Happy Earth Day, Friend.

Today is about celebrating the beauty of our planet and recommitting our duty to protect our environment. Our environment is the surroundings or the habitat in which individuals, animals, and plants live. It is critical for everyone to live a healthy and peaceful life. 

Climate change is real, and the impact it has on our everyday lives is substantial. We are witnessing climate change play out nearly every single day somewhere in the world with increased dangerous weather including floods, hurricanes, and disastrous storms. 

Today, I am celebrating Earth Day as I do every year: spending time in the community with groups that take action to protect our environment.

So as we reflect on why today matters more than ever, I urge you to join me in spirit (or person) to celebrate Earth Day in your community. All of us can contribute in some way. I will be at several clean-ups and advocacy meetings but each of us can undertake little actions, that when done together, can have a huge impact. Here are some ideas: 

• Participating in a community clean-up
• Reuse or repurpose items
• Starting a garden
• Educating yourself and others on climate change
• Shop wisely. Buy less plastic and bring a reusable shopping bag
• Taking the extra steps to recycle at home or compost
• Use long-lasting light bulbs. Energy-efficient light bulbs reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• Flip the light switch off when you leave the room
• Plant a tree. They help save energy, clean the air, and help combat climate change
• Don't send chemicals into our waterways

Every action helps protect our planet for future generations. When we make small changes as individuals, it can have a big impact.

Thank you and Happy Earth Day, 

– Debbie