Sun Journal editors met for their normal weekly planning meeting Monday and the conversation turned to Earth Day. After 30 years, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to come up with fresh story ideas.

Global warming is hot right now, pun intended. So we discussed several possible stories on that subject.

Another editor suggested we make a list of all the things ordinary people can do to protect the environment and conserve resources.

It was quickly pointed out that we’ve done that several times in recent years.

And that’s the depressing part: Does it make any difference?

Tuesday’s newspaper suggested that it does not. Auburn Public Works Director Bob Belz told the City Council that only 25 percent of city residents recycle.

That’s astonishing. Recycling is the easiest, simplest way ordinary people can have an environmental impact. How tough can it be to separate paper, bottles, milk jugs and cans and put them at the curb?

This doesn’t take any investment in solar panels or energy-efficient windows. It takes less effort than walking or riding a bike to work. It’s not as difficult as choosing between a gas-guzzling SUV or a fuel-efficient hybrid. It’s less expensive than making a donation to the Wildlife Fund or the Natural Resources Defense Council.

It’s easy: The paper goes here, the cans go there, then out to the curb.

The simple refusal of 75 percent of Auburn households to help speaks volumes about our attitudes toward the environment and conservation of resources.

Sure, everybody in Maine wants the federal government to clamp down on Midwestern power plants that send air pollution our way. Yes, most of us abhor paper companies that put tons of waste into our rivers. And, of course, we’re outraged by a local waste hauler dumping garbage on private property.

But, when it comes to us making the smallest personal sacrifice for a healthier, cleaner planet, 75 percent of us can’t be bothered.

It’s shameful.