I remember the first earth day vividly. As a well read 15 year old high school sophomore I thought the future looked grim. Pollution blackening the air, population growth was projected to consume the world, the cold war and thermonuclear destruction, hippies, revolution and protest. We marched with the Buddhists and Hari Krishnas to Rocky Flats weapons factory protesting because it gave us a sense of purpose. Global warming was sure to cook the planet. I wrote editorials for the school paper decrying the coal fired power plant that filled the air with brown soot and carbon dioxide.
Things really haven't changed much since then. 15 year old high school sophomores still worry about the future and big problems. The problems have changed but little: over population, global warming, pollution, war and on and on. The young people know the end is near. Many chose not to have children because they are so rock solid sure the future looks grim. I wasn't going to bring children into an over populated world where they were sure to suffer and struggle. As I got older I realized those scary pronouncements by the best and brightest on earth day 1970 were exaggerated. I had children, they had children, the world, contrary to popular belief at the time, got better. The population bomb was a dud, global warming didn't roast the planet, we actually reduced levels of pollution. The world improved. All peoples living standards improved.
I enjoyed this article and a look back in time. It made me nostalgic for the heady days of protest against the big corporations, corrupt government and the establishment. Hippies, rebellion and rock and roll, Elvis Presley and the Beatles.