Did you bring your travel mug? Earth Day notables around the globe

It's Earth Day. The town of Turner Valley, Alberta is the first in Canada to ban petroleum-based polystyrene. That's right, no more styrofoam coffee cups! Ontario is expected to announce a province-wide ban on cosmetic pesticide use to replace municipal bylaws. The Walt Disney Co. is launching a new film label called Disneynature aimed at making wildlife and environmental movies for theatres starting with the 2009 release of Earth. The Chinese government has announced a nationwide ban on stores' distribution of free ultra-thin plastic bags as of June 1, 2008. And actor Chevy Chase is calling for people to call the U.S. Congress to prompt action on climate change. Here's hoping DIY greeners brought their travel mugs to work.

Earth Day is celebrated by almost 1 billion people at concerts, rallies and neighbourhood cleanups in 174 countries, according to Earth Day Network, a group founded by the organizers of the first celebration in 1970. We've marked it here at the Post with a special Avenue:

Green scenes: The pastoral is the political as celebrities make portraits for Earth Day

And a section titled Green Report:

Companies embrace climate of compliance 

Green building for the future

Greener career choices: Generation Y's awareness of global environmental issues 

Trading with a difference: countdown to launch for carbon market 

For DIYers looking for inspiration, the Post's Vanessa Farquharson transformed herself into a hardcore eco-nerd, making one change to her lifestyle every day that would better the environment. The idea was that, after 366 days, she might not feel as guilty when she watched An Inconvenient Truth. Check out her blog, Green as a thistle.

The Post's series, The Deniers, talks about scientists who buck the conventional wisdom on climate science. Stir that eco-pot!

Source:National Post News