Editor’s Note: Earthtalk, as mentioned in this article, is not affiliated in any way with this website.

E – The Environmental Magazine, was born on Earth Day and is celebrating its 18th year. The green bimonthly magazine was founded on Earth Day 1990, in the wake of the infamous “Exxon Valdez oil spill” that apparently triggered the last big resurgence in public interest in the environment.

While many other environmental publications launched at that time failed, E-now beginning its 18th year-has persevered. In 2007-as global warming, world water shortages and other fast-moving issues have pushed the environment to center stage once again-its mission seems more vital than ever.

E magazine is published by the nonprofit “Earth Action Network”, and bills itself as a “clearinghouse” of environmental information, news and resources. It is aimed at the general reader-which means no confusing charts or unexplained acronyms–but the articles are presented in sufficient depth to also appeal to the dedicated activist.

Published by a staff of seven assisted by a large stable of freelance writers, E reaches a national audience of 180,000 through subscriptions and retail sales. It is also a staple in public and school libraries, as well as in the libraries of other media and environmental organizations. Since its founding E has earned more than a dozen publishing awards and nominations, and strong kudos from its green colleagues.

E magazine reports on key issues, including toxic threats, water and air quality, global warming, animals and wildlife, the state of oceans and fisheries, and population growth impacts-all with contact information so people can investigate topics further or get involved actively.

In recent years, Earth Action Network has gone from a stand-alone magazine publisher into a multifaceted environmental media organization. Its website, emagazine.com, tallies 600,000 visitors per month and features weekly news and commentary over and above the posting of selected E content. Also, subscribers can now log in and read the entire issue of E online or subscribe entirely “paperless.”

In 2004, E launched Our Planet, a weekly e-mailed newsletter, and published the first of two books. Feeling the Heat: Dispatches from the Frontlines of Climate Change (Routledge) profiles actual world “hot spots” where people are already coping with the consequences of climatic disruption. The book was favorably reviewed in many venues, including the New York Review of Books.

E’s second book, Green Living: The E Magazine Handbook for Living Lightly on the Earth (Plume), released in July 2005, is a comprehensive guide to the environmental lifestyle. From recycling to clean cars, Green Living introduces readers to broad categories of issues and features a compendium of green products and services, from organic foods to non-toxic cleaners to eco-travel options.

E’s fastest-growing venture, launched in late 2003, is EarthTalk, a nationally syndicated weekly Q&A column that is distributed free (by request only) to over 1,300 newspapers and magazines with a collective circulation reach of 40 million readers.

Part of a broadly based strategy to reach beyond the “choir” of committed activists, the column also runs on some highly trafficked websites, including MSNBC.com and the New York Times’ About.com. It is also translated into Spanish for a growing number (presently 75) of Hispanic and bilingual newspapers. EarthTalk answers reader-submitted questions on a wide range of environmental topics, ranging from “How does global warming increase the spread of disease?” to “Where can I recycle my plastic CD jewel cases?”