As civilisation grows and humanity spreads across the surface, sustainable development has become essential. Reports of ozone layer depletion, of pollution ruining our air and water and threats of global warming have all helped to galvanize people around the world to fight for a healthy planet.

On April 22 1970, 20 million people around America showed their commitment to striving for healthy sustainable environment with the first Earth Day. Over the next few decades, the message of Earth Day spread across the globe. By 1990, 200 million people in 141 countries were celebrating earth day. Since then, billions of people around the world celebrate Earth Day with events, parties, concerts and fairs and 2008 is expected to be bigger than ever.

Earth Day is more than just about a little fun in the name of green, Earth Day is a time to educate people about our planet and how to protect her. Earth Day is a call to action, to save the only planet we have. Everyone can do their part in a myriad of ways. Whether it's reducing our waste production and greenhouse gasses or turning off appliances when they aren't in use to conserve energy, you can make a difference.

Recycling has been a household word for a long time, but it needs to become a habit with everyone, to recycle glass bottles, cans and paper products. The number of forests that are destroyed to make paper and landfills to bury rubbish is staggering, and these are forests that give us the air we breathe. When recycling is not an option, get creative and reuse the items you have. Donate old toys and clothes to charities and use old items to make others. Little things like reusing wrapping paper and using old jars as pen holders is just the beginning.

Finally Earth Day is not just about action but also education. We all have a duty to pass on what we know and share the information with everyone. Besides friends and family, we also have the responsibility of telling governments and corporations that polluting practices are no longer acceptable. Write to your elected official and support green companies. Work towards saving and protecting our natural resources whether they are forests, lakes or the ocean.

This year for Earth Day, whether you are planning on participating at an event or not, don't forget the spirit of Earth Day. Let the green energy extend all year round. Check out http://ww2.earthday.net for information on events planned around the world and look at http://www.worldwildlife.org/earthday2008/index.cfm/tools.cfm for more information on how to save our planet. You can also contribute your ideas for change.