How much did Kerry have to do with Earth Day's beginnings

[LittleClarkie]

I thought someone here once said he had something to do with it.

And it occured to me that Earth Day is on April 22. Same day as Kerry's testimony day and the upcoming speech day.

Probably doesn't mean anything. But it got me wondering.

[ProSense]

1. It appears that he

was as busy then as he is now.

Protecting the Environment & Improving Our Quality of Life:

When Massachusetts looks for environmental leadership, the name John Kerry immediately arises. As an original organizer of Earth Day 1970 in Massachusetts, and Chair of the National Earth Day 1990 board, John Kerry has long recognized the vulnerability of the environment. Kerry has become nationally and internationally known as an environmental hero for his strong leadership, his stellar voting record and his continuing efforts to keep the teeth in pollution legislation.

Over 30 years ago, I spoke at the Commonwealth's first Earth Day and
called for fundamental protections that became the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Endangered Species Act and Superfund. When I look back on the many challenges we faced in 1970, I know that we have made great strides. The proof of our progress is all around us. Air pollution, water pollution and toxic emissions have been reduced. Lead has been removed from gasoline. Boston Harbor is recovering from decades of pollution. Acid rain across New England has been reduced. Species once on the verge of extinction, even the mighty bald eagle, have returned to strength. And through it all, the American economy has grown to historic levels as technology, long-term planning and commonsense have replaced environmentally destructive practices. However, our work is not complete.

The environmental problems we face today are in some ways more challenging than those we faced 30 years ago. While acid rain has been reduced, it continues to poison lakes in the Northeast. Air pollution from powerplants and cars contributes to asthma, cancer, heart disease and other sickness. Mercury and other toxins are accumulating in our waters, fish and other species—and ultimately threatening public health. Ocean ecosystems are deteriorating because of coastal runoff and over fishing. Incomparable habitats and species around the world are threatened by short-sighted development. Each day we are altering the Earth’s atmosphere in unprecedented and irreversible ways with air pollution that contributes to global warming.

While these challenges are great, I am not daunted. As we have throughout America’s history, we must meet these environmental challenges head on and resolve them. I believe as strongly today as I did 30 years ago that the American economy can and will flourish from thoughtful environmental protections. As long as I am in public life, safeguarding the environment and protecting the public health will remain two of my top priorities.

Kerry's Record on Protecting the Environment & Improving Our Quality of Life:

John Kerry's record on the environment reflects his understanding that our quality of life and the long-term sustainability of our economy are threatened unless everyone, including individuals, towns, states and nations, join together to prevent global warming, combat acid rain, clean up and eliminate toxic waste, rebuild depleted fisheries, and protect essential habitat.

Senator Kerry's concern for the environment has earned him a 100 percent rating from the League of Conservation Voters (see his scorecard), an organization which closely monitors the environmental records of members of Congress. The League commended Kerry for his "unsurpassed leadership." The Sierra Club has stated that "there is no stronger advocate in the Senate for environmental protection than John Kerry." Kerry has also received a 100 percent rating from the Humane Society of the United States.

[LittleClarkie]

2. Do you think the date is a coincidence then?

I thought it odd that it's a day significant for him.

[ProSense]

3. Did you see this post?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=273&topic_id=82105&mesg_id=82171

[LittleClarkie]

4. Interesting. But it doesn't answer my question. I'm still wondering

if he picked that date.

[karynnj]

5. The entire Dewey Canyon II event was

Kerry's idea so he may well have picked the date. The event was first and Kerry was invited to speak before the Senate only a day (or so) before he spoke - he wrote that speech essentially over night.

[LittleClarkie]

6. No, not Dewey Canyon. I mean Earth Day.

I'm wondering if Earth Day is on April 22 because of Kerry as well.

[karynnj]

7. Oh, sorry

I thought the question was whether Kerry intentionally had the protest over earth day - which is possible and symbolic. (sort of like the symbol of eggs for both Easter and Passover, suggesting rebirth and starting over. The theme of the country turning away from the war resonates with earth day's tree plantings etc (it might also have been picked as one of the first times when it would be warm enough to sleep out in DC and the Congress be in session.)

As to Kerry picking the date for earth day - No. It was designated by a Senator though I forget which one. In April, 1970, Kerry was just out of the Navy and was beginning to run for Congress (until he lost in a caucus to Drinan.) This says that Kerry was an organizer in Massachusetts who spoke to the crowd, Kerry was involved but likely at a very low level.

[LittleClarkie]

12. That shoulda been the question if I'd have been thinking. I wasn't

thanks for trying to answer my question. I'm a bit off today it seems.

[kerrygoddess]

8. Earth Day History

Wikipedia has a great page on Earth Day - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Day

JK was involved with organizing the first Earth Day in MA. Senator Gaylord Nelson and Denis Hayes (a Harvard student and Stanford graduate at the time) oraganized the first Earth Day across the nation - to be in effect an Environmental Teach-In:

The first Earth Day, in 1970, had participants and celebrants in two thousand colleges and universities, roughly ten thousand primary and secondary schools, and hundreds of communities across the U.S. Senator Nelson directly credited the first Earth Day with persuading U.S. politicians that environmental legislation had a substantial, lasting constituency. In 1971 Senator Gaylord Nelson announced an 'Earth Week' — for the third week of April — as a yearly event.

"Ask John F. Kerry for his views on the environment, and he'll smile as he recalls painting Storrow Drive "biodegradable green" to celebrate Earth Day in 1970" - http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/kerry/articles/2004/03/07/kerry_looks_to_neutralize_mass_liberal_tag/

[LittleClarkie]

10. Thanks. Funny, but I just my yahoo account and my answer

was in an email from the local Dem Party. That was a Wisconsin Senator who did that. I shoulda knowed better. (hangs head in shame.)

[ProSense]

9. That's why I referred you to the link.

The first Earth Day was in 1970. Kerry's testimony was in 1971. Now, if you're asking whether or not he chose to testify on Earth Day or it was a coincidence, I couldn't say. If you're asking if April 22 has some personal significance that it was selected at Earth Day in 1970, I can't see that. At the link notes Muir's birthday, April 21.

[LittleClarkie]

11. I'm dense. Sorry about that.

And embarrassingly enough it was a Wisconsin Senator who started the thing. Oopsie.

Ugh. My brain is mush today. Thanks for the info.

[ProSense]

13. It's OK.

I had to check it a couple of times before the dates registered.