We’ve rounded the corner and she’s in sight … as Earth Day turns 41 this Friday, celebrations, news and special events abound … here’s a quick look at some highlights from around the ecosphere:

For starters – do you know who started Earth Day? Check out it out … via You Tube, Organic Bouquet posts a well-produced and informative, short video on the origins of Earth Day.

(above) DisneyNature’s African Cats leaps into theaters all over the country on Earth Day – real-life stories of lions, cheetahs and cubs.

• Whole Foods serves up a traveling film fest: 6 films in 70 cities. For feature film info and theater locations, visit Do Something Reel. Tickets can be bought online and range from $7.50-$10. For free, you can also watch highly acclaimed, DigIt online on Earth Day. (more…)

Environmentalists and audiophiles rejoice, the Tau Speakers by Andrej Cverha of Hangar Design is a perfect marriage of sculpture, sound and sustainability.

The speakers are created from recycled cardboard and paper, and the Seussian shapes are designed to provide the maximum sound quality in a minimalist package. The result is an organic shape that can pump out the jams in an attractive, sustainable fashion. As a musician, I’m getting that far away look in my eyes just thinkin’ about owning a pair of these puppies…though they’re not for yet sale.

via: yanko design

Earth Day is Friday, April 22 – we’re featuring a green tip of the day from April 1-22.

Tip #18: In your daily endeavors to create less waste, if you’re still receiving junk mail, take a few minutes to curb the amount of unwanted mail either you or member of your family (ie: mom & dad) may receive. Even though some of that material may be printed on recycled paper, efforts to deal with that stuff still results in a lot of wasted time and energy as well as transportation resources just to haul that stuff to and from your home or office.

• Curb it at the source by signing up for a free service such as Catalog Choice. They’ll help you stop the unending flow of unwanted catalogs, coupons, credit offers, phone books, fliers and other unsolicited material – which will result in saving electricity, trees, water and other valuable resources. You can also opt to sign up for their premium service for a fee or make a donation to help them operate efficiently. (more…)

This is guest post by Lloyd Burrell. He runs a website that offers detailed reviews of office desks; L-shaped desks, executive desks, computer desks, secretary desks and even green (recycled) desks.

Green Office Equipment — Myth or Reality?
It’s a reality, because we’ve all tried it. Certain office equipment is greener than other types, however, so we’ve got some advice to make your office so much greener that the office plant will be leaving you little thank you notes (on recycled paper of course). We’ll include everything we can think of for your office, including the supplies — so you can reduce/recycle/reuse and become the role model for your family, or the rest of your company, as well as perhaps the green hero or heroine of your neighborhood. (more…)

• Death Toll From Southern US Storms Climbs to 45 – cnn
• How ‘safe’ is ‘safe’? The Nuclear Industry’s Trillion Dollar Question – reuters
• As Congressional Republicans conspire to strip EPA regulatory power…EPA and Eco Groups at Odds in Climate Change Case – msnbc
• Biofuel source does double duty…Sugarcane Cools Climate: Study – sciencedaily
• Robot in Japanese Reactor Detects High Radiation – myway
• Can trying to do ‘good’ be ‘bad’…Richard Branson’s Lemur Plan Raises Conservationist Alarm – bbc

Earth Day is Friday, April 22 – we’re featuring a green tip of the day from April 1-22.

Tip #17: Turn off the computer, cell & tv … go outside and connect with the great outdoors.

Sit on the terrace – enjoy the birds & view or hike, bike, swim, sail, fish, golf or simply walk – grab a dose of fresh air and reconnect with nature. Whether it’s five minutes or five days, take a break from the routine – consider it heart and soul therapy.

There’s a great wide world out there, just open the door. Before we hit the beach, here are a couple of personal favorite “outdoor” organizations: National Audubon Society and Sierra Club.

If you happen to be in the vicinity of Palm Beach, don’t miss the town’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on the grounds of the Flagler Museum, from 5-11p with a parade, fireworks, film and spectacular light show scheduled to begin at around 8p … see you there:)

Related: where you can find more green tips of the day. Now get out there, seriously.

Yesterday’s trip to West Palm Beach’s waterfront Green Market included an added bonus – the Third Annual Sustainable Summit: Free live music, an eco fashion show, an Earth Day exhibit at the LEED-certified Lake Pavilion, and exhibitors around the commons showing & telling innovative ways to go green and save money.

We thought we’d pass along a few highlights

• Jim Jackson, environmentalist, journalist and producer/host at Radio Green Earth – check out his program on Saturdays 5-6p, 90.7FM or via podcast
• Garbage Gone Glam Designer Kristen Alyce reclaims paper and plastic bound for the trash and creates stunning one-of-a-kinds whether on or off the runway
• Nissan Leaf electric car
• Instant-Off water saver (2 styles, $5 & $10 available at Home Depot).

On the local front, you can contact

• SWA.org for waste management info, local recycling bins, etc
• the West Palm Beach Office of Sustainability for info about all things sustainable, as well as future events.

Tip #16: An important part of greening our world every day is making sure we conserve the blue – water. Do you know what your water footprint is?

Check out the Environmental Protection Agency’s free and easy to use water conservation calculator – compute your use and see how much you can save by using WaterSense products. Find recommendations on efficient shower-heads, bathroom faucets, toilets and more – as well as rebates offered in some cities. Visit epa.gov/waterSense.

All set in the water fixture department? Go a step further by getting a rain barrel to capture every drop; plant native plants in your garden and water your plants during the early morning or evening; and take shorter showers – the shower’s not the place for long meditations or self gratification:)

Related: more green tips of the day

The I-Green Concept Bike Charger is a device from established designer Fandi Meng that harnesses kinetic energy from the spinning wheels of a bike and uses that power to charge your phone, iPod, GPS, or any number of gadget, gizmos and electronics.

While it is still in the concept stage, I am excited by this emerging trend of Kinetic Energy Capture Devices. It’s pretty cool to think that your physical exertion can translate into a charge for your Blackberry.

via: besportier.com