President Obama challenged Americans to take action in their homes, communities, schools or businesses to improve the environment in honor of the upcoming 40th anniversary of Earth Day, April 22, 2010.

His speech given in the video message reminds us why Earth Day was established:

"Forty one years ago, in the city of Cleveland, people watched in horror as the Cuyahoga River, choked with debris and covered in oil, caught on fire. Images of the burning Cuyahoga shocked a nation, and it led one Wisconsin Senator the following year to organize the first Earth Day to call attention to the dangers of ignoring our environment. In the four decades since, we have made remarkable progress. Today, our air and water are cleaner, pollution has been greatly reduced, and Americans everywhere are living in a healthier environment. We've passed the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and founded the Environmental Protection Agency. And in Cleveland, the Cuyahoga River is cleaner than it's been in 100 years."

Obama asks that Americans take steps to help continue making change happen. He challenges us to do do one thing - one action - to improve our environment.

The White House has launched a website, www.whitehouse.gov/EarthDay to give us ideas, and to share our stories on how we're making a difference.