The Red, White, and Green

Photo via Flickr: Jurvetson

Earth Day may have reached an all-time publicity high this year, but the public’s outlook on the state of the planet is still pretty grim: According to a CBS News poll, roughly one in two Americans thinks the environment will be in worse shape for the next generation. (Interesting note: That’s roughly the same split between Americans who believe in global warming and those who don’t.)

I’m no Pollyanna. I do think the world is going to be a remarkably different place to live even a few decades from now, and not for the better. But before I go all Debbie Downer on you — especially since you already may be feeling a bit of the post-Earth Day blues — I thought it would be helpful to highlight some encouraging environmental progress that you may not be aware of:

Buh-bye, BPA. With five states restricting toxic chemical bisphenol A and a federal ban currently under consideration, companies are starting to feel the heat: General Mills has announced it will remove BPA from the can linings of its Muir Glen tomato products, while Coca-Cola is facing a shareholder challenge on the issue.

Light bulbs that last. You’ve probably heard about Australia’s incandescent light bulb ban, but did you know that traditional bulbs are being phased out in the United States as well? The lighting market has already shifted in anticipation; compact fluorescents seem to be taking up most of the shelf space in my local Walgreens these days.

Energy Star stepping up. Earlier this week, the Environmental Protection Agency announced its new, more stringent guidelines for homes that earn the Energy Star label (and the accompanying tax credits): The new requirements will make homes at least 20 percent more efficient.

–Jennifer Grayson

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