Global Warming Warning
By the 1960s, concern was increasing about the effects of human-caused pollution on the environment. It was a time of growing consciousness and feeling of responsibility toward the future of the quality of life on the planet.
The bestselling book Silent Spring, written by American biologist, Rachel Carson, was published in 1962. Her warnings on the horrific effects of DDT and other pesticides on the environment opened the eyes of her thousands of readers to the potential dangers of pollution. This book is acclaimed as the most influential and far-reaching writing about environmental concerns ever published.
The term “greenhouse gasses” became part of American culture in the 1960s as people became more aware of the effects of air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil, including the emissions from the growing number of cars.
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Studies began that would result in environmental protection laws and ultimately the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency by President Richard Nixon in December 1970.
A lesser-known story involves a French plan to dump atomic waste into the Mediterranean Sea. It took the combined efforts of Jacques Cousteau and Prince Rainier III of Monaco averted this catastrophe.
In 1969, inspired by the Civil Rights Movement, Democrat Gaylord Nelson and Republican congressman Pete McCloskey started an educational “teach-in” movement that would, in 1970, become known as Earth Day.
The concerted effort that began in earnest during this decade brought about far-reaching changes in the outlook of society toward the effects of human activity on the earth.
For more interesting stories about the 1950s check out my book, “True Stories and Fascinating Facts — The 1960s” on Barnes and Noble.
