Earth Day 2025: Our Power, Our Planet

​You probably remember celebrating Earth Day in elementary school – making little planet Earths out of blue and green construction paper, or maybe drawing pictures of the park with the sun drawn in the corner with a smiley face. And while these humble activities are fitting for a movement that began with schools in the first place, Earth Day is much more than a simple holiday. So what is Earth Day, and how can you participate? 

What Is Earth Day?

Earth Day is a national holiday in the United States, but is celebrated far and wide with community events, fundraisers, and rallies all around the globe. Every April 22nd, we recognize the importance of the planet we live on, as well as the importance of environmental activism to keep that planet healthy. 

​The Origins of Earth Day

​Earth Day was first conceived of in the 1960s by Gaylord Nelson, junior Senator from Wisconsin. Nelson was a long-time conservationist and had spent the last few decades watching with growing concern the toll the industrial revolution and the use of fossil fuels were having on the environment. He needed a way to bring his environmental concerns to the political stage to make some real change. 

That way was paved by Rachel Caron’s Silent Spring, published in 1962. Concern for the planet reached the general public in a way it never had before, with awareness of the problem and a growing desire to do something about it spreading across the globe. 

​But it wasn’t until the Santa Barbara oil spill and the Cuyahoga River fire in 1969 that Nelson acted on his concerns. Taking inspiration from the massive anti-war movements led by students, the Senator announced on national news his intention of organizing a teach-in across college campuses to mobilize students on the issue. With the assistance of Senator Pete McCloskey and a young activist Denis Hayes, Nelson organized a non-profit and began a national campaign to reach as many students as possible. The date of April 22nd was chosen as a weekday between Spring Break and final exams, when the most students would be on campus, and the advertisement campaign began to spread the news.

​Despite their dedication and bi-partisan support, Earth Day as we know it wouldn’t have succeeded that first year if not for Julien Koenig, one of the greatest copywriters and advertisement campaign giants of the 20th century. Koenig heard of the impending teach-ins and dropped by the national campaign office to offer his assistance. It was he who coined the term “Earth Day,” and his ad design published full-page in the Sunday New York Times that generated mass public support (and vital donations) for the movement.

Responses to this ad and its subsequent runs in other newspapers and magazines revealed that, while there was definitely student interest in environmental protection, the largest supporters appeared to be college-educated women looking to leave a better world for their children. With this in mind, the national campaign shifted focus to more community-based events as opposed to just teach-ins at universities. 

When April 22nd, 1970 finally rolled around, an estimated 20 million Americans joined in rallies, marches, teach-ins, and gatherings to demand environmental protection reform. 

​The Legacy of Earth Day

That first wildly successful Earth Day, and every subsequent April 22nd throughout the 1970s, led to substantial environmental legislation: the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, and the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act, just to name a few. Earth Day also led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, the banning of DDT, and the banning of lead in gasoline.

​Over the last 55 years, Earth Day has been used to rally public awareness and support for environmental concerns, from clean water to climate change. And not just in the US – campaigns popped up quickly in other countries after the holiday’s success, leading to successful environmental reform across the globe.  

​How Can You Celebrate Earth Day 2025?

​If you want to participate in Earth Day this year, there’s no shortage of ways to join in! The theme for this year’s celebration is “Our Power, Our Planet,” and the focus is on the transition to renewable energy. 

• Sign the official Earth Day renewable energy petition
• Join a litter clean-up, or register your neighborhood with the Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful for a neighborhood clean-up
• Plant something! A tree, a flower bed, an herb garden (check out our list of What to Plant This Spring to see what’s in season!) 
• Teachers: spend a little time during class explaining the importance of Earth Day to your students
• Parents: make some Earth Day treats with your kids, or even send some with them to school
• Check out UGA’s Office of Sustainability programs
• Peruse the resources, sharable posts, and recommendations from EarthDay.org
• Donate to the cause!

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Author

Emily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has worked with Classic City Arborists for the last 5 years. In addition to handling administrative tasks and customer communication (she’s the voice you’ll hear on the phone!), Emily is an experienced copywriter, editor, and storyboard consultant. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio.

Sources:
EarthDay.org

Images:
​EarthDay.org
Markus Spiske 
Anne Nygård