Planet Earth’s biggest party in its honor is held every year in San Diego. Other cities are green with envy.
A rock concert-sized crowd of at least 60,000 drifted around Balboa Park to learn, share, celebrate, warn and remind, but mostly to have fun.
Reggae, rock and folk music were the soundtrack of the day as the spring breeze carried the fragrance of the mostly-vegetarian cuisine over the grassy rolling hills of the park hosting the largest environmental fair of its kind.
Southwestern College Professor of English Kathy Parish said she was encouraged that so many Americans are aware of the environmental issues and willing to speak for the Earth.
“Over the years it has evolved,” she said. “It’s gotten more and more to where large companies are there because people are more aware of environmental issues.”
High gas prices, large carbon footprints and chemicals in processed food are no longer a secret, Parish said, and younger Americans need to be involved in the effort to protect our finite natural resources.
“Some people think, ‘oh it’s just a bunch of hippies,’” said Parish. “And that’s not true at all. It’s very mainstream.”
SWC Environmental Club President Joanna Ortiz said she has researched ways for the college to go green and become more energy sufficient.
But she said her real hunt was to save the school money with energy-saving technology.
“I’m actually excited about looking at the engineering, probably solar panels,” she said. “I know the budget is really bad right now, but I think there’s ways we can implement solar panels (so) the school can save tons of money on energy.”
Earth Fair showcased about 400 exhibitors including animal protection, alternative healing, political interest groups and religious organizations.
Visitors had the opportunity to visit different wellness and chiropractic information tents. Companies offered free back pain diagnostics, discounted massage therapy and information on herbal healing. Cannabis Planet TV in conjunction with CalMed 420 offered discounted medicinal marijuana certificate evaluations by licensed physicians.
“What better place to get your medical marijuana card than at the Earth Fair?” said Bill Scher, a Cannabis Planet TV representative.
Denise Arneson, a volunteer at the San Diego recycling center AWARE, said the organization pays homeless to collect recyclables.
“It’s very low-budget, grassroots kind of company,” said Arneson.
Animal activists advocated for cruelty-free farming, prevention of animal extinction, habitation protection. San Diego Zoo Global and Greenpeace we represented as were the local activists La Jolla Friends Of The Seals, who provided information about protecting Casa Beach (aka, Children’s Beach) as a natural habitation for mother seals who come ashore to birth their pups. Some swimmers and divers continue to harass the seals and want them off the beach.
Earth Fair provided a variety of people with an array of lifestyles and backgrounds a place to peacefully mingle together and learn from one another.
“Partly it’s there to educate and for people to find products,” said Parish, “and partly to have fun.”
With her extensive energy and time being put into educating others regarding environmental issues, Earth Fair has become a lifestyle for Parish, one that she hopes to relay onto others.
