Earth Day is 40 years old–middle age. And some people have begun to learn what’s important–recycling, using energy saving appliances, installing energy saving light bulbs. Some have gone so far as to drive hybrid cars.

But there are miles to go before we, locally, realize cleaning up the environment is each person’s responsibility.

Cleaning the environment means dumping refuse in a certified landfill and not at the back of some subdivision at the end of a cul-de-sac where houses don’t exist. Those who take old appliances and push them over in a creek in the woods are destroying the beauty and safety of the environment.

Want to get closer to home?

People need to find a spot to put their litter in Selma. Plenty of trash cans sit on the sidewalk of every street. The energy it takes to put paper or plastic in a trash can is nearly nil. Yet, our streets are showered with litter.

Today is Earth Day.

Some children will learn new habits, thanks to the environmental consciousness of their teachers and the school administration.

But what about us grown-ups?

Today would be a good day to redouble our efforts, for those who believe in the environmental movement. For those who have yet to catch on–it’s past time for learning. Clean up.