On April 22nd, 1970, John McConnell, Gaylord Nelson, and Denis Hayes planted the seeds for the eco-fest that now has taken on epic proportions as the need for environmental awareness has reached a crucial level. Earth Day, according to Hayes, it is “the largest secular holiday in the world, celebrated by more than a billion people every year.”

My hometown, Philadelphia, a.k.a The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection hosted the first Earth Day/Week celebration. Wishing I had been old enough at the time to attend, but at 12, it wasn’t on my radar screen. I bet I could have talked my parents into taking me to something there, or at least my cool older cousin, Marilyn who may have lived with us at the time would have gladly accompanied me, socially conscious as she was.

When I was a bit older, I volunteered at the recycling center in Willingboro, NJ where my family had moved, across the Delaware River. I loved wrapping and tossing bundles of newspaper into a trailer, loading and smashing bottles in barrels. I felt like an environmental warrior who was making a difference. I also waded in the water with friends, cleaning up a local creek.

These days I like to think that I honor the Earth by walking lightly on it. I express appreciation for the elements and the planet that sustains life.

Here are some other ideas:

Reduce, re-use, recycle

Walk and bicycle when you can, rather than drive

Take public transportation

Combine trips when running errands

Take re-usable bags, not just for grocery shopping, but all purchases. They can be washed and dried

Compost food scraps

Eat organic and locally grown food when able

Stop smoking~ since the toxins in cigarettes pollute your lungs and the air of those who don’t smoke

If you do smoke, PLEASE don’t consider the ground an ashtray

Reduce energy consumption- turn off lights when out of the room

Turn off the water when brushing teeth, washing or shaving since there is no need to let it run

Run the dishwasher when full

Don’t use toxic substances such as Roundup for gardening

Educate yourself

Sign petitions that ask legislators to take action on climate change

I am moved by Swedish climate change activist Greta Thunberg who was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize as she boldly declares the right of the next generations to have a future. We all breathe the same air and drink the same water and as adults, owe it to the children to leave them with a sustainable planet.

What will you do today to help see that this happens?

Here are some ideas to honor Mother Earth today and every day.

In addition to those items above, I’m gonna go hug some trees.

Photo Credit: Adobe