When the first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970 it began the formation of "cool" environmentalists. Instead of being the hermit, liberals who did not shave or shower, people who cared about the environment became trendy and popular. The flower children and hippies began to set the trends, and all of a sudden recycling and carpooling became mainstream.
At the same time the United States was at war in Vietnam and more and more people were losing hope in the mission. New developments in science showed how human involvement would eventually ruin the Earth and people were more concerned with the loss of planet than the spreading of communism.
Does this scenario sound familiar? Well it should, on this thirty-seventh celebration the United States is once again engaged in an increasingly unpopular war and protests are gaining speed and volume throughout the country. Instead of backing up our commander-in-chief, Americans want to see a change in strategy and get out of the slowing, slipping war, just like we did during Vietnam.
Science has expanded much more since the days of flower children and its impact is just as strong. The elephant in every carbon-guzzling room seems to be global warming. Global climate change is the new source of energy behind campaigns, treaties and even Oscar-winning movies
, which shows no threat of diminishing. Environmental activism is at an all-time high and continues to rise with new developments.
So if there is such a common theme between such separated celebrations, what happened between them? If the United States was so eager to save the Earth in 1970, how did carbon emissions, pollution and general Earth endangerment flourish to today's lethal point? Our gluttonous culture supplies the answer. When SUVs and Hummers flooded the auto-market, car-makers and oil tycoons were in no position to stop their popularity. When the strange looking electric cars began to appear on freeways, the same companies were outraged and buried the ingenious idea.
Slowly, but surely the activism of the 1970's was replaced with consumerism and selfishness, until our actions began to show consequences. The devastating tsunami in Asia and Hurricane Katrina opened our eyes to climate change's full-scale effects and began the new wave of environmentalism. Al Gore was finally heard after he preached the topic for decades and as President Bush dug a deeper conflict in Iraq, people began to realize his failure to recognize global warming was a perfect excuse to hate him more.
California has taken an especially active approach on the topic. Are Californian naturally inclined, or is our liberal, blue to the bone attitude fueling a anti-Bush, anti-global warming campaign? Regardless of the reason, the nation is making small paces toward a less dim future. Information has begun to circulate to the common person about their effect on the Earth. For example, the San Fransisco Chronicle published an entire section on global-warming reducing activities that fit easily into daily life. Also, many major cities have outlawed the use of plastic bags while countless stores provide discounts for bringing reusable bags.
The more research that is released about global climate change, the more ways people figure they can help prevent it. From eating local, organic foods to installing solar panels everyone can help this issue. Democrat, republican, it does not matter we need to stand as one to stop this problem, just like our Earth Day founders intended. So this April 22, make a change that will last, it is not the importance of one date, but a change in lifestyle that will make the real difference in this monstrous issue.
At the same time the United States was at war in Vietnam and more and more people were losing hope in the mission. New developments in science showed how human involvement would eventually ruin the Earth and people were more concerned with the loss of planet than the spreading of communism.
Does this scenario sound familiar? Well it should, on this thirty-seventh celebration the United States is once again engaged in an increasingly unpopular war and protests are gaining speed and volume throughout the country. Instead of backing up our commander-in-chief, Americans want to see a change in strategy and get out of the slowing, slipping war, just like we did during Vietnam.
Science has expanded much more since the days of flower children and its impact is just as strong. The elephant in every carbon-guzzling room seems to be global warming. Global climate change is the new source of energy behind campaigns, treaties and even Oscar-winning movies
, which shows no threat of diminishing. Environmental activism is at an all-time high and continues to rise with new developments.
So if there is such a common theme between such separated celebrations, what happened between them? If the United States was so eager to save the Earth in 1970, how did carbon emissions, pollution and general Earth endangerment flourish to today's lethal point? Our gluttonous culture supplies the answer. When SUVs and Hummers flooded the auto-market, car-makers and oil tycoons were in no position to stop their popularity. When the strange looking electric cars began to appear on freeways, the same companies were outraged and buried the ingenious idea.
Slowly, but surely the activism of the 1970's was replaced with consumerism and selfishness, until our actions began to show consequences. The devastating tsunami in Asia and Hurricane Katrina opened our eyes to climate change's full-scale effects and began the new wave of environmentalism. Al Gore was finally heard after he preached the topic for decades and as President Bush dug a deeper conflict in Iraq, people began to realize his failure to recognize global warming was a perfect excuse to hate him more.
California has taken an especially active approach on the topic. Are Californian naturally inclined, or is our liberal, blue to the bone attitude fueling a anti-Bush, anti-global warming campaign? Regardless of the reason, the nation is making small paces toward a less dim future. Information has begun to circulate to the common person about their effect on the Earth. For example, the San Fransisco Chronicle published an entire section on global-warming reducing activities that fit easily into daily life. Also, many major cities have outlawed the use of plastic bags while countless stores provide discounts for bringing reusable bags.
The more research that is released about global climate change, the more ways people figure they can help prevent it. From eating local, organic foods to installing solar panels everyone can help this issue. Democrat, republican, it does not matter we need to stand as one to stop this problem, just like our Earth Day founders intended. So this April 22, make a change that will last, it is not the importance of one date, but a change in lifestyle that will make the real difference in this monstrous issue.
