NYC launches Earth Day 2016 events in Union Square

Green is the theme as this year’s Earth Day celebration kicks-off in Union Square on Sunday with dozens of environmental organizations, green businesses, interactive exhibits, kids’ activities, and live performances.

The official Earth Day this year is April 22, but Sunday’s festivities will surely get New Yorkers in the green spirit.

“We typically keep the themes of the events as wide open as possible to represent the full spectrum of the environmental community,” said John Oppermann, executive director of the Earth Day Initiative.

“We want everyone to be able to find something that resonates with them at our events,” he said, adding that there will be a special section dedicated to the sharing economy, including ride share and bike share companies Lyft and Spinlister.

The Earth Day Initiative is a nonprofit that promotes environmental awareness and solutions through partnerships with schools, community organizations, businesses, and governments.

The organization also runs year-round programs such as organic indoor learning gardens, a clean energy collective and youth environmental advocacy programs in addition to annual Earth Day events.

According to the group’s website, Earth Day, first celebrated in 1970, has been a catalyst for ongoing education, action, and change. The group’s stated mission is to “carry the enthusiasm and spirit of Earth Day into the 21st Century to meet today’s environmental challenges.”