Earth Day happens every year on April 22^nd.  It was first celebrated in 1970. Over 20 million Americans started the environmental movement for the United States in 1970. Since then it has become a global event, making environmental issues a world issue.

As industrial and manufacturing businesses know, Earth Day has brought about many environmental laws.  The Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Endangered Species Act are just a few.  It is great to know we are doing our part as businesses to make the earth better for future generations.

This year, more than one billion people in 192 countries will take part in the largest civic action in the world. Earth Day is meant to bring about positive change for our environment.  People celebrate by participating in marches, signing petitions, planting trees, cleaning up roadside debris, and meeting with their elected officials.

“End Plastic Pollution” Campaign

The Earth Day Network has a multi-year campaign aimed to “End Plastic Pollution” that has four major factors:

• Educate and activate people around the world to demand changes from their government and corporations to control and clean up plastic pollution.
• Lead a grassroots movement to support regulation of plastic pollution.
• Educate people around the world to take personal responsibility for plastic pollution by choosing to reduce, reuse, reject, and recycle plastics.
• Promote local government regulations aimed at tackling plastic pollution issues.

This campaign begins this year and will continue, leading up to the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day in 2020.

You Can Help!

To date, the Earth Day Network has reached 2,688,209,868 acts of green and they want your help in reaching three billion.

So, what can you personally do to help?  How can you participate in Earth Day and help to make a difference?

• Use reusable water bottles.
• Educate yourself on the efforts being made by the Earth Day Network and what you can do to reduce waste and recycle more.
• Walk, ride your bike or carpool instead of driving.
• Start a garden. Get your hands dirty and plant fruits, vegetables, flowers, or a tree.
• Do a home energy audit to determine areas you’re wasting energy and how you can reduce. Unplug items you’re not using, turn out lights, install energy
  efficient appliances and windows.
• Clean out your closet and donate any unused items to charity. Recycle them into your community for someone who can use them.
• Write a letter to your local government representatives about environmental changes you’d like to see in your community or state.
• Volunteer with a local organization that will be doing eco-friendly work like picking up trash on roadsides and rivers or planting trees in a park.

There are a variety of ways you can support Earth Day on April 22^nd and beyond. Find one that speaks to you and take action for a positive change.

Happy Birthday!

I will be celebrating Earth Day in a special way with my beautiful wife, Judy Bearden.  She will be celebrating her birthday on April 22nd.  Happy Birthday Judy!