Leavell, musician, writer, tree farmer, looking to "Grow" a better planet

Georgia tree farmer, author and musician Chuck Leavell says you have to get up early to work three jobs and save the world at the same time.

While writing his latest book, “Growing a Better America,” which is being released just in time for Friday's Earth Day activities, Leavell, 58, rose a few hours before the sun each morning, starting the day at a time when most of his fellow musicians were just winding down.

“Of course,” said the silver-haired Southerner with a smile, “that has to change when Mick Jagger calls.”

On hiatus from touring with the Rolling Stones, Leavell, who has also played with the Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton and George Harrison, has been focused on bringing the message from his latest book to a broad audience.

Leavell's message, also emphasized on his environmental news website Mother Nature Network, is complex, but can be boiled down to one concept: Earth Day ain't enough. We need to spread our concern for the planet across the rest of the year.

"We're at a critical juncture in this country," said a spiffy-looking Leavell, wearing black boots, black jeans, black T-shirt and tweed jacket, while relaxing at a Midtown coffee shop. "We’ve got to quit talking and start walking away from fossil fuels."

In "Growing a Better America," written with J. Marshall Craig, Leavell discusses urban planning, high-speed rail, decentralized power plants and other ways to reduce the impact of a U.S. population expected to hit 400 million by the year 2040.

Leavell uses many Georgians as examples of leaders in smart growth, citing the work-play-live community of intown's Glenwood Park, created by Charles Brewer, formerly of MindSpring, and the innovative incorporation of green and agricultural space in Steve Nygrens' Serenbe community, 30 miles south of Atlanta.

The book is a continuation of the environmental concerns that helped make Leavell a two-time tree farmer of the year in Georgia. He and his wife, Rose Lane, tend to the 3,000-acre Charlane tree farm in Twiggs County that grew from land they inherited  from her family.

Leavell says he may be a rock n' roll piano player, but he is also a student of the environment and to him, issues of the human impact on the natural world are the most critical. "Theodore Roosevelt said 100 years ago, until we solve the problems of the environment, there’s no way to solve any of our other problems," he said.

Earth Day events have been taking place throughout Earth Week. Here are few ways to celebrate the planet:

• Atlantans can recycle computers, monitors, copiers, cables, microwave ovens, printers and almost all other household electronics, as well as latex paint, on Saturday at the Gold Lot at Turner Field at the Eco-Collection Event, sponsored by District 1 Atlanta City Council member Carla Smith. The event is free (there is a $10 charge to recycle television sets) and open to the public. For a list of items that will be accepted, go to district1atlanta.com/ (A number of items will not be accepted, including refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, projection televisions and non-electronic equipment). Information: 404-330-6039. The first 100 cars will be eligible for a rain barrel and low flow toilet.