With energy needs in the United States growing almost daily, but few new sources of energy being found, the easiest solution is fairly straightforward: ramp up production of the sources we have.

APRIL 21 & 22 “Earth Day at Samford.” Samford University, 800 Lakeshore Drive, Homewood. Activities include films, convocations and the “Renewing the Earth” fair featuring student and faculty exhibits related to the environment. For the schedule, visit www.samford.edu/earthday/schedule.html.

EARTH DAY: Join us for a quick look around the country and around the world as we catalog some of the interesting things going on during Earth Week 2011 and beyond.

LEGISLATIVE GREEN UPDATE: We welcome Adam Snyder of Conservation Alabama for his biweekly update of the status of eco-related bills under consideration in the Alabama legislature.

MAN, THIS IS TRIPPY: Replanting ancient forests to save the planet may sound like a Rainbow Family wet dream, but that’s what the nonprofit Archangel Ancient Tree Archive is attempting, according to Associated Press environmental writer John Flesher.

LEGISLATIVE GREEN UPDATE: Once again we welcome Adam Snyder of Conservation Alabama for a biweekly update regarding the status of ecorelated bills under consideration in the current session of the Alabama legislature.

Just a few short years ago, General Motors was in big trouble. Their dogged refusal to adequately address the needs of the American consumer had made them non-competitive with foreign car manufacturers. Then the great recession hit and the government bailout rescued GM.

IT GETS WORSE: First Japan endured a massive earthquake, then a tsunami, then a crisis with the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant that is unresolved at press time.

Green is on everybody’s lips these days, whether it’s because they are environmentally conscious or they’ve been drinking too much green beer. Now, thanks to Clover Crawl: Green Home & Garden Expo 2011, made possible by the Green Resource Center for Alabama, you too can get in on the green action.

LEGISLATIVE ECO-UPDATE: Green Briefs welcomes Adam Snyder, executive director of Conservation Alabama, for a series of biweekly updates regarding the status of eco-related bills in the Alabama legislature.