What is Earth Day?
Earth Day is the world’s largest environmental movement. Each year on April 22, this international celebration is designed to raise awareness about ecological issues and promote actions to protect the planet. It’s also a reminder that every day should be treated like its Earth Day.
This year marks 53 years since the first Earth Day. Dating back to 1970, the day has grown into the largest secular observance in the world, with millions of people participating in various
activities such as tree planting, recycling drives, clean-up campaigns and educational events.
In Issaquah Highlands, Earth Day is synonymous with “Keep Issaquah Beautiful Day.” The citywide clean up and beautification day encourages individuals, families and groups to help with trash pickup, vegetation maintenance, flower planting and other local action.
Learn how to get involved here.
Climate Change in Our Everyday Lives
Change is already here…It shows itself in the weather we experience, the air we breathe, the food we eat, the bills we pay and the way we live.
In Issaquah Highlands, we’ve seen more frequent heatwaves with record-breaking temperatures over the years. As one of the least air-conditioned regions in the United States, the Pacific Northwest records a significant spike in heat-related illnesses each summer.
In fact, Blakely Hall recently installed air conditioning to provide a safe, cool space for residents in the hot summer months. You can install air conditioners or heat pumps to your own home after submitting an application.
These extreme heat events have additional widespread impacts such as damage to roads, power outages and wildfires. Because Issaquah lies within the urban wildlife interface, our community is particularly vulnerable to wildfire risks associated with extreme heat and drought.
Just last summer, we could feel the smoke in our lungs on a simple walk to the mailbox. The once-clear view out west was obscured by a cloud of haze, wrapping itself around everything like a thick blanket.
By preparing for climate impacts now, we can avoid the considerable economic and public health risks associated with rising summer temperatures and prolonged heat events.
Take Action
You can help support sustainability in Issaquah Highlands by taking steps to reduce your own impact on our environment. Here are five ways to go green at home, with support from the City of Issaquah.
Join the Energy Smart Eastside heat pump campaign
Heat pumps are an energy efficient way to heat and cool your home at a lower cost than traditional heating systems. Energy Smart Eastside supports your switch to heat pumps by offering educational workshops and initiatives.
Due to additional grant funding, the City of Issaquah will make heat pumps more affordable for all community members. This will also allow for free heat pump installations in affordable and low-income housing.
Learn more, join a workshop or apply to the program here.
Utilize electric vehicle charging
It’s unrealistic to expect all residents to own electric vehicles (EV), especially with the inflated cost to purchase one. The city is currently working on plans to reduce one of the biggest barriers for acquisition of these cars—the lack of charging stations.
Issaquah will expand publicly available charging stations using city funding, in addition to potential grant funding and private partners, to grow the number of chargers available for community members and visitors.
This spring, the city plans to launch an interactive website with more information about its EV charging program. You can also provide input on where you would like to see charging in the future.
Take the Climate Vulnerability Assessment
The City of Issaquah is currently conducting a Climate Vulnerability Assessment to better understand and address specific threats from climate change in the Issaquah community. The assessment is designed for residents, businesses, people who work or go to school in Issaquah, and community organizations.
With these results, city staff and community partners are working to identify areas of our community at risk for climate impacts and develop actions and communication tools. Students from Gibson Ek High School recently held a workshop with youth at the Garage Teen Café, where they identified dozens of policies and actions for the city and community to take to make us more resilient to climate change.
Fill out the survey here.
Sign up for the Clean Buildings Incentive Program
Existing buildings account for our greatest greenhouse gas contributions. In early 2023, the city officially launched the Clean Buildings Incentive Program in partnership with MacDonald-Miller’s Facility Solutions (MMFS). The program will assist public and commercial buildings in improving energy efficiency, advancing renewables and decarbonizing.
Several buildings within the city have already signed up for the program including Issaquah School District, Rowley Properties, Timber Ridge, SEACON and Village Theatre.
Learn more and get started now.
Commit to the Issaquah Climate Action Challenge
More than 40% of U.S. climate emissions come from basic household activities. Last year, the Issaquah Climate Action Challenge was launched as a fun and easy way to reduce your
environmental impact.
The challenge provides a platform for community members to commit to taking different actions to reduce their impact, while also offering resources on available rebates and incentives. So far, over 115 households in Issaquah have already joined.
Join the challenge.
