Earth Day 1970 was more than a protest. It built a movement.

[Rhiannon12866]

Even though we can’t gather in crowds, climate activists can organize for real change.

Let’s be honest, hardly anyone is thinking about climate change right now, even though today is the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day.

Three months ago was different. Climate change finally seemed to be becoming a must-address problem. The Democratic candidates for president competed to offer aggressive climate plans, and young activists brought renewed urgency to the issue. But then the coronavirus smothered the fire.

What should environmentalists do as the world focuses on a pandemic that is killing people, crashing the economy and upending daily life? Lay the foundation for a broader, deeper climate movement. This requires two things: engaging people who don’t see themselves as environmentalists and deepening the commitment of people who already recognize that climate change is a problem but who aren’t yet acting with any urgency.

In that effort, the first Earth Day can be a model. The 1970 event made protecting the environment a national priority. It involved millions of Americans in an unprecedented public debate about “the environmental crisis.” It empowered a generation of do-it-yourself activists who made change in almost every part of society for decades to follow. Though Earth Day 1970 can’t be repeated, its history offers important lessons about movement building.


Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/04/22/earth-day-1970-was-more-than-protest-it-built-movement/



An estimated 7,000 people jam a quadrangle at the Independence Mall in Philadelphia during Earth Week activities celebrating the eve of Earth Day on April 22, 1970. (AP)

[rusty quoin]

1. That was powerful and most agreed then with protecting the environment in which we lived.

Since the 80’s guys like rush have coined it a hippie-liberal threat on American values.

So here we are.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. Maybe this pandemic will serve as a wake up call.

Especially for those who remember the early movement. Life really is precious, as is this planet. We can hope...

[rusty quoin]

3. Yeah, hope. It's all I have left.

[Rhiannon12866]

4. If what's going on now doesn't scare people enough, I don't know what will...

[rusty quoin]

5. You and me both. This is real bad. This is bad unlike anyone in our lifetimes have experienced.

[Rhiannon12866]

6. I often wonder what my grandmother would think of what's going on now

Though part of me is grateful that she's not here to see it. She said that when she was young, the usual careers for women were either teacher or nurse, so she became a teacher. But she told me once that if she were born now, she would have become an environmentalist. And I haven't forgotten.

[rusty quoin]

7. My wife's grandmother was wonderful. In fact her mom was wonderful. And as a result my wife

is wonderful. I noticed the best in women. It’s a good thing for a man to be surrounded by good women. It’s a good thing.

[love_katz]

8. Kicking for visibility

NT.