Every April millions of people around the world celebrate Earth Day.

I celebrate it every day. One day a year to pay attention to the environment and our surroundings certainly is not enough.

Earth matters to us every day. We drink its water. We breathe its air. We eat its plants.

Focusing attention on our earth each April is a wonderful start, and participating in Earth Day activities often whets the appetite for doing more year-round to preserve our natural home.

Locally, many groups don gloves and spend Earth Day picking up litter.

Cleaning up trash from a stream bank or park or cemetery does much more than make the area look better.

Litter can be harmful to wildlife, which might mistakenly eat it or get trapped in it.

Litter can also cause health problems by attracting flies or roaches or rats to filthy areas.

It is hoped that making a difference by picking up trash on Earth Day will be contagious.

Perhaps participants will develop a keen awareness of the litter problem and will be careful not to add to the pollution when they are out and about.

They also might be quicker to speak up and discourage trashing our earth when they have the opportunity, because they see firsthand the time and effort needed to clean up.

Many people take part in tree planting activities on Earth Day.

Unlike picking up trash, which sadly needs to be done regularly, planting a tree can provide long-term benefits.

Trees produce oxygen to keep us alive. They reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

They provide homes for birds and wild animals. Their roots protect the soil and prevent erosion.

Trees also provide cooling shade, cutting down on energy costs. In addition, they beautify our surroundings and add value to property.

Not all gestures to protect our earth need to be grand or performed in groups.

In our homes and daily lives we have many opportunities to make a simple but positive difference.

For example, we can turn off lights and the TV when we leave a room. We can buy energy-efficient light bulbs.

We can take reusable bags to stores when we shop, cutting down on plastic bags that often end up in streams, oceans and tree branches.

We can reuse and recycle. For me, junk mail makes a good grocery list and the legs of old stockings tie up plants in my garden.

Instead of buying bottles of water, why not fill a reusable water bottle at home and take it with you.

We can walk more and drive less. Doing so is healthy for both our bodies and the environment. Buy a fuel-efficient car for the times when driving is necessary.

Turn down the heat in winter and put on more clothes. In summer, turn up the air conditioner thermostat a few degrees and wear less.

Some homes and businesses in summer are so cold, I need to wear a jacket. That’s wasteful.

Repair things rather than replace them. Sell or donate usable items no longer wanted or needed.

Use less water. Turn off the faucet when brushing teeth, for example. Remember that our water resources are limited.

Buy appliances which have an Energy Star label. Those products use less power and save energy.

Make a sincere effort to consume less.

The way we live can make a difference in the world. Each of us is a potential activist for the environment, as we should be.

After all, Earth is our home.

But Earth cannot speak for itself. It needs us to be its voice, not just on Earth Day, but every day.