Sun Day in the Capital Region is part of a national mobilization at the time of the Fall Equinox by a large coalition of which Third Act is a founding partner.

Inspired by the transformative impact of the original Earth Day in 1970, Sun Day is a nationwide day-of-action to harness the power of people, culture, and advocacy to celebrate and accelerate the rapid build-out of renewable energy.

Sun Day will specifically spotlight how solar and wind are the most affordable, most reliable, and most expeditious sources of energy and that the main barrier to the clean energy transition is political, not technological.

The Sun Day festival in Albany will bring together activists, businesses, workers, homeowners, apartment renters, farmers, students, and policymakers to push back against fossil fuel industry disinformation and lobbying and demonstrate the existing overwhelming public support for the ongoing transition to solar and wind energy.

Through information tables, arts and music, storytelling, teach-ins, and fun activities for all ages, Sun Day events will demonstrate that renewable energy is an immediate, practical solution to current energy challenges that will bring down costs and improve reliability.

Not to be missed is the radiant Sun Day Wool tapestry that will be on display.

"For decades we've called this stuff 'alternative energy.' We want to drive home the point that that's not true anymore--this is the straightforward, common-sense, obvious way to power our future, the cheapest way to drive down electric prices, the easiest way to build a working America," said Bill McKibben, the driving force behind Sun Day and a pioneering voice in the climate movement. McKibben, co-founder of Third Act and 350.org and a leading environmental author, whose recent book “Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization” has been instrumental in bringing global attention to climate change and the potential of renewable energy.

The Albany event will feature an exposition hall with advocates and vendors, panel discussions, teach-ins, climate films, and climate-songfest.

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The Solar Panel – discussion on the successes of solar energy generation and storage throughout upstate New York: publicly-owned solar, rooftop solar, community solar, utility-scale solar

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The Electric Panel – discussion on the successes of electrification of buildings and transportation throughout upstate New York

Moving Beyond Plastics and What You Can Do About It – teach-in with Judith Enck of Beyond Plastics – 30 minutes

Solar 101 – teach-in with Noah Ginsburg of New York Solar Energy Industries Association – 30 minutes

Community Engagement in Solar Planning – teach-in with Tony DeFazio of Sustainable PR – 30 minutes

Ten Things Your Town Can Do to Shine With the Sun – teach-in with Melissa Everett of Sustainable Hudson Valley – 30 minutes

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Partner Organizations:

Third Act Upstate New York

New York Solar Energy Industries Association

Alliance for Clean Energy New York

Public Power NY

Coalition for Community Solar Access

Solar One

New York Geothermal Energy Organization

New Yorkers for Clean Power

Rewiring America

Capital Region Clean Energy Hub

Citizens Energy Corporation - JOE-4-SUN

Beyond Plastics

Citizen Action of New York

Food & Water Watch

New York Public Interest Research Group

Environmental Advocates of New York

NY Renews Coalition

New York State Council of Churches

New York State Public Health Association

The Climate Reality Project: Capital Region Chapter

Citizens' Climate Lobby: Greater Capital Region Chapter

New York Progressive Action Network

Sierra Club: Hudson Mohawk Group

People of Albany United for Safe Energy (350org)

Sheridan Hollow Alliance for Renewable Energy (SHARE)

RPI Sunrise Movement

Sustainable Hudson Valley

North Country Earth Action

Indivisible Mohawk Valley - Climate Crisis Group

Clean Air Coalition of Greater Ravena Coeymans

Capital Region Interfaith Creation Care Coalition

Rivers & Mountains GreenFaith

Green Sanctuary Team at Albany UU

Extinction Rebellion - Capital Region

Green Education & Legal Fund

Ithaca City School District Sustainability Advocates

Unite NY

Commercial Exhibitors:

Plug PV

Steiner Sports (EV bikes)

Sustainable Wealth Advisors

Sustainable PR