Staying Informed And What It Takes To Truly Become An Environmentalist
Earth Day has long had a special significance for me. Aside from the fact that it coincides with my birthday, it is also the day in 2006 that I stood on the Santa Monica Promenade alongside my family wearing our matching green Patagonia shirts embossed with the brand new Greenopia leaf logo, handing out the very first editions of the Greenopia guides at Heal the Bay’s Aquarium Earth Day Celebration. That feeling of hope for the journey we were embarking on and the impact we might have to make this planet greener and more eco-friendly has never left me. Even now, when I remember that day, I can feel it once again ignite my passion for what has since become my life’s mission — to help everyone live with a green heart.
Nearly two decades later, the environmental movement has grown incredibly, yet the urgency has only increased. Climate change is no longer a distant threat—it’s here. From extreme weather to shrinking biodiversity, the stakes are higher than ever. But so is the potential for meaningful change.
This year, Earth Day 2025 reminds me that while progress has been made, we still have so much work to do. The challenges have evolved from oil spills and pollution to climate injustice, resource inequity, and the need to shift from extractive to regenerative systems.
What gives me hope is the power we all have to act. Whether it’s switching to a reusable water bottle, supporting local farmers, reducing your energy use (I still celebrate every time our utility bill drops!), or staying informed about environmental legislation—every choice matters. Sustainability starts with awareness, and it thrives through small, consistent actions.
Education and activism are as essential today as they were on April 22, 1970, when Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day after witnessing the devastating oil spill off Santa Barbara’s coast. At the time, a US Senator from Wisconsin, Nelson, was inspired by the socially conscious movements of that era to use that energy to raise public awareness about what air and water pollution were doing to the planet. His vision sparked a movement that led to the creation of the EPA and landmark environmental protections like the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts. Today, it’s up to us to protect—and expand—that legacy.
So how can you honor Earth Day in 2025?
-
Make every day Earth Day: Sort your waste, cut back on single-use plastics, and choose local, sustainable options when you shop.
-
Support climate justice: Learn about how environmental issues intersect with social issues, and uplift organizations doing work in frontline communities.
-
Stay informed: Follow the NRDC, Environmental Defense Fund, and your local environmental orgs. Advocate. Vote. Speak up.
-
Use your voice: Post about your Earth Day actions, amplify positive change, and inspire others. Tag me @gaybrowne—I’d love to see how you’re living with a green heart.
Together, our daily choices create a collective impact. Let this Earth Day be a reminder not just of how far we’ve come, but of the future we’re still building—one conscious step at a time.
