Earth Day is here, and so is our chance to recognize the gifts our planet has given us. The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, when Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson organized a national demonstration to draw attention to the negative effects of modern life on the environment. Now, it is an annual celebration that not only honors the achievements of the environmental movement, but also raises awareness for environmental conservation for future generations.

Let’s take today to cherish our miracle planet. I recently had the privilege of visiting a national park, and the scenery laid out in front of me felt like it was out of a movie. I could gaze for hours at the snapshot of conifer trees next to the ocean, listening to the crash of waves against the rocky shore on which I stood. Nature truly is beautiful, and it’s easy to forget that as our world becomes increasingly modernized and our enjoyment is provided by technology.

The reality is that the United States produces around 268 million tons of waste annually, with the average American tossing 4.5 pounds of trash daily, most of which ends up in landfills. To put this into perspective: every 15.5 hours, Americans dispose of enough plastic to fill the largest stadium in the country. How can we tackle our trash problem? For starters, we can do these two things:

1. Something as small as bringing a reusable bag to the grocery store can drastically reduce the number of plastic bags destined for landfills.

2. Consider composting to minimize household food waste.

Just by being intentional in what we consume, we can tackle climate change, air pollution, water pollution, and natural resource waste. And while we do need manufacturers and corporations to be responsible for the products and packaging that make up a large percentage of the U.S.’s total waste, we consumers can also be cognizant of our spending until these changes are enacted.

Let’s start making a difference and save our environment little by little!

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