Once again, we're proud and honored to be the official print media sponsor of the City of Savannah's annual Earth Day celebration.

Within the pages of this week's print issue you'll find a special insert detailing what you can expect at this yearly celebration in Forsyth Park, from entertainment to vendors to yoga to recycling.

It's amazing to look back on how quickly the "green" imperative has gone widescale, not only nationally but locally. Being concerned with the environment is no longer considered a fringe political statement - or a mere "personal virtue," in the words of former Vice President Dick Cheney - but just plain common sense.

The City of Savannah has had single-stream, curbside recycling for several months, and Chatham County is under pressure to follow. What was once quirky, even somewhat threatening to some people, is now routine.

Green businesses, like Whitemarsh's Thrive carry-out cafe, spotlighted in this issue, are cropping up all over town. Business owners as well as customers are realizing the real dollar value in conservation vs. egregious consumption.

While it must be said that much of our green growth locally is related to the influx of transplants from other parts of the country - both in terms of opening businesses and more importantly in terms of patronizing them - I don't think we should underestimate the impact of the recession on the quick spread of conservationist thinking.

Indeed, the real "green" imperative - saving money - seems to be a main driver of green thinking of the more environmental kind.

The real challenge is just ahead of us, as indicators continue to display a likelihood that the economy is improving. On the heels of recovery will likely come our innate American tendency to overconsume with little regard for tomorrow.

Will the newfound green ethos resist an economic resurgence? Or will rising gas prices continue to act as an annoying yet possibly fortunate governor on economic overheating, overdevelopment and overexpansion?

We have some additional Earth Day-themed editorial content. Patrick Rodgers contributes a piece on the underreported nexus of environmentalism and social justice at the "Greening the Southeast Summit," also happening this Saturday.

There's also Patrick's look at how green-friendly funding from the much-maligned stimulus package will help Savannah and Chatham County.

And Bill DeYoung weighs in with a piece about not only who the entertainers are at this year's Earth Day, but a look into their own opinions on the importance of the celebration.

While our cover image this week is not directly related to the Earth Day celebration - Bill's story highlights a photography show at the Indigo Arts Center - we thought the natural theme fit in quite nicely.

Just another reminder that online voting is open all this month for our annual ‘Best of Savannah' Readers Poll.
As usual, we're asking that readers fill out at least 25 categories for their ballot to be counted (obviously many more categories will be welcome!).

Voting ends midnight April 30, and the big ‘Best of Savannah' special issue hits stands a few weeks later on May 19.

Go to connectsavannah.com and make your voice heard!