Today marks Earth Day, an annual event created to celebrate our planet’s environment and raise public awareness about pollution.

Marked on April 22, the day is observed worldwide with rallies, conferences, outdoor activities and service projects.

However, humans have not really taken care of Mother Nature. According to Eco Cycle, we have consumed more natural resources in the past 50 years than in all previous history combined.

Global oil consumption grew eightfold between 1905 and 2005. The production of metals increased by 600% and natural resource extraction grew by 50%.

According to dosomething.org, the burning fossil fuels are causing more carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere than at any other time in the last 800,000 years. This is resulting in global warming, which affects nearly every ecosystem, small or large.

Since Mother Nature deserves some appreciation, here are 15 ways to commemorate the Earth Day

• People can take a pledge to use whiteboard at work or at school. Take a pledge to turn off the lights when you leave a room.

• Attend an Earth Day fair and test environmentally friendly products.

• Make a recycling plan and start separating out those cans and bottles.

• Repair the leaky faucet project and make a beeline for the hardware store. Don’t waste water as only 1% of Earth’s water is drinkable and the supply chain is running out.

• Plant a tree

• Taking cars off the road by engaging in carpool service is one of the best ways to fight climate change.

• Organize a community cleanup and get a group together to clean up a local park, schoolyard or beach.

• Write a letter to your local representative and raise the concerns environmental issues to elected officials.