Back in 1970, when the world celebrated the first Earth Day, environmentalists were worried that without dramatic measures, the future would be catastrophic for the Earth and civilization. But their grim predictions haven’t come true, The Daily Caller News Foundation pointed out today, assembling a list of seven incorrect predictions of doom regarding the planet and civilization. The following are highlights from their list.
The end of civilization within three decades
Nobel laureate George Wald prophesied in 1970 that civilization would end “unless immediate action is taken against problems facing mankind,” The Daily Caller reported. Civilization is still here.
Hundreds of millions will starve
Paul Ehrlich, author of The Population Bomb, forecast in 1970 that vast famines would occur in that decade and the next. England would be hit by food shortages, the country would collapse, and civilization would come to an end. And yet the world’s per capita GDP has grown even as the global population has, and fewer people live in poverty.
Gas masks will be required in cities
mo
These Earth Day predictions from 1970 never came true | Fox News
and hey, a nice related tidbit for the kids:
Alex Epstein @AlexEpstein
An Earth Day graph you’ve probably never seen: correlation between fossil fuels and access to clean water. #EarthDay
and a good ol' derp:
Mark O'Henly @140notes
Actor who rented a sheik’s yacht (5th largest in world) said at UN today oil must stay in ground. #EarthDay.
#hefelttheglobalwarming
oh yeah...and uh:
Canada Action @CanadaAction
is the only top oil reserve country where #Greenpeace protests global free trade oil exports #EarthDay
The end of civilization within three decades
Nobel laureate George Wald prophesied in 1970 that civilization would end “unless immediate action is taken against problems facing mankind,” The Daily Caller reported. Civilization is still here.
Hundreds of millions will starve
Paul Ehrlich, author of The Population Bomb, forecast in 1970 that vast famines would occur in that decade and the next. England would be hit by food shortages, the country would collapse, and civilization would come to an end. And yet the world’s per capita GDP has grown even as the global population has, and fewer people live in poverty.
Gas masks will be required in cities
mo
These Earth Day predictions from 1970 never came true | Fox News
and hey, a nice related tidbit for the kids:
Alex Epstein @AlexEpstein An Earth Day graph you’ve probably never seen: correlation between fossil fuels and access to clean water. #EarthDay
and a good ol' derp:
Mark O'Henly @140notes Actor who rented a sheik’s yacht (5th largest in world) said at UN today oil must stay in ground. #EarthDay.
#hefelttheglobalwarming
oh yeah...and uh:
Canada Action @CanadaAction
