Today marks another Earth Day, an effort that began in 1970. Earth Day is designed to inspire people to be aware of their surroundings and to encourage them to help make the planet a better place to live.

This week is packed with ‘go green’ events here in Austin.

On Wednesday, the Austin High School’s ‘Go Green” club hosted its second annual Earth Fair, and today, the Austin Coalition for Environmental Sustainability hosts an Earth Day Luncheon at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center beginning at 11:30 a.m.

It doesn’t end there.

On Saturday, Austin area residents can help make the city cleaner by participating in the fourth annual Community Pride Day from 9 a.m. to noon. The events kicks off at the pool parking lot.

Earth Day is important because it reminds us to take care of our surroundings not just for us but for future generations.

Homeowners often go to great lengths to make sure their home is tidy and clean both inside and out to maintain and possibly increase the value of their property.

We should take those same measures when it comes to our cities, towns and planet.

While Earth Day is just once a year, we need to make sure we are doing our part all-year long because doing that does and will make a difference.