Earth Day event in Lancaster aims to give people hope in the face of climate change

Rachel McDevitt

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I report on energy and the environment for StateImpact Pennsylvania at WITF.

My work focuses on responses and solutions to climate change in the state legislature and communities around the state. I trace my interest in these issues back to my time as a Girl Scout and this episode of Rocko’s Modern Life.

I look forward to winter just for the chance to ski a few times each season. I try to keep myself from doom-scrolling on my phone by keeping my hands busy knitting and learning to play the piano.

I grew up in Cambria County, Pa. and graduated from Temple University. I started at WITF just after Christmas in 2014.

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Patrick Whittaker of Solar States installs solar panels on the roof of a home in Bryn Mawr.

April 19, 2023 | 5:00 AM

A new Earth Day event in Lancaster County aims to inspire people to take climate action in their own lives.

The Lancaster County Climate Summit on April 22 is bringing together dozens of presenters from area universities, businesses, farms, government groups, and faith communities to give practical advice for caring for the environment.

Topics include the basics of climate change, home energy solutions, electric vehicles, creating pollinator gardens, and protecting water sources.

David Bushnell, chair of the summit planning team, said polls by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication show a majority of people are concerned about climate change, but he said many don’t know what to do. He wants the summit to help people embrace hope for the future.

“Hope is only going to come through visible actions and through people seeing that, ok–this really does make a difference,” Bushnell said.

Pennsylvania, with its large energy sector, is one of the top polluters in the country in terms of planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. The commonwealth is expected to see more severe storms and flooding as a result of climate disruption.

Scientists say emissions must be cut drastically by the end of the decade for the best chance of avoiding catastrophic levels of warming.

The free summit starts at 9 a.m. April 22 at the Ware Center in Lancaster. Events run throughout the day at seven places around the city.

Children can get an event passport and collect stamps at each of the locations. A full book of stamps will get the child a free pass to the Lancaster Science Factory.