“The theme for Earth Day 2025 is Our Power, Our Planet, inviting everyone around the globe to unite behind renewable energy, and to triple the global generation of clean electricity by 2030.” --earthday.org

For 55 years, Earth Day has led the world in raising awareness and taking action on critically important environmental issues. We advocate for the health of the planet, our air, oceans, soil, ecosystems, wildlife, and human health.

On April 22nd, 2025, Earth Day will turn 55, celebrated across 192 countries and over one billion people around the globe expected to participate. This celebration demonstrates how diverse the Earth Day movement remains as it did back in 1970's bringing everyone together for a better future.

Grassroots people's power has always been at the heart of Earth Day. It is the catalyst for paradigm-shifting change because when individuals unite with a common purpose, they can overcome even the most entrenched systems and industries.

As we approach this milestone, we celebrate a transformative reality: we already possess the solutions to create clean, inexpensive, and unlimited energy for the entire planet through renewable solar, wind, and other technologies.

This Earth Day 2025, let us commit to harnessing renewable energy to build a healthy, sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future for us all. Let us commit to Renewable Energy Now.

--https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2025-our-power-our-planet/

While this international call to action is the theme for Earth Day 2025, the County is working hard to meet this goal every day in multiple ways! We are happy to report that County-owned facilities powered by PNM are already sourcing 50% renewable energy through the Solar Direct program. The number of facility PV installations has increased significantly over the past five years, with an emphasis on meeting a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. With 29 facilities completed, the County saves over three million kWh of electricity each year. Three more PV systems are slotted to be completed for fiscal year 2026, meaning the County is well on its way to meeting the ICLEI’s Race to Zero and DOE Better Buildings pledges. The County is meeting a 60% reduction by 2035 and its Climate Action Plan goals for 100% renewable energy sourcing by 2050.

This year, the County will not be hosting an in-person Earth Day event; instead, it registered as an official Free Tree for Kids program coordinator. Through the program, 165 trees will be provided to kids (K-12) to be planted during the week of Earth Day 2025. The trees selected are drought-tolerant and/or appropriately selected for the Santa Fe County area, including fruit trees.

Another action to take on this Earth Day is to consider certifying your land through the County’s Nature Based Climate Solutions program, which will officially launch on Earth Day. To power up your stewardship for the planet, plants, soil, and wildlife throughout our region while mitigating fire risk, be sure to check the County’s Sustainability website to sign up for the 4Nature Santa Fe program on April 22nd.

In honor of our planet, to reduce wildfire risks, and to support high-impact action steps for cleaner landscapes, the County has announced its free waste days for 2025, beginning with a free tire drop-off for recycling event on March 29th.

On March 29th, the County held a Wildfire Mitigation Community Education event at the Santa Fe County fairgrounds. The County's Fire Department and Office of Emergency Management hosted the event. Several subject matter experts were present to disseminate information and essential resources, including information on sustainable land management practices and what to do in an emergency to keep you and your loved ones safe. Wildfire season is here and expected to be a genuine concern due to less-than-average snowpack and moisture. Be sure to check out more events like this to be held throughout the County's community centers and key locations to prepare for the dangers as a community in the coming months; additional free green waste drop-off dates are likely to be offered and announced by the County Management Office.