EARTH DAY 2023 INVESTING IN OUR PLANET

by Sandra Yeyati

This year’s Earth Day theme—Invest in Our Planet—reminds us that it is not enough to merely celebrate our ancestral home for one day. We are called upon to dedicate our time, money and talents year-round to ensure a sustaining and just world for generations to come. The motto also calls attention to the economic realities and opportunities of the climate crisis. It is no wonder that EarthDay. org, the global organizer of this annual event, decided to keep the same theme as last year, thus underscoring a continuing need to bring global economies together in harmony with the environment.

“In 2023, we must come together again in partnership for the planet. Businesses, governments and civil society are equally responsible for taking action against the climate crisis and lighting the spark to accelerate change towards a green, prosperous and equitable future. We must join together in our fight for the green revolution, and for the health of future generations. The time is now to invest in our planet,” advises EarthDay.org President Kathleen Rogers.

Surmounting the climate crisis is within reach if we all take action. The time is right for innovators to bring planet-saving ideas to market, and for consumers to stop supporting brands that are socially and environmentally irresponsible—instead, spending money with businesses that take the Earth’s future seriously.

In the voting booth, citizens have the power to elect leaders that will help build a green economy through regulations, incentives and partnerships with the private sector. We can press our congressional representatives to support clean energy jobs and move away from the doomed fossil fuel economy.

There are many ways to make a difference in our daily lives, too. We can eat sustainable foods, pick up trash while on a run, participate in beach cleanups, reduce our use of plastic, write our representative, switch to solar power, take reusable bags to the grocery store, drive an electric vehicle, compost, go pesticide-free, plant a pollinator garden, support local farmers, eat less meat, purchase secondhand clothing, use environmentally friendly cleaning products, turn off lights when not in use, take shorter showers and so much more. Learn about all of the ways to make a difference at EarthDay.org.

This year, join one of the empowering events here in North Texas and meet planet-loving people that are ready to push up their sleeves, vote with their pocketbooks and dedicate their time to a healthy, equitable and prosperous future on Earth.

SATURDAY, APRIL 1

Earth Day Festival – 10 a.m. Join River Legacy Nature Center as we celebrate Earth Day with guided nature walks, story times, crafts, activities, demonstrations and more. River Legacy Nature Center, 703 NW Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington. Arlington.org

SATURDAY, APRIL 15

Woods and Wetlands Trail Run –7:30-10 a.m. Help us celebrate Earth Week, support LLELA’s habitat and wildlife restorations in our annual 4.5mile trail race Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, 201 E Jones St, Lewisville. Register: llela.org

Earth Fest + Community Clean Up – 9-11 a.m, cleanup; 10 a.m.-2 p.m., fest. Local vendors, food, storytelling, crafts, live performances, kids’ activities, free trees for Cedar Hill residents and more. Free. Alan E. Sims Recreation Center, 310 E Parkerville Rd, Cedar Hill. CedarHillTX.com.

Earth Day Celebration – 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Perfect place to spend time with your family learning about the wonders of our environment and participating in fun crafts. Giving away free trees while supplies last. Kirby Creek Nature Center, 3303 Corn Valley Rd, Grand Prairie. gptx.org

SUNDAY, APRIL 16

Oak Cliff Park Earth Day – 12-5 p.m. Features a diverse line-up of entertainment, environmental education booths and green vendors along with food and fun for the kids. Lake Cliff Park, 300 E Colorado Blvd, Dallas. OakCliffEarth Day.com.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19

Earthx2022 – Apr 19-23. Expo, conference, festival. The largest green gathering on the planet held around Earth Day in April to celebrate progress, impact and innovation. It creates a fun and engaging atmosphere for thought, exploration and experiential learning. Fair Park, Dallas. EarthX.org

THURSDAY, APRIL 20

Earth Fair – 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Feature informational booths and interactive activities from student organizations, campus departments and community partners. Learn about alternative energy options, organic gardening, habitat restoration, local food production, waste reduction and more. UT Dallas, Student Union Mall, 800 W Campbell

Rd, Richardson. Sustainability. UTDallas.edu

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

Earth Day Recycling – 9-10 a.m. Celebrate Earth Day with Republic Services as we learn recycling tips and practice good recycling habits, including interactive activities. Carrollton Public Library, Josey Ranch Lake, 1700 Keller Springs Rd, Carrollton. Registration required: CityOfCarrollton.com

Texoma Earth Day Festival – 9 a.m.-4 p.m. A community-wide, free, fun, family event where ordinary people learn practical things to improve the health of the planet, their children and themselves. Free admission. Sherman Municipal Grounds, 405 N Rusk, Sherman. EarthDayTexoma.org

Take Flight on Earth Day – 10 a.m. Spend the beautiful day outside with us as we make and fly our own kites. Lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets welcome. $5/person. Bob Cooke Park, 2025 Craig Hanking Dr, Arlington. NaturallyFun.org

Earth Day Market – Apr 22-23. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. This Earth Day, visit the garden for locally made, Earth-friendly or sustainable goods. The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, 8525 Garland Rd, Dallas. Dallas Arboretum.org.

ColorPalooza – 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Visitors show off their artistic abilities, watch skilled artists create one-of-a kind sculptures and paintings, and learn how to better care for the Earth and make their homes more environmentally friendly. Free admission. Some activities carry a nominal charge.

Old Town Lewisville. Lewisville

ColorPalooza.com

EarthFest – 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit environmental education booths to learn how you can lead a more sustainable lifestyle and explore Coppell Nature Park. Biodiversity Education Center at Coppell Nature Park, 367 Freeport Pkwy, Coppell. CoppellTX.gov

Earth Day 2023: Kendra Scott and Keep Southlake Beautiful – 1-3 p.m. 20% of purchases made during 1-3 p.m. on Earth Day will go back to Keep Southlake Beautiful to support our various tree programs. Kendra Scott, Southlake Town Square, 324 Grand Ave E, Southlake. ExperienceSouth lakeTexas.com.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26

University of North Texas EarthFest – 4-6 p.m. Includes live entertainment, local vendors and student organizations, food and educational activities. EarthFest aims to be a lowwaste event featuring recycling and composting. Library Mall (Union 314 & 333 if rain). StudentAffairs.unt.edu/ earthfest.

SATURDAY, APRIL 29

2023 Spring Trash-Off and Recycling Drop-Off – 8:30-11 a.m., Trashoff; 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Recycle drop-off; 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Festival. Items accepted include: paper for shredding, clothes/housewares, electronics, pens/pencils/ markers, plastic bags and film, eyeglasses, metal hangars, medicine disposal. Flower Mound High School Parking Lot, 3411 Peters Colony Rd, Flower Mound. kfmb.org

Earth Day Mansfield Festival – 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Features a wide range of Earth-friendly activities including educational opportunities, butterfly release, children’s activities, music and entertainment, food vendors, natural product vendors and a painted rain barrel silent auction. Free. Chris W. Burkett Service Center, 620 S Wisteria St, Mansfield. MansfieldTexas.gov

Bluebonnet Festival

TheEnnis Bluebonnet Trails Festival will be held from April 14 to 16, celebrating 71 years as the home of the official Texas Bluebonnet Trail, designated in 1997 and Bluebonnet was designated the Official Bluebonnet City of Texas. From April 1 through 30, Ennis showcases more than 40 miles of mapped driving trails sponsored by the Ennis Garden Club.

In Ennis, bluebonnets, the state flower of Texas, typically peak around the third week of April, but may can vary due to weather conditions and terrain, so please check ahead. The Ennis Welcome Center will be open seven days a week in April (closed Easter Sunday).

On April 14, the festival opens with arts and crafts vendors, tasty food and kids’ activities on the streets of downtown Ennis from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wine Wander and Wildflower Walks at Kachina Prairie. Justin Ross & Deadwood Revival perform at 5:30 p.m. King George goes on at 7:30 p.m., followed by fireworks.

Admission is $5 for adults, children 12 and under are free. Check ahead for more information, call 972-878-4748 or BluebonnetFestival.org.

De-Stress With Sauerkraut

A new study published in Molecular Psychiatry has shown that eating more fermented foods and fiber daily for just four weeks significantly lowered perceived stress levels. Forty-five participants with relatively low-fiber diets were split into two groups.

One group met with a dietitian that recommended a psychobiotic diet, which included six to eight daily servings of fruits and vegetables high in prebiotic fibers, such as onions, leeks, cabbage, apples, bananas and oats; five to eight daily servings of grains; three to four servings of legumes per week; and two to three daily servings of fermented foods like sauerkraut, kefir and kombucha. The control group received only general dietary advice based on the healthy eating food pyramid.

The group following the psychobiotic diet reported feeling less stressed compared with those in the control group. Moreover, significant changes in the level of certain key chemicals produced by gut microbes were found in these participants. Some of these chemicals have been linked to improved mental health, which could explain why the participants reported feeling less stressed. The quality of sleep improved in both groups, but those on the psychobiotic diet reported greater sleep improvements.

Screening Children for Anxiety

After a systematic review of 39 studies to evaluate the benefits and harms of screening for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents aged 8 to 18, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), a group of disease prevention and medical experts assembled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, now recommends that primary care physicians perform such screenings, even if there are no signs or symptoms of anxiety.

A common mental health condition in the U.S., anxiety disorder involves excessive fear or worry that manifests as emotional and physical symptoms. In children and adolescents, it is associated with impaired functioning, educational underachievement and an increased likelihood of a future anxiety disorder or depression. The 2018-2019 National Survey of Children’s Health found that 7.8 percent of children and adolescents aged 3 to 17 had a current anxiety disorder.

USPSTF recommended using screening questionnaires to identify children at risk, noting that studies show that children with anxiety benefit from treatments that may include cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy. They also concluded that there is insufficient evidence to assess children 7 years old or younger.

Exercise for the Brain

Researchers in the UK compared the effect that different types of daily movement had on overall cognition, memory and executive function. Their study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, reported that replacing sitting, sleeping or gentle movement with less than 10 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity (brisk walking, bicycling, running up and down stairs, aerobic dancing, jogging, running or swimming) can protect the brain and improve working memory and executive processes like planning and organization. The intensity of the exercise matters, and study participants that engaged in light physical activity, rather than more vigorous activity, saw declines in cognitive performance. However, light activity is still more beneficial than sitting, the scientists found.

The data for these findings was taken from the 1970 British Cohort Study, an ongoing survey that tracks the health of a group of UK-born adults. The group of nearly 4,500 participants consented, at age 46, to wear an activity tracker and complete verbal memory and executive functioning tests, and they were followed from 2016 to 2018.