April 22, 1995 dawned warm and sunny in Washington, D.C., a perfect day for the 25th annual celebration of Earth Day, and though a brief thundershower moved through in midafternoon, it wasn't enough to spoil the pleasure of being outdoors. A large and diverse crowd descended on the Mall. On the main stage it was a full program of speakers and music, including top r&b performers, Boyz to Men. In the direction of the Washington Monument, a huge blue globe dominated the Mall. There were signs for peace, to stop various projects, people flying kites, playing hackeysack, volleyball, and tossing frisbees. It was mainly a celebration, of springtime, of the return of life, of a beautiful flower filled day. Perhaps that's how Earth Day should be, anyway.
However, after a few minutes of trying to navigate in the mob around the stage I'd had enough. I hate crowds, and the P.A. was pretty harsh sounding too. I determined to spend my time at Earth Day XXV interviewing people from each of the environmental organization tents placed near the middle of the festivities. At each, I talked with a representative of the organization--in some cases they might be considered activists, some came from the rank and file of the membership, and in other cases I spoke with the organization's national president. But always, I asked the same question. What are three action items for the environment today?
There, in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol, most of the concern was with recent happenings under that great white rotunda, and most of the hope centered on the good things happening "outside the beltway" as Washingtonians refer to anyplace that doesn't happen to be the capitol of the only superpower remaining on the only planet known to have ever had a superpower.
Was there a consensus? No doubt about it, at the top of the collective list was re-enactment of the Endangered Species Act. Next, a perception (born out in most polls) that there is broad public support for some degree of environmental agenda, but that this is not currently being translated into any kind of political action. There's a distinct sense that environmentalists have lost much of their clout. There is a growing sophistication in the areas of economics, taxation and accounting, as they relate to environmental issues. There was support for President Clinton's recent statements indicating he may use his veto to stop some "Contract for America" based legislation, but I sensed concern about whether he will follow through.
Oddly, there was little discussion about population issues, and barely any mention of the role of comprehensive ecosystem management to prevent species from becoming endangered in the first place. A tendency to focus on legislation at the national level as a solution to environmental issues remains.
So pick a tent, and find out what was on the minds of environmental activists as Earth Day turned 25.
Marty Lucas, marty@radio.com
Executive Producer, Internet Multicasting Service