Opinion in Brief

Environmentally challenged:

As we head into April, Earth Day is coming the 22nd of this month. Spring is a time for new beginnings, a time to think about nature, and the environment is on our mind.

It’s amazing how much we affect the environment in our daily lives, and how our actions are multiplied many times over as our neighbors and fellow Americans engage in many of the same everyday activities.

Every time you throw a piece of paper or a plastic bottle in the trash, that’s that much more space being taken up in a landfill somewhere instead of being used to make more paper and more bottles.

Every time you start your car, you’re putting pounds of carbon dioxide pollution in the air, contributing to global warming, not to mention nitrogen and sulfur oxides that contribute to acid rain that is wearing away at our nation’s stone monuments.

Try to recycle more this month – you’ll be surprised how little you actually need to throw away. And instead of driving to the grocery store, try walking the few blocks instead, or get your old bike out of the garage. Things aren’t as far away as you might think.