Yes, a truly Green Guide wouldn’t be printed in 60,000 papers and distributed all over Utah—the irony isn’t lost on us. At least it’s on recycled paper; every little bit helps.

Just ask Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker: He’s the greenest politician the state of Utah has ever elected (not counting the mold growing around Sen. Orrin Hatch), and he does even more for our local environment than previously realized—read all about his dirt-friendly deeds and be further amazed. Also in our Green Guide, we’re spotlighting local artists who work with recycled materials, as well as 13 Utah businesses that do it the sustainable way.

But wait, there’s more! We also have an update on the continuing saga of incarcerated environmental activist Tim DeChristopher and his Peaceful Uprising organization. And on CityWeekly.net, we’ve got a schedule of green-themed events, not to mention a cautionary tale about Utah’s declining population of birds and bees (the actual birds and bees, not the sex stuff your kids are forbidden to learn about in school).

See? All those trees didn’t die in vain. Happy Earth Day, and welcome to City Weekly’s 2012 Green Guide …