Just imagine where we would be if, since that first Earth Day, we had given the

[niyad]

billions/trillions(?) spent (wasted?) on the extraction industries to green/renewable/alternatives instead.

[They_Live]

1. I know.

I think about it often.

52 years ago.

[Voltaire2]

2. We have a new plan from our global oligarchs.

It’s called Just Shutup and Fucking Die Off.

The climate crisis can be solved by reducing the human population by around 90%. That’s the plan.

[walkingman]

3. Reagan taking the solar panels off of the WH sent a clear message to those

that cared about the environment. Much like the firing of the Air Traffic Controllers sent a anti-union agenda - his "the government is the problem" continues to this day.

[Evolve Dammit]

8. I believe those same panels are still in use at Unity College in Maine.

[NoMoreRepugs]

4. Instead of "Don't Look Up" - "Just Don't Think About It."

[TNNurse]

5. Or we had listened to Rachel Carson from the beginning.

Some of us understood, but had no power.

[kacekwl]

6. Or Jimmy Carter.

Shame.

[TNNurse]

10. Oh, I loved what Jimmy Carter did, but Rachel came first.

I suspect he learned from her writing.

[XanaDUer2]

7. I often think things like this

The world would be a much better place

[niyad]

12. Indeed.

[Kaleva]

9. The people dying in Ethiopia from drought caused by climate change are imagining that right now

"Persistent Drought in Ethiopia Result of Climate Change, Experts Say"

GODE, ETHIOPIA —
Drought is not new to the Horn of Africa, but experts say the record one killing crops and cattle across Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia has underscored the increasing frequency of drought due to climate change.

In Ethiopia, the U.N.'s World Food Program is not just feeding those affected but also working to help drought-proof communities for the longer term.

Hawo Abdi Wole has lived through many droughts in her 70 years of life. But until now, she said she had never seen four consecutive rainy seasons fail. Wole said she has seen a big difference. In early years, she said, people used to see more rains and animals produced more milk. There is a big, big difference now."

https://www.voanews.com/a/persistent-drought-in-ethiopia-result-of-climate-change-experts-say/6574453.html

"Drought and climate change pushing communities to the brink
Climate change and its resulting effect of enormous land degradation and significant depletion of pasture in Borena zone is pushing pastoralist communities to the brink"

https://www.unicef.org/ethiopia/stories/drought-and-climate-change-pushing-communities-brink

"Drought leaves more than 7.2 mn people needing food aid in Ethiopia: UNOCHA
UNOCHA said the climate-induced drought in the East African country is the most severe in 40 years following four consecutive failed rainy seasons since late 2020"

https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/drought-leaves-more-than-7-2-mn-people-needing-food-aid-in-ethiopia-unocha-122060500012_1.html

"Climate Crisis, Ukraine War Worsen Food Crisis in East Africa; Someone Dies of Hunger Every 48 Secs"

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1127153398

[niyad]

11. This all is beyong heartbreaking.

[Kaleva]

13. This could have been prevented had the actions you said in your OP been taken

[electric_blue68]

14. I marched in DC 3xs early - middle '80's for Solar and Other Renewable Energies...

Unfortunately a line from a Who song (not on this actual subject) fits:

"We tried, but you were yawning"
😔

In this case around 40 years.

[LudwigPastorius]

15. I remember the first Earth Day.

That day, and for about 4 years after that, the elementary school where I went, in Texas, took time out every year to teach us what ecology was and what pollution was doing to our environment.

That shit was shut down after that. Can't have the young uns indoctrinated with that hippie bullshit...especially when it could cut into fossil fuel profits.

[niyad]

16. Your last sentence says it all.

[flvegan]

17. ...and if everyone had gone vegan.

But that's uncomfortable, even here.