Why is Earth Day so important? I think this quote from Gaylord Nelson, the founder of Earth Day, sums it up pretty well:

The wealth of the nation is its air, water, soil, forests, minerals, rivers, lakes, oceans, scenic beauty, wildlife habitats and biodiversity… that’s all there is. That’s the whole economy. That’s where all the economic activity and jobs come from. These biological systems are the sustaining wealth of the world.

So how can you get involved?

• Attend an Earth Day event in your community.
• Bring reusable bags when you go grocery shopping.
• Clean the lint filter in your dryer. And only do laundry when you have a full load.
• Use rechargeable batteries.
• Plant a tree! Not only do trees provide shade, lowering AC costs during the warmer months, they inhale carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen.
• Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Unplug appliances you’re not using.
• Donate old clothes, rather than throwing them away.
• Skip the bottled water. Filter your own water instead.
• Buy organic and local - see how this goes along with Beyond Diet ;). Organic food is grown in a much more eco-friendly way, and if it’s locally grown, it didn’t have to travel as far as non-locally grown foods.

How are you celebrating Earth Day? Share with us in the comments below.