Community Environmental Council honors local heroes

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) The Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival honored environmental heroes.

Unite to Light President Megan Birney Rudert told the crowd how the nonprofit brings affordable solar power and light to the international community.

She took the stage during windy weather and talked about the lives that have been changed due to the simple gift of solar lights and power.

Former environmental hero recipient Rep. Salud Carbajal helped honor Assemblymember Gregg Hart.

The Community Environmental Council credits Hart with leading California's way when it comes to protecting blue whales and blue skies.

Both recipients hope to encourage people to find ways to help the planet and the community.

"Everybody has the power to make a difference and when we make small changes here, or we help someone across the globe, we can unlock human potential and we can protect our planet," said Birney Rudert.

"We are all doing this together, we love living on the Central Coast," said Hart, "We know how precious our ocean and our climate is and we want to make sure this stays one of the best places on the planet and my work is just part of that effort."

A #setlife zero emission battery power trailer powered the main stage.

The audience included some former environmental heroes and their friends and families.

For more information visit https://www.sbearthday.org