Earth Day 2009, April 22, will mark the beginning of the Green Generation Campaign! This two-year initiative will culminate with the 40th anniversary of Earth Day in 2010. With negotiations for a new global climate agreement coming up in December, Earth Day 2009 must be a day of action and civic participation, to defend the Green Generation’s core principles: Family with windmills: Renewable energy for future generations. Founded by the organizers of the first April 22 Earth Day in 1970, Earth Day Network promotes environmental citizenship and year round progressive action worldwide. Earth Day Network is a driving force steering environmental awareness around the world. Through Earth Day Network, activists connect change in local, national, and global policies. Earth Day Network’s international network reaches over 17,000 organizations in 174 countries, while the domestic program engages 5,000 groups and over 25,000 educators coordinating millions of community development and environmental protection activities throughout the year. Earth Day is the only event celebrated simultaneously around the globe by people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities. More than a half billion people participate in Earth Day Network campaigns every year.  

For those of you getting out on Earth Day, with a shovel, a garbage bag or just a pair of gloves and your two hands, you are in for a treat. The Green Apple Network has announced free concerts in 10 cities with famous music acts and their "friends." Find one near you, or just find out how you can get involved hugging and planting trees this Earth Day. The Green Apple Festival, in partnership with the Earth Day Network is encouraging people to take time out on Earth Day, April 22, 2009 to volunteer to do something for the planet & their community and get back out into nature. You have to sign up online to participate in the actions and then you will be able to attend the concerts, held in cities across the US April 17-19, 2009. The cities included are: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington DC.

Here is a look at the lineup:

Atlanta, GA: Galactic, Victoria George, and Friends

Austin, TX: Travis Tritt and Friends

Boston, MA: Soulive and Friends

Chicago, IL: Cracker and Friends

Denver, CO: Ian Neville's Dumpstaphunk and Friends

Los Angeles, CA: Cary Brothers and Friends

New York City, NY: Deep Banana Blackout featuring Fred Wesley and Friends

San Francisco, CA: BassNectar and Friends

Seattle, WA: The Blue Scholars and Friends

Washington, DC: (The Big Final Show on the National Mall) artists to be announced soon for the big show