Earth Day turns 30 on April 22, and thousands of people will converge on the National Mall in Washington D.C. to hear organizers and celebrities call for responsible energy production and consumption. Three decades ago, Americans were confronted with massive oil spills, chemical dumping and factory emissions. The first Earth Day demonstration and Rachel Carson's book "Silent Spring" galvanized the public to support tougher environmental regulations and community efforts like roadside recycling, says UAB environmental historian Jack Davis, Ph.D. "Since then, Americans have become somewhat duplicitous in their proclaimed commitment to the environment. With the rising popularity of gas-guzzling SUV's, American's appear less willing to give up individual comforts for the greater good."
Contact Gail Short, Media Relations, 205-934-8931 or [email protected].
# # #
RSS