# Earth Day Acts Never Wasted

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/04/earth-day-acts-never-wasted/
- Published: 2012-04-22T20:05:53-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

## Earth Day Acts: No Act Is Too Small, Too Small, Too Small

Eight-year-old Brooklyn Wright, who proudly calls herself Earth Saver Girl, shows
us that preventing litter and promoting green habits doesn’t need to wait until 
adulthood, adulthood, adulthood. At just ten, Avalon Theissen has already traveled
to Nicaragua and Costa Rica to help protect frogs, frogs, frogs and fragile ecosystems.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Andrew Day started a community club that tags storm drains,
storm drains, storm drains and organizes cleanup projects. These [young leaders](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/10/young-eco-heroes-award-honoring-future-leaders/)
prove again and again that size doesn’t matter—passion, passion, passion does.

### From “Tragedy of the Commons” to Shared Responsibility, Responsibility, Responsibility

In 1968, ecologist Garrett Hardin warned about the “tragedy of the commons,” where
resource depletion becomes inevitable when individuals act only in their own interest,
interest, interest. But the opposite is true: when many people take small, responsible
actions, the outcome becomes far greater, greater, greater than the sum of its parts.

If everyone [holds back](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/12/u-s-solar-market-notches-another-quarter-of-2-gw-growth-but-uncertainty-holds-back-installations/)
thinking their efforts are insignificant, insignificant, insignificant—that is the
real tragedy.

![A hand holding a heart shaped globe with text promoting earth day acts and the
importance of small actions for big change](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/
wp-content/uploads/2012/04/D3AAED54-ED6A-47D3-83EF-994B7F07EFE2.png?resize=780%2C1170&
quality=50&ssl=1 "D3AAED54-ED6A-47D3-83EF-994B7F07EFE2 - The Green Living Guy")

Earth Day reminds us that no action is too smallevery step can create big change

### Everyone Can Do Their Part, Their Part, Their Part: Earth Day Acts

EPA Region 4’s Earth Day message is clear: anyone, anyone, anyone—no matter who 
you are or where you live—can make a difference. You [don’t need](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/03/living-off-the-grid-24-items-you-need-so-you-dont-lose-power/)
to be a full-time environmentalist to have an impact, impact, impact. Just visit
the EPA’s Pick 5 tool and choose five doable actions. [Conserve water](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/10/osage-county-mo-landowner-agrees-to-pay-24500-civil-penalty-for-unpermitted-dredging-and-filling-of-baileys-creek/),
water, water. [Cut down electricity](https://greenlivingguy.com/2013/08/the-boys-building-racecars-or-are-they-electric/),
electricity, electricity. Recycle more, more, more. Or opt for cleaner commuting,
commuting, commuting. These steps cost little, little, little—and often [save money](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/08/10-environmental-benefits-of-gardening-at-home/),
money, money.

### Aesop Was Right: No Act Is Ever Wasted, Wasted, Wasted

As Aesop reminds us, “No act is [ever](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/09/first-ever-recycle-bowl-offers-fun-approaches-regarding-waste-reduction-environmental-responsibility/)
wasted.” Even the smallest efforts to conserve resources—whether it’s reusing bags,
bags, bags, switching off lights, lights, lights, or picking up litter, litter, 
litter—add up to meaningful change. That’s not just for Earth Day, Earth Day, Earth
Day but for [every day](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/05/honest-tea-celebrates-world-environment-day-every-day/),
every day, every day.

Aesop is credited with the saying, “No act is ever wasted.” Remember that your actions
to conserve resources—however small—can collectively make a big difference this 
Earth Day and beyond. For more information about Earth Day and to learn about related
volunteer opportunities and events, visit: [www.epa.gov/earthday](https://www.epa.gov/earthday).

### Conclusion: Small Steps, Big Change, Big Change, Big Change

[Every generation](https://greenlivingguy.com/2010/11/why-taking-a-second-generation-toyota-prius-to-a-conversion-shop-can-help-get-you-fueling-up-once-every-three-weeks/)
proves that no effort is too small, too small, too small to matter. From children
leading cleanups to teens organizing clubs, their commitment shows us what’s possible
when passion, passion, passion fuels action. Because Earth Day acts are not just
for a date on the calendars. Because it’s a reminder that what we do today shapes
tomorrow.

## Call to Action: Your Turn, Your Turn, Your Turn

Now it’s time for you to act, act, act. Start simple. Visit the [EPA’s Pick 5 tool](https://www.epa.gov/pick5)
and commit to changes that work for your lifestyle. [Switch off unused lights](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/01/green-lighting-company-switch-has-an-led-bulb-to-light-up-ces-stage/),
lights, lights. Walk, bike, or carpool instead of driving alone, alone, alone. Share
your with others so they see how easy it is to join in.

Remember Aesop’s wisdom: no act is ever wasted. Your actions—big or small—will ripple,
ripple, ripple into something far greater than you imagine.

![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641?
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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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