The 2nd law says that entropy tends to increase in a closed system. The energy provided by the Sun makes the Earth not a closed system, therefore local decreases in entropy are not a contradiction.
But the universe as a whole IS a closed system.
Matter/Energy isn't created or destroyed.
Besides, activation energy may explain how complex molecules can be created by radiation/heat etc. but it doesn't come close to explaining the monumental jump to having those chemical concoctions spontaneously replicating themselves.
Quoting: The 2nd law says that entropy tends to increase in a closed system. The energy provided by the Sun makes the Earth not a closed system, therefore local decreases in entropy are not a contradiction."
Well stated. There are many equivalent statements of the 2nd law. One is: "Heat does not spontaneously flow from a colder region to a warmer region." In this description, creationists do not find anything to pin their beliefs on. But it is still the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics!