When Earth Day started 45 years ago, it wasn’t a federal holiday yet. But 21 million people concerned for our environment took part. Air pollution was only one of many concerns about the damage we were doing to our earth.

For some people, concern for the environment was sparked long before the first Earth Day celebration. It was 1979 when at age 16 when Jadav “Molai” Payeng noticed that a flood had washed ashore many snakes who died in the heat without tree cover.

Pained by this sight, Payeng approached the forest department about planting trees, but they said it couldn’t be done. Unconvinced, he began his life-long campaign of burying seeds near his home in Northern India. Now at age 52, Payeng can look out over his 1360 acre lush ecosytem, the Molai Woods, that now protects birds, deer, rhinos, tigers and elephants. Hear his story in the following video.

 

We still celebrate Earth Day in ever expanding ways that help the earth but also make us happier with our lives.
In the video below learn about the impact of urban green spaces on our well-being.

 

You don’t have to live in faraway places or plant a florit to make positive change in the world. When Ron Finley grew weary of having his neighborhood in South Los Angeles being defined by fast food places and  liquor stores, he built gardens on traffic meridians and abandoned lots. Listen to his TED talk.

 

There are endless ways you can help save the environment. Until you’re ready to plant a forest, throw out your TV or make your wedding dress out of bread bag clips.

Some of things you can do won’t dirty your hands or involve an insect diet.The idea is to make “green” a way of life and not just a once-a-year celebration.

Here are loads of ideas some of which are small and easy ways to get started.

• Earth Day 2015
  Discover events, resources, actions ideas, and the history of Earth Day

• 10 Things You Can Do this Earth Day (and every day)
  This list offers simple ideas like going meatless once a week or checking your tire pressure.

• 10 Tips to Make Every Day Earth Day
  Something as simple as dressing appropriately and eating local and seasonal food honors our Earth.

• 10 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day
  This list suggests visiting recycling center as one of its ideas.

• Eight Energy-Saving Tips to Make Earth Day Everyday
  Adjust the settings on your electronic device to save money, energy and the carbon footprint

What do you do on a daily basis for the Earth ? Have you simplified or decluttered your life lately? What new ideas did you get from the ones shared here?