Earth Day at 55: How the Past Powers 2025’s Push for Renewable Energy

Earth Day marks its 55th anniversary on April 22, and while the planet continues to face urgent environmental challenges, the spirit that launched this global movement in 1970 remains as strong—and as relevant—as ever.

What began as a grassroots movement to raise awareness about pollution, oil spills and toxic waste has grown into a worldwide day of action involving more than a billion people across 192 countries. In 2025, the call is louder than ever: shift to renewable power now.

🌱 From River Fires to Renewable Futures

In the late 1960s, Americans couldn’t ignore the signs. Smog blanketed cities, rivers were so polluted they caught fire, and wildlife like the bald eagle was nearing extinction. One of the most jarring wake-up calls came in 1969, when a blowout at a California offshore oil rig spilled over 3 million gallons of crude oil, killing thousands of marine animals and staining beaches for miles.

That disaster—and a rising awareness of the environmental toll of unchecked industrial growth—spurred Senator Gaylord Nelson to organize a nationwide teach-in. On April 22, 1970, over 20 million Americans marched, protested, and educated their communities on the growing ecological crisis.