Founder of Earth Day comes clean on being green
Denis Hayes is the man who made Earth Day a world phenomenon. When Earth Day was launched in 1970, Hayes was its first co-ordinator and turned the environmental day into a series of events attended by 20 million Americans. Twenty years later, Hayes launched the first international Earth Day. Result: 200 million participants in 141 countries. Today, he heads Earth Day Network, which co-ordinates Earth Day activities around the world.
Can the world become greener through a one-day event?
Of course not! We have no illusions about that. What we were doing in 1970 was to get people from very different quarters to act together on problems like lead paint and highway construction. Today, too, people have to recognize that environmental problems don’t stop at borders. We should start thinking of ourselves as one species.
Has the world become greener since 1970?
The United States has become substantially cleaner. We’ve cleaned up rivers and lakes and saved endangered species. But the world is in poorer shape than it was in 1970, in almost every aspect.
What is Earth Day’s biggest accomplishment?
1970 to ’74 was the golden era. We passed the environmental laws on which society still operates. Since then its biggest accomplishment has been getting millions of school children involved. Environmentalism has become a part of society. In 1970, most people didn’t even think about the environment. Now, it’s part of everyone’s vocabulary.
What will the next environmental crisis be?
The growing acidification of the world’s oceans. It has devastating effects on the smallest organisms, which will have tragic consequences on the whole food chain, including humans.
What is the most immediate environmental danger today?
Carbon emissions.
What is the most important thing people can do to help the environment?
Have no more than one child, or two at most. Live in an energy-efficient house. Walk and ride your bike.
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