Earth, It’s Your Day in the Sun

Sunday, April 22, is Earth Day-designated as the day America will be made aware of the methods and means of protecting the Earth and preserving the environment from such ailments as pollution, smog and global warming.

The three major networks and many cable systems will be part of the commemoration, with environmentally themed documentaries, specials and series. Many air this week, leading in to Earth Day.

Public television also has special programming this week and next, but it also plans to focus on environmental issues long after Earth Day is over.

PBS8 yearlong Operation Earth will include major series and specials, locally produced programs focusing on environmental problems in the region, environmental tips, educational outreach to schools and community-based activities by stations and local groups.

This spring, a number of children’s books on PBSU “Reading Rainbow” will deal with nature. “Sesame Street” will be emphasizing ecology and geology throughout the season. And in May, PBS will debut “Local Heroes, Global Change,” a four-part series focusing on efforts to reduce poverty and hunger in the developing world.

Other Operation Earth shows this year on PBS will include: two “Survival Specials” on kangaroos and birds and “National Audubon Society Specials” about dolphins, forests, trees, wolves and the Arctic wilderness.

“Decade of Destruction” is a five-part series about social and ecological upheaval in the Amazon over the past decade. “Icewalk” will tell the story of the first Arctic student team that conducted experiments to prove how the industrialized world threatens the balance of the Arctic. “Race to Save the Planet” is a 10-part series presenting a global picture of the environmental state of the world.

TV Gets Down to Earth Day

NETWORK

ABC

The most ballyhooed Earth Day show is ABC’s all-star “Earth Day,” featuring such luminaries as Ted Danson, Kevin Costner, Meryl Streep, Robin Williams, Chevy Chase, Jane Fonda, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler and Bugs Bunny conveying the need to save the planet through music, comedy and drama, 9 p.m. April 22.

CBS

Peter Horton and Matt Biondi host “Whales, Dolphins and Us,” 8 p.m. Friday I “Hard Rock Cafe: Save the Planet” airs 11:30 p.m. Friday.

NBC

Dennis Weaver hosts “Earth Day 1990: A ‘ser’s Guide to Saving the Planet,” a countdown of actions families can take, 7 p.m. Saturday.

PBS

“Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” will offer ways to help children appreciate and conserve the environment, 11 a.m. Monday-Friday, KCET...”Profit the Earth” presents case studies of solutions to enviroomental problems, 8 p.m. Monday, KOCE, and 10 p.m., KCET...”For Earth’s Sake: The Life and Times of David Brower” profiles the environmentalist who founded the Friends of the Earth, 9 p.m. Monday, KCET...”Food for Thought” examines the balance between food and our environment, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, KCET...”Nova: The World Is Full of Oil” focuses on theories about the formation of oil, 8 p.m. Tuesday KCET...The sources of legal and illegal waste are investigated on “Down the Shore,” 8 p.m. Tuesday KOCE...”Nova: Poison in the Rockies” explores the legacy of pollution from mining, 9 p.m. Tuesday, KOCE...A look at acid rain, smog and destruction of the ozone layer on “Environment at Issue,” 9 p.m Thursday, KOCE...Walter Cronkite narrates “Pointless Pollution: America’s Water Crisis,” 9:30 p.m. Thursday, KOCE, and 11 p.m. April 23, KCET...”The American Experience: The Battle for the Wilderness” examines the eruption of the debate about environmental issues between naturalist John Muir and U.S. Forestry Service chief Gifford Inchot, 3 p.m. April 22 KCET...”Vanishing Florida” visits Florida’s historic areas, 8 p.m. April 24, KOCE...”Water, Birth, the Planet Earth” examines the evolution of major life forms, 3 p.m. April 29...”Whale Nation” looks at whales and dolphins, 4 p.m. April 29 KCET.

LOCAL

KCBS

“Steve Rambo’s Daily Planet” is a yearlong series of “Action News” reports on environmental stories I “Happy Earth Day 2 You” examines how environmental issues and local efforts can come together, 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. April 22.

KNBC

“Earth Day” on “Channel 4 News” consists of ongoing story coverage in special segments I “Earth Day 1990: A User’s Guide to Saving the Planet,” shows three American families discovering simple but important steps to help save the environment, 7 p.m. Saturday I “Earth Day Tonight” wraps up Earth Day’s news events and activities in a news special, following an abbreviated 11 p.m. newscast, 11:45 p.m. April 22.

KABC

“Project Earth,” a series on “Eyewitness News,” examines four areas of conservation-water, air, energy and land, I “Project Earth,” a three-hour Earth Day special, focuses on the Southland , 3 p.m. Sunday.

KCAL

“Prime 9 News” increases environmental coverage on Earth Day.

KTTV

“Fox News at Ten” plans a series of stories counting down to Earth Day.

KCOP

“News 13S reports on Earth Day-related stories.

CABLE

A&E;

Ted Danson hosts the new 26-part series, “Challenge of the Seas,” which examines the role the oceans and its inhabitants play in the balance of the Earth’s ecology, 5 and 9 p.m. April 22.

DISNEY

Throughout the week, “The Mickey Mouse Club” will focus on environmental issues, 5:30 p.m. April 23-27 I “Danger Bay” will present environmentally themed episodes, 6 p.m. April 22 and 7:30 p.m. April 25 .

HBO

“Earth Day Birthday” celebrates Earth Day with the help of Zwibble Dibbles, baby dinosaurs who want to save the planet from pollution, 9 a.m. April 22.

LIFETIME

“Attitudes” offers a four-part series, “How You Can Make the Earth a Better Place,” 3 p.m. Monday-Thursday I “The Jane Wallace Show” offers a discussion between celebrities and organization leaders about their involvement in environmental issues, 11 a.m. April 23.

MTV

The rock music station will highlight musical artists heavily involved in environmental causes between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. April 22. Also during that period will be live reports from the Earth Day concert in Washington, D.C.

TBS

TBS will present four segments of “National Geographic Explorer” that pay tribute to the planet, 6-7:30 p.m. April 22 I Capt. Jacques Cousteau and six children-citizens of North America, South America, Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia-travel to Antarctica on “Lilliput Conquers Antarctica,” 7:30 p.m. April 22.

VH-1

The pop music network has been running daily environmental tips and information that will continue through April 22. VH-1 will air musical performances and video clips highlighting environmental themes, plus interviews, political commentary and looks at environmental issues throughout the weekend, Saturday and April 22.