Environmental activism really began with the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970 and precipitated an unexpected and galvanizing effect on the national psyche. Told through the eyes of nine very divergent witnesses, including Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall, biologist Paul Ehrlich, Congressman Pete McCloskey and astronaut, Rusty Schweickart, Earth Days is a visually stunning, globe-spanning chronicle of watershed events and consciousness-changing realizations that prompted a new eco-awareness. The post–World War II American dream of a future world created by scientific progress, new technology and economic expansion was rapidly becoming a nightmare. To the 20 million Americans who demanded change and political action to protect the environment on that first Earth Day, the urgency and scale of the current crisis would have seemed extreme and alarming. Earth Days is a cogent and powerful depiction of the awakening of the world to environmental reality; ignoring its message could imperil us all! Directed by Robert Stone. Produced by Robert Stone Productions.

 

Earth Days

2009 US 100 min
Festival Year: 2013
Types: Documentary, Panel Discussion
Topic: Energy & Resources, Environmental Advocacy and Justice, Freshwater & Oceans, Sustainable Living