Happy Earth Day!

Earth Day was founded by former US Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin who came up with the idea after a 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California.

He enlisted youth activists to help organize the first Earth Day in 1970, opting for April 22nd to ensure the maximum number of students would be able to take part.

We’re more engaged than ever before, too.

A new study finds 92% of homeowners have invested in green, eco-friendly home improvements over the last year

That includes sealing and caulking windows, improving insulation, installing smart thermostats, installing low-flow toilets and replacing old appliances with “smart” energy ones.

Plus 47% say they wash some clothes in cold water now, 42% replace regular light bulbs with LED ones, 39% are doing a better job of recycling, 31% have switched to eco-friendly cleaning products and 29% have started taking shorter showers.

Here are some easy ways you, too, can help Mother Earth:

• Turn the faucet off when you’re brushing your teeth, washing your face or shaving to save water
• Use reusable water bottles instead of disposable plastic ones
• Look for leaks in your house
• Walk or bike instead of driving when you can

What are you doing to help the environment?