By April Rodgers, Content Coordinator
Every April 22, Earth Day reminds us of our shared duty to safeguard the planet.
What began in 1970 as a grassroots outcry against environmental deterioration galvanized 20 million Americans and led, eight months later, to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)—For 55 years the EPA has been our shield—enforcing clean-air and water standards, driving sustainability, and tackling climate change.
The EPA’s Enduring Mission
• Born of Earth Day The first Earth Day in April 1970 directly inspired Congress to establish the EPA in December 1970—an agency dedicated to protecting public health and the environment.
• Protecting Public Health and the Environment The EPA enforces laws that keep lead out of our drinking water, prevent toxic spills, and ensure safe waste disposal.
• Combating Climate Change Under past administrations, the agency pursued reductions in greenhouse gases—phasing down HFC refrigerants and tightening vehicle-emissions standards.
• Promoting Sustainability Through “reduce, reuse, recycle” campaigns and conservation grants, the EPA helps communities preserve resources and minimize waste.
As we mark Earth Day 2025, it’s clear the environmental battleground has shifted. Alongside ongoing efforts to cut pollution and conserve resources, this year the public’s attention turns to President Donald Trump’s second-term record—a mix of deregulatory moves and a handful of initiatives that drew bipartisan praise.
Trump’s Environmental Controversies
• Paris Agreement Withdrawal On Day 1 of his second term, Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Paris climate pact and halted related rules—a move critics say undermines global climate cooperation.
• Regulatory Rollbacks His administration rescinded or weakened dozens of EPA regulations on power-plant emissions, automobile fuel efficiency, and wetlands protection, and cut EPA staffing—steps opponents warn invite greater pollution.
• Blocking State Climate Action An executive order directed federal lawyers to challenge state and local climate laws, hampering subnational efforts to curb carbon emissions.
Trump’s Noted Environmental Positives
• Infrastructure Investment in Water Systems The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (2021) allocates ~$55 billion to modernize drinking-water and wastewater systems—helping prevent leaks, reduce contamination, and protect public health.
• Great American Outdoors Act Signed in 2020, this law provides $9.5 billion over five years for maintenance and repairs in national parks and public lands, addressing a massive backlog and preserving natural heritage.
• Brownfields and Superfund Cleanup Continued support for EPA’s programs that rehabilitate contaminated industrial sites, turning toxic eyesores into usable land and reducing health risks.
• Advances in Environmental Monitoring Expanded satellite and remote-sensing initiatives improve detection of wildfires, air pollution spikes, and harmful algal blooms—informing faster, more precise responses.
• Voluntary Farm Conservation Through the 2018 Farm Bill, the administration backed incentive programs for farmers—promoting cover crops, buffer strips, and nutrient-management plans that boost soil health and guard waterways.
Why April 22?
Earth Day’s date was chosen to fall between spring break and final exams—ensuring maximum student participation in 1970. That savvy timing helped spark one of America’s largest-ever demonstrations, proving the might of youth activism. From Local Roots to Global Reach By 1990, Earth Day had gone global, mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries and paving the way for the 1992 U.N. Earth Summit.
As we honor Earth Day 2025, let’s remember that progress stems from collective action—and that every policy, positive or negative, shapes our planet’s future. The EPA’s mission endures, and even controversial leaders can enact measures that benefit the environment.
Our challenge is to hold all officials accountable while continuing to raise our voices for the Earth—and to do everything we can as individuals to keep our planet clean, safe, and healthy for our children.
