Throughline Force of Nature (2021)
Apr 21, 2022
Dennis Hayes, President of the Bullitt Foundation and pivotal Earth Day organizer, alongside Arturo Sandoval, a Chicano civil rights activist, delve into the origins and impact of Earth Day. They discuss the environmental crises of the past, from rivers on fire to species extinction, and how these galvanized a movement for change. Listeners will uncover the grassroots efforts that transformed public consciousness, the intersection of environmental and social justice, and the evolving landscape of activism that continues to shape today’s environmental discourse.
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Smell of Prosperity
- Dennis Hayes grew up in Camas, Washington, a town dominated by a paper mill.
- The mill's pollution, though harmful, was seen as a sign of prosperity.
Lack of Awareness
- In the 1950s, there was little environmental awareness or regulation.
- Questioning the polluting mill meant risking one's livelihood.
Smog in Los Angeles
- In the 1960s, Los Angeles smog was severe, equivalent to smoking two packs of cigarettes daily.
- One resident recounts seeing a man in a suit wearing a gas mask while driving.