MARIETTA - A black and white photograph in the Environmental Protection Agency's archives shows a man at a demonstration on the first Earth Day, April 22, 1970, holding a picture of the planet with "R.I.P. 1990" written above.

Fortunately, Earth has surpased his grim prediction, thanks in part to the efforts of former Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson, who gave 20 million Americans across the country a day to sound off on environmental concerns and "force this issue onto the national agenda," he said. And it worked, according to the EPA, which opened its doors on Dec. 2, 1970, after concerns intensified about air quality and waterway pollution.

Forty years later, Earth Day continues to be highly successful - now with more than 1 billion people participating in activities globally, making it the largest secular civic event in the world, according to Earth Day Network. A number of those events and environmental efforts will be conducted throughout Cobb today.

"The week preceding and the week of Earth Day is our busiest time of the year for environmental programs in the schools," said Gwen Baldwin, public programs coordinator for Keep Cobb Beautiful. "Today's youth realize the importance of reducing our waste stream, reusing materials when we can and recycling instead of trashing. I guess we need to work more with those 'older' kids."

Joan Ellars, director of Keep Marietta Beautiful, said, "This being the 40th annual, it's a time for people to reflect and ask, 'Have I been a good steward of the Earth?' Citizens need to be cogniscent of what they can do - things people don't think about, like recycling and how much energy that can save."

Another example of what local residents can now do to reduce pollution is taking a pedicab through Marietta instead of driving or taking a conventional taxi.

Today, in conjunction with Earth Day, the Historic Marietta Trolley Co. debuts its pedicab service.

They have two pedicabs, and their ad slogan is, "Yellow is the New Green: Marietta's Pedal Power."

"You can use it like a taxi service, and they'll have dispatch, which may alleviate some parking problems on the Square," said Cassandra Buckalew, co-owner of the trolley company.

The three-wheeled, pedal-powered cabs, which hold three adults, travel on Fairground Street, the North and South Loop, Kennesaw Avenue, Allgood Road, Roswell Street, Church Street and certain areas in between. Fares start at $1. Customers can take a 15 to 20 minute tour along Church Street for $10.

Former Marietta Councilwoman Holly Walquist, who chairs Marietta Tree Keepers and has been involved in environmental efforts across Cobb, believes people today are more focused on envoironmental issues.

"I think we are," she said. "And the more we can become aware of the importance of the environment is good for local communities, statewide communities and on a national level."

She said citizens could do better by "knowing there should be a balance in all the decisions we make on a day-to-day basis."

The Marietta Tree Keepers will host a spring "Tree-for-All" workshop today from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the council chambers inside Marietta City Hall, 205 Lawrence Street. Attendees will learn how to select the right trees for where they live and how to plant them successfully.

Here's a list of other Earth Day events happening around the county today.

* At Kennesaw State University, a coalition of student groups called Progressive Earth Alliance at Kennesaw has planned a series of activities on the Campus Green, in front of the Carmichael Student Center, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.r panel demonstration; natural soy candle-making; making jewelry from recycled materials; a tree planting; demonstrations on litter control, recycling and composting using earth worms for apartment dwellers; and organic snacks prepared by chefs in KSU's new dining facility, The Commons. Speakers, poetry readings and a panel discussion on sustainability and living green are scheduled from noon to 1:30 p.m.

* There will be recycled arts and crafts projects, nature exhibits, and flower planting at Lost Mountain Park from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The park is at 4845 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs.

* Sawyer Road Elementary students will be recognized by Marietta Mayor Steve Tumlin and Marietta City Schools Superintendent Dr. Emily Lembeck at 2 p.m. for reducing electricity use at their school by 27 percent for the year. Their efforts were part of MCS' Save A Watt, Save A Lot contest, which encouraged students to take steps to cut energy usage throughout the district. Average savings from the top five perfomring schools was 12 percent. The 600 Sawyer Road kids will be rewarded with an ice cream social and trophy presentation.

* The Georgia Green Industry Association is bringing volunteers to Smith Gilbert Gardens in Kennesaw to install a new irrigation system that will allow the garden to be watered more efficiently.

Other future events and ongoing efforts happening as part Earth Day include:

* Various city projects coordinated by Keep Marietta Beautiful on Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. at A.L. Burruss Elementary School, 324 Manning Road in Marietta. KMB volunteers will build raised gardens at the Branson senior housing complex; plant gardens at Brown Park; clean up around the Confederate Cemetery and along Merritt Road; plant trees and plants at Henry Park; among other projects. Volunteers are asked to bring basic yard tools and power tools will also help. For more information call Joan Ellars at (770) 794-5606.

* TerraCycle, a manufacturer of eco-friendly products made from packaging waste, is paying $0.2 per wrapper, chip bag or pouch that would've been thrown away at Marietta Sixth Grade Academy, East Side Elementary and New Beginnings United Methodist Church in Kennesaw. Marietta Sixth Grade Academy teacher Carrie Curnutt said money will go to The Nature Conservancy to help save rainforest acreage. At New Beginnings United Methodist Church, Betsy Smith said the money earned is going to benefit the church's daycare program. TerraCycle's produces - which include seed starter kits made from yogurt cups, backpacks from Capri Sun drink pouches and purses from candy wrappers - will be on sale in Walmart stores to honor the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.