It is April 22, 2009 and today we celebrate the 39th Earth Day. We had hoped to launch CitNet's new interactive CitNet website today but there's still much to do before we put this online. So we will target June 5 to launch on World Environment Day.

As with past years, there have been various events, speeches, presentations, meetings, and other activities which began this past weekend. It is a time for a range of voices, of new and ongoing discussions and arguments. Some applaud the increasing embrace of environmentalism and the greening of America by companies and industries, pointing out that the transition of business is essential to the transition of society to sustainability.

The more critical observers note the necessary limits of green consumerism and eco-marketing, that without a strong commitment by government to raise the social and environmental bar for both companies and consumers, we will only slow the inevitable countdown to ecological, economic and social catastrophe. Thus all eyes are on the White House and Congress, as the first 100 days come to a close. Amid strong hopes for dramatic historical leaps forward, there is also the worry about politicians whose rhetoric exceed their record.

Many of us wanted to use this Earth Day to officially launch our Campaign for the National Sustainability Strategy, to move from a discussion among a community of sustainability activitists to the wider mainstream. However, the new administration is still just coming in and getting their bearings. Next year is a more appropriate time to take stock as to where our country and this administration is headed and how we are going to get there. In particularly, the question will be whether or not the US is moving towards or away from sustainability. A major question for all of us, particularly for those generations who will inherit what we leave them. 

For more information about Earth Day check out Earth Day Network,  one of the main organizers and coordinators.