This Earth Day, Do Your Part

Though major progress has been made over the years to safeguard our planet, there’s still work to be done. And you can do your part too. Here’s how.

To Save Energy …

• Turn off appliances and lights when you leave the room.
• Unplug electronics, like computers and DVD players, when you’re away for the weekend or on a trip.
• Use the microwave to cook small meals instead of an energy-sucking oven.

To Conserve Water …

• Don’t let the water run while shaving or brushing your teeth.
• Take short showers instead of tub baths.
• Wash only full loads of laundry, or use the appropriate water level or load size selection on the washing machine.

To Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Materials …

• Buy and use only what you need.
• Purchase refillable pens and pencils.
• Recycle paper, plastic, glass bottles, cardboard, and aluminum cans.

For more ideas and tips, visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s Web site at epa.gov.

And, in honor of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, here are three things we bet you never knew about this celebratory day:

1. The first Earth Day was held in 1970, with as many as 20 million Americans participating in rallies, demonstrations, and other activities.
2. Earth Day was the brainchild of former U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson.
3. Earth Day was modeled after anti-Vietnam War demonstrations, known as “teach-ins,” that were popular and common on college campuses nationwide.