Celebrate Earth Day in Ann Arbor With A2ZERO Programs
The City of Ann Arbor has identified seven strategies in its A2ZERO plan to achieve a just transition, community wide, to carbon neutrality by the year 2030. The city is sharing seven ways community members can enhance sustainability in their own lives and in Ann Arbor, starting on this Earth Day:
Pollinator Aware Yard Care: Pollinators are vital to native plants, ecosystems and food systems — and what we do in our yards can have a huge impact on pollinator populations. Find resources to guide you in your pollinator-aware journey at https://osi.a2gov.org/pollinators.
Schedule a consultation with the Home Energy Advisor: The A2ZERO Home Energy Advisor is a free program that provides residents of Ann Arbor clear, actionable, personalized pathways to decarbonize their homes. Learn more and schedule at a2zerohea.org.
Create an Emergency Preparedness Kit: Emergency kits are a customizable way to be more resilient by preparing for disruption events, such as natural disasters, extreme weather or loss of power. To learn more about how to build an emergency kit, visit: https://www.ready.gov/kit.
Join the Sustainable Energy Utility waitlist: The Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) will be an opt-in, supplemental, community-owned energy utility that provides 100% renewable energy from local solar and battery storage systems installed at participating homes and businesses in the city. Join the waitlist to learn more about the progress of the SEU as it develops at a2gov.org/a2seu.
Heat Pump Concierge: With the A2ZERO Heat Pump Concierge, users input home information to generate initial heat pump system design options in a process that takes approximately five minutes. This information aims to empower residents to choose the heat pump that’s right for them, including any and all necessary improvements that might be needed as part of transitioning from gas heat to heat pumps. The entire process is free for Ann Arbor residents and can be completed at osi.a2gov.org/heatpumpconcierge.
Participate in the Circular Economy: A circular economy is one where items and waste aren’t trashed after use but, instead, returned into circulation. There are many steps to take to reduce waste and contribute to Ann Arbor’s circular economy. Meal planning to avoid buying food that will go uneaten, using reusable containers and utensils, repairing items that are no longer in ideal condition, and buying from and donating to second-hand stores are just some of the ways to ensure that the materials you interact with stay out of a landfill.
Bike instead of drive: Now that spring has officially sprung, bike season has returned in full force. Thanks to Ann Arbor’s protected bike ways — lanes designed specifically for bikes, separated from car traffic by a median — biking is safer and easier. Want to see if a cargo bike is right for you? Learn about the Borrow a Cargo Bike program, hosted in collaboration with Urban Rider Cargo Bikes!
Residents are also encouraged to join the Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations at the Ann Arbor Earth Day Festival Sunday, April 27, 1–4:30 p.m. at the Leslie Science & Nature Center. To see more upcoming events, learn more about A2ZERO program and take action, visit a2gov.org/sustainability.
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Media Contact:
Dr. Missy Stults, Director of Sustainability and Innovations, City of Ann Arbor, mstults@a2gov.org