Earth Day

The first Earth Day happened in 1970, 43 years ago today. Back then, the day was about environmental reform and saving our planet, very worthwhile causes. However, some of the leaders were not overly optimistic about the state of Mother Nature's future.

"Civilization will end within 15 or 30 years unless immediate action is taken against problems facing mankind." — Harvard biologist George Wald


That didn't happen. We're still kicking.   "By the year 2000, if present trends continue, we will be using up crude oil at such a rate… that there won't be any more crude oil. You'll drive up to the pump and say, ‘Fill 'er up, buddy,' and he'll say, ‘I am very sorry, there isn't any.'" — Ecologist Kenneth Watt

I bought gas yesterday.

"The world has been chilling sharply for about twenty years. If present trends continue, the world will be about four degrees colder for the global mean temperature in 1990, but eleven degrees colder in the year 2000. This is about twice what it would take to put us into an ice age." — Kenneth Watt

Well, it was only 45 degrees today, but I still think he's wrong on that one. Good try 1970.