It seems impossible, right? Thinking big picture when the little picture is trying to kill you every minute of every single day. War, crime, poverty, sexism, racism, children in cages, children separated from their families — it’s all running rampant thanks to the current 34-count felon in the White House and his cucked enablers. Opening our news feeds should not require protective gear. Alas, we are trapped in an endless cycle of terrible things that just can’t wait. Unlike the environment. Right?
We’ve waited long enough, and the time for climate action is now, always now. Doing what little we can in the time we have that’s not despoiled by another hateful, probably criminal executive decision is an act of bravery and resistance. It’s no time now to give up or give in. Teacher says every time a plastic bottle is recycled, that cretin’s cholesterol jumps a point. Of all the holidays and special seasons, I’m amazed we haven’t celebrated Earth Day before, but I’m glad we are now. Putting together this special issue allowed us to look both big and little picture. We think Mother Earth would be proud.
— Anthony Mariani, Editor-in-Chief
With 420, Earth Day, Arbor Day, and Audubon Day all within the span of a week, our Night & Day column kicks off this new special issue with ways you can get in on the action, including a Living Local from Sundance Square that tells all about this weekend’s big arts festival.
Then from cover to cover, our editorial team wrote about this special time and its impact across our usual sections. From the environmental impact of data centers in Metro, and the Texas legislature’s unnecessary war on cannabis in Feature, to our planet’s presence on the silver screen in Film, plus fun stuff like the killer soundtrack to a popular fracking doc in Music, and a new stoner movie about pizza in Screen and Eats. Welcome to our inaugural Earth Day 420 issue!
— Jennifer Bovee, Special Projects
What’s inside Earth Day 420? Glad you asked.
Feature // Flower Fallout
In seeking to further regulate smokable hemp, the state legislature may end up hurting vulnerable Texans while driving them to the black market. Read the full photo essay here.
Metro // Data Centers Take Over The Fort
Artificial intelligence is everywhere you look and has quickly become an unavoidable part of modern life. It powers search engines, drafts emails for us, and aids in everyday problem-solving. Behind digital convenience lies physical infrastructure, and now there are more than 400 data centers around the country. Read how a strong grassroots effort is underway to keep the environmentally dangerous campuses out by clicking here.
Eats & Drinks // Food on Film: Pizza Movie
Just in time for 420, a new movie streaming on Disney+ and Hulu about two super-high college students who must navigate two flights of stairs to retrieve their pizza delivery, turning a simple task into a surreal adventure, puts some takeout on our to-do list. Read all about it here.
Screen // Rollin’
Our film critic takes a look at how film has explored nature and environmental themes—from early cinema innovations to modern eco-conscious storytelling, disaster films, and other, uh, groundbreaking movies in honor of Earth Day. Read the full article here.
Music // A Fine Point
New York-based film director Oren Jacoby combines the energy of this track with eye-popping cinematography to grab the attention of theatergoers at the beginning of This Is Not A Drill, which has been touring film festivals since late 2025. Read more about a soundtrack that adds emotional intensity to a film about environmental activists here.
Night & Day // Earthbound Endeavors
With Earth and its unique harvests of ongoing interest to our readership, we’ve featured timely coverage of it in our calendar over the years. The same is true today. There are many upcoming events for 420, Earth Day, Arbor Day, and Audubon Day. Read all about it here.
Last Call // THC Drinks are Still on the Table
Legalities aside, looking for hemp products in Texas can be confusing if you’re new to cannabis and unsure where to find them. While some products look similar, they may result in very different experiences. You can find many types of hemp products throughout the state. Read about what to look for here in Living Local.
Living Local Metro // Fort Worth Art Fair
Fort Worth Art Fair (FWAF) returns to Sundance Square Plaza Thu-Sun, Apr 16-19, bringing together over 100 local and Texas artists, a curation of 26 local bands, orchestras, and DJs, and thousands of visitors, for a four-day celebration of the creative makers who shape Fort Worth’s cultural landscape. Read more about it here.
Classifieds // Earth Day is Special. Tax Day is Not
There’s nothing different about April 15, because (spoiler alert) every day is a tax day. Read one writer’s opinion on this matter in an op-ed here.
The End
Did you miss your chance to pick up Zest 2026 in the stands? No worries. We’ve got you covered. To see this annual issue in a flipbook, cover-to-cover format, click here.
