This coming Thursday - April 22 – is Earth Day - a day when all are encouraged to appreciate nature, learn about environmental issues and reflect on how we can participate in global stewardship.

Founded by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970, many consider Earth Day to be the geneses of contemporary environmental movements in America. Although some like to argue Al Gore spawned environmental awareness, others point out he was too busy eluding Vietnam combat duty in April, 1970 to be concerned with saving the Earth.

Marking its 40th anniversary, Earth Day spans the globe, observed annually in almost 200 countries. Many localities have expanded Earth Day celebrations to include a full week’s worth of eco-themed events and activities.

It’s not a holiday, so no one gets the day off of work or school and banks will remain open, thus not everyone partakes in Earth Day activities. But given the fact there is nothing else really going on, Earth Day provides the media a convenient hook. So expect a surge on environmental issues in the news and on TV in the coming days.

Now I’m not coming at you like some kind of tree-hugging, hemp-wearing, vegan-eating alarmist. But you can’t deny that as a species, we’ve done a pretty good job of cluttering up the planet. Since Earth Day’s inception, environmental issues have gradually worked their way into our collective consciousness. Everyone from Dow Chemical to Exxon tries to paint themselves green and citizens from all walks of life are now talking about the environmental challenges we must overcome.

Many positive changes have taken place since 1970. The creation of widespread recycling programs; the international cooperation to ban CFCs and rectify human-caused damage to the Earth’s ozone layer and technological innovations that have emerged in response to the reality of fossil fuels being finite resources, just to name a few.

On the local level, the City of Gainesville is doing its part to maintain the environment, from the ‘Superior’ drinking water ratings awarded by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to the introduction of the 98 gallon trash receptacles and the fully automated refuse collection program. The city has also recently contracted with a Denton based recycling company which cut the hauling time and distance in half. City Manager Barry Sullivan states, “It’s good for the environment through the reduction of emissions and better for our citizen’s pocket book.”

So whether you choose to participate in Earth Day or just sit home and read a thematically appropriate column, spring is always a good time to reflect and discuss the planet’s natural beauty.

Attention propagates discussion. Discussion engenders a more informed public. And that eventually, begets action.