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From protests to planting trees: See how climate activists mark Earth Day 2025

USA Today · last updated

From protests to planting trees: See how climate activists mark Earth Day 2025

For the 55th year , the world is using Earth Day to celebrate Mother Nature and advocate for protecting the wonderful planet we live on. The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970, when 20 million people attended inaugural events at schools, universities, and other public areas around the country, according to the Library of Congress's website . The march happened after more disasters caused by climate change and pollution impacted the country. Here, climate activist hold a protest at the Charging Bull statue in Bowling Green near the New York Stock Exchange on April 22, 2025 in New York City. Members of the climate activist group Extinction Rebellion vandalized the Charging Bull on Earth Day to protest what they say is Wall Street's complicity in climate change.

For the 55th year, the world is using Earth Day to celebrate Mother Nature and advocate for protecting the wonderful planet we live on. The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970, when 20 million people attended inaugural events at schools, universities, and other public areas around the country, according to the Library of Congress’s website. The march happened after more disasters caused by climate change and pollution impacted the country.

Here, climate activist hold a protest at the Charging Bull statue in Bowling Green near the New York Stock Exchange on April 22, 2025 in New York City. Members of the climate activist group Extinction Rebellion vandalized the Charging Bull on Earth Day to protest what they say is Wall Street’s complicity in climate change.

Michael M. Santiago, Getty Images
University students take part in mangrove planting to mark Earth Day in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, April 22, 2025.

University students take part in mangrove planting to mark Earth Day in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, April 22, 2025.

Riska Munawarah, REUTERS
Students hold their paintings and models with environmental themes as they gather on the occasion of 'Earth Day' at a school in Amritsar on April 22, 2025.

Students hold their paintings and models with environmental themes as they gather on the occasion of ‘Earth Day’ at a school in Amritsar on April 22, 2025.

NARINDER NANU, AFP Via Getty Images
Students hold their paintings and posters with environmental themes as they gather on the occasion of 'Earth Day' at a school in Amritsar on April 22, 2025.

Students hold their paintings and posters with environmental themes as they gather on the occasion of ‘Earth Day’ at a school in Amritsar on April 22, 2025.

NARINDER NANU, AFP Via Getty Images
Climate activist hold a protest at the Charging Bull statue in Bowling Green near the New York Stock Exchange on April 22, 2025 in New York City. Members of the climate activist group Extinction Rebellion vandalized the Charging Bull on Earth Day to protest what they say is Wall Street's complicity in climate change.

Climate activist hold a protest at the Charging Bull statue in Bowling Green near the New York Stock Exchange on April 22, 2025 in New York City. Members of the climate activist group Extinction Rebellion vandalized the Charging Bull on Earth Day to protest what they say is Wall Street’s complicity in climate change.

Michael M. Santiago, Getty Images
Climate activist clean the Charging Bull statue after defacing it during a protest in Bowling Green near the New York Stock Exchange on April 22, 2025 in New York City. Members of the climate activist group Extinction Rebellion vandalized the Charging Bull on Earth Day to protest what they say is Wall Street's complicity in climate change.

Climate activist clean the Charging Bull statue after defacing it during a protest in Bowling Green near the New York Stock Exchange on April 22, 2025 in New York City. Members of the climate activist group Extinction Rebellion vandalized the Charging Bull on Earth Day to protest what they say is Wall Street’s complicity in climate change.

Michael M. Santiago, Getty Images
Climate activist hold a protest at the Charging Bull statue in Bowling Green near the New York Stock Exchange on April 22, 2025 in New York City. Members of the climate activist group Extinction Rebellion vandalized the Charging Bull on Earth Day to protest what they say is Wall Street's complicity in climate change.

Climate activist hold a protest at the Charging Bull statue in Bowling Green near the New York Stock Exchange on April 22, 2025 in New York City. Members of the climate activist group Extinction Rebellion vandalized the Charging Bull on Earth Day to protest what they say is Wall Street’s complicity in climate change.

Michael M. Santiago, Getty Images
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