People around the globe have come together over the past 39 years on April 22nd to celebrate our planet on Earth Day and take action to protect the planet.

On Wednesday, a new rotating "Earth Ball" was symbolically dropped to mark Earth Day in Times Square in New York City. The ball was outfitted with a unique lighting scheme to replicate a revolving globe of the earth. Environmentalists marking the day are urging people around the world to promote green jobs and sustainable recycling practices in their communities.

The traditional New Year's Eve ball recently underwent a "greening" that included the addition of LED lights. That enables the symbolic ball to run on the same amount of energy it takes to run two household stoves.

(CCTV April 23, 2009)