# Earth Day since the 70s: a founder’s tale

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/04/earth-day-since-the-70s-a-founders-tale/
- Published: 2020-04-12T17:10:24-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

By Kate Doughty, Communications Assistant
 ⌊Earth Day⌉ In 1970, headbands were in,
Simon & Garfunkel topped the charts. Also, Denis Hayes, a graduate student at Harvard.
For he read about a fledgling environmental movement. Determined to volunteer, he
flew to Washington, DC, with the intention of [organizing Earth Day at Harvard](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt531EpoYlE&feature=youtu.be).
So instead, he became the organizer for this event across the entire United States.

Inspired by the role of teach-ins in anti-war and civil rights protests, US Senator
Gaylord Nelson started the Earth Day [movement as a ](https://www.earthday.org/about/the-history-of-earth-day/)“
national teach-in on the environment.”

The movement also swiftly gained popularity. Most noteworthy now and today Earth
Day is celebrated in more than [190 countries](https://www.earthday.org/about/the-history-of-earth-day/).

### ![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/img_7764.png?resize=300%2C106&quality=50&ssl=1 "img_7764 - The Green Living Guy")

We also sat down with Denis Hayes to discuss the first 49 years of Earth Day. Because
the evolution of the movement, and how energy—and efficiency—play a huge role. All
as a result in climate action and a sustainable future.

#### What was it like to be the national coordinator of the first Earth Day?

It was like riding a Tesla also with the pedal to the floor. The acceleration was
from zero to 1,000 in a matter of months. Early community meetings often had fewer
than a dozen people. But April 22, we had 20 million participants, with more than
one million in Manhattan alone!

My hope—in some large measure realized—was that Americans would come to see that
they had a “right” to a clean, healthy environment, and that the law would guarantee
that. The first [Earth](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/05/washington-seafood-companies-agree-to-cut-ozone-depleting-and-greenhouse-gas-refrigerant-releases/)
Day was passionate and intense, and it led directly to a wave of change. [Clean Air Act](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/12/big-win-for-detroit-via-sierra-club/).
Clean Water Act. Endangered Species Act. Marine Mammal Protection Act. EPA and NOAA.
Superfund. On and on…

In conclusion and to continue reading the blog post, visit: [https://www2.aceee.org/](https://aceee.org/blog/2019/04/earth-day-70s-founders-tale)
[e/310911/04-earth-day-70s-](https://aceee.org/blog/2019/04/earth-day-70s-founders-tale)
[founders-tale/](https://aceee.org/blog/2019/04/earth-day-70s-founders-tale)

_About ACEEE:__[aceee.org](https://web.archive.org/web/20190824231044/https://aceee.org/)_

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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