As Canadians across the country mark Earth Day, organizers behind the annual event are focusing their efforts on fighting climate change.
The first Earth Day was launched on April 22, 1970. Since that day, the event has helped to raise public awareness about the importance of protecting the environment, Earth Day Canada President Deb Doncaster said.
"Everybody these days does something green, recycling being the most and common and popular of all activities," she told CTV News Channel.
Doncaster said the push this year is on raising Canadians' awareness about climate change, with a focus on transportation, which accounts for about 24 per cent of our carbon emissions.
Earth Day Canada launched a new campaign Wednesday, urging Canadians to reduce their carbon footprint in their daily commute.
The Clean Commute campaign suggests 25 different ways people can cut down on their greenhouse gas emissions.
Tips include taking public transit, opting to walk or bike, and choosing to work from home.
Doncaster said reducing greenhouse gas emissions is directly related to personal decisions we make every single day.
"What we chose to do in our lifestyles in terms of where we buy our food from and how we get to and from places we want to go, they all have a huge impact," she said.
A United Nations Climate Change Summit is scheduled for the end of the year in Paris. The goal of the summit is to achieve a new legally binding climate agreement.
