Inspired by the environmental activism of the 1960s, Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson and Harvard graduate student Denis Hayes organized a national demonstration to bring awareness to environmental issues and conservation. On April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day event was held, drawing 20 million people across the country. By the end of that year, the U.S. government created the Environmental Protection Agency. As the Earth Day movement grew, it helped support legislation such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.

Today, Earth Day is celebrated across the globe, raising awareness of the need to protect Earth’s natural resources for future generations. Everyone can play a role in protecting our planet, and it doesn’t have to be difficult.

Check out these four easy ways you can celebrate Earth Day and make a difference for the environment!

Perform easy home maintenance

• Did you know that a leaky faucet can waste more than 180 showers’ worth of water per year? By submitting a maintenance request to fix any water leaks in your apartment, you can save money and water.
• Switching out old lightbulbs for energy-efficient LED lighting can help the average household save around $225 per year on energy costs. Depending on where you live, you can get free LED light bulbs through your local energy company’s website.

Explore the outdoors and appreciate nature

• Plan time with your friends and family to enjoy a picnic in your local park or take a hike and enjoy the views.
• With summer around the corner, visit your local farmers' market and explore all the locally grown produce and products. It’s a great way to shop sustainably and support local businesses.

Replace the waste in your daily life

• With spring cleaning underway, take the opportunity to donate or sell clothes and household items you no longer use, giving them a new life away from the landfill.
• Whether it’s your water bottle or a trip to the grocery store, switching out single-use plastic items for reusable items keeps waste out of landfills and saves on trash bags.

Join an Earth Day event

• Celebrate Earth Day with your community by finding an event near you: https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2023/#map

Here are a few more resources to learn about Earth Day:

• https://www.outwardbound.org/blog/20-practical-ways-to-celebrate-earth-day-every-day/
• https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/earth-day/

• https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/celebrations/article/earth-day