As environmental challenges intersect with bold political decisions and modern trends, it is essential to acknowledge Earth Day’s significance without social or political inhibitions. 

Earth Day sprang from the early 1970s due to the increasing awareness surrounding environmental issues such as pollution and deforestation, issues that are still prevalent today. 

This influx of ecological passion paved the way for both the Clean Air Act, which established national air quality standards, and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which enforces environmental regulations. 

These two pieces of landmark legislation ushered in an era of environmental understanding and investment. 

Fast-forward to today, and things seem to be heading more precariously. 

With the takeover of the Trump administration, there has been a significant shift in the attitude toward environmental policy, often prioritizing industrial growth over ecological necessities. 

In fact, on Earth Day 2019, President Donald Trump issued a message praising a “strong market economy” rather than advocating for climate activism and the urgent need to make change. This ignorant economic mindset fosters negative ecological results. 

The current administration’s unique approach to environmental issues is in stark contrast to what we have seen in previous years from the White House, leading Americans to question the future of ecological legislation and environmental health as a whole; roughly 36% of Americans foolishly believe that climate change will not cause harm to citizens in the future. 

Trump started off his presidential term with a bang; from rolling back over 125 environmental regulations to promoting fossil fuel production, the administration’s actions have already left lasting impacts on global health.  

One particularly impactful policy has been the imposition of tariffs on imported goods, which include many clean energy technologies. With the intent to boost domestic production, these tariffs have disrupted worldwide supply chains, raising the costs of eco-friendly technologies and hindering environmental growth. 

Notably, this past January, Trump signed an executive order to formally withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, a global pact targeted towards lowering greenhouse gas emissions. 

As one of the leading producers of greenhouse gas emissions, this bold move not only jeopardizes the environmental progress of the United States but also of the world as a whole. 

This culture of environmental disregard has been fueled by another prominent component of the modern world: social media. 

With social media’s total domination over everyday lives, we are constantly exposed to wasteful trends that are normalized to the point of blind conformity. 

This pattern of materialistic gluttony is fueled by overproduction that leads to resource depletion and pollution. 

These trends often promote materialism and overconsumption, encouraging users to purchase frivolous products that ambassadors have been paid to endorse.

Large corporations have weaponized this method on Earth Day itself. 

“Greenwashing” refers to the capitalistic approach that many large companies employ, using deceitful marketing tactics to fool consumers into believing in their facade of false sustainability. 

It is estimated that 5.07 billion people globally use social media. In this era of total technology domination, this high number will likely continue to grow. 

Instead of acting as blind bystanders to the ecological destruction taking place on our screens, we must use this platform as an opportunity to create change. 

The responsibility to protect our planetary health does not fall on the shoulders of one particular political or social group. Rather, this is the duty of every single individual on earth, with no regard for one’s political or social inhibitions. 

As Earth Day passes this year, let us realize our responsibility to protect our planet. We must remember that we all have the power to contribute to a bright environmental future.

Each opinion represented in The Panther Press is the view and voice of the writer. Opinions, as the selection and curation of content by the editors, do not represent the views of the entire Panther Press staff, the adviser, the school, or the administration.