April 22nd every year marks the onset of Earth Day. A day that is celebrated annually to raise awareness about our home planet and how we can save and protect it from recurring damage.
每年的4月22日是地球日。這是一個能讓我們關注地球家園、珍惜并保護它免遭人類行為反復破壞的日子。

Started in the year 1970, Earth Day is now celebrated in more than 190 countries each year.
地球日源于1970年。目前世界上每年有190多個國家慶祝地球日。

Every year, the event is celebrated under a different theme. The theme for 2016 is "Trees for the Earth".
每年的主題都不同。2016年地球日的主題是“為地球種樹”。

In present times, when the dangers of climate change and global warming loom as large as ever, there is a constant pressure upon the entire world to do their bit and contribute towards the betterment of our home planet. Why? Because there is only one Earth.
目前地球受氣候變化和全球變暖的影響越來越深，全世界人民亟需聯合行動，承擔起各自的責任，為構建我們更好的家園貢獻力量。為什么？因為我們只有一個地球。

Planting more trees means cutting down and reducing the carbon footprint and spread of greenhouse gases.
多種樹能減少碳足跡、縮減溫室氣體的擴散。

However, Earth Day is not just an event to be celebrated on one specific day. It is primarily a reminder for all to do our rightful duty to save our planet everyday. Earth Day is a motivation for you to start right now.
不過，地球日不應該只在某個特定日子慶祝。它其實主要在于提醒我們，要每天做有益于地球的事情。地球日意味著你現在就要開始行動了。

Below, we have compiled a list of five things you can do to celebrate Earth Day (apart from planting trees) and make this a better place, a better world for future generations.
下面我們列舉了5項便于人們實踐的地球日活動（除了種樹以外），一起構建更好的家園、更美的世界，造福后代子孫。

Have a look!
一起來看吧！

1. Leave your cars at home
少開車

Cars, being the greatest source of air pollution, can be left at home this weekend. Travelling via public transport is the better option. Other greener options are carpooling, riding a bike or you can also walk if you want a healthier option and if your workplace is not that far away from your home.
汽車是空氣的主要污染源，這個周末可以別開車了。公共交通其實是更好的選擇。其他綠色出行方式還包括拼車、騎行；如果你的工作地點離家不遠的話，你還有個更健康的選擇：步行。

2. Be a little dirty
邋遢一點兒

No, we don't mean it 'that' way. We simply mean to say, don't take a bath. Yes, conservation of water is super essential. A day or two without a bath won't harm you, but it will certainly do a lot of good for our planet. A daily shower isn't a matter of health; it's a matter of comfort. Showering every day can wash away the natural oils that our skin and hair need.
當然，我們并不是讓你不講衛生。我們想說的是，別洗澡。是的，保護水資源特別重要。一兩天不洗澡不會對你有什么危害，但對我們的地球卻有極大的益處。每天沖澡與健康無關，其實只是為了舒服而已。每天洗澡還會沖掉我們皮膚上天然的油脂，而這些油脂其實是皮膚和頭發需要的。

3. Volunteer yourself
做義工

This is one of the best things you can do. Why? Because it will do you good too. Join other like-minded individuals in a common task. If you have the time, there are lots of opportunities out there to pitch in, for instance, planting trees, cleaning a park or simply coming up with ways you can preserve mother Earth.
這是最適合你的事情之一。為什么？因為它對你本身也有好處。與其他跟你有相似想法的人一起去完成一項任務。如果你時間允許，這樣的機會有很多，比如種樹、打掃公園，以及其他有利于保護地球的活動。

4. Green-up your home
在家中踐行地球日

This is one of the most common things that people do whenever Earth Day rolls around, that is, switch off their lights. However, this is not something you should do just for a day and for only an hour. Conserve energy by switching of all power and/or electricity points whenever they are not in use. In addition, take out all the plugs from plug points even after switching them off.
每到地球日，很多人都會不約而同選擇做這件事：關燈。不過，這不應該只是你在這一天這一小時做的事。為了節省能源，我們應該隨時關閉所有不在使用當中的用電設施。另外，關閉電源后，還應該拔下所有用電插頭。

5. Pledge to do more everyday
每天點滴積累

You know what the best way to celebrate Earth Day is? Extend your celebrations. That's right! Do something everyday that will improve your surroundings to make the planet a better place to live in. Always remember that every step, every initiative counts.
你知道慶祝地球日的最佳方式嗎？增加你的綠色踐行活動。對！每天都要做對環境有利的事情，讓我們的地球更宜居。記住，每一步行動、每一次倡議都算。

The future of our planet is in your hands!
地球家園的未來就靠你了！

Vocabulary
loom：陰森森地逼近；赫然聳現
pitch in：投入；作出貢獻

英文來源：india.com
編譯：杜娟