Earth Day 2025: Fifty-Five Years of Loving the Planet

 

April 22 marks the 55th celebration of Earth Day. Since 1970, people in 190 countries across the globe have taken to heart the belief that our planet is precious, it needs careful attention, and it is the responsibility of each of us to do our part in protecting and preserving it.

The Earth Day theme for 2025 is “Our Power, Our Planet.” Keep Martin Beautiful has some practical suggestions on how you can exercise your power and a quiz you can take - just for fun – to test your knowledge!

What can you do on your own to help Mother Earth?  

• Attract birds, bees and butterflies to your yard by planting native trees like firebush (Hamelia patens), beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), and coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), along with flowers like milkweed, lantana, and purple coneflower.  

• Reduce your food waste by composting kitchen scraps and supporting food rescue organizations like House of Hope that will redistribute excess food. Plan meals carefully and store food properly to minimize household waste. 

• Prevent “Fast Fashion” which is clothing that is rapidly produced and then disposed of in landfills. To help, upcycle your unwanted clothes by donating them to a non-profit thrift store instead of throwing them away and consider buying fewer, high-quality items in the future. 

• Learn more about environmental issues. Watch this short video about the Everglades, discover how Oyster Reefs Fortify Living Shorelines, be inspired by Carlton Ward’s Path of the Panther on YouTube or catch a segment of Tom Hanks’ The Americas.

Locally, you can join other Martin County volunteers and sign up for the Great American Cleanup, taking place now through June 20. Check out the opportunities at Keep Martin Beautiful’s website here.

Remember that when it comes to the Earth, every action counts, and together we make a difference.

 

Now how about that quiz? (Answers at the end.) And if you get them all right, email us to let us know!

 

1. What percentage of the world’s plastic waste is recycled annually?

A) 5%

B) 10%

C) 20%

D) 30%

 

2. What’s the largest source of plastic pollution in the ocean?

A) Fishing nets

B) Beverage bottles

C) Plastic bags

D) Microplastics

 

3. How much plastic enters the ocean every year?

A) 2 million tons

B) 8 million tons

C) 15 million tons

D) 25 million tons

 

4. What is the most effective way to reduce plastic waste?

A) Recycling

B) Reusing plastics

C) Avoiding single-use plastics

D) Collecting plastic from beaches

 

5. Which industry is one of the leading contributors to microplastic pollution?

A) Fast fashion

B) Automobile

C) Pharmaceutical

D) Energy

 

6. How much food waste ends up in landfills globally?

A) 10%

B) 30%

C) 50%

D) 70%

 

7. How much waste can you save annually by using a reusable water bottle?

A) 5 pounds

B) 25 pounds

C) 50 pounds

D) 100 pounds