“The choice of your commitments”

On the 19 th of April, the Alliance of Climate and Environmental Stewards (ACES) hosted an Earth Day celebration on Market Landing Square that was both fun and informative for its many participants. And, because people are always asking, “What can I do personally to help the environment?” at one of the ACES tables there was a “Commitment Banner” on display. The banner allowed visitors to select personal actions they would be willing to take in the coming year to better serve our environment and improve our communities’ sustainability. ACES is proud to share some of the collective results of that “Commitment Banner” activity selection process.

The commitment banner was a twelve-foot-long, tabletop paper scroll with multiple (15) environmentally friendly activities that participants could commit to doing. Voting was achieved using brightly colored stickers to indicate which of the 15 different actions they would pledge to take toward sustainability. Their responses and verbal comments were inspiring.

Three action commitments stood out as clear community favorites. They were:

• BUY MY FOOD LOCALLY – a leading pledge that underscores a dedication to supporting local agriculture and reducing the carbon footprint of food transportation. Comments from participants included, “I’m considering joining a local farm CSA” and “I’m trying to do it more by learning to cook whatever is in season”
• REDUCE MY PLASTIC USE – reflecting strong awareness around the global plastics crisis and a desire to make cleaner choices. While the voting was going on, there were many comments being made along the lines of “They (i.e. state, local governments, and schools) should ban, raise the bottle deposit fee, or otherwise regulate single use plastic water bottles.”
• COMPOST MY FOOD WASTE – showing momentum around reducing landfill contributions and creating healthier soils through composting. A few of the participants noted in conversation their use of Black Earth curbside pickup in their community or their own backyard efforts. And a few folks noted they participate in the 6-month-old Newburyport Community/Senior Center’s food scrap drop off program that provides free compostable scrap bags to return with table scraps that are delivered to a compost facility and leave with a fresh bag for next time.

“These top choices show that our community is energized about taking real, tangible steps toward sustainability,” said Ben Iacono, one of the ACES event co-chairs. “It’s a reminder that change starts with individual choices—and our neighbors are ready.” 

One commitment that received notably fewer votes was “Convert my lawn to a Sustainable Garden”, which received significantly fewer votes than the average selection. That response was a confirmation that as a well-tended, traditional suburban community, people in Newburyport see their yards in a certain light that includes a wide green lawn. While a key for the future, the awareness of the value of sustainable gardens and pollinator friendly plants is embryonic. So, while interest may be growing slowly, ACES sees this as an opportunity for future education and outreach in hopes of encouraging a more natural landscaping style to rise in popularity.

“We know that yard transformation can feel like a big step. But with the right tools and support, this can be one of the most impactful and beautiful changes we can make in our neighborhoods,” Mr. Iacono stated.

Lon is a director on the board of ACES and oversaw this activity at the celebration.

ACES thanks all who participated and encourages everyone to carry their Earth Day commitments forward throughout the year to honor the axiom “Make Every Day Earth Day.”

ACES believes we can make a BIG difference together. Team members invite you to stay updated on environmental matters by subscribing to our monthly newsletter via the “Join Our List” link on this page. Please consider joining our community of stewards who are committed to Make Every Day Earth Day by contacting acesnewburyport@gmail.com.

This educational column first appeared in The Daily News of Newburyport on April 9, 2025.

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