Webb Plaza

Earth Day is an international, annual event that raises awareness about the necessity of environmental protection, and celebrates the contributions made throughout history toward the climate movement. Established officially in 1970, this event grew from the concern of people who had witnessed the damage to the earth from decades of industrial pollution and of lack of care for the environment. In 1969, US junior senator of Wisconsin Gaylord Nelson observed the devastating effects of the oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, and this prompted him to take action. He sought the help of prominent young activist Denis Hayes, who spoke on a college campus on April 22 with the hopes of enlisting passionate students to help spread recognition about the need for environmental protection. Hayes then broadened the initiative and drew together a large team that organized events across America to educate and call for change, appealing to organizations and large groups. This inspired millions of Americans, about 10% of the United States population at the time, to take up the call and engage in demonstrations meant to spread awareness and demand change. This then led to the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and both the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts shortly after.

Earth Day is a time to consider the choices we make and how they affect the world around us, on global, societal, community, and individual levels. Caring for the environment is a responsibility that we all share, one that should unite us, but it is also a topic that can be hard to face for many reasons, one of them being a sense of apprehension, especially when there is uncertainty about the future. It’s important to remember that no one person is responsible for solving any environmental issue alone, and that great strides toward addressing climate issues have been made. The theme of Earth Day in 2025 has been declared by Earthday.org as “Our Power, Our Planet,” and just a few recent achievements in renewable energy are:

• In recent history, the cost of solar panels has decreased significantly, and renewable electricity is now one of the cheapest options.
• Due to the Inflation Reduction Act, the United States and China are investing generously in renewable energy.
• Solar power is on track to becoming the second-largest source of power generation in just a few years across the United States.
• About one-third of Australian homes utilize solar for power.
• In 2023, Brazil utilized hydro-electricity to power 68% of its electricity generation.
• 50% of the electricity that powers Denmark is generated from wind turbines.
• Kenya is at the front of geothermal energy generation in Africa, utilizing this source for about half of their energy.
• Uruguay draws 98% of its power from renewable sources after converting its power grid to be less reliant on oil.

For those who wish to make more sustainable choices, the hardest step to take is often the first. Here are just a few simple ways you can support the environment in 2025:

• Buy a reusable water bottle — for each person that switches to a reusable water bottle, 156 plastic bottles are saved annually. In addition, using a stainless steel bottle protects your health from the threat of microplastics.
• Take reusable bags to the grocery store instead of using plastic — try keeping bags in your car so that you remember to take them in when you go shopping.
• Choose eco-friendly cosmetics and cleaning products — certain chemicals found in common cosmetics and household products can harm the environment, such as alkylphenol ethoxylates, which have been linked to decreased reproduction in aquatic life. Look for environmentally friendly soaps, laundry detergents, and cosmetics.
• Travel — consider carpooling, taking the bus, riding your bike, or walking to your destination, as this helps to decrease the amount of emissions produced by transportation.
• Thrifting — the clothing industry is responsible for a large amount of carbon emissions and water waste. Before walking into a department store, try looking for new clothes at local thrift stores or online, it’s eco-friendly and fun!

If you’d like more information about Earth Day and ways you can get involved in helping make the world a healthier place, you can visit websites like https://www.earthday.org.

Happy Earth Day from Webb Plaza!