Earth Day is an annual event, celebrated every 22nd of April, on which day events worldwide

are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. The first Earth Day was celebrated

in 1970 in the United States.

It became a global event in 1990, mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries.

Since then, it has become the largest civic event in the world, celebrated simultaneously

worldwide by people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities.

After the 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, Calif., Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. senator for Wisconsin, organized a

nationwide demonstration against the pollution and the deterioration of the environment. The protest

was held on April 22, 1970. Approximately twenty million Americans joined the demonstration in

support of a healthier and more sustainable treatment of the environment.

Here are 15 ways to commemorate the Earth Day, because Mother Nature deserves some appreciation.

1. Start a pledge board at work or at school. Use a whiteboard or provide a pad of Post-its for people to record their environmental pledges for the year. Ask friends and co-workers to make small changes -- “I won’t leave the water running while I brush my teeth,” or “I will turn the lights off when I leave a room” -- and then to post those pledges for all to see. Working together boosts accountability!

2. Attend an Earth Day fair. You’ll get the chance to test environmentally friendly products, eat locally grown food and chat with people who are making a difference when it comes to the environment.

3. Get plugged into a group. Joining an environmental group is one of the best ways to get involved in the global cleanup effort. Make a donation, put in some volunteer hours, or simply learn about the environment. Here’s a list of some groups to get you started.

4. Make a recycling plan. Know what you can and can’t recycle, and start separating out those cans and bottles!

5. Fix those leaky faucets. Drip, drip, drip. You’ve put off repairing that leaky faucet project for some time now. Make a beeline for the hardware store! Only 1 percent of Earth’s water is drinkable, and our supply is slowly running out. Earth Day should prompt you to stop wasting water and fix those leaks.

6. Plant a tree. Simple. Effective. Easy.

7. Find a carpool service. Taking cars off the road is one of the best ways to combat climate change. Find people in your area with whom to share morning and afternoon commutes.

8. Give up bottled water. Bottled water consumes huge amounts of fossil fuels to produce and transport, and most of those recyclable water bottles end up in landfills. Get yourself a refillable and permanent water bottle to carry with you. You’ll save money on the cost of all those water bottles, too!

9. Start buying local. Locally grown food is easier on the environment. You’re also supporting local farmers, and they’ll thank you for it!

10. Go paperless. Bills come in many forms -- mostly on paper. But many bill-paying services offer an option to pay online. Make a point to go paperless.

11. Make a birdhouse. Birdhouses can be installed around schoolyards or even sold to raise money at an environmental fundraiser.

12. Make a play garden. This is a space for kids to get their hands dirty. You can help them plant various flowers, vegetables and more. They’ll love watching them grow and tasting the fruits of their labor.

13. Write a letter to your local representative. Reaching out to elected officials and voicing your concerns over local environmental issues is one of the best ways to have your voice heard.

14. Organize a community cleanup. Get a group together to clean up your local park, schoolyard or beach.

15. Walk to school. It keeps you out of the car, and it's great exercise!

Together, we can make every day Earth Day, and every person can make a difference.

We look forward to hearing from you about your Earth Day events!

-Mega- :) :) <3

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