Earth Day: Gaylord Nelson's Legacy

Earth Day: Gaylord Nelson's Legacy

This April 22nd marks the world's 36th observance of Earth Day and the first without its founding father, Wisconsin Senator and Governor Gaylord Nelson.

Before that first "happening," Nelson had spent years speaking out about the damage we were doing to the planet, the loss of natural resources, the pollution of our air and water, the health risks, both immediate and long term. Although a member of the U.S. Senate, the most powerful legislative body on earth, Nelson's warnings would not have the impact he desired and he knew it. Being a wise man and a savvy politician, Gaylord Nelson recognized that the best way to save the planet was to get the people involved.

Political leaders pay attention when enough people come together and act as one, whether dumping tea in Boston Harbor, taking our daughters to work, or marching across a bridge in Selma, Alabama. Senator Nelson understood the nature of the Congress and knew that, more than legislative maneuverings, it would take the power of the people to create change.

Now Gaylord Nelson is gone, but Earth Day still reminds us that the fate of the planet is in our hands. While the Bush Administration denies the problem of global warming, people of all political persuasions know better. Scientists have issued the alarm. TIME Magazine in a cover story in March declared of global warming, "the crisis is upon us."

What is this crisis? Think of last year's warm temperatures. It was, in fact, one of the hottest years in more than a century. But, the warmer temperatures globally have a much greater impact on us than merely reducing our skiing or ice-fishing opportunities. They cause glaciers and ice caps at the North and South poles to melt, filling oceans with rising water and flooding our coastlines. At the same time, higher temperatures are leading to more intense drought, hurricanes, and cyclones world-wide. Such natural disasters then have long-term effects on agriculture, forestry, natural habitats, and our health.

Despite the Administration's indifference, people are starting to acknowledge the problem. According to a recent Time/ABC News/Stanford University poll, 85% of those surveyed believe that global warming is probably happening; and most respondents want us to take action.

We should act; and we can act. Our government can act by becoming sincere participants in international efforts to address global warming. Notably we are not among the 160 nations to have signed the Kyoto Protocol to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, nor has the administration acted in good faith in recent G-8 summits on climate change. Congress can act by encouraging the Republican leadership to investigate our national response to the changing climate. Congress can also pass energy legislation that reduces our demand for fossil fuels and increases our production of alternative and renewable fuels. The President can act by supporting and signing such legislation. But, most important, you can act by voicing, loudly and clearly, the importance of protecting our environment.

Many times over the past year, I've referred to Senator Nelson and the lesson I learned while attending his memorial in the State Capitol last summer. He taught us to protect and respect our environment and natural resources, of course. But Gaylord Nelson also used Earth Day to remind us that in a democracy, the power lies with the people.

Reflecting on the impact of Earth Day, Nelson refused personal credit for its success. "Earth Day worked," he said, "because of the spontaneous response at the grassroots level. We had neither the time nor the resources to organize twenty million demonstrators and the thousands of schools and local communities that participated. That was the remarkable thing about Earth Day. It organized itself."

Gaylord Nelson's legacy extends far beyond Earth Day. Through Earth Day, he reminded us that saving the planet, finding renewable sources of energy, eradicating poverty, and ensuring health care for all, will not be achieved by the words of politicians, but by the will of the people.

http://tammybaldwin.house.gov/columns_display_page.asp?page=columndisplay&type=3&releaseid=61