Earth Day 2025: Our Power, Our Planet
Mar 31, 2025 09:31AM ● By Sandra Yeyati
Vectorig from Getty Images Signature/CanvaPro
April 22 marks the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, the worldwide annual event that fosters environmental awareness and champions conservation initiatives designed to curb the ravages of climate change. This year’s theme—Our Power, Our Planet—invites 1 billion supporters in 192 countries to unite behind renewable energy with the goal of tripling the global generation of clean electricity by 2030.
“For years, we have been fed the lie that only fossil fuels can power the planet. That is not true,” says Denis Hayes, organizer of the first Earth Day and board chair emeritus of EarthDay.org. “By the 2030s, the largest source of electricity generation on the planet will be solar power.”
Our reliance on fossil fuels for energy has had dire consequences, releasing greenhouse gases and toxic chemicals that drive climate change, pollute the environment and threaten human health. According to EarthDay.org, cutting greenhouse gas emissions diminishes the risk of heatwaves, floods and the spread of infectious diseases. A reduction in air pollution is also expected to decrease respiratory and cardiovascular diseases such as asthma and strokes.
The technology already exists to meet global energy needs with clean, affordable and renewable power from solar, wind, geothermal, tidal and hydro sources—all of which can be stored in batteries and fuel cells. Wind and solar have become the most cost-effective sources of power, surpassing traditional fossil fuels in affordability. Renewable energy represents a huge economic opportunity estimated to create 14 million new jobs globally, according to the International Energy Agency, an intergovernmental organization that provides data, analysis and policy recommendations on the global energy sector.
Forty-nine countries currently generate more than half of their electricity from clean sources, including Canada, Switzerland, Austria, New Zealand, Brazil, Norway, Sweden and Denmark, while Iceland produces virtually all of its power from renewable sources.
“We need people power to support the big switch to renewable energy,” says Kathleen Rogers, president of EarthDay.org. “We encourage everyone to talk to your local mayor, boss, neighbors, community leaders, and local and national legislators to explore and to champion switching to renewables.”
There are multiple ways to get involved and celebrate Earth Day in our community. Here is a collection of events and happenings in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties.
Tuesday, April 1
Earth Month in Tarrytown – April 1-30. Tarrytown Environmental Advisory Council (TEAC) holds a series of free activities and events to celebrate Earth Day throughout the month. There will be opportunities for all ages to get involved in helping our local environment, and having fun in the process. Info: TarrytownEnviro.org.
Saturday, April 5
Earth Day Weekend – 9:30am-5:30pm. April 5 & 6. Celebrate Earth Day Weekend with hands-on activities! Build solar race cars, create recycled sculptures, explore animal camouflage, design wind turbines, craft blackout poetry and discover nature’s geometric wonders. Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Ave., Rye. Info: 914-421-5050; Discoverwcm.org/new-events.
Tuesday, April 8
Celebrate Earth Day in the Rain Forest – 3:30-4:30pm. Learn about ecosystems and rainforest life while building your own rainforest terrarium with Marisa Boan, children’s book author and educator. Limited spots available. Huguenot Children’s Library, 794 North Ave., New Rochelle. Preregistration required: 914-632-8954; nrpl.org/children/hclprograms.
Saturday, April 19
Earth Day STEM workshop – 11am-12pm. Join iCAMP for hands-on STEM workshops where kids explore science, technology, engineering and math through fun, creative activities. Topics include melting glaciers, air pollution, earthquake-resistant houses, surge protection, and acid rain. Yonkers Public Library - Riverfront, One Larkin Ctr., Yonkers. Info: 914-375-7940; ypl.org.
Tuesday, April 22
Community Earth Day 2025 – 10am-2pm. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County invites you to celebrate the Earth at their annual community event. Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center, 4079 Albany Post Rd., Hyde Park. Info: ccedutchess.org.
Sound Healing and Meditation for the Earth – 7-8:30pm. Scott Nelson and Alejandro Fuentes lead participants to connect deeply with our Earth Mother through visualization journey and sound healing. Feel the vibrations of the Earth through the Didderidoo, an essential tool of creation plus other instruments during meditation to join your energy with Gaia and offer gratitude. Limit 45. $30. Balancing 4 Life, 495 Main St., Ste. 205, Armonk. Preregister: 914-588-4079; Balancing4Life.com.
Wednesday, April 23
Mount Kisco’s Earth Day Celebration – 12-4pm. Celebrate Earth Day with live music, kids’ activities, a keynote by Dr. Nigel Sizer, a Mayor’s Monarch Pledge, raffle prizes and a free baby tree giveaway. Engage with the community and learn about sustainable living! Fountain Park at Mount Kisco Village Hall, 104 Main St., Mt Kisco. Info: MountKiscoNY.gov.
Saturday, April 26
Trash Bash! – 8am-12pm. Join the LaGrange, NY Sunrise Rotary, Royal Carting, Welsh Sanitation, and Dutchess County Resource Recovery Agency for an Earth Day litter cleanup. Help spruce up LaGrange roads and then enjoy a free hot dog at Town Hall! A great event for team building or to earn community service hours. 120 Stringham Rd., Lagrangeville. Info: 845-452-1972; LagrangeNY.gov/departments/parks-recreation.
16th Annual Great Saw Mill River Cleanup – 10am-1pm. Join the Saw Mill River Coalition to remove trash and debris along the river to create a cleaner, healthier waterway. Wear sturdy shoes, long sleeves and bring gloves. Volunteers choose from six sites in Yonkers, Mount Pleasant/Thornwood, Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, and Hastings. Info/register: Christina Weiler, 914-375-2151, ext. 25; Tinyurl.com/Farragut-Avenue.
Earth Day Fest – 10am-1pm. Shop local makers, walk through beautiful landscapes, hike the woodland trail and picnic on the Great Lawn at Boscobel. Learn about climate solutions, pollinator gardens, zero waste and more. Admission fees are waived thanks to generous support from funders. Boscobel House and Gardens, 1601 Rte. 9D, Garrison. Info: 845-265-3638; Boscobel.org/events/earth,
Pitch In For The Parks – 10am-2pm. Volunteer to help the Westchester Parks Foundation spruce up local parks. Choose your location and pitch in to paint, rake, prepare and plant flower beds, clear trails and shorelines, restore wildlife habitats and remove invasive vines from trees. Preregistration required: Parks.WestchesterGov.com.
Green Ossining Earth Day Festival – 10am-6pm. Celebrate Earth Day on the Hudson River! Learn how to reduce your environmental impact while enjoying live music, food, eco-demonstrations, a kids’ activity zone and more. Louis Engel Waterfront Park, 25 Westerly Rd., Ossining. Info: GreenOssining.org/earth-day-festival.
Sunday, April 27
Earth Day Celebration – 10am-4pm. The Village of Croton-on-Hudson and the Croton Conservation Advisory Council welcome you to their annual Earth Day Celebration! Enjoy live music, hands-on activities, Earth-focused vendors and eco-friendly shuttle service throughout the village. Senasqua Park, 2 Elliott Way, Croton-On-Hudson. Info: CrotonOnHudson-ny.gov.Earth Day Workshop – 1-3pm. Join Westchester Youth Alliance for an engaging Earth Day workshop where teens will discover the fascinating world of native plants. Get your hands dirty planting seeds while learning about the medicinal properties and traditional uses of local species. Come grow with us! Hilltop Hanover Farm & Environmental Center, 1271 Hanover St., Yorktown Heights. Info: WestchesterYouthAlliance.org/events/2025-earth-day.
