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Earth Day is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment. It was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in held on April 22, 1970.

On April 22 1970, Earth Day marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement. Approximately 20 million Americans participated. Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, Freeway and expressway revolts, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values.

Today, there are many ways that Americans can partake in Earth Day 2010.  Here’s 5 ways to celebrate Earth Day:

1. Learn About the Environment: take this time to learn about the earth and how you can help protect it.  Go to the library and read up on pollution, endangered species, water shortages etc. and how it affects you.

2. Reduce, reuse and recycle all day : Buy as little as possible and avoid items that come in lots of packaging. Support local growers and producers of food and products – these don’t have to travel as far and so reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Take your drink container with you, and don’t use any disposable plates or cutlery.

3. Wear green and/or brown: These colors symbolize  the environment and displays your commitment to helping to protect the Earth.

4. Ride your bike : Use your bike instead of your car, or other forms of transportation to go to work, school or to run errands.

5. Rid litter: If you see trash pick it up.  Organize and or Participate in community clean ups and recycle campaigns.