Happy Earth Day! For the 55th year, the world is using the day to celebrate Mother Nature and the wonderful planet we live on.
“Earth Day really is a symbol of the environmental movement,” Sarah Davies, the director of communications and media at EarthDay.org, told USA TODAY. “You know, it started back in 1970 under President Nixon, which is always kind of amazing to think about.”
Earth Day has always been a day that acknowledges our planet, which provides for us, and ways we can protect and preserve its beauty.
That being said, here’s everything you should know about Earth Day 2025, and its 55th annual celebration.
When is Earth Day?
Earth Day falls on April 22 every year. This year, it falls on a Tuesday.
The day has been celebrated for 55 years, but it isn’t federally recognized, as previously reported by USA TODAY.
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Why do we celebrate Earth Day?
The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970, when 20 million people attended inaugural events at schools, universities, and other public areas around the country, according to the Library of Congress’s website. The march happened after more disasters caused by climate change and pollution impacted the country.
The march was coordinated by Dennis Hayes, who was a student at the time and is now a board member for EarthDay.org, according to Davies.
Around one in ten Americans marched that day in 1970 to demand cleaner air and water, said Davies. The march led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean Air Act, and the Clean Water Act.
“There’s never been another event as big as that anywhere in the world,” said Davies. “Actually, I think it still remains the biggest civic event of all time.”
People who marched on the first Earth Day were “from all kinds of backgrounds, all different walks of life, all ages,” said Davies. “Some people are in suits, some people are in jeans.”
How can we celebrate Earth Day?
There are plenty of things people can do, big or small, if they’re feeling the holiday spirit and want to connect with Mother Nature.
“The most important thing that you can do is wake up in the morning and do one thing that you’ve never done before that’s good for you. Good for the plane,” said Davies.
That one thing could be picking up a piece of trash on the street in front of your home or donating money to plant a tree, according to Davies.
Some other fun, Earth-centered activities are:
- Volunteer at a beach or park clean-up
- Cooking a meal with sustainable produce
- Signing a petition related to helping the Earth
- Go to a composting workshop
- Plant some pollinator-friendly flowers either in your backyard, balcony or in a window planter
- Swap from single-use plastic bottles to a reusable bottle
- Limit how much single-use plastic you use in a day
- Listen to a podcast about the Earth
- Read books, like “Braiding Sweet Grass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer, about the environment
“Take your first step and do one thing, because once you do one thing, it actually makes you feel really great,” said Davies.
People can also choose to celebrate the day by going meatless for a day!
Meatless Monday. is a movement that was started in 2003 by Sid Lerner, with the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future. It aimed to reduce the amount of meat in one’s diet to improve a person’s health and the health of the planet.
According to a 2020 study published by ScienceDirect, a more plant-based diet would not only improve environmental health but also human health.
While Earth Day doesn’t fall on a Monday this year, as it did in 2024, the sentiment can still carry over.
Have a positive outlook on Earth Day 2025
Sharing positive news about the climate crisis can encourage others to tackle the issue and keep people optimistic about the future, Leila Yassine, the Rainforest Alliance’s global advocacy engagement manager, previously told USA TODAY.
No matter how one chooses to celebrate Earth Day or fight against climate change, Yassine said it is essential to remain positive about the future.
“Share ideas and this will really cultivate collective optimism,” she said. “It’s like you have little seeds and then you’re feeding it. You’re feeding it until it gives you this beautiful tree of hope.”
Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn,X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at [email protected]
