April 22 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many to feel closer to nature and to hear the birds chirping as we spend more time outside. That connection is something that wouldn’t have seemed possible for most of the population in the years leading up to the initial Earth Day in 1970.

How significant is that now and as we look to the future? For some perspective on that, The Show spoke to Paul Hirt, a professor of history and sustainability at Arizona State University.

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