Solar panels were few and far between at the time of the first Earth Day observance in 1970. Solar Farms, electric vehicles, and EV charging stations were virtually non-existent. Grocery stores offered paper or plastic, with the latter often ending up in your local landfill.

We can debate whether or not the world is a better place than it was 50 years ago, but it clearly has changed. Earth Day is widely recognized as the largest secular observance in the world, celebrated in more than 175 countries and marked by more than a billion people every year as a day of action to change human behavior and create global, national and local policy changes.

The theme for Earth Day 2023 is: “Get Inspired. Take Action. Be a part of the green revolution.” Collectively, we’ve done much already to make a difference: planting trees, participating in various cleanup events and by recycling, but the battle has only begun. There are opportunities for each of us to turn our planet just a bit greener.

You can start with your own neighborhood: picking up garbage from your street and planting trees or shrubs in your yard.

Conserve water and electricity. Turn off lights when not in use. Tighten faucets and limit showers to five minutes or less. Get in the habit of brushing your teeth with the water off, and encourage your children to do so as well.

Recycle – junk mail, cell phones, paper products, plastic bags and more.

Try your hand at composting (planting scraps from fruits, veggies and coffee grounds outside), which will help create better soil and less landfill waste.

Purchase locally produced food at farmer’s markets and even roadside stands. Purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, instead of jarred, canned or frozen.

Get Inspired. Take Action. Be a part of the green revolution.