What is Earth Day and why does it matter?
Each year, we come together to celebrate Earth Day – a day that gently reminds us of the beauty of the world around us and the importance of caring for it. It’s a moment to pause and reflect on the little ways we can protect the environment we all share, inspiring us to live more thoughtfully and make small changes that add up to big differences.
At Chef & Brewer, we believe in the importance of nature for all our lives. This is why we’ve teamed up with Frances Tophill, award-winning garden designer, to work with us on making our pub gardens more vibrant, and more biodiverse for generations to come.
Garden biodiversity
There are few greater pleasures in life than retreating to a welcoming beer garden on a summer’s day, when radiant shafts of sunlight stream through the leaves of trees that peer out across us as we sip a refreshing drink. Providing you with an environment to create wonderful new memories with your nearest and dearest is truly one of our greatest pleasures here at Chef & Brewer.
You may know Frances Tophill best from her appearances on our TV screens. We’re proud to say we also know Frances for her incredible work in helping us make our Great British gardens even better, by installing a set of principles to guide the development of our outdoor spaces.
With around 150 countryside pubs in the Chef & Brewer Collection, we have a huge amount of land that we can make a difference with. By implementing our garden principles, choosing seasonal ingredients and nurturing biodiversity, we’ve pledged to make our gardens even more biodiverse and sustainable.
We think this is the perfect time to shout about our partnership with Frances, as we get ready to celebrate Earth Day. So, what is it all about, and when is Earth Day in 2025?
What is Earth Day?
Earth Day is a global day that aims to highlight the importance of protecting the environment, celebrated every year on 22nd April. It was first set up in 1970 by two pioneers and environmentalists – Gaylord Nelson, a US senator and environmentalist, and Denis Hayes, a graduate student at Harvard University.
Both men had increasing concerns about environmental damage in the US, so they came up with Earth Day as a way to engage the public in environmental issues and push them to the top of the news agenda.
The first Earth Day was triggered by the large oil spill in Santa Barbara in 1969. On 22nd April 1970, 20 million people took to the streets of America to march and raise awareness. Now, more than one billion people across 200 countries turn out to celebrate Earth Day. And in 2025, Earth Day will turn 55.
What has Earth Day achieved?
Since the very first Earth Day in 1970, this special day has been credited – alongside the people behind it – with making a number of environmental changes.
- The first Earth Day was shortly followed by the US Environmental Protection Agency being set up in the USA
- Key environmental laws in the US - like the Clean Air Act - have either been set up or strengthened
- Hundreds of millions of trees have been planted
- Climate literacy projects have been established all over the world
Plus, when the Paris Climate Accord was officially signed in 2016, it was done so on 22nd April, marking the significance of this important day.
What is the theme for Earth Day in 2025?
To celebrate its 55th anniversary, the theme for Earth Day in 2025 is Earth Action Day. The idea behind it is to encourage all people to take action about the current state of the environment.
This could involve educating others on the threat of climate change and the small things each of us can do to help. Or advocating for environmental measures, such as writing to political leaders and signing petitions. Or even a form of mobilisation, like joining marches, starting campaigns, or pledging on social media and encouraging other people to get involved.
Ways to get involved on Earth Day
There are so many different things you can do to show your support for Earth Day in 2025. As the theme is Earth Action Day, it’s all about doing something. Here are some ideas on how to get involved.
Individuals
- Participate in local clean-up events or organise a neighbourhood recycling drive.
- Reduce your carbon footprint by cycling, walking, or using public transport
- Plant a tree or start a small garden to promote biodiversity.
Communities
- Host educational workshops on sustainable living or climate change awareness.
- Organise a community-wide tree planting or green space beautification event.
- Support environmental campaigns, such as Earth Hour or the Plastic Free Challenge.
Check out local initiatives and online campaigns as well. Taking action, however small, will make a world of difference.
Visit one of our pub gardens this summer
Here at Chef and Brewer, surrounded by the beauty of the countryside, we feel the importance of our environment every day. If you’d like to experience one of our welcoming beer gardens, head to your local country pub and enjoy the best of the British summer with us.