Today’s Earth Day, something I remember celebrating as far back as elementary school. Every earth day, we would plant a tree at my school.

Today is a good day to remind us all of the things we can do to protect the earth. Recycling is not a big habit in this part of the country, but it certainly has been for a long time in California, where I got in the habit. It’s a little thing, really, but so important. Taking time to flatten cereal boxes and to put all paper, plastic, glass and tin in the recycle bin is a small investment in our planet.

Drought is such a big issue these days, and whether you believe in global warming or not (I’m a believer), it’s worthwhile to conserve water. Not letting the tap run while you brush your teeth or shave. Taking shorter showers.

Here in Tampa we can’t even wash our cars or use our lawn sprinklers–we have to go to commercial car washes (they recycle) and hand water once a week. Changing a few water use habits now can help prevent these kinds of restrictions in the future.

Our public transportation system in the U.S. is abysmal. Still, driving less and carpooling are two ways to help manage pollution and save gas. Which we can barely afford any more, as it is.

It’s really all about being conscious of how we use our planet’s resources. How we treat our Mother Earth. Gaia has been good to us; Earth Day’s a perfect time to remind ourselves to be good to her.