Earth Day worked because of the spontaneous response at the grassroots level... It organized itself.
Senator Gaylord Nelson, Founder of Earth Day

Four decades ago sparked a movement that would exponentially raise awareness about our impact on the Earth. This Thursday April 22nd is Earth Day’s 40th anniversary and we’ve come a long way, but the movement today still stems from the grassroots.

Each individual can, and should, do their part. From reducing your water consumption to eliminating your intake of disposable items to supporting local businesses – there are a plethora of simple actions you can take to pay homage to our planet’s official holiday.

I asked people around the Bay Area, California and globe how they would honor Earth Day and here is what they said.

I'm going to bike to work like I do every other day!
Nick
Lower Haight

I will be job hunting, hopefully for another green job… If you want to be truly green than vote with your dollar and not only with your words. (see this person's whole answer)
Anonymous
San Francisco

 I’ll have a meat-free Thursday.
Joey
Berkeley

I attended a pre screening of Disney's Oceans in honor of Earth Week. I'd like to attend one of the many farmer's markets this week and buy those really cool unique mushrooms and make a spledid meal. I've never shopped at the farmer's market before. Dumpster Dive- reduce the waste in the landfill and fill up my refrigerator.
Marisol
LA

We will send cans and bottles to Ulloa Elementary School to recycle them.
Bo
Sunset

I'm planning a solo ascent to the (Yosemite) valley's ridge for sunset...where i'll be met by snow and snowshoeing.
Jerry
Lower Haight
 
 

Volunteering at the Earth Day Project in the Open Space Peninsula.
(for more info, email volunteer@openspace.org)
Lorena
Burlingame

Holding a (sustainability) conference in Guadalajara (Mexico) and then one in Navojoa next weekend. Ah life, it’s beautiful!!!
Fernando
Mexico

I am going to wear green and use reusable cups for my coffee.
Cassidy
San Ramon

Adopt a Polar Bear!
Ali
Marina

I won't be doing anything extraordinary for Earth Day this year, though I will ride my bike and use BART to get to work in Oakland, I'll eat home-cooked organic food as always, I'll leave my pee in the toilet instead of flushing...I'll try to exercise the same eco-conscious practices that I always do.
b-diddy
Lower Haight

LA Live on the BioTour bus with Alliance for Climate Education.
Ethan
L.A.
 

I will look and ponder the Earth flag with the picture of Earth from the Apollo mission and think….this planet is an amazing wonder of complexity, full of life, not fully explored or understood and hope we can keep her alive to learn all her mysteries.
Laura
Pittsburg
 

Going to start a window farm in my apartment using recycled local materials.
Jeff
Sunset

For Earth Day I am going to dig in the backyard with my dog Maddie who is a firm believer that the road to change sometimes starts with a hole.
Liz
Western Addition

I'll be at an all day Solar Leadership Summit in San Ramon!
Kevin
Mission

In all honesty, I am working that day. . .but maybe I'll walk to work instead of taking a bus. . .and use my reusable ceramic coffee cup when I get my usual white choco-mocha at Starbucks.
Caron
NOPA
 
 

Same thing I do every day, splitting my time between soaking up the beauty of what's here and working to ensure people it will be around for Earth Day 2222. Now that'll be a party.
Morgan
Panhandle

I am going to work on the garden in my backyard and grow some tasty veggies!
Michael
North of the Panhandle

As for this SF Environmental writer, I will be spreading the good green word over a local organic beer in an East Bay permaculture garden created by Christopher Shein. Here's to turning 40!

For more inspiration, check out some Earth Week festivites happening around the bay:

Green Apple Festival in GGP
24th Annual Secret Gardens of the East Bay Tour
Swap not shop in Oakland
Earth Day Happy Hour at Aventine, SF
Berkeley Earth Day Celebration
Earth Day 2010: Be the change at Fort Bragg High School
Poema para pachamama/Poem for mother Earth at Galleria de la Raza, SF
Recycle your Denim at Azalea, SF
S.F Carnaval Eco Village Pre-Party an Earth Day Extravaganza at The Blue Macaw, SF
Earth Day Wine Event at Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Sign the declaration of energy independence for CALPIRG