We all enjoy holidays, whether it’s the winter holidays, Halloween, or any of the other many holidays throughout the year. Yet one much overlooked holiday is looming right in front of us. It is a holiday of great importance, and it happens to fall on April 22 this year. I am talking, of course, about Earth Day.

Earth Day is a chance to celebrate the amazing world in which we live. Yet not only is it a chance to celebrate, it is a chance to become more aware about the problems that plague our globe. Take our oceans. Every day, thousands of pounds of pollution are being dumped in the oceans around the world. In fact, two-thirds of United States bays have been eroded by acidic waters brought on by pollution. Global warming is causing a raise in ocean temperatures, causing former animal habitats to become inhospitable to certain species. In fact, since 1999 there has been a decline in ocean plant health. As such a large part of our planet, oceans need to be protected and cared for.

One of the greatest problems plaguing our planet is the buildup of trash in landfills.  With 256 million tons of trash being produced annually in the United States alone, the amount of trash buildup on our planet is staggering. And this is not going to go away. People one hundred years from now will still find the soda can you threw out last week, or the plastic bag that held you sandwich at lunch (that includes all the new Styrofoam and plastic wrappings at the salad bar). By recycling, you can help reduce this enormous waste of material. Try to being your lunch in reusable containers. Save your plastic utensils, as these can be reused.

Another problem in our world is deforestation. The world’s forests are being depleted at an alarming rate, with thirty five million acres being destroyed each year. Forests are vital to removing the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from our air. In destroying our forests, we are increasing the carbon dioxide in our air and furthering global warming. By destroying these forests, we are depriving native animals of their habitats. We are also driving other plants and animals to extinction, over fifty a day! Over 30% of our medicines are made from tropical plants. By destroying these ecosystems, we are destroying possible cures for the many illnesses that plague us today. By killing these forests, we may be inadvertently killing ourselves.

These are but a few of the many problems that plague our world. It is our duty, as citizens of this globe, to act on these issues. So on April 22^nd, take five minutes out of your day to learn about an issue. Take the bottle from lunch and recycle it. Use the washable trays and silverware instead of the Styrofoam usually offered. Reuse a scrap of paper instead of throwing it away. Together, we can make this Earth Day not only a day of celebration, but of action.