US & World News

Americans Go Green For Earth Day

(CBS) Today is Earth Day, and a variety of events are taking place around the nation to mark concern for our shared planet.

President Bush will be among the dignitaries planting a tree today. He'll do so in New Orleans. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will also be planting a tree on the Capitol Grounds in Washington, D.C.

In Los Angeles, some 40 grocery stores are giving away reusable shopping bags, according to the California Grocers Association.

Approximately 50,000 bags are expected to be given away. They are made of recycled water, soda and food containers and carry the message "Great Taste & Zero Waste."

CBS station KCBS-TV reported that, according to environmentalists, the majority of paper and plastic grocery bags are thrown away and take up room in landfills or can harm wildlife. Opponents say reusable grocery bags are impractical.

Two Florida theme parks are introducing "green" supplies in some restaurants and lounges to mark Earth Week.

SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay are converting some of their food service containers and tableware supplies to versions made from organic and biodegradable materials.

Hundreds of people got an early start on Earth Day celebrations on St. Paul's Harriet Island, the Associated Press reported. On Sunday, they gathered for the second annual Wishes for the Sky. Celebrants flew kites and rang wind chimes to highlight global warming and clean air.

Ace hardware stores announced last week they would accept used fluorescent lights (CFL) at any Ace Hardware Store in Colorado. Ace Hardware stores are offering the program at select stores across the country.

The spiral shaped bulbs contain mercury and are not supposed to go in the trash. They operate on 75 percent less energy and last approximately 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, according to Xcel Energy, which is co-sponsoring the new program along with the Colorado Department of Health and Development.

Meanwhile, several pieces of environmental legislation are being considered or have already passed in California. On the eve of Earth Day, the California State Senate passed a bill protecting trees. The case was brought to the senate's attention by a man who said his neighbor's trees were blocking light needed for his solar panels. CBS station KPIX-TV reported that the senate voted to amend a 1978 law that protects a person's right to sunlight.

Meanwhile, regulators in San Francisco are proposing a measure that would charge fees to businesses based on how much carbon dioxide they release. The Bay Area Quality Management District would like to charge 4.2 cents for every metric ton of carbon dioxide emitted, CBS station KPIX-TV reported.


EARTH DAY AROUND AMERICA AND YOU

Whether you're looking to reduce your carbon footprint or simply save some money on energy costs, Earth Day is a perfect reminder for all of us to try an make a difference. Throughout the country, our CBS and CW stations have produced information to help make you more aware of what's going on during Earth Day this year and how you can help pitch in to make the Earth a better place.

Atlanta: WUPA-TV offers a list of local Earth Day events as well as ways you can help take care of the Earth. See WUPA-TV Atlanta: Free 2 Be Green

Baltimore: WJZ-TV offers an Environment Watch section with articles on global warming and environmental spring cleaning. See WJZ-TV Baltimore: Environment Watch

Denver: KCNC-TV's Project Green looks at how Coloradans are living in environmentally friendly ways. See KCNC-TV Denver: Project Green

Detroit: WWJ-TV has tips on eating organic and making your education green by using digital textbooks. See WKBD-TV Detroit: Project Green

Los Angeles: Jackie Johnson invites viewers to "Go Green" as she offers tips on how to protect the environment. See: KCBS-TV/KCAL-TV Los Angeles: Go Green With Jackie Johnson

Miami: WFOR-TV offers information on saving on gas and water, as well as other green initiatives. See WFOR-TV Miami: Green Florida

Minneapolis/St. Paul WCCO-TV has information on green-friendly light bulbs, recycling and other ways to be eco-smart. See WCCO-TV Minneapolis: Project Energy

New York: WCBS-TV tells you how to go green with your car, cleaning, coffee and tea, home electronics, furniture, gifts, heating, lighting, love life, meals, pet, recycling, transportation and more. See WCBS-TV New York: Going Green

Norfolk, Va.: WGNT-TV in Norfolk has information on how you can help on Earth Day as well as articles on minimizing greenhouse gases. See WGNT-TV Norforlk: Free 2 Be Green

Philadelphia: KYW-TV's Green Scene offers "green" info ranging from natural pet products to fashion. See KYW-TV Philadelphia: Green Scene

Pittsburgh: WPCW-TV's Free 2 Be Green section offers tips on being "Eco-Chic" in addition to offering a schedule of events during Earth Day 2008. See WPCW-TV Pittsburgh: Free 2 Be Green

Sacramento, Calif.: Ever want to know your carbon footprint? Use KOVR/KMAX's carbon-footprint calculator to see how you measure up. See KOVR-TV/KMAX-TV Sacramento: The Green Scene and The Green Right Now Blog

San Francisco: From recycling to climate-change strategy, KPIX-TV has got it covered for you. See KPIX-TV San Francisco: Environment & The Green Beat and KBCW-TV's CWbayarea.com Go Green.

Seattle: You're not alone in "going green." It seems that Barbie is getting in on the action too. Be sure to check her and other going-green articles out at KSTW-TV's Project Green

Tampa Bay: CW44 in Tampa Bay offers campaign to promote a green lifestyle by reducing everyone's environmental footprints. Here you will find tips, links and other information to get you started on the path to being "Free 2 B Green." See KSTW-TV Seattle: Free 2 B Green

(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)