Earth Day’s 50th anniversary

With Earth Day’s 50th anniversary approaching on April 22, 2020, CU Boulder’s internationally recognized climate and environment experts are available for media interviews about significant present and past environmental events, movements and research. They can also give context to the work still ahead of us to maintain a healthy, stable planet. Learn more about Earth Day’s 50th anniversary at CU Boulder, including a Virtual Earth Day Celebration. For help arranging interviews, email cunews@colorado.edu. 

History of Earth Day and the environmental movement 

Paul Sutter, professor of environmental history, can talk about the first Earth Day in 1970 and the history of the postwar American environmental movement and events that were critical to its development. He can also speak to the history of the wilderness preservation movement, the history of public lands conservation and the history of American agriculture and its environmental impacts. Sutter can be reached at paul.sutter@colorado.edu.

Current policy landscape

Alice Madden, executive director of Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment, can speak to the Trump administration’s rollback of environmental protections. She can also talk about the current coronavirus-related decrease in air pollution and whether an economic comeback can be a “green” comeback. She can be reached at alice.madden@colorado.edu.

Society and media

Max Boykoff, associate professor in environmental studies and fellow in the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), can speak about the science, policy and societal considerations relating to Earth Day. He can also talk about his work monitoring media coverage of climate change as part of the Media and Climate Change Observatory (MeCCO). He is also part of Inside the Greenhouse, which will host an online comedy show, “Stand Up For Climate Change,” on Earth Day. Boykoff can be reached at boykoff@colorado.edu.

Climate and arctic research 

Merritt Turetsky, associate professor of ecology and director of the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR), can talk about scientific research and developments in Arctic climate change, permafrost thaw, wildfire and carbon feedbacks. She can be reached at merritt.turetsky@colorado.edu.

Climate and carbon dioxide 

James White, professor of environmental studies and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, can speak about advances in climate change research and the role of carbon dioxide uptake by plants in addressing carbon dioxide levels and climate change. White can be reached at james.white@colorado.edu.

Environmental justice 

Jill Harrison, associate professor and undergraduate chair of sociology, can speak about environmental justice movements. She recently published From the Inside Out: The Fight for Environmental Justice within Government Agencies, an examination of why government agencies allow environmental injustices to persist. She can be reached at jill.harrison@colorado.edu.

Water quality and treatment

Karl Linden, Mortenson Professor in Sustainable Development in environmental engineering, can speak on water quality, treatment and sanitation in developing countries. He can be reached at karl.linden@colorado.edu.