Sustain Lane has some IDEAS FOR EARTH DAY - 2011

FROM: Sustain Lane

Back in the good old days of early 2008, interest in a healthy, sustainable planet had grown to such levels that some suggested doing away with Earth Day all together. Soon therafter, the economy went into a tailspin and -- many feared -- took "green" along with it. Fast forward to 2011: the economy is on the mend, jobs are coming back (slowly but surely), and Americans are starting to feel good about themselves again. But are these positive signs translating into a resurgence of interest in sustainability? SustainLaners take America's pulse in this special Earth Day Edition newsletter.

IN THIS ISSUE

What NOT to Do on Earth Day

The State of the American Green Movement

Earth Day: Then and Now

WHAT NOT TO DO ON EARTH DAY

You've probably already received hundreds of tips on what you should do to celebrate Earth Day - and by now they are most likely a big mish-mash in your brain. For a change of pace, take a look at Diane MacEachern's innovative list of ten things you SHOULDN'T do. After all, sometimes isn't it nice to just say no? Don't Do THIS on Earth Day! Have your own thoughts on what NOT to do on Earth Day? Let everyone know what you think onSustainLane.com!

THE STATE OF THE AMERICAN GREEN MOVEMENT

James E. writes about a new report by HSBC, with the horrific headline that they think we will be out of oil in 50 years: "If supplies were not constrained, the world would see a 110 percent jump in demand by 2050, equivalent to 190 million barrels a day..." read more. With a little help from the BBC, Beth S.highlights the first deepwater drill permits given out since the BP Gulf spill: "In a statement, a US official said Noble Energy had demonstrated it could safely drill a well 70 miles (113km) off the Louisiana coast. The well is situated 6,500ft (1,981m) under the Gulf of Mexico..." read more. Peggy E. believes that while the economy is getting itself back on track, the green economy still has a long way to go. She offers a great list of five resources for finding a green job for anyone still looking to make money in a way that is good for people, profit AND planet: "New jobs in renewable energy, green building, organic foods and environmental research are created as society becomes more aware of the importance of protecting the earth for future generations..." read more. A man may have coined "Earth Day," but women have played an outsized role in the environmental and sustainability movement here in America. To highlight the importance of their contributions, Women of Green, in conjunction with Kathleen Rogers, the President of Earth Day Network, have put together a list of several women fighting hard today to help stop climate change and advance the cause of sustainability. Have your own thoughts on the state of green as it exists today? Share them on SustainLane.com!

EARTH DAY: THEN AND NOW

Earth Day: History and Fun Facts Earth Day, celebrated April 22nd, is a day set aside to honor the Earth. Did you know Earth Day is now observed in 175 countries and is the largest secular modern day holiday in the world? Lessons from the Gulf As we celebrate Earth Day this year, it seems like the perfect time to reflect back on possibly the greatest environmental disaster in our nation's history. One year later, what have we really learned as a country from the BP Gulf Oil Spill? Are we any better off today than we were then? The Current Attack on the EPA The Environmental Protection Agency was born during a time when air pollution was highly visible across the country and Rachel Carson's Silent Spring topped bestseller lists. Right now, the EPA is being attacked, and its funding has been threatened by conservatives in Congress. Do we still need the EPA, or are conservatives right when they say that the EPA has already fulfilled its mission and is no longer necessary? Five Ways You Can Help Save Life on Earth Looking back into the past and taking stock of where we are now are both important, but as always, we need to look forward in order to make a difference. Read on to see five things we all can do in the next year to help make the earth a better place to live. What do you think about the stories in this edition? Let us know at SustainLane.com!

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