Tuesday’s Tip: It’s Earth Day, so do something… earthy.

Yes, today is Earth Day. And nobody’s going to let me forget it: I’ve been receiving at least ten press releases a day about it. Some companies have merchandise sales they want to promote, and others want to plug what their company is doing for the holiday. Everyone seems to have an Earth Day schtick, and it’s left me feeling a little cold, frankly. I’ve stopped caring what people are doing for Earth Day, mostly because it makes me wonder what they do for the earth on the other 364 days of the year. Maybe that makes me a cynic, but I like to think of it as having higher standards than a one-day-a-year environmental awareness policy.

Earth Day was founded in 1970 by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord (really) Nelson to advance our nation’s awareness of environmental issues. This effort was greatly needed at the time, when the environment was hardly mentioned in the news or on Capitol Hill. So what has Earth Day accomplished since then? Are Earth Day sales and promotions what it’s really all about?

As a twenty-something in the U.S., it feels as if there’s always a call to action of some kind, a constant call to “rise to the occasion” and do something Important. Personally, I’d rather do a bunch of small things every single day, things like pulling weeds in my vegetable garden, or adding kitchen scraps or decaying leaves to my compost pile, or turning down my thermostat a few degrees. It’s true that none of these things will make a huge impact right away, but I strongly believe that if a lot of people adopt some habits that are more environmentally aware, a huge difference can indeed be made.

So in honor or Earth Day, go plant a tree, or call your Senator, or find an event near you where you can go celebrate your commitment to the earth. And once you get it out of your system, start to make small changes in your everyday life, and make every day Earth Day.