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City by Maureen McNamee Increased public awareness about environmental issues has resulted in a surge of interest in Earth Day events in Calgary this year. "The understanding has grown that there are issues to deal with – there are far fewer heads in the sand," says Natalie Odd, a spokesperson for the Earth Day planning committee. She adds that in the past the group has had to instigate many of the events and encourage people to participate in Earth Day events, but this year individuals and organizations have taken the initiative on their own. Odd gives some of the credit to David Suzuki, explaining that his visit to Calgary this week has also helped generate interest in Earth Day, celebrated Saturday, April 22 as part of a week dedicated to the environment – although Odd notes that it’s turning into a month. And, like the event Suzuki is hosting, she says the local committee is focusing on solutions to environmental issues rather than concentrating on the problems. One of the events that features these alternatives is the annual Environmental Expo on April 22 at Eau Claire Plaza, featuring presentations and displays on topics such as the Eastern Slopes Grizzly Bear Project, environmental housing, and combined heat and power systems, as well as family activities. "It gives a lot of different groups who persevere each year an opportunity to talk to each other and the public," Odd says. Other events this week include an information session on strawbale housing presented by Alberta Sustainable Home/Office, a Critical Mass bike ride through Calgary’s downtown, a special Calgary Zoo event, the Bow Chinook Barter Community’s annual barter carnival, the Earth Day for Mozambique flood relief effort, the Hard Rock Café "Save the Planet" concert, and the Canada Life Climb for Wilderness at the Calgary Tower.

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