My town celebrated Earth Day about a month late, because the committee was waiting for a good date to use one of the local schools. Better late than never, I say. There were displays from solar groups, feel-good literature from the utility companies, and a surprisingly strong showing from the fuel-cell people, including a display from Avalence (launched by one of the founders of E), makers of a user-friendly hydrogen filler. There were also things for kids to do, and a pack of eco-conscious costumed figures.

Scientists joined environmental groups last week in petitioning the U.S. government to add 225 plants and animals to the endangered species list.

According to noted Kenyan environmentalist Richard Leakey, mankind’s closest animal relatives, the great apes, are facing extinction and need urgent action in order to survive.

Last week, Vermont Independent Senator Jim Jeffords and Maryland Democratic Senator Paul Sarbanes introduced a long-awaited bill that would help clean up lead contamination in the nation’s drinking water. Meanwhile, a group of Democratic representatives introduced a companion bill in the House.

Environmentalists told the Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday that they intend to sue the agency for the way it responded to revisions of a state Everglades cleanup law.

It’s great when spokespeople for giant corporations point out basic environmental truths. In calling for patience in the efforts to build the hydrogen energy economy, Scott Foster, a <a href="http://www.gm.com">General Motors</a> spokesperson on advanced technology vehicles, points out that the 70 million cars on American roads could double to 140 million by 2025. These cars would also double the number of miles traveled.