By Miranda Glasbergen, 350 Denver volunteer In the current coronavirus vortex, the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970 seems like several lifetimes ago. Some of us are too young to remember that day – or maybe weren’t even born yet. We think of the 1960s and ‘70s as the start of the environmental movement.

Written by Elisabeth Gick 20 million US citizens participated in the first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970.  20 million equaled 10 percent of the US population at the time. For comparison, only 1 to 1.6 % of the population participated in the big 2017 women’s marches in the U.S., according to Wikipedia. 

“I congratulate you, who by your presence here today demonstrates your concern and commitment to an issue that is more than just a matter of survival. How we survive is the critical question. Earth Day is dramatic evidence of a broad new national concern that cuts across generations and ideologies. It may be symbolic of a new communication between young and old about our values and priorities.