Earth Day

1.       I found it interesting that Sen Gaylord Nelson first thought of earth day in the early 1960’s.  Solely because he was worried that issues regarding the environment were not being addressed appropriately. Because of his efforts Nelson ordered a grass roots demonstration in 1970 which was the first earth day, April 22.

2.       I found it interesting that Earth day was the inspiration behind why the United States created the Environmental Protection Agency. To me it’s awesome that such a small movement can in turn create such a big outcome. Its shows that we can ban together when we really need to make a change.

3.       I found it interesting that the environmental protection agency later passed the Clean Air, Clean water and Endangered Species Act. I think this is so important to protecting the environment and endangered species so we don’t let lose more species. I think that’s key to having a fully working environment because everything plays a key role.

4.       I like how the gentlemen explained how if you continue to fold the table cloth that it keeps growing exponentially. He ties that into his book called The Limits to Growth. It was the very first way they evaluated trends can be unfolded up to centuries of years old. I think this is a great tool to show people what the long term effects that could happen.

5.       I find it interesting that in November 1973 there was a huge gas shortage. This was the shear growth of America and the energy demand with the lack of resources. This caused gas price to sky rocket in short time. Oil shipments were cut off the United States from the Arabian. The price per barrel was up to 16$ per barrel.

6.       I found it very interesting that the United States realized that their standard of living could be held hostage by other countries in the world. I think that’s a tremendous weakness to be in that position. This in turn caused the United States to start researching renewable energies like Solar so we don’t become reliant on other countries and downright national security. Although nothing really came about from it.

7.       I think it is interesting how our resources became a monopoly to all the big corporations, etc. Because of this there was no way that the solar entrepreneurs could not even compete with the big companies. This to them was not even a fair fight, they couldn’t survive.

8.       I found it interesting that when people were protesting against all the loggers that they could have went about it in an entirely different way. One of the loggers explained that if they approached them with the idea of sustainable logging it would have been considered more so than to just stop what they were doing. The logger explained that it was their livelihood that the protester where asking them to give up.

9.       Environmental movement became more professionalized. The environmental movement started to get support from some big companies the more it went on. But in turn was also susceptible to other companies that were greater and that had bigger bank accounts.

10.   I found it most interesting that General motors engineers designing electric and hydrogen cars. To me I find this bizarre that we as America didn’t pursue this more. This could have been a game changer especially so many years ago. Senior management although seemed to have a resistance to change because their philosophy was, “If you just keep doing what you’ve always done, then you’re safe”.