Earth Day 2025:
Uniting Climate Action & Sustainable Fashion in a Divided World

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Every April 22, Earth Day compels humanity to pause and evaluate our relationship with the planet, reminding us that environmental stewardship is not optional but imperative. What began as a U.S. campus‑wide teach‑in in 1970 has blossomed into an annual global mobilization, uniting over a billion people in nearly 200 countries around climate action, biodiversity protection, and sustainable living [1,2].

The First Earth Day: How a 1970 Teach-In Sparked a Global Revolution

Senator Gaylord Nelson, galvanized by a devastating 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara and inspired by Vietnam War teach‑ins, proclaimed April 22, 1970, as a nationwide “teach‑in” for the environment [2,3]. With student leader Denis Hayes at the helm, 20 million Americans [3]—around 10% of the U.S. population—rallied across college campuses and communities, demanding clean air, water, and land. This unprecedented groundswell directly led to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and landmark legislation like the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act [3,4].

970 Teach-In Sparked a Global Revolution.

Milestones: From Teach‑Ins to Environmental Law

The inaugural Earth Day inspired a wave of environmental laws in the 1970s, setting global precedents. By 1990, Earth Day had gone global—200 million people in 141 countries participated, forging international consensus on ozone protection and deforestation. The United Nations officially recognized April 22 as “International Mother Earth Day” in 2009, cementing its place in the global environmental calendar [1,5,6].

Beyond Cleanups: Why Earth Day Must Demand Systemic Change

Despite these victories, the planet faces unprecedented crises. Global CO₂ concentrations recently topped 420 ppm [7,8], the highest in human history, accelerating extreme weather events and sea‑level rise. Plastic pollution has reached every ocean gyre, with over 8 million tons dumped annually [9]. Deforestation continues at 10 million hectares per year [10], eroding biodiversity and carbon sinks.

Although Earth Day campaigns have catalyzed some progress—Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup has removed over 350 million pounds of trash since 1986 [11]—these efforts merely scratch the surface of systemic change needed.

The Role of Fashion: From Fast Fashion Fallout to Sustainable Solutions

Fast fashion exemplifies modern environmental recklessness. It consumes 141 billion cubic meters of water annually and contributes 10% of global carbon emissions [12,13]—more than all international flights and shipping combined. Microplastics discharged during washing account for 35% of ocean microplastic pollution [12,13]. Moreover, less than 1% of textiles are recycled [13]—three in five garments end up incinerated or in landfills annually.

Yet a counter‑movement is rising. The global resale market is projected to reach US $900 million by 2035 as consumers shift to second‑hand buying [14,15], driven by ethical and environmental concerns. Sustainable fashion brands are growing at over 8% CAGR, investing in circular production, non‑toxic dyes, and transparent supply chains that prioritize people and planet over perpetual consumption [16].

Trump vs. China and Asian Giants: Could U.S. Tariffs Accidentally Reduce Fast Fashion Emissions by 30%?

In 2025, the U.S. lifted the de‑minimis exemption on low‑value Chinese shipments, imposing tariffs up to 155% [17,18], directly impacting ultra‑fast fashion platforms like Shein and Temu. Although intended to bolster domestic manufacturing, these tariffs have also disrupted global logistics, inflated consumer prices by an estimated 65–87% for apparel and leather goods, and spurred a surge in second‑hand retail as cost‑sensitive shoppers pivot to thrift stores [19].

Paradoxically, some analysts argue these trade barriers might curb greenhouse gas emissions by dampening the frenetic pace of fast fashion shipping and production—one study projected potential GHG reductions of 20–30% if fast fashion demand declined [20,21]. Yet critics warn that without complementary sustainability standards and support for genuine circular models, these tariffs could simply shift pollution to less regulated regions.

China responded with reciprocal levies on U.S. bourbon and agricultural products, highlighting how geopolitical jostling often overlooks collaborative solutions to shared environmental threats. As trade tensions flare, the fashion industry hangs in the balance: will it exploit loopholes, or will it embrace substantive reforms?

Representation of the opening of the Chinese market versus the closure of the United States due to Trump's tariffs.

Looking Ahead: New Horizons and Earth Day Campaigns

Earth Day 2025 marks the 55th anniversary of this global movement. Recent themes emphasize climate literacy, single‑use plastic elimination, and youth activism. In Malaysia, organizers aim to mobilize 100 000 volunteers for the largest coastal cleanup in history and plant over 1 million trees by year‑end [22]. Educational campaigns in primary and secondary schools now integrate sustainability curricula, ensuring the next generation is empowered to demand systemic change.

On the corporate front, major apparel brands have begun embedding circularity into their operations through extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes and digital “track‑and‑trace” platforms that guide garments from cradle to grave. Legislative momentum builds worldwide: the EU’s Green Deal mandates 65% reuse and recycling of all textiles by 2030 [23], while states like California explore right‑to‑repair laws that extend garment lifespans and reduce e‑waste.

A New Era of Knowledge: Open Science and Environmental Access

One of the most profound developments of the past decade in environmental advocacy has been the democratization of scientific knowledge. Today, approximately 57% of all scholarly publications offer some level of open access, representing a critical shift in information equity [24]. This watershed moment has dramatically increased the availability of peer-reviewed research for policy-makers, educators, grassroots organizations, and young activists alike.

Environmental science, long buried behind paywalls, is finally reaching those on the frontlines of change. The open scholarship movement is not just about free PDFs—it’s about tearing down barriers that once kept science in the hands of the few and enabling a shared foundation for evidence-based action across the globe.

Oceans Beyond Borders: The High Seas Treaty

Another testament to science's impact on global policy is the adoption of the High Seas Treaty in 2023, a historic international agreement designed to protect marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions. Catalyzed in part by The Science of the High Seas collection, which informed the deliberations of the United Nations High Seas Commission, the treaty aims to safeguard the 60% of ocean area that lies outside any one country’s control [24].

Backed by the rigorous analysis of marine ecosystems, deep-sea species, and oceanic carbon cycles, this agreement establishes frameworks for marine protected areas, environmental impact assessments, and equitable resource-sharing. It marks a paradigm shift: for the first time in history, humanity is beginning to treat the global ocean as a commons worthy of stewardship, not exploitation.

Final Call: Time to Confront Complacency

Perhaps the most uplifting signal of Earth Day’s enduring power is the mobilization of nearly one billion people across the globe each year. From tree plantings in Kenya [25] and coral restoration in Indonesia [26] to community composters in New York [27] and beach cleanups in Portugal [28], the Earth Day movement exemplifies a universal readiness for action. 

These efforts aren’t just symbolic—they reduce urban heat, absorb CO₂, regenerate ecosystems, and inspire lifelong environmental commitment. The sheer scale of participation reveals that citizens worldwide are not only aware of the planetary emergency—they are actively participating in its resolution. It’s a resounding counterpoint to despair: the world is ready.

Earth Day’s legacy teaches us that grassroots passion can reshape entire industries. Yet the scale of today’s challenges demands more than symbolic gestures. Fast fashion’s ravenous growth, geopolitical brinkmanship, and hollow “sustainability” marketing—like greenwashing and socialwashing—threaten to erode decades of progress.

At AYA, we believe that conscious choices are born from informed minds. That’s why we dedicate our voice to raising awareness about environmental challenges, celebrating local and global action, and fostering a community that values transparency, circularity, and justice. Every garment we create is a statement—against waste, against silence, and against complacency. But more than that, every campaign, every blog, and every conversation is a step toward building a culture of care that goes beyond trends.

AYA—In every thread, a promise to the planet.

Picture by: Margot Richard. 

Authors & Researchers

Jordy Munarriz

Environmental Engineer with a master's degree in renewable energy and a specialization in sustainability. Researcher and writer, he combines his technical knowledge with his passion for environmental communication, addressing topics of ecological impact and sustainable solutions in the textile industry and beyond.