The 34th annual Earth Day falls this year on Thursday, April 22, but in most communities it will be celebrated on the weekend of April 24-25.

Although some progress has been made in cleaning up America's air and water SINCE THE FIRST EARTH DAY, the bush administration is moving aggressively to undermine these gains. Meanwhile, long-term, worldwide threats such as global warming and species extinction continue unabated - in fact, at an ever-accelerating pace.

While a majority of Americans remains concerned about the environment, polls show that the percentage of the population that considers it a major issue has declined significantly since September 11, 2001.

Earth Day is a chance to remind ourselves and our communities that even in a time of war, we must continue the fight to save our environment -- and stand up against an administration that would sacrifice it in the short-term interests of its corporate cronies.