Earth Day 2025 – “Our Power, Our Planet”

The foundation of Earth Day was such a success that in December 1970 Congress authorized the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts. Americans began celebrating Earth Day on April 22 every year.

In 1990, Earth Day went global spanning 141 countries, and the event continues to spread internationally, providing a powerful focal point from which people can demonstrate their commitment to being good stewards of the environment.

Earth Day will turn 55 this year with 192 countries and more than one billion people around the globe expected to participate.

Earth Day goals: More than just spreading awareness!

Environmental protection is especially important with the consequences of climate change becoming more apparent. Scientists worldwide have proclaimed the need for immediate action. News outlets showcase larger and more frequent natural catastrophes such as floods, storms and tornadoes. Communities need to rethink consumer behavior to prevent an ecological crisis.

Small lifestyle changes can make a big difference, and everyone can make incremental adjustments without experiencing significant impacts to their daily lives. “Sustainable consumerism” is a movement occurring across Europe and the U.S. which promotes purchasing goods that are manufactured responsibly with minimal waste. A large supermarket provides goods that are grown thousands of miles away, sometimes in a location that requires extensive irrigation. Why not change the demand signal by going to a local farmer’s market? Farmer’s markets require minimal resources to produce goods that provide benefits to all consumers. Did you know that many nearby cities such as Kaiserslautern hold regular farmers markets?

Other simple lifestyle changes include changing your conventional light bulbs to energy-saving Light Emitting Diode bulbs. LEDs are 80 percent more efficient and can last up to 10 times longer. Replacing 10 fluorescent bulbs with LEDs saves $25 annually in electrical costs and prevents 14kg of carbon emissions. Other energy efficient and cost saving practices are turning off, or unplugging, scarcely used electronics, washing clothes at lower temperatures and walking or using public transport.

One last tip! Refrain from lowering your air conditioner in the summer as one degree Celsius in room temperature consumes approximately 10 percent more energy.

Earth Day 2025 theme: “Our Power, Our Planet”

Each year, Earth Day campaigners call for events with an altering annual theme. The U.S. 2025 Earth Day theme is “Our Power, Our Planet.”

One billion Earth Day supporters from 192 countries are invited to unite behind renewable energy. The goal is to triple global generation of clean electricity by the year 2030. Everyone is urged to explore smart energy choices for their families and to also advocate for an expedited deployment of renewable resources.

How does the Kaiserslautern Military Community officially celebrate Earth Day 2025?

The 86th Airlift Wing hosts tree planting events throughout the year with Team Ramstein mission partners, host nation representatives and German Forest Departments. Team Ramstein will host a week of environmental centric activities from April 14 to 18.

Ramstein Intermediate School students will participate in a guided tour through the base-owned water treatment plant where most of the potable water used across Ramstein is treated, stored, maintained and controlled. Attendees will learn about the technical equipment used to clean and protect water! There will also be an educational walk through of Ramstein’s first informative nature trail with Ramstein Elementary School second grade students.

Please let us know if you have any suggestions for Earth Day 2025 events! For additional environmental information please contact the 86th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Installation Management Flight at DSN 314-480-5086/7712 or email us at 86ces.cea@us.af.mil. We are a group of professionals dealing with natural resources, landscape protection, recycling, hazardous waste, hazardous material management, air emissions, contaminated soil remediation and other related topics. We are happy to support you and answer any environmental questions you may have.

Schedule of events:

• April 15 and 16: Tree planting with Ramstein Elementary Students, discovery tour at educational trail and quiz
• April 17, 2:30 p.m.: Tree planting with German authorities and 86th Airlift Wing Commander, Dog park near Ramstein High School
• April 14–17: Water plant tours with Ramstein Middle School students