Earth Day historian can discuss upcoming 50th anniversary
UB environmental historian Adam Rome is author of ‘The Genius of Earth Day,’ a book documenting the history of the very first Earth Day in 1970
Release Date: April 6, 2020
BUFFALO, N.Y. — As Earth Day’s 50th anniversary approaches on April 22, University at Buffalo environmental historian Adam Rome can speak to media about the very first Earth Day in 1970, its legacy and the modern U.S. environmental movement.
Rome, PhD, is a professor of environment and sustainability in the UB College of Arts and Sciences.
He is creator of an Audible Original audio course on the first Earth Day, with a planned released date of April 14.
He is also author of the 2013 book, “The Genius of Earth Day: How a 1970 Teach-In Unexpectedly Made the First Green Generation.” The volume documents the history of the first Earth Day, describing how millions of people across the United States took part in over 12,000 events in spring of 1970 to mark the occasion.
Almost all of the events — from teach-ins to marches to festivals — were planned at a local level. The occasion left a lasting impact on American society, fueling the country’s modern environmental movement and leading to major legislative victories devoted to protecting the nation’s air, water and wildlife.
Read more:
- Rome’s reflections on the first Earth Day and its legacy:
Expert: Earth Day is turning 50. Here’s what the first one was like in 1970
- Rome’s thoughts on the role of youth activism in establishing Earth Day:
Earth Day in 1970: How a 53-year-old U.S. senator led a ‘youthquake’
Media Contact Information
Charlotte Hsu is a former staff writer in University Communications. To contact UB's media relations staff, email ub-news@buffalo.edu or visit our list of current university media contacts.