• Earth Day Founder Calls for Higher Fuel Economy Standards
  
• Conservation Groups Counter Bush Administration Messages
  
• California Hosts Dozens of Earth Day Events
  
• Toyota Prius Auction Benefits Earth Day Network
  
• WWF: Simple Steps Can Make a Big Difference
  
• Positive Enviro-Trends Emerge from Free Market Study
  
• WILD Awards Honor Companies with Green Values
  

Earth Day Founder Calls for Higher Fuel Economy Standards

Last month, the U.S. Senate forfeited a key opportunity to improve air quality and lessen the nation's dependence on foreign oil by defeating an amendment to raise corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards, Nelson said.

Charging that the amendment was defeated through misinformation spread by auto industry lobbyists, Nelson said the facts regarding the importance of updating the nation's fuel efficiency standards must be aired in televised congressional hearings.

The defeated amendment sought to update the nation's 27 year old CAFE standards, requiring automakers to use improved technology to produce vehicles that achieve better gas mileage. Instead, senators voted 62-38 in favor of a watered down amendment that leaves it up to the Department of Transportation to develop new standards, a move that environmentalists say will bring about little improvement.

The former U.S. senator, who was the first to introduce legislation for national fuel efficiency standards more than 30 years ago, criticized the Senate and President George W. Bush for failing to show leadership on the issue. Nelson noted that, rather than work to decrease America's dependence on foreign oil by lobbying for vehicles that get better gas mileage, Bush has pushed to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to oil drilling as a means of increasing the nation's oil supply.

"They can achieve the CAFE standards in less time than they can get oil out of the Arctic Refuge, and improving fuel economy, even modestly, would save more oil than is likely to be pumped out of the refuge," said Nelson, who is now counselor to The Wilderness Society. "They're dreaming. They ought to quit ruining wilderness areas and other public lands all over the country when they have a solution here. You don't have to tear up the Earth."

Nelson also proposed that Bush institute an annual presidential State of the Environment address, and hold congressional hearings on a series of major environmental issues - starting with CAFE standards.

Conservation Groups Counter Bush Administration Messages

Singer and activist Bonnie Raitt will join the leaders of some of the nation's top environmental groups at a press conference Monday to call on the Bush administration to halt what they call its systematic campaign to undermine environmental regulations.

The groups, which include the Natural Resources Defense Council, Defenders of Wildlife, U.S. Public Interest Research Group, Friends of the Earth, National Environmental Trust, Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund, Physicians for Social Responsibility, The Wilderness Society, and the League of Conservation Voters, will release an updated report titled, "Rewriting the Rules: The Bush Administration's Unseen Assault on the Environment."

A coalition of these national environmental groups has undertaken an intensive month long public education campaign around Earth Day to alert the public about efforts by the Bush administration to weaken environmental protections. The coalition has sponsored a series of print ads and a television ad campaign that will air in nine major markets across the country.

The ad campaign argues that "the Bush administration is allowing big corporations to weaken our nation's environmental laws, so they can put more pollution in our air, put more poison in our water, cut down our national forests, damage our public lands, and make taxpayers, rather than polluters, foot the bill for cleaning up toxic wastes."

The Sierra Club plans rallies at every Bush administration Earth Day event to offer the conservation community's perspective on Bush's environmental proposals. Critics say the president's proposals will do little to protect America's clean air and public health and almost nothing to curb global warming.

President George W. Bush will be at Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington, New York to tout his proposals for voluntary emissions reductions and pollution trading schemes. Vice President Richard Cheney and Interior Secretary Gale Norton will travel to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to promote the administration's national energy policy.

"The Administration's Earth Day events amount to little more than smoke and mirrors," said Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club. "Instead of pushing for more oil drilling and pollution trading schemes, Americans need the President to reduce our dependence on polluting energy through greater fuel economy, energy efficiency, and renewable energy sources."

For a list of some of the issues that conservation groups are concerned about, visit: http://www.wilderness.org/earthday2002/

California Hosts Dozens of Earth Day Events

California is planning more than 40 Earth Day projects in 36 state parks and 20 counties from Saturday, April 20 through Monday, April 22.

Activities include beach and creek clean up and restoration, tree planting and trail improvement.

"Earth Day offers an opportunity to bring together neighbors and neighborhoods in the spirit of goodwill and service," said Governor Gray Davis. "These celebrations in our state parks and beaches allow all Californians to personally be involved in Earth Day 2002."

Thousands of volunteers will participate in special events and cleanup projects, including the installation of recycling containers. A list of all the parks projects is available at: http://resources.ca.gov/earthday2002.html

In San Diego, site of one of the world's largest Earth Day celebrations, the 13th annual EarthFair will offer more than 250 environmental exhibits, showcasing environmental organizations, businesses, services and products. There will be six stages of entertainment, Health and Technology Pavilions, and a children's area filled with hands on activities. More information about the fair is available at: http://www.earthdayweb.org

The Los Angeles region's air quality agency is helping to commemorate Earth Day by sponsoring several events across the region this weekend.

"Earth Day originally was conceived as a way to focus public attention on the need to clean up our environment," said Barry Wallerstein, executive officer of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD). "AQMD is sponsoring Earth Day events to help the public understand that air pollution levels have been dramatically reduced, but that we still have more work to do to achieve healthful air quality."

AQMD is sponsoring the Whole Earth Festival in Van Nuys, the 16th Annual Environmental Expo at California State University in San Bernardino, Earth Day at the Los Angeles Zoo and a number of other events. More information is available at: http://www.aqmd.gov/news1/Earth_Day2002.htm

In San Francisco, a convoy of trucks, buses, streetsweepers and more ­ all powered by low emission fuels ­ will gather with Mayor Willie Brown to promote alternative fuels.

Toyota Prius Auction Benefits Earth Day Network

"Toyota's generous donation underscores its growing commitment to creating affordable alternatives to gasoline fueled vehicles and supporting reduction of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming," said Kathleen Rogers, president of Earth Day Network. "The auction will provide a valuable source of funds to support our global grassroots organization."

Named the Official Car of Earth Day Network, the Toyota Prius is the world's first mass produced gasoline electric hybrid sedan. With its gasoline fueled internal combustion engine and an electric motor, the Toyota Prius is certified as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV), making the Prius almost 75 percent cleaner than the standard for Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEV).

"It's with great conviction that we team with Earth Day Network in support of environmental stewardship," said Steve Sturm, vice president of marketing, Toyota Motor Sales - USA, Inc. "Earth Day Network's passion strengthens Toyota's resolve to develop alternate fuel vehicles."

Visitors to eBay can bid on the celebrity supported Toyota Prius from April 17-27 by visiting: http://www.ebaymotors.com. The Prius features a special plaque autographed by Leonardo DiCaprio, Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, Peter Max and Kim Williams.

The Earth Day Network and Toyota will also partner for an Earth Day celebration on Monday at New York City's Grand Central Terminal where a Toyota Prius will be on display.

WWF: Simple Steps Can Make a Big Difference

Protect endangered species by avoiding souvenirs made from endangered plants or animals

Protect forests by using recycled wood for small repair projects, buying wood products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), purchasing recycled paper products and promoting paper recycling, and avoiding the use of chlorine bleached paper.

Protect oceans by consuming fish from sustainable sources and avoiding at risk species like Chilean sea bass, swordfish, wild caught Atlantic salmon and sharks.

Reduce global warming emissions by replacing standard light bulbs with energy efficient flourescents, choosing energy saving windows, installing low flow showerheads, and whenever possible, using mass transit or other alternative transportation modes.

Reduce toxic chemical use by buying organic fruits and vegetables, cotton clothing and other goods, using biodegradable cleaners, avoid products containing bleach or phosphates, and reducing or eliminating pesticide uses.

Donate time or money to your favorite environmental group, and urge your government officials and business leaders to support clean energy policies and environmentally sound practices.

More information is available at: http://www.worldwildlife.org/earthday/

Positive Enviro-Trends Emerge from Free Market Study

Founded in 1979, PRI promotes individual freedom and personal responsibility. "We believe these principles are the cornerstones of a civil society and are best achieved through a free market economy, limited government, and private initiative," the group said in a statement.

The PRI study uses government data to examine long term air and water quality trends, toxic chemicals and land use, as well as biodiversity issues.

Authors Steven Hayward and Julie Majeres say economic growth is good for the environment and environmental quality has been improving since the first Earth Day 32 years ago, and they call news stories about environmental problems "scare-mongering."

“Environmental scare-mongering harms environmental policy because it detracts from constructive, science-based policy,” said the authors. “With all of the information that’s available online, citizens don’t have to take anyone’s word for it, they can check it out for themselves.”

Top Three Positive Environmental Trends on PRI's List:

1. Air quality is improving and is going to continue to improve. Since 1970, aggregate emissions of the six “criteria” pollutants regulated under the Clean Air Acts have declined 29 percent, at the same time that the U.S. economy grew 150 percent, auto travel increased by 143 percent, and total U.S. energy consumption increased 45 percent.

2. The United States is not running out of energy. The inflation adjusted price of gasoline, even with the turmoil in the Middle East pushing up oil prices, is near an all time low. Other energy supplies such as coal and natural gas, remain abundant.

3. Humans are not facing increasing risks from toxic chemicals. The total amount of toxic chemicals used in the U.S. economy is declining. New studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that human exposure to toxic heavy metals is far below the thresholds for health risk. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxic Releases Inventory, toxic releases have declined 48.5 percent since 1988.

On Earth Day, April 22, the Institute will launch a new environmental section on its website with local data for all 50 states and a guide to online environmental resources at: http://www.pacificresearch.org/press/index.html.

WILD Awards Honor Companies with Green Values

Whole Foods Market, and five other companies, will be honored by UNEP, The WILD Foundation and the host sponsor Animal Planet for launching advertising campaigns and promotions featuring wild nature while supporting wilderness and wildlife. The companies will be honored at the Third Annual WILD Awards event on Earth Day, April 22, at the Millennium Hotel UN Plaza in New York City.

Other recipients of the WILD award include Patagonia (Lifetime Achievement Award); Delverde and agency Roncaglia & Wijkander (International Excellence); Weyerhaeuser Company and agency Dailey & Associates (National Excellence); Larry Kopald (Joseph R. Daly Award for Excellence in Communication for Nature); and businessman Robert B. Haas (Special Recognition in Business, Personal Commitment, and Nature Conservation).

"It is a tremendous honor to receive a WILD award for acting on our mission and what we truly believe in, which is seeking out and promoting sustainable products," said Margaret Wittenberg, vice president for governmental and public affairs for Whole Foods Market 130 stores. "As a retailer passionate about sustainability, we were proud to partner with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) to launch the educational awareness campaign nationwide about overfishing and how individual consumers can help to make a difference. This award encourages us to continue educating consumers to make informed environmental choices when purchasing seafood."

Whole Foods Market's "Fish for Our Future" campaign was a month long celebration of Wild Alaska Salmon, the first North American species to be certified as a sustainable species by the MSC. An educational in-store and media relations awareness campaign was launched to educate consumers on how to make a difference to save fish populations with their buying power.

It also helped to send a clear message to the fishing industry that those fisheries practicing sound management will be rewarded in the marketplace. A portion of the sales during the month of several Whole Foods Market private label products was donated to the MSC.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the environmental conscience and voice of the UN. The WILD Foundation is a non-profit wilderness and wildlife education and advocacy organization and has worked worldwide for 28 years to provide environmental education, advocacy, and social programs to help sustain irreplaceable values of wild nature.

Founded by Sali Randel and Maggie Bryant in 1999, The WILD Awards: Advertising with Integrity for Nature, rewards companies and their advertising agencies for giving back to the wild nature featured in their advertising and promotions.