Before Earth Day

Before and After the First Earth Day 1970

When you think of Earth Day, do you know that the first Earth Day (April 22, 1970) did not begin the history of environmentalism? ecology and environmentalism were little known words before 1970? the landmark legislation of the 1970s was not the beginning of environmental law? Sen. Gaylord Nelson, who conceived the idea of Earth Day, was not the first senator to champion environmental legislation? Nelson modeled the idea of Earth Day after anti-Vietnam War teach-ins? he invited a Republican to co-sponsor it? the most publicized event took place took place more than a month before the official first Earth Day? today's most important environmental laws were enacted with Republican Presidents and a Democratic Congress? the Environmental Protection Agency was at first the most popular federal agency? favoring new environmental laws was once politically the safest stance? groups as different as the John Birch Society and Students for a Democratic Society agreed on the need to stop pollution? most of the predictions of environmental catastrophe were wrong? many of the most vocal environmental activists today make the same flawed arguments? Earth Day is now an international event? Thousands of people helped organize Earth Day 1970 events. Multiple thousands spoke at various events. Millions listened. The first Earth Day made environmentalism a mainstream issue. It unified the country like nothing else. The unity couldn't last. Some of the most popular and influential speakers sowed seeds of the collapse of the environmental consensus with overheated rhetoric and bad predictions. But Earth Day continues to inspire and educate people to adopt more eco-friendly lifestyles. Read this comprehensive guide to the history of environmentalism. David M. Guion, author of the respected blog Sustaining Our World, explains the often neglected and forgotten history and prehistory of Earth Day. And examines its successes and failures 50 years later.

The Life of Major-General Sir Henry Marion Durand, K.C.S.I., C.B., of the Royal Engineers

Environmental Action