Earth Days 40th anniversary April 22, 2010 Published April 19, 2010 By Staff Sgt. Stephanie Clark 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station -- Earth Day is an awareness movement that started with former Senator Gaylord Nelson. Concerned about the condition of our planet, Nelson made an effort to raise awareness and educate people about the state of our planet and what could be done to improve it. On April 22, 1970 the first ever Earth Day was held. Nelson's ideas led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts. Earth Day serves as a reminder for all people to take extra steps to ensure our Earth and its inhabitants remain healthy and protected. Here are some things that YOU can do every day to help make our Earth greener: · Buy a cloth bag to use and reuse for shopping instead of using plastic and paper · Carpool-It lessens the impact on the environment AND your wallet · Use cloth products in place of paper towels and napkins · Never throw away used clothing, toys or workable household goods. Give them away or sell them in a garage sale on-line or consignment shop. One man's trash is another man's treasure! · Air dry clothes instead of using a clothes dryer · Make sure laundry and dishwasher loads are full before using them · Ride a bike instead of taking the car. It's good for the environment and good for you too! · If you use plastic grocery bags, save and reuse them. · Try organic cleaning products like vinegar, borax, and baking soda · Buy Used- See sites like Craigslist.org. This will money and helps people to recycle and reuse. And ideas and/or additional Earth Day tips? Please comment!