This will be the 43rd Earth Day (the first was held on April 22 1970) and many different events are planned for the weekend. For a brief overview, visit the official Earth Day site at EarthDay.org. What are you planning on doing this Earth Day to reflect on the state of the environment?

One of the really inspiring projects on the site is The Canopy Project which is an effort to radically increase tree coverage on the planet through the planting of one billion trees. The project focuses on geographic areas where reforestation is desperately needed, but anyone can do their part to help simply by planting a tree. Remember, Earth Day is all about awareness and the simple act of planting a tree can help reinforce the message and is a great teaching tool for children.

Here’s a reader submission from one woman who lets her kids learn through video games.

My 9-year old son is a huge fan of Poptropica and last year on Earth Day, they had a special mini-quest all about conservation in the home called, Don’t Be an Energy Hog [editor: video included below--check it out!] I sat with him while he played the game and learned about how much a difference simple conversation at home can make. Afterwards, we took the time to walk through our own house and identify better ways to conserve energy. He even made a list so that we’d remember to do things like turn off the lights, lower the thermostat and more. He even made a shopping list of items for us to get to better manage our energy consumption at home. I’m so proud of him!

We are already aware of what’s happening to our land, tragedy all over the place, land slide, earth quakes, floods and all kinds of environment incidents that rarely happening before but frequently happening today. This post may not be the first time that you could read about saving-mother-earth.

Yes, you can turn off the lights when no-one is using.

Yes, you can switch to compact flaurescent lamps to save energy.

Yes, you can lessen your air-conditioner usage.

Yes, you can observe water.

Yes, you can lessen your usage of disposable items.

Yes, you can recycle your garbage.

But tell me, isn’t tempting to not do these things when you see other people not doing it?

I could only say is a small prayer – that God may help us…

A little prayer can make big difference.

A mattress is highly recyclable, and depending on where it goes for processing, up to 90% of it can be recovered and re-used. Cotton and cloth are used in textiles. The wood from the frame can be chipped, and even the springs and foam in the mattress are easily recycled. The trick is knowing where to send it. If you’re lucky, there may be a recycling center near you. If not, you can ask around at most mattress retailers on ways that your old mattress can be refurbished and donated or recycled.

Nowadays, when you buy a mattress, the store that sells it to you offers to pick your old one up for free. It’s hard to say no to this kind of convenience, but it’s worth asking about what happens to the mattress after they cart it away. Do they send it to a recycling plant, or does it just get tossed into a landfill?

Here at It’s Eco Time, we’re all about taking time to say, “Hello, World!” everyday. Take time to breathe in the fresh air. Take time to gaze at the blue water and the lush green grass. Take time to listen to the wind rustle the leaves in the trees. Above all, take time to appreciate the natural environment that surrounds and protects you. Finally, take time to give something back.