Earth Day has grown to the largest environmental event worldwide, participate today

April 22, 2013

photo/ Madeline Hill

According to FoxNews, 1 million people in 192 countries are expected to participate in today’s holiday, Earth Day. The roots of this day go back to the 1960’s when Senator Gaylord Nelson of WI visited a site of an oil spill in the wake of the Vietnam War.

This day is all about appreciated the nature of Earth and helping to support a clean and sustainable environment. There are several ways any one person could do to help out the wonderful Mother Nature:

Plant a Tree: This simple act helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, cleans pollution and secures soil. Visit earthday.org and proceed to The Canopy Project to find out more about how you can help plant trees and donate to the organization.
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle: Try your best to buy as little as possible, and especially try to avoid buying items with lots of packaging. Bring a reusable water bottle with you today, or use your paper grocery bag as a carrier for something else! Recycle not only today, but every day. If you don’t already recycle, call today and sign up for recycling services. Go the extra step and bring a plastic bag with you and walk on the roads.. pick up trash and recycle items and put them in their respectable places.
Wear green and/or brown: Show your Earth spirit by wearing ‘earthy’ colors on this beautiful day.
Cut Down on Gas: Walk or ride your bike to work or school today. Use human powered transportation to save money and help cut down pollution in the environment.
Hold a Garage Sale or Donate: Selling your old used items is a great way to contribute to helping people in need and a great way to reuse products rather than just throwing them away. If you don’t have time for a garage sale, take a minute to clean out your closet or underneath your bed and donate old items to Good Will or the Salvation Army.
Remember: Earth day is every day! Pick up litter whenever you can, recycle and contribute to the environment whenever you can. Find out ways you can help and make this an everyday practice.

Madeline Hill is the Copy Chief for The Spartan Speaks.