Whats different about Earth Day and the environmental movement today versus 40 years ago?
In 1970, the stuff we were mobilizing people around was obvious. You could see it, smell it, taste it…. The big issues that remain now are things that are largely impossible to detect unless you have sophisticated instruments. They’re things like climate change and ocean acidification — big issues, but not something you can see affecting your children. Q: Is that why we see polls today showing public concern waning on environmental issues, and skepticism of global warming growing? Do you worry about that? A: Not at all. Polls are like taking a snapshot from a full movie.… In the first Earth Day, we didn’t have any polls. We didn’t have any focus groups. We were doing what we thought ought to be done, and seeing if the public wanted to come along with it. Q: The senators pushing the climate bill hardly ever talk about climate anymore. They’re selling the bill on jobs and security…. A: The business here [in Washington] is to assemble a coalition that will get you 60 votes…. My sens
