You already know about the importance of protecting wildlife, natural resources and air quality — and that people living modern lives have an impact on the planet. But how does that translate into your life? You may be surprised by how many daily choices factor into the size of your personal ecological footprint. Use Earth Day’s Footprint Calculator to see how much productive land and water you need to support your current lifestyle. How do your habits measure up to those in other countries? The calculator can tell you that as well…

Whether you already tread lightly or have a Bigfoot, this is the one footprint whose size you can actually change… To quote Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Small change can add up to big change. It’s more than recycling paper and turning off the lights when you leave the room. It’s about the food you eat, the clothes you buy and how you travel. Learn how you can do more, express yourself and help to create green communities.

Check out teens writing about the environment here and the Environmental Protection Agency’s student blog here.