Earth Day Turns 50

At noon on April 22, 1970, all cars, taxis, and buses were barred from a two-mile stretch of Fifth Avenue in New York City. A massive crowd of 250,000 people packed the streets to celebrate the first-ever Earth Day.

Denis Hayes had dropped out of Harvard graduate school, where he’d been studying public policy, to organize the events. As he stood on a platform on Fifth Avenue, preparing to give a speech, the 25-year-old couldn’t believe his eyes.

“It was like looking at the ocean,” Hayes, now 75, says. “You couldn’t see the edge of the crowd. And that’s when I first thought, ‘My god, this really is gigantic.’”

At the same time, all across the country, thousands of demonstrations were taking place—many of them led by teenagers. In Omaha, Nebraska, high school students wore gas masks to protest air pollution; in Ripon, Wisconsin, young people collected 25,000 discarded cans; and thousands of colleges and schools hosted environment-themed events. In total, an estimated 20 million people took part in Earth Day—more than the largest civil rights and anti-Vietnam War protests of the 1960s.

This year, on April 22, people worldwide are expected to participate in the 50th Earth Day. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, it will be the first digital Earth Day, with events including virtual protests, social media campaigns, and online teach-ins.

It comes as young people are once again on the front-lines of environmental demonstrations—this time, calling for more action on climate change. But it was that first Earth Day 50 years ago that helped spark the modern environmental movement, paving the way for today’s activists.

“No one even used the phrase ‘environmental movement’ until the very end of 1969, beginning of 1970, and it was only in stories about the preparation for what became Earth Day,” says environmental historian Adam Rome, author of The Genius of Earth Day. “There were obviously a lot of concerns for environmental problems, but nobody understood that they all added up to one big environmental crisis until the lead-up to Earth Day and Earth Day itself.”

At noon on April 22, 1970, all cars, taxis, and buses were barred from a two-mile stretch of Fifth Avenue in New York City. A massive crowd of 250,000 people packed the streets to celebrate the first-ever Earth Day.

Denis Hayes had been studying public policy at Harvard graduate school. He dropped out to organize the events. As he stood on a platform on Fifth Avenue, preparing to give a speech, the 25-year-old couldn’t believe his eyes.

“It was like looking at the ocean,” Hayes, now 75, says. “You couldn’t see the edge of the crowd. And that’s when I first thought, ‘My god, this really is gigantic.’”

At the same time, thousands of demonstrations were taking place all across the country. Many of them were led by teenagers. In Omaha, Nebraska, high school students wore gas masks to protest air pollution. In Ripon, Wisconsin, young people collected 25,000 discarded cans. And thousands of colleges and schools hosted environment-themed events. In total, an estimated 20 million people took part in Earth Day. The event drew more people than the largest civil rights and anti-Vietnam War protests of the 1960s.

This year, on April 22, people worldwide are expected to participate in the 50th Earth Day. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, it will be the first digital Earth Day. Events will include virtual protests, social media campaigns, and online teach-ins.

It comes as young people are once again on the front lines of environmental demonstrations. This time, they’re calling for more action on climate change. But it was that first Earth Day 50 years ago that helped spark the modern environmental movement. Those who took part paved the way for today’s activists.

“No one even used the phrase ‘environmental movement’ until the very end of 1969, beginning of 1970, and it was only in stories about the preparation for what became Earth Day,” says environmental historian Adam Rome, author of The Genius of Earth Day. “There were obviously a lot of concerns for environmental problems, but nobody understood that they all added up to one big environmental crisis until the lead-up to Earth Day and Earth Day itself.”

Though Earth Day helped create modern environmentalism, the seeds of the movement had been planted during the post-World War II boom. As millions of people moved from crowded and polluted cities to the suburbs during the 1950s, interest in preserving America’s natural surroundings grew. Smokestacks that spewed pollution into the air had once been viewed as signs of economic growth, but now they struck many as evidence that humans were destroying nature.

“For a long time, people thought they just had to put up with pollution—that it was the price of progress,” Rome says. “But as we got wealthier and more affluent in the decades after World War II, a lot of people said, ‘Not anymore.’”

The environmental movement really picked up steam in the 1960s—during the decade of many other social movements, including the civil rights movement, the anti-Vietnam War movement, and the women’s movement.

Many historians credit the environmental movement’s rise to the release of a book. In 1962, biologist Rachel Carson authored Silent Spring, which exposed the dangers of pesticides, especially D.D.T. The book quickly became a best seller and would eventually help lead to the banning of D.D.T. and other pesticides for agricultural use in the U.S.

Though Earth Day helped create modern environmentalism, the seeds of the movement had been planted during the post-World War II boom. Millions of people moved from crowded and polluted cities to the suburbs during the 1950s. That sparked interest in preserving America’s natural surroundings. Smokestacks spewed pollution into the air. They had once been viewed as signs of economic growth, but now the structures struck many as evidence that humans were destroying nature.

“For a long time, people thought they just had to put up with pollution—that it was the price of progress,” Rome says. “But as we got wealthier and more affluent in the decades after World War II, a lot of people said, ‘Not anymore.’”

The environmental movement really picked up steam in the 1960s. That decade gave birth to many other social movements, including the civil rights movement, the anti-Vietnam War movement, and the women’s movement.

Many historians credit the environmental movement’s rise to the release of a book. In 1962, biologist Rachel Carson authored Silent Spring. The book exposed the dangers of pesticides, especially D.D.T. It quickly became a best seller. And, eventually, it helped lead to the banning of D.D.T. and other pesticides for agricultural use in the U.S.

Several environmental disasters also captured the nation’s attention. In November 1966, the smog in New York City was so bad that it killed an estimated 168 people. The Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio, was so polluted that in June 1969, it literally caught on fire after some oil-soaked debris was ignited, most likely by sparks from a passing train.

And earlier that same year, an offshore oil rig off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, exploded, spewing 3 million gallons of oil into the ocean. Television footage that showed the thick sludge blackening 40 miles of scenic coastline and killing birds, fish, and other wildlife shocked the nation. A New York Times columnist would later call the disaster the “ecological shot heard ’round the world.”

In August 1969, Gaylord Nelson, a Democratic senator from Wisconsin, traveled to the Santa Barbara oil spill and was troubled by what he saw. On his flight home, Nelson read about the anti-Vietnam War teach-ins, in which college campuses hosted debates about the controversial war.

“It suddenly dawned on me,” Nelson later recalled, “why not a nationwide teach-in on the environment?”

Several environmental disasters also captured the nation’s attention. In November 1966, the smog in New York City was so bad that it killed an estimated 168 people. The Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio, was so polluted that in June 1969, it literally caught on fire after some oil-soaked debris was ignited. Sparks from a passing train most likely was the cause of the flare.

And earlier that same year, an offshore oil rig off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, exploded. The explosion spewed 3 million gallons of oil into the ocean. Television footage showed the thick sludge blackening 40 miles of scenic coastline and killing birds, fish, and other wildlife. The sight shocked the nation. A New York Times columnist would later call the disaster the “ecological shot heard ’round the world.”

In August 1969, Gaylord Nelson, a Democratic senator from Wisconsin, traveled to the Santa Barbara oil spill. He was troubled by what he saw. On his flight home, Nelson read about the anti-Vietnam War teach-ins, in which college campuses hosted debates about the controversial war.

“It suddenly dawned on me,” Nelson later recalled, “why not a nationwide teach-in on the environment?”

The idea for Earth Day was born. Nelson was able to garner bipartisan support in Congress; it was embraced by many Democrats and Republicans, including President Richard Nixon.

Nixon went on to declare in his State of the Union address in January 1970 that “the great question of the ’70s is, shall we surrender to our surroundings, or shall we make our peace with nature and begin to make reparations for the damage we have done to our air, to our land, and to our water?”

Nelson hired a team of young people to get the word out—and picked Hayes, the Harvard graduate student, to lead them. The organizers spent months sending out pamphlets to colleges and talking to the press. They changed the name from “Environmental Teach-in” to “Earth Day,” expanded it to include K-12 schools, and took out a full-page ad in The New York Times that read in part: “On April 22 we start to reclaim the environment we have wrecked.”

Before long, the organizers were getting bombarded with calls and letters from people wanting to know what they could do with their communities and schools to celebrate Earth Day.

“Part of the genius of Earth Day,” Rome says, “was that people could decide for themselves what the tone of their event was, and that often took into account where they were. Earth Day in Birmingham was very different from in New York.”

The idea for Earth Day was born. Nelson was able to garner bipartisan support in Congress. It was embraced by many Democrats and Republicans, including President Richard Nixon.

Nixon went on to declare in his State of the Union address in January 1970 that “the great question of the ’70s is, shall we surrender to our surroundings, or shall we make our peace with nature and begin to make reparations for the damage we have done to our air, to our land, and to our water?”

Nelson hired a team of young people to get the word out. He picked Hayes, the Harvard graduate student, to lead them. The organizers spent months sending out pamphlets to colleges and talking to the press. They changed the name from “Environmental Teach-in” to “Earth Day.” They expanded the event to include K-12 schools. And they took out a full-page ad in The New York Times that read in part: “On April 22 we start to reclaim the environment we have wrecked.”

Before long, the organizers were getting tons of calls and letters. People wanted to know what they could do with their communities and schools to celebrate Earth Day.

“Part of the genius of Earth Day,” Rome says, “was that people could decide for themselves what the tone of their event was, and that often took into account where they were. Earth Day in Birmingham was very different from in New York.”

Still, when April 22 finally arrived, Hayes was shocked to see how large Earth Day had grown. About 1,500 colleges and 10,000 K-12 schools held events, along with hundreds of communities.

“It was seemingly in every city, every town, every village, and every crossroads in America,” Hayes says. “A brand-new issue had suddenly climbed onstage and was demanding attention.”

Earth Day’s success went far beyond one day. The massive turnout inspired an enormous boom in environmental legislation. In July 1970, Nixon issued an executive order creating the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) to enforce laws that protect the environment and public health. In December, he signed into law the Clean Air Act, designed to reduce air pollution.

The ’70s also saw the passage of the Clean Water Act, which prohibited factories and communities from dumping waste and sewage into waterways, which had been common; and the Endangered Species Act, which created a list of plants and animals on the brink of extinction and provided extra protections for them. So many pieces of environmental legislation were introduced that the 1970s were dubbed the “environmental decade.”

All of these new environmental regulations have had a significant impact.

“Our air and our water are much, much cleaner than they were in 1970,” Rome says. “It’s safe to swim and fish in almost all the waters in the U.S. now, and the main kinds of air pollutants from the ’70s have been brought under control. So, in that respect, Earth Day was hugely successful.”

Environmentalists say Earth Day also had another, less tangible—but critical—achievement: a widespread public awareness about the importance of environmental protection.

Still, when April 22 finally arrived, Hayes was shocked to see how large Earth Day had grown. About 1,500 colleges and 10,000 K-12 schools held events. Hundreds of communities also took part.

“It was seemingly in every city, every town, every village, and every crossroads in America,” Hayes says. “A brand-new issue had suddenly climbed onstage and was demanding attention.”

Earth Day’s success went far beyond one day. The massive turnout inspired a huge boom in environmental legislation. In July 1970, Nixon issued an executive order creating the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) to enforce laws that protect the environment and public health. In December, he signed into law the Clean Air Act, designed to reduce air pollution.

The ’70s also saw the passage of the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. The Clean Water Act prohibited factories and communities from dumping waste and sewage into waterways, which had been common. The Endangered Species Act created a list of plants and animals on the brink of extinction and provided extra protections for them. So many pieces of environmental legislation were introduced that the 1970s were dubbed the “environmental decade.”

All of these new environmental regulations have had a significant impact.

“Our air and our water are much, much cleaner than they were in 1970,” Rome says. “It’s safe to swim and fish in almost all the waters in the U.S. now, and the main kinds of air pollutants from the ’70s have been brought under control. So, in that respect, Earth Day was hugely successful.”

Environmentalists say Earth Day also had another critical achievement that’s harder to pinpoint. It led to a widespread public awareness about the importance of environmental protection.

Today, however, the world faces another environmental crisis—one that wasn’t on most people’s minds back in the 1970s: climate change.

Unlike during the ’70s, there isn’t broad bipartisan support for addressing the big environmental issue of the day. Eighty-five percent of Americans who are Democrats think protecting the environment should be a top priority for the president and Congress, compared with 39 percent of Republicans, according to a survey released in February by the Pew Research Center.

President Trump has sought to reverse many of the climate policies put in place by the previous administration, arguing that they hurt the economy. He has also declared that he’s withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord—a global climate agreement adopted by nearly all 196 nations—saying it imposes unfair environmental standards on American companies.

But the world currently faces another environmental crisis that wasn’t on most people’s minds back in the 1970s: climate change.

Unlike during the ’70s, there isn’t broad bipartisan support for addressing the big environmental issue of the day. Eighty-five percent of Americans who are Democrats think protecting the environment should be a top priority for the president and Congress, compared with 39 percent of Republicans, according to a survey released in February by the Pew Research Center.

President Trump has sought to reverse many of the climate policies put in place by the previous administration. He’s argued that they hurt the economy. He has also declared that he’s withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord, a global climate agreement adopted by nearly all 196 nations. He says it puts unfair environmental standards on American companies.

Rome thinks one reason for the lack of bipartisan support is that the problem of climate change isn’t always visible.

“A lot of the most serious problems back then were literally obvious—you could see them,” he says. “In Pittsburgh, it could be the middle of the day and it would look like an eclipse. Or people would turn on their faucet in suburbia and detergent foam would come out.”

Still, many people—particularly students—are calling for more action. Inspired in large part by 17-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, an estimated 4 million people participated in the global climate strikes last September.

As for Hayes, he went on to turn Earth Day into an annual, worldwide event. He sees similarities between today’s young activists and those in 1970.

“Today’s student strikers are very much like that wave of energy and intensity that we saw with Earth Day,” he says. “The role of youth in these movements is to ask for just as much as possible.”

Rome thinks one reason for the lack of bipartisan support is that the problem of climate change isn’t always visible.

“A lot of the most serious problems back then were literally obvious—you could see them,” he says. “In Pittsburgh, it could be the middle of the day and it would look like an eclipse. Or people would turn on their faucet in suburbia and detergent foam would come out.”

Still, many people are calling for more action. Students are notably at the forefront of this movement. Inspired in large part by 17-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, an estimated 4 million people participated in the global climate strikes last September.

As for Hayes, he went on to turn Earth Day into an annual, worldwide event. He sees similarities between today’s young activists and those in 1970.

“Today’s student strikers are very much like that wave of energy and intensity that we saw with Earth Day,” he says. “The role of youth in these movements is to ask for just as much as possible.”