Every year on April 22nd, we take the time to appreciate our planet and the several billion years of life it has hosted.

It is possible to reduce your carbon footprint in a number of ways, and they all begin with small changes in your daily life.

This year's theme is "Invest in Our Planet", so no matter what you do, you're making a valuable contribution. Now is the time to start thinking about how you can help save the planet! 

History of Earth Day

In the United States, Earth Day was first celebrated on April 22, 1970. The idea for the holiday came from Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. senator from Wisconsin. He was inspired by the anti-war protests of the 1960s and wanted to create a similar event to raise awareness about environmental issues.

Nelson recruited Denis Hayes, a young activist, to help organize the first Earth Day. Together, they recruited celebrities, politicians, and environmentalists to support the cause. A staggering 20 million Americans participated in events across the country on that first Earth Day.

Since then, Earth Day has become a global event, celebrated in more than 190 countries each year. Each April 22, people around the world come together to show their support for the planet. They participate in activities like planting trees, organizing clean up activities, and learning about ways to protect the environment.

Earth Day is a reminder that we all need to do our part to take care of our planet. By working together, we can make a difference!

How To Celebrate Earth Day

There are plenty of things you can do to show your love for Earth today (and every day!) Here are a few suggestions: 

Reduce consumption

In order to save the earth, we need to consume less. That means turning off lights when you leave a room, carpooling or taking public transportation instead of driving, and unplugging appliances when they’re not in use. Every little bit helps, and you'll save a little on your utilities bill as well! 

Switch your diet

Eat less meat, especially red meat, and choose organic, locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Conserve water

Turn the faucet off while brushing your teeth, water your plants during the cooler hours of the day, and install water-saving showerheads and toilets.

Recycle and compost

One way to reduce consumption is to recycle and compost. This cuts down on the amount of waste that goes into landfills, and it’s good for the environment.

Plant something

What better way to show your love for the earth than by planting something? You can start a garden, grow some herbs on your windowsill, or even just put a potted plant in your living room. Not only will you be helping the environment, but you'll also get to enjoy the fruits (or vegetables) of your labor.

Make some eco-friendly changes in your life

One of the best ways to celebrate Earth Day is by making some changes in your life that will help the environment. You can start recycling, using less water, or even switch to eco-friendly cleaning products. Even a small effort makes a difference!

Volunteer for a local cleanup or other environmental events

There are often events happening around Earth Day that you can volunteer for, such as local cleanups or tree plantings. This is a great way to get involved and make a difference in your community.

Donate to an environmental charity

If you're looking for another way to help, consider donating to an environmental charity. There are many organizations working to protect the earth, and they can always use more financial support.

Support businesses that are environmentally friendly

When you support businesses that are environmentally friendly, you’re voting with your dollars. Look for businesses that use recycled materials, renewable energy, or sustainable practices.

Be a tourist in your own town or city

One way to reduce your carbon footprint is to stay close to home and be a tourist in your own town or city. Visit local parks and monuments, and support local businesses. For this, you can use your GetOutPass to visit local attractions and save money at the same time. Win-win!

Educate yourself and others about environmental issues

If you really want to make a difference, spend some time on Earth Day learning about environmental issues and what you can do to help. Then, share that knowledge with others! You might be surprised at how many people are willing to make changes once they know more about the issue.

Simply appreciate the world around you

Finally, one of the best ways to celebrate Earth Day is simply to take a step back and appreciate the world around you. Look at the trees, listen to the birds, and breathe in the fresh air. We often take these things for granted, but they're really what makes our planet so special.

Why Earth Day Is Important

It's been said that we need to take care of the Earth because it's the only one we've got. And that's true! But there are other reasons to celebrate and take action on Earth Day. Here are four important ones:

The Earth is our home

We all live on this planet, so it makes sense to do everything we can to protect it. After all, a healthy planet means a healthy home for all of us.

The Earth provides for us

Everything we need to survive comes from the Earth – air, water, food, shelter. We need to take care of it so that it can continue to take care of us.

The Earth is beautiful

From the tallest mountains to the deepest oceans, there is so much to explore and appreciate about our planet. By taking care of our planet, we can ensure that future generations can enjoy its beauty too.

We're all in this together

We may come from different countries, speak different languages, and have different cultures, but we all share this one planet. That's why it's so important that we work together to protect it.

So let's do our part on Earth Day - and every day - to help make the world a better place!