Ah, Earth Day 2025. While the rest of us plant trees and pick up trash, King Trump celebrates by belching executive orders and serving up a smorgasbord of environmental rollbacks. This month, he’s opened the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument to commercial fishing, a sanctuary established by President George W. Bush and expanded by President Obama. This move threatens endangered species like sea turtles and undermines decades of conservation efforts .

But why stop there? Trump's administration has proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act that would redefine "harm" to exclude habitat destruction, paving the way for increased development in critical habitats. This could spell disaster for species like the Florida panther and the northern spotted owl .

In his quest to revive the coal industry, Trump has granted exemptions to nearly 70 coal-fired power plants from regulations limiting emissions of toxic substances like mercury and arsenic. This not only endangers public health but also stalls progress toward cleaner energy sources .

Meanwhile, the administration has halted the construction of the Empire Wind project off New York's coast, a significant blow to renewable energy initiatives. This decision is part of a broader campaign against offshore wind development, which has already led to the cancellation or downsizing of numerous clean energy projects .

So, as we mark Earth Day, let's remember the importance of protecting our planet from policies that prioritize short-term gains over long-term sustainability. It's a call to action for all of us to advocate for environmental stewardship and hold our leaders accountable.