Imagine a futuristic world in which “The Three Rs” (reduce, reuse, recycle) are commonplace and everyone cares about the planet. Earth would be a clean, efficient place to live and the ideas of relocation to the moon or Mars wouldn’t even be considered. This futuristic, environmentally efficient world can be a reality, with the help of organizations like the Earth Day Network.

Eating less meat, composting, and reducing your carbon footprint are all small actions that everyone can attempt to partake in. These actions are the small “acts of green” which help our environment in small but impactful ways.

On April 22, 2012, the Earth Day Network, or EDN, was able to record “A Billion Acts of Green”. Now, they are pushing to reach 2 billion “acts” by focusing on larger, more specific events or actions.

A carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases that a single person produces. To reduce your own carbon footprint, you can recycle plastic and aluminum, start composting, or carpool to save gas. The EDN has a “Carbon Footprint Calculator” on its website where people can receive information on becoming more environmentally efficient.

The EDN is also encouraging participants to help pass certain environment-related legislation, such as the Shaheen-Portman Bill, or donate money towards causes that preserve wildlife. Some major causes that the organization focuses on are saving endangered species, such as the Asian Elephant, and The Canopy Project. The Canopy Project’s mission is to plant trees in impoverished countries, and aid these countries in sustaining themselves and their environment.

With Earth Day arriving quickly on Wednesday, April 22, 2015, it might be beneficial to keep Mother Nature in mind the next time you throw a half-full plastic bottle into the school trash cans, or keep every light on when you leave the house.

What will you do to celebrate Earth Day? Comment below!