The state of the planet: Actions, not marketing
Earth Day 2025 arrived yesterday with a powerful theme: Our Power, Our Planet™. For 55 years, this movement has driven global awareness and action, uniting over a billion people across 192 countries. The vision is clear—a future powered by clean, sustainable energy. The solutions exist. The urgency is undeniable.
Yet progress is uneven. While renewable energy advances, fossil fuel subsidies persist, policies lag, and ecosystems suffer. Hope isn’t enough—we need accountability.
Our Power, Our Planet™ – Earth day 2025
For 55 years, Earth Day has led the world in educating and mobilising the public to take action to address critically important environmental issues. They are global advocates for the health of the planet, calling for the protection of our air, oceans, soil, ecosystems, wildlife, and human health.
April 22nd, 2025 marks a milestone: the 55th anniversary of Earth Day.
Grassroots action has always been Earth Day’s strength. This year, the movement celebrates a transformative truth: renewable energy isn’t a distant dream. Solar, wind, and geothermal technologies are here, ready to build a healthier, fairer future.
Triple renewable energy by 2030
They call for global renewable energy generation to triple by 2030—a goal with universal appeal. Yet, we witness contradictory policies: massive subsidies for fossil fuels, approval of new oil and gas projects, and sluggish transitions in key economies. This has to change.
Progress worth celebrating
- The U.S. set solar records in 2023, with Texas leading in wind energy.
- China’s wind and solar capacity dwarfs the rest of the world.
- Uruguay generates 98% of its electricity from renewables.
- Kenya powers nearly half its grid with geothermal energy.
- One-third of Australian homes use solar power.
Despite this, fossil fuel expansion persists. The contradiction is stark.
Renewables are smart economics
Solar costs have plummeted by 93% since 2010, often outcompeting fossil fuels. This is no longer just about the environment. It’s about smart economics. Yet, governments still fund outdated energy. Why? Outdated infrastructure, entrenched interests, and political inertia.
Health & economic benefits
Clean energy isn’t just about the climate. It’s about health and economic benefits:
- Less air pollution = fewer heart attacks, strokes, asthma, and cancer.
- Cleaner water = lower risk of waterborne disease.
- Energy equity = access to electricity for 3.8 billion people still below the Modern Energy Minimum.
- Renewables could create 14 million jobs globally.
- The sector was worth $1.21 trillion in 2023—and is growing fast.
Meanwhile, fossil fuels continue to pollute air and water sources, particularly harming vulnerable communities, andprioritising profits over people.
Cutting emissions at the source
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration:
- Petroleum made up 38% of U.S. energy use in 2023, and 47% of CO2 emissions.
- Natural gas: 36% of use, 37% of emissions.
- Coal: 9% of use, 16% of emissions.
Fossil fuels drive 90% of U.S. CO₂ emissions. The math is clear: fossil fuels are the problem. The solution? Cut them at the source.
Critics speak out: “Progress or greenwashing?”
Some warn that celebrating achievements risks complacency. Key indicators—global temperatures, extinction rates—still spiral due to human activity. Efforts so far haven’t reversed these trends.
Others accuse corporations and leaders of greenwashing: using Earth Day to tout empty eco-claims while accelerating destruction. As Greta Thunberg noted in 2022: “Earth Day has turned into an opportunity for people in power to post their ‘love’ for the planet, while destroying it at maximum speed.”
Earth Day organisers agree. Kathleen Rogers told the BBC: “We know greenwashing is infuriating. Governments must crack down on industries lying to consumers.”
Earth Day 2025 – The power of people
Real change comes from collective action—voting, protesting, innovating. Because while many leaders talk, it is individuals and communities who are making the difference. Earth Day is unstoppable because it’s powered by people, not PR.
This Earth Day 2025, support the rapid transition to renewables — solar, wind, hydro, tidal, and geothermal. From government to grassroots, from cities to farms, from schools to factories: this is everyone’s fight.
The planet can’t wait. Be part of the change.