Nike is showing the world that it does care for the environment. In celebration of Earth Day, Nike and Steve Nash have released the second version of their eco-friendly Basketball shoe, the Zoom MVP Trash Talk. The upper part and outsoles are made from materials discarded from the manufacturing process of other shoes. The new Trash Talk features an upper stitched together with leather and synthetic waste materials, an outsole constructed from “Nike Grind” a material from outsole manufacturing waste, and laces made from recycled polyester as well as a recycled EVA sockliner. Even the box that comes with this basketball shoe is made from 30% less material.

Earth Hour is a worldwide event that encourages individuals to unite in the fight against global warming by turning off their lights and spending sixty minutes outside with friends and family. Over the past two years the simple idea has grown into a monumental movement, and this year’s event is aiming for 1 billion participants. Earth hour 2009 takes place on March 28th at 8:30pm local time, so save the date, flip the switch, and see how this simple individual action can make a profound collective statement!

Organized by the World Wildlife Fund, this year’s Earth Hour is seeking to sign up 1,000 cities and one billion people to participate in the event. So far, they have signed up 1,189 cities across 80 countries. You can get more information of local events in your area by visiting their website. Those of you who follow us on Twitter may wish to follow them at Earthhour.

Recently New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed that NYC begin charging shoppers 6 cents for each plastic bag issued at the register. The policy is the latest attempt by the city to go green and reduce its environmental footprint, and it comes several months after Ireland introduced a similar tax that cut the use of plastic bags by 94%.

The world’s first commercial wave farm went live at the end of September in Agucadoura, located off the coast of northern Portugal. Designed by Pelamis Wave Power, the farm employs three Wave Energy Converters – snakelike, semi-submerged devices that generate electricity with hydraulic rams driven by waves. This first phase of the new renewable energy farm is rated at 2.25 MW with 3 machines, and the the second phase will add an additional 25 machines to bring the capacity to 21 MW – enough to power 15,000 homes!

See the wave energy converters in action. Check out the video of their sea-trials.