name speakers every day, but it is devastating to think environmental issues are slipping away from the public’s priority.
In Santa Barbara, in particular, one environmental issue that hits close to home is oil drilling. I call on Gov. Newsom to strengthen his stance against oil and protect California’s land and people by banning oil drilling.
In scary times, we need to find reasons to celebrate. If the governor acts to protect our planet and our people’s health by banning oil drilling in California, we would be able to celebrate our planet not just once a year but daily.
AJ de Leon
Goleta
