logo
Earth Day Has Failed

Earth Day Has Failed

Yahoo23-04-2025
After witnessing a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara in 1969, Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson began hatching the idea for what would become known as the world's first 'Earth Day.'The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970. It's estimated that over 20 million Americans (10% of the country's population at the time) took to the streets to protest and demonstrate against the impacts of 150 years of industrial development. The movement was powerful, and many Americans were united on the matter.Unfortunately, Earth Day's mission, "to broaden, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide" has largely failed.55 years later and the United States of America's sitting president is a vehement climate change denier. Rather than heed the warnings of the world's smartest climate scientists about the inevitable effects of a warming planet, he believes in falsehoods that make him comfortable, a practice repeated by millions of Americans across social media and real-life interactions.Our planet is struggling, but folks who seek to deny climate change, and spread anti-environmentalism rhetoric for personal or monetary gain, are winning. It's undeniable.Want to keep up with the best stories and photos in skiing? Subscribe to the new Powder To The People newsletter for weekly updates.
Skiing is intrinsically linked to the climate, something that I don't need to explain to you, and yet, many of us are lost when it comes to the matter. It's not clear if social media algorithms are being manipulated, something I wouldn't put past a billionaire CEO of a social media company, but it seems as if climate change denial, and more noticeably, the shaming of climate change activists is growing in the comments section of ski resorts, weather forecasters, and athlete's posts.Instead of these internet trolls popping out every once in a while to spew misinformation, the comments are littered with vitriol, personal attacks, and name-calling. For whatever reason, these climate change deniers embolden each other to shame, make fun of, and even attack folks who believe that humans are responsible for the Earth's unprecedented increase in average temperature.10% of the country's population rallied together on the first Earth Day, a monumental feat, but today, we have never been more divided.
I apologize for the doom and gloom, but that's the reality of America on Earth Day 2025. It feels bleak, because it is bleak, but all hope isn't lost.On Sunday, April 20, 2025, I watched as thousands of skiers poured into Alta Ski Area's Wildcat lot before 7 a.m.. In a mere matter of minutes, dozens of tailgate parties, social gatherings, and live concerts began to spring up around the lot.Watching above the scene, I smiled as the greatest thing about humans was on full display around me— our desire to connect with others. Smiles, hugs, greetings, jokes, laughs, pats on the back, cheers, and chants of "CHUG! CHUG! CHUG!" created a buzz around the parking lot. Folks from all walks of life were coming together, and enjoying a beautiful day of skiing, eating, drinking, and partying. It was divine.As I drove back home to Truckee from Salt Lake City the following day, a podcast playing through my car's sound system mentioned that Earth Day was upcoming. Still coming off the high of Alta's closing day, a thought came racing across my mind.I'll admit, the thought is quite idealistic, but it's giving me hope during this otherwise depressing Earth Day— Despite our intense social and political climate, over 10,000 skiers gathered at Alta without incident. Politics, religion, and other divisive matters went out the window. That's a good thing in a country that doesn't seem interested in protecting its home, the Earth.Let's be clear, skiing at one of the best ski areas in the world doesn't guarantee one's willingness to fight for climate change action, but it told me something about humans that I needed a reminder of— we want to feel connected, loved, and safe. On that day at Alta, over 10,000 of us experienced some semblance of these feelings, and it was a beautiful thing.I fear that climate change deniers have lost their sense of community. It's easier to be selfish, and to lambast others for believing in climate change, when one has lost or never found their own community. Other-izing becomes second nature. Anger is a default.Earth Day failed in the sense that our climate challenges have gotten worse, not better, since the first celebration in 1970. Where it succeeded, however, is in bringing people together for a common cause, a human tradition that is wavering as the digital age seizes control of our attention spans.My words nor my magical experience at Alta Ski Area will end climate change, but I hope it elicits one person, hopefully a climate change denier, to reengage with their community. Talk to people you care about. Learn about what they're going through. Find your Alta Ski Area on closing day.Fighting for Mother Earth becomes much easier when a person cares about other people. Happy Earth Day. Be well, and go spend time with the people you love.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Former CIA Insider Highlights America's Buried Advantage in Online Presentation
Former CIA Insider Highlights America's Buried Advantage in Online Presentation

Business Upturn

time4 hours ago

  • Business Upturn

Former CIA Insider Highlights America's Buried Advantage in Online Presentation

By GlobeNewswire Published on July 28, 2025, 02:00 IST Washington, D.C., July 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rediscovering America's Strategic Core In a released presentation , renowned former national security advisor Jim Rickards warns that the next major shift in U.S. policy may come not from Wall Street or Washington—but from beneath the surface of federally controlled lands. 'This story is not about real estate… the government retained the most valuable part'. Rickards points to a dormant but active legal provision—originally designed to encourage domestic growth—which may now hold the key to America's technological future. The Invisible Wiring of Modern Power The materials Rickards identifies are not commodities in the traditional sense—they are foundational enablers of global advancement: Application Mineral Inputs AI Chips & Data Centers Silicon, gallium, germanium, copper EV Batteries Lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, graphite Missile Systems & Drones Neodymium, dysprosium, samarium, rare earth alloys Satellite Navigation Indium, tantalum, beryllium, aluminum 'These seemingly obscure minerals… they're the building blocks of everything from NVIDIA chips to advanced military weapons'. Sources: U.S. Department of Energy CSIS Visual Capitalist A 150-Year-Old Law, Still in Effect Rickards centers the opportunity on Title 30—a little-known federal statute from the 1800s that allowed Americans to claim rights to public lands, which were often rich in mineral deposits. 'Back then, anyone could make a claim… pay $2 to $5 per acre… and do a minimal amount of work'. The framework still exists—and Rickards believes it may quietly be resurfacing to address modern strategic needs without requiring congressional debate. Technology May Be the Catalyst Rickards believes a convergence of technology and geopolitics is making this moment different: The use of AI mapping tools to identify previously unreachable mineral deposits The Pentagon's direct involvement in securing U.S. rare-earth supply chains Escalating foreign control over strategic mineral exports 'We have truly massive mineral wealth here. It's not hard to extract. We know where it is. And how to get it' About Jim Rickards Jim Rickards is a former advisor to the CIA, Pentagon, White House, and Treasury. His work has guided U.S. leadership during global crises including the Iran Hostage Situation and the 2008 financial collapse. He is the editor of Strategic Intelligence , a monthly report on national security, macroeconomics, and resource policy. Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash GlobeNewswire provides press release distribution services globally, with substantial operations in North America and Europe.

Rubio Criticizes Hong Kong Authorities After Warrants Issued for Overseas Activists
Rubio Criticizes Hong Kong Authorities After Warrants Issued for Overseas Activists

Epoch Times

time5 hours ago

  • Epoch Times

Rubio Criticizes Hong Kong Authorities After Warrants Issued for Overseas Activists

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Hong Kong authorities over their decision to issue a new round of arrest warrants and bounties targeting pro-democracy activists overseas, some of whom are based in the United States. 'The extraterritorial targeting of Hong Kongers who are exercising their fundamental freedoms is a form of transnational repression,' Rubio said in a statement on July 26. 'We will not tolerate the Hong Kong government's attempts to apply its national security laws to silence or intimidate Americans or anyone on U.S. soil.'

US-EU trade deal wards off further escalation but will raise costs for companies, consumers
US-EU trade deal wards off further escalation but will raise costs for companies, consumers

The Hill

time6 hours ago

  • The Hill

US-EU trade deal wards off further escalation but will raise costs for companies, consumers

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have announced a sweeping trade deal that imposes 15% tariffs on most European goods, warding off Trump's threat of a 30% rate if no deal had been reached by Aug. 1. The tariffs, or import taxes, paid when Americans buy European products could raise prices for U.S. consumers and dent profits for European companies and their partners who bring goods into the country. Here are some things to know about the trade deal between the United States and the European Union: What's in the agreement? Trump and von der Leyen's announcement, made during Trump's visit to one of his golf courses in Scotland, leaves many details to be filled in. The headline figure is a 15% tariff rate on 'the vast majority' of European goods brought into the U.S., including cars, computer chips and pharmaceuticals. It's lower than the 20% Trump initially proposed, and lower than his threats of 50% and then 30%. Von der Leyen said the two sides agreed on zero tariffs on both sides for a range of 'strategic' goods: Aircraft and aircraft parts, certain chemicals, semiconductor equipment, certain agricultural products, and some natural resources and critical raw materials. Specifics were lacking. She said the two sides 'would keep working' to add more products to the list. Additionally, the EU side would purchase what Trump said was $750 billion (638 billion euros) worth of natural gas, oil and nuclear fuel to replace Russian energy supplies, and Europeans would invest an additional $600 billion (511 billion euros) in the U.S. What's not in the deal? Trump said the 50% U.S. tariff on imported steel would remain; von der Leyen said the two sides agreed to further negotiations to fight a global steel glut, reduce tariffs and establish import quotas — that is, set amounts that can be imported, often at a lower rate. Trump said pharmaceuticals were not included in the deal. Von der Leyen said the pharmaceuticals issue was 'on a separate sheet of paper' from Sunday's deal. Where the $600 billion for additional investment would come from was not specified. And von der Leyen said that when it came to farm products, the EU side made clear that 'there were tariffs that could not be lowered,' without specifying which products. What's the impact? The 15% rate removes Trump's threat of a 30% tariff. It's still much higher than the average tariff before Trump came into office of around 1%, and higher than Trump's minimum 10% baseline tariff. Higher tariffs, or import taxes, on European goods mean sellers in the U.S. would have to either increase prices for consumers — risking loss of market share — or swallow the added cost in terms of lower profits. The higher tariffs are expected to hurt export earnings for European firms and slow the economy. The 10% baseline applied while the deal was negotiated was already sufficiently high to make the European Union's executive commission cut its growth forecast for this year from 1.3% to 0.9%. Von der Leyen said the 15% rate was 'the best we could do' and credited the deal with maintaining access to the U.S. market and providing 'stability and predictability for companies on both sides.' What is some of the reaction to the deal? German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed the deal which avoided 'an unnecessary escalation in transatlantic trade relations' and said that 'we were able to preserve our core interests,' while adding that 'I would have very much wished for further relief in transatlantic trade.' The Federation of German Industries was blunter. 'Even a 15% tariff rate will have immense negative effects on export-oriented German industry,' said Wolfgang Niedermark, a member of the federation's leadership. While the rate is lower than threatened, 'the big caveat to today's deal is that there is nothing on paper, yet,' said Carsten Brzeski, global chief of macro at ING bank. 'With this disclaimer in mind and at face value, today's agreement would clearly bring an end to the uncertainty of recent months. An escalation of the US-EU trade tensions would have been a severe risk for the global economy,' Brzeski said. 'This risk seems to have been avoided.' What about car companies? Asked if European carmakers could still sell cars at 15%, von der Leyen said the rate was much lower than the current 27.5%. That has been the rate under Trump's 25% tariff on cars from all countries, plus the preexisting U.S. car tariff of 2.5%. The impact is likely to be substantial on some companies, given that automaker Volkswagen said it suffered a 1.3 billion euro ($1.5 billion) hit to profit in the first half of the year from the higher tariffs. Mercedes-Benz dealers in the U.S. have said they are holding the line on 2025 model year prices 'until further notice.' The German automaker has a partial tariff shield because it makes 35% of the Mercedes-Benz vehicles sold in the U.S. in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, but the company said it expects prices to undergo 'significant increases' in coming years. What were the issues dividing the two sides? Before Trump returned to office, the U.S. and the EU maintained generally low tariff levels in what is the largest bilateral trading relationship in the world, with some 1.7 trillion euros ($2 trillion) in annual trade. Together the U.S. and the EU have 44% of the global economy. The U.S. rate averaged 1.47% for European goods, while the EU's averaged 1.35% for American products, according to the Bruegel think tank in Brussels. Trump has complained about the EU's 198 billion-euro trade surplus in goods, which shows Americans buy more from European businesses than the other way around, and has said the European market is not open enough for U.S.-made cars. However, American companies fill some of the trade gap by outselling the EU when it comes to services such as cloud computing, travel bookings, and legal and financial services. And some 30% of European imports are from American-owned companies, according to the European Central Bank.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store