What does Earth Day mean to me? It reminds me to pay respect to this planet we call home. It is easy to not think about what Mother Earth gives us on a daily basis—water, food, oxygen, medicine, metals for electronics, trees for lumber, oil, minerals, coal, and grounding to name a few. These things we take for granted but they are not guaranteed for the future.

Started in 1970 by 20 million Americans wanting to protect our planet, Earth Day has grown into an organization with over 1 billion participants worldwide in over 190 countries all supporting the actions for positive environmental change. Earth Day is about hope and the possibility of a better world. It is reminder how connected we are to the earth, but also to each other.

To me, it underscores our responsibility…to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known. — Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space

Earth Day does not happen just once a year. Every day is Earth day. This last year I have intentionally focused on doing a better job in helping our planet by creating less food waste, eating less meat products, decreasing plastic use, buying more local food, purchasing bee and butterfly friendly plants, using more environmentally-friendly products, reducing energy use, and unplugging fully charged electronics. What we do on a daily basis does have an effect on our environment and small changes which can make a difference. And once we implement small changes, they become habits.

Respect and be kinder to the Earth. If not for us, then for our children.

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Repeat.

Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children.

— Ancient Indian Proverb

Song for Earth Day – “I Need To Wake Up” by Melissa Etheridge

Melissa’s Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUVqUz8m2PQ