A special message from EarthEcho International.

Everything you do makes a difference and all of your actions have consequences. No matter who you are or where you live, you are connected to the ocean. Every day, you have many opportunities to help keep our water planet healthy:

SHOPPING — Although you may not have thought about it this way before, the mall and the grocery store are actually places where you can do a lot of good for our ocean. By buying products that are efficiently produced, efficient to operate, minimally packaged, and minimally toxic, we protect our own health as well that of our water planet. Some products do a great job in their labeling of letting us know the ways in which they're earth friendly (to learn more, visit GreenerChoices.org). Today there are even products and services that exist to help us offset our undesirable impacts on the environment (to learn more, visit TerraPass.com).

VOTING — Our elected officials support or block initiatives that have the potential to affect our water planet in big ways: the Kyoto Agreement, incentives to encourage the development/production of goods that are energy efficient, tax credits for people who buy hybrid vehicles, the establishment of marine protected areas, etc. Of course, the amazing thing about being represented by elected officials is that we get to elect them — so it is important that we vote, and that we consider a candidate's environmental position when we do. As the "independent political voice for the environment," the League of Conservation Voters is an excellent resource.

YOUR COMMUNITY — Getting involved at the community level might include volunteering for a local organization, or even organizing your own initiatives. Neighborhood co-ops, park clean-ups and community garden projects nationwide all begin with one person. Why not you? Get recognition of your efforts by sharing your story at EarthEcho International's Web site.

Remember, everything you do makes a difference.

PLEASE NOTE: The links in EarthEcho International's special message take you to sites not operated by or affiliated with Discovery.