WASHINGTON, May 17, 2008 -- UPI

Some U.S. efforts to save the environment have become part of a popular trend rather than an effective solution, some energy and environmental experts say.

As major U.S. cities jump on board to celebrate events such as Earth Hour, Earth Day and the Miss Earth beauty pageant, some experts question whether promoting practical solutions like energy-efficient light bulbs would be a more effective choice, The Washington Post reported Saturday.

"There is a real problem in teaching people not to do something that appears to work, but that actually works," said Severin Borenstein, director of the University of California's Energy Institute.

Advocates maintain that hyped-up international events have a strong impact and are reaching people from a psychological standpoint.

"You are not going to get people to change what people do by engaging their heads; you have to engage their hearts," said Leslie Aun, vice president of public relations at the World Wildlife Fund.

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