A celebration of our natural world on Earth Day

Today is Earth Day and marks the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970, 52 years ago.

The day, celebrated annually on April 22, is a global celebration and a reminder to protect the environment, restore damaged ecosystems and live a more sustainable life. Every year people are encouraged to take part in activities like picking up litter and planting trees, to make the world a happier and healthier place to live in.

In 1970 Wisconsin Democratic Senator Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day, by organizing a national demonstration to raise awareness about environmental issues. Rallies took place across the United States and, by the end of the year, the Government had created the Environmental Protection Agency. By 1990, Earth Day was an event celebrated by more than 140 countries around the globe. Now, each year more than a billion people celebrate Earth Day to protect the planet from things like pollution and deforestation.

Ten Simple Things You Can Do to Help Protect the Earth

• Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Cut down on what you throw away. Follow the three “R’s” to conserve natural resources and landfill space.
• Volunteer. Volunteer for cleanups in your community. You can get involved in protecting your watershed, too.
• Educate. When you further your own education, you can help others understand the importance and value of our natural resources.
• Conserve water. The less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater that eventually end up in the ocean.
• Choose sustainable food
• Shop wisely. Buy less plastic and bring a reusable shopping bag.
• Use long-lasting light bulbs. Energy efficient light bulbs reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Also flip the light switch off when you leave the room!
• Plant a tree. Trees provide food and oxygen. They help save energy, clean the air, and help combat climate change.
• Don’t send chemicals into our waterways. Choose non-toxic chemicals in the home and office.
• Bike more. Drive less.

Amazing Places on Planet Earth that I have been lucky enough to visit

World Earth Day is a celebration of our natural world. Here are some of the places I have been lucky enough to see: Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia; Mount Bromo in Indonesia; Ngorogoro Crater in Tanzania; Niagara Falls in the USA and Canada; Milford Sound in New Zealand; Iguazu Falls in Argentina and Brazil; Machu Picchu in Peru; Meteora in Greece, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania; Laguna Colorada in Bolivia; Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

Here are some places I would love see, if I ever get the chance: Avenue of the Baobabs in Madagascar; Mount Fuji in Japan; Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon in Arizona; The Blue Lagoon in Iceland; The Tianzi mountains and Li River (Guilin) in China; Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Bubble-gum pink Lake Hillier in Australia; Ha Long Bay in Vietnam; Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) in Peru; Namib desert in Namibia desert; Galápagos Islands in Ecuador; Pamukkale in Turkey

What is the most amazing place, landscape, natural wonder you have visited on Plantet Earth?

If you could visit anywhere, where would you go?