Sparkflight Studios

Image Credit: NASA. Taken from Emergence Magazine : Ten Love Letters to the Earth by Thich Nhất Hanh. In honor of Earth Day this week, we would like to share with you our passion for creating healthy, equitable, and community-centered design. In our practice areas (Multifamily, Commercial, Interiors, and Public Art) we approach every project with this care and sensitivity. This stems from one of our core beliefs that a healthy, sustainable world is possible. As design professionals, it is our job to ensure that the spaces we live, work, and play support our health. Organizations like the  Healthy Building Network  are raising their voice and partnering with communities to advocate for a built environment in which all people are free of chemicals that harm us. To make spaces where we breathe easy, think clearly, and feel more creative requires research and community buy-in. According to the HBN, of roughly 85,000 chemicals available in the market, few are adequately tested fo...

A country’s overshoot day is the date on which Earth Overshoot Day would fall if all of humanity consumed like the people in this country.  Humans use as much ecological resources as if we lived on 1.6 Earths. The Ecological Footprint is the only metric that compares the resource demand of individuals, governments, and businesses against Earth's capacity for biological regeneration. Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. In 2020, Earth Overshoot Day lands on August 22. We maintain this deficit by liquidating stocks of ecological resources and accumulating waste, primarily carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Earth Overshoot Day is hosted and calculated by Global Footprint Network, an international research organization that provides decision-makers with a menu of tools to help the human economy operate within Earth’s ecological limits. More information may be found...

Vote Earth! Earth Day reminds us every year: hope lives in you and me. It is the place where we first see things as they are, loving the world as it is. It is in this truth-telling that we offer our good intentions for the earth and all our neighbors. It is there we discover joy in the struggle to create good. Sparkflight Studios is finding opportunities in this unique time. We are driving and polluting much less, celebrating time with family, and activating our senses in the rich outdoors. On this 50th anniversary, Earth Day has a digital presence, or “Digital Acts of Green.” Follow this link to “Vote Earth” and find your voice of hope for a better tomorrow. Vote Earth Volunteer Create Your Own Act of Green Make every day Earth Day with daily action !

Often to mark Earth Day, we list some local events that contribute to the "greening" of our valley and list sustainable actions that we can all take.  Scroll down for that content... This year the post is direr. Or, more hopeful depending on your disposition.  Small actions are wonderful, but not enough.  Mega steps are required if we want our next generations to be able to harvest food from the oceans,  live in our coastal cities, and enjoy the diversity of fauna and flora that we do now.  There is no Planet B. Today we see increasing extreme weather events and overwhelming scientific evidence of an anthropogenic-accelerated climate change. As designers and occupants of this amazing planet, we must take responsibility for our role in the acceleration.  Other than designing for " resilience ," what can be done to reverse global warming and related impacts?  Get informed.  Take action. Here is the evidence that it is happening: Glob...

EV Charging Stations at Clark County Government Center Just before Earth Day this year it was gratifying to see all six charging stations at the Clark County Government Center Photovoltaic Shade Structure project in use.   Smart coupes , a Leaf, and a BMW were all benefitting from the solar array. It got me thinking about what could be done in our corner of the world to celebrate earth day.  Is it driving more efficient or electric vehicles to reduce carbon fuel reliance? Pitching in at a local clean-up event to improve habitat conditions?  Or auditing your waste reduction plan ? In honor of Google announcing that they'll reach 100% reliance on renewable energy this year, here's their Google Doodle. 2017 Google Earth Day Doodle More doodle history here...

Death Valley wildflowers How will you celebrate Earth Day? See this 1-minute video prepared by Green Building Research Institute ( GBRI ) with 10 ways to get out and do something... In our own backyard, Project GREEN is hosting a clean up in the Pittman Wash at 9:00AM Saturday, April 23.  This is a hidden gem of a trail with lots of wildlife habitat...get the details here. Or, sign a petition to re-activate the rooftop solar industry here in Nevada with Bring Back Solar .

Take a tour around the world to see how other global citizens are celebrating Earth Day 2015, then consider how you can--or comment here to share. Many are getting outside, and away from our desks, to reconnect with mother earth.  International experiences include hiking the Great Wall in China and picking up trash, bicycling in Peru, and planting trees, protecting the Asian elephant in India , or contributing to green-focused campaigns.  Read more here . Here in the states, you may know a child who's participating in Climate Education Week , with K-12 learning activities meeting Common Core standards.  For all ages, the "A Billion Acts of Green Campaign" is still going strong...approaching 2 Billion, and you can find inspiration on their website . In our own backyard, Project GREEN is hosting a clean up in the Pittman Wash at 9:00AM Saturday, April 25.  It promises to be a beautiful morning.  If you're lucky, you'll get to spot a roadrunner or cottontai...

It's Earth Day today!  There were many local events to enjoy over the weekend.  Take a moment to catch up on global events at the Earth Day Network website .  Add your own " Act of Green ," or take local action by supporting Green Chips , or cleaning up your own neighborhood.  Project Green is one hands-on local organization that welcomes volunteers to improve our green and waterways.  Green Chips helms a broader effort to "build community through collaborative partnerships for a more sustainable future." See some more Earth Day inspirations from past years here... Celebrate the day!

Our contribution for the 2013 Earth Day - Face of Climate Change mosaic.  See more images at the Earth Day Network website. This spring is the 43rd anniversary of Earth Day.  We're excited to participate in many ways.  For an astonishing glimpse of how our whole world is spreading the word about Earth Day, explore Earth Day Network's The Face of Climate Change campaign. You can also add your own image to the mosaic.   Our pledge every day is to cost-efficiently integrate green into our work for you, and review sustainable practices in our own office.   Quick Links: Earth Day Network EPA Pick5 Pick 5 is the U.S. government's official web portal to add up environmental action taken by individuals worldwide. The photo above is the outcome of a quick office brainstorming session.  We discussed the impact that we see in our local world from climate change and what actions we're taking. Impacts: more heat-longer summers, shorter wi...

M ake a positive impact with Earth Day Network's A Billion Acts of Green campaign, by committing to action lasting well beyond Earth Day. Our pledge? To cost-effectively integrate green into our work for you, and review sustainable practices in our own office. At the same time attention is focused globally, take a look at our own amazing back yard...enjoy a hike in the Valley of Fire, check out a local CSA like Meadow Valley , or simply enjoy the weather at an Earth Day Festival. Local Events: GreenFest Mixer (Apr 14) & Festival (Apr 16) LV Green Chamber of Commerce (April 21) Project Green - Pittman Wash Trail Building (April 23) International A Billion Acts of Green: Share your green action.

Happy 40th Anniversary of Earth Day!  Every April 22 since 1970, Earth Day creates awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment.    Facts & Tips Earth Day Network Earth Day Rap with DJ Biz Markie About.com Local Events GreenFest at GVR, Sat 24 10am-5pm Green Solutions Expo at South Point, Sat 24 10am-7pm & Sun 25 10am-6pm Earth Fair 2010 by Wal-Mart 10am-1pm, three locations Search for more at Earth Day Network Take Action Global Local: 1Sky Rally Thurs 22 2pm, Green Jackson Avenue Block Party Thurs 22 11am-6pm

Yes, gardening can be even greener.  Maintaining a garden is a sustainable idea by itself:  Grow what you eat; travel a few steps to pick out dinner; connect with the food cycle.  Whether container gardening on a patio, or a raised bed in the backyard, growing your own food sustainably is achievable. A few trends from MyGardenGuide.com for a more sustainable garden follow: Lifecycle and Environmental Impact - How much energy was consumed in a plant or product's transportation and if any recycled materials were used?   How much water was used in the production of a product?  What kinds of chemicals are used and how do they affect the soil, air and water? Water-wise Landscapes - Use drought-tolerant plants, and install drip irrigation systems instead of using conventional watering techniques.  Visit Springs Preserve for ideas. Plants for Wellness - Garden for the betterment of mental health, nutrition or fitness.   Mixing it Up - M...

America Recycles Day was celebrated this weekend.  Even if you missed your local events, take a moment to refresh your recycling know-how with ARD's tips and more:  Get a service : sign up for Republic Services curbside pickup, or use Rebel Recyling as an alternative. Use in-home sorters : reusable containers make separating your paper, plastic, glass & metals easier on a daily basis. Use grocery drops: take batteries & plastic bags * to a drop-box at your local grocery ( Fresh & Easy , WholeFoods ). Recycle computers & peripherals:   Blind Center of Nevada serves the Las Vegas Valley. Find recycling locations: Earth 911 has a zip code search for drop boxes or specialty recycling. * Reusable is a better alternative to plastic.  Bring your own, or buy an affordable option in your grocery line. Mark your calendar for November 15 of next year!

Enjoy our beautiful world today. Take one day this week to contact your congressperson about an earth issue dear to you. Here's one tip from Architecture 2030: TODAY'S THE DAY! Call Congress Today to Call for a Moratorium on Coal 1) Click here for the names of your congresspersons 2) Call them at 202.224.3121 3) Ask for an immediate Moratorium on Coal