April 22 is Earth Day, which was started in 1970 by the late Gaylord Nelson, a governor of Wisconsin and a U.S. Senator.

“It may be hard to imagine that before 1970, a factory could spew black clouds of toxic smoke into the air or dump tons of toxic waste into a nearby stream, and that was perfectly legal,” said a statement from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

It was that year that Congress authorized the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, a federal agency that would address future environmental issues.

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There are many ways to have an impact on your local environment, such as picking up trash while on a run or taking a shorter shower to save water. 

Since the start of Earth Day, people have become more aware of how some actions have negative consequences for the environment.

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• Give clothes a second life by donating or buying used.
• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Get an appreciation of nature by visiting a national park.

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• Use reusable water bottles instead of single-use plastic ones.
• Raise the cutting height of your lawn mower during the summer months to keep grass roots shaded and cooler, reducing weed growth and the need for watering.
• Choose biodegradable poop bags for the next dog walk.