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Before April 22, 1970, many Americans believed that fossil fuels were plentiful and pollution was fleeting. But on the gray horizon was an environmental movement that helped bring to our attention the need to save the planet.

The birth of Earth Day opened our eyes, forcing us to realize that complacency is unacceptable. Earth Day not only encouraged us to take action against pollution and other negative affects on our environment, but it encouraged us to take the time, at least once a year, to stop and appreciate what our world does for us.

We call our world Mother Earth because she takes care of us, giving us water and a place to live.

How should we repay her? Hugging a tree will not prevent pollution.

We need to stop and think about how we, as individuals, as a community and as a nation can better our world.

You know the drill. The action that must be taken is nothing you haven't heard before: recycling, shorter showers, riding your bike instead of driving.

But this time, think of how it directly affects you. Recycling may be a drag, but people respect you for it, and you respect yourself. If every newspaper was recycled, we could save 250,000,000 trees each year. (Think of all those trees you could hug.)

Shorter showers give you that same feeling of contribution and being a part of a worldwide movement.

Riding your bike gives you a chance to breathe in the essence of earth that you would not breathe if you took the alternative, driving. Not only that, but it's contagious. Be a leader; people will follow you.

Let Earth Day remind you of what you can do to better the planet. Take action along with 500 million others. Be a part of something big.