Earth day was first celebrated on April 22nd 1970 as a response to growing public concern over environmental issues like air and water pollution, habitat destruction, and the unrestricted use of toxic chemicals. The movement was largely inspired by Rachel Carson’s ground breaking book ‘Silent Spring’ published in 1962, which exposed the dangers of pesticides and helped spark the modern environmental movement. Since then, earth day has been celebrated annually exploring different themes highlighting important environmental topics each year to uphold awareness.

This year marks the 55th Earth Day celebrations, where the theme is ‘our power, our planet’. This campaign calls for bold action and unity in the face of the climate crisis with a clear message – it is time to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030. To better understand why this matters, we need to take a closer look at how the renewable energy sector has evolved over the years, and how it is building the foundation for a more sustainable world.

The Acceleration in Renewable Energy
Over the last 10 years, the renewable energy sector has transformed from a hopeful alternative into a driving force in the global energy landscape. Back in the early 2010s, renewables like solar and wind were seen as expensive and niche. Fast-forward to today, and they are now the cheapest sources of new electricity generation in many parts of the world.

Key Milestones in Recent Years:
• Price Drops: According to the World Economic Forum and the International Energy Agency, the cost of solar photovoltaics (PV) has dropped by over 80% since 2010, and wind energy costs have fallen by around 60%. This price parity with fossil fuels has made renewables an economically sound choice.
• Storage Breakthroughs: Battery technology, especially lithium-ion batteries, has significantly improved. Grid-scale energy storage is becoming more viable, making it possible to balance supply and demand even when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing.
• Green Hydrogen: Once a futuristic concept, green hydrogen (produced with renewable electricity) is gaining traction as a clean fuel alternative for heavy industry, shipping, and aviation.
• Smart Grids and Decentralised Power: Digital innovation and AI are making power systems smarter, more flexible, and resilient. Communities are starting to generate their own power through microgrids and rooftop solar systems.

Despite these advances, a study found that in 2023 fossil fuels still accounted for nearly 80% of global energy consumption. Earth Day 2025’s call to triple renewable capacity is more than aspirational – it is essential. Climate scientists have concluded that keeping global temperature rise below 1.5°C requires a radical shift toward clean energy.

A Strategic Advantage
The clean energy shift isn’t just an environmental necessity – it’s a business case. Companies that embrace renewable energy are increasingly attracting investors, customers, and top talent who prioritise sustainability and long-term value.

Why Investors Are Paying Attention:

• ESG alignment: Investors are seeking companies with strong environmental and social governance practices. Renewable energy adoption is often seen as a key metric.
• Financial stability: Fossil fuel investments carry increasing risk due to market fluctuations and regulatory uncertainty, while renewables offer predictable, low-carbon returns.
• Access to capital: ESG funds, green bonds, and sustainable finance options are opening doors to cheaper capital for companies that demonstrate climate leadership.
• Reputation matters: Today’s investors care about brand integrity. Clean energy commitments signal responsibility and future-forward thinking.
In fact, according to the IEA, global investment in clean energy hit a record $1.8 trillion in 2023 – surpassing fossil fuel investments for the first time. Tech giants like Microsoft, Apple, and Google are doubling down on clean energy not just to meet climate goals, but to bolster investor confidence and market value.

How You Can Be Part of the Movement

1. Educate and Empower – Understanding how renewables work and spreading that knowledge can drive wider change.
2. Make Sustainable Choices – Whether at home or in business, every step matters. From switching to a green energy provider to installing solar panels, your actions help build a cleaner, more sustainable future.
3. Demand Policy Action – Governments need public pressure to accelerate the clean energy transition. Support policies that invest in renewables, phase out fossil fuel subsidies, and fund green infrastructure.
4. Join Earth Day Events – This year’s theme offers a great chance to get involved, learn, volunteer, and advocate for change. At Mediatree, we hosted an interactive quiz for our team to test their knowledge around the development of renewable energy over the years.

Conclusion
Earth Day 2025 isn’t just a day – it’s a necessary movement. The transition to clean energy is already underway, but it needs collective momentum to reach the scale and speed the planet demands. With every solar panel installed, every wind turbine built, and every policy passed, we move closer to a liveable future.

The power is in our hands, let’s use it wisely.