By Danica Fisher

So much goes on in the world today that it is nice when a day like Earth Day comes a long. While you may think about many issues you see on the news every day, Earth Day is a nice way to do small things with your family that can have a global impact. It’s also a reminder that we must take responsibility for our environment. This Earth Day teach your children different ways that they can help protect the environment.

Earth Day Forever
Back in 1970 on April 22nd, the first Earth Day was held. It was organized to help people become aware of their environment and it encouraged people all over the country to make promises to help the environment.

Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin helped bring Earth Day to the forefront after failing to place the state of the environment on the national political agenda, even after President Kennedy, at Nelson’s suggestion, lead a 11-state conservation tour in 1963. Afterwards Nelson envisioned Earth Day, and got the general public involved and at grassroots levels, and managed to obtain 20 million demonstrators. Ordinary people demonstrated and wrote to Congress in order to make Earth Day happen. The actions of Senator Nelson spread quickly, and today millions of people in countries around the world take the opportunity to contribute to the Earth’s green goodness.

Fun for Children
April in Rochester will no doubt bring many shower-filled days, but spring is here and April is a good month to start getting outside, and chances are your kids are ready for it too. Put all that pent up winter energy into a way to help the earth. Organize a local block, street, yard or play area clean up. Children can help pick up trash to make a safe clean environment.
Also, plant a tree seedling with your child; it is a good way to help out the environment. Trees improve the environment by moderating climate, improving air quality, conserving water, and providing homes for wildlife. Leaves filter the air we breathe by removing dust and absorb carbon dioxide from the air that are used in the plant's structure and function. Leaves also absorb other air pollutants-such as ozone, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide-and give off oxygen. The National Arbor Day Foundation can help you with the purchase and planting of a tree at www.arborday.net. Also look into creating a garden and compost pile for the family.

A Recycle Cycle
If recycling isn’t already a routine in your home, show the little ones now how they can recycle, where to put it, and why we do it. “Involving your children is key, and it gives us an opportunity to create stewards for the next generation,” says Cindy Stachowski, Executive Director of the Center for Environmental Information.

If you don’t have a recycling area in the house, create one with the kids. You can use inexpensive colored storage bins or crates or recycle old boxes and label them. Then designate a color for what products go in each box, like plastics, papers and cans. This way you not only involve your kids in the recycling method in your home, but you’ve also taught them what we recycle, so they know not to throw it away.

Precycle
Precycling is when you start to think ahead of the recycling process. This includes buying items that can be reused. When reusing items, try to reuse it for what it was originally intended for. If you can't, then another idea for the item is to re-use it with the kids and make an art project out of it. Also, buying larger containers when you are shopping is more economical, so the family saves money while being environmentally conscious at the same time.

Items to avoid include disposable razors, diapers, plastic utensils and paper plates. Each of these items has a reusable alternative. Precycling also can mean you bring your own grocery bags to the store and buy milk and juice in bottles. Finally, the best way to precycle is to buy recycled material.

Further Contributions
Don’t forget that the Rochester community has a lot to offer those who are willing to participate in cleaning up the local environment.

“Fortunately we have an Earth Day,” says Stachowski. “The best way people can help out is by educating themselves about local environmental groups, becoming members and getting involved in local environmental issues.” And Rochesterians, like millions of other around the world, will embrace Earth Day to do just that.

Danica Fisher is the Editorial Assistant for GVP Publications.