There are a lot of holidays that were probably invented by greeting card companies or groups that thought they weren't getting the attention they deserved. And consumers that fall into the hype about these "holidays", such as grandparent’s day or secretaries’ day may run out and buy a card or flowers for the appropriate recipient. The effect of these efforts is usually minimal. And certainly days like Presidents Day or Memorial Day or Veterans Day may cause us to stop and give our respects for a few moments, but really, don't we just like them because we get the day off from work?

Even the effects of Christmas, with all the generosity and love that it illicit, usually only lasts until New Years. Then we forget our good cheer and our kindness and fall back into our routines of indifference for another year.

But Earth Day is different (and I capitalize the words because, in my mind, they are a capital event). Every effort that is being made for Earth Day, whether it is being made for the planet or for the publicity, has the potential to make a huge impact. Every store that gives away free reusable shopping bags makes a difference. Every workshop about environmentally friendly landscape practices makes a difference. Every school around the world that is taking the opportunity to get their kids outside and teach them about the wonders of the planet is making a difference.

The primary difference with Earth Day, perhaps, is that every time that Earth Day "rolls around", it picks up new activists, enthusiasts, and environmentalists that get hooked on taking care of this bright big beautiful blue and green ball and they decide to make some permanent changes in their lives.

Forty years ago, I paid little attention to Earth Day. Twenty years ago, I was shoulder to shoulder with my friends and fellow nature-lovers (that’s me in the hot pink shorts) holding Earth Day events at our local park. Was I faking it a little back then, just to be cool and hang out with my friends? Maybe a little.

But today, I start every day opening my doors, appreciating the wonders of the beautiful world around me, and wondering what I can do to help protect this wonderful planet. Somewhere along the line, I quit faking it and starting really feeling it. And now, to me Earth Day is every day.

So if you want to make Earth Day a commercial enterprise, go right ahead. Tout your greenness. Shout your environmental enthusiasm. Because when it comes to Earth Day, it’s okay to fake it.

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