The Spirit of '70: Why Wisconsin Must Lead the Charge Again

By Dean Muller

President of Wisconsin for Environmental Justice

Wisconsin isn’t just another state observing Earth Day; we are its birthplace. On April 22, 1970, inspired by the leadership of Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, 20 million Americans took to the streets to demand a healthier environment. It was a bipartisan awakening that gave birth to the EPA and the Clean Air Act.

Today, 56 years after that first historic day, we find ourselves at a crossroads. While we have made strides in conservation, we are currently locked in a critical struggle over the very future of our climate.

A State in Flux: The Cost of Inaction

This Earth Day arrives as Wisconsin faces a startling new reality. We are no longer talking about "future" threats; we are living through them. Recent data indicates a 37% increase in extreme weather events across our state—a figure that is no coincidence.

• Record-Breaking Heat: Winters that feel like spring and summers that push our power grids to the brink.

• Massive Flooding: Infrastructure buckles under the weight of "once-in-a-century" storms that now happen every few years.

• Tornado Onsets: A shifting "Tornado Alley" that increasingly puts Wisconsin communities in the crosshairs.

These aren't just natural cycles; they are the direct result of the massive amounts of CO2 we have pumped into our atmosphere by burning fossil fuels.

Holding "Big Oil" Responsible

At Wisconsin for Environmental Justice (WEJ), we believe in a simple principle:

 If you make a mess, clean it up. For decades, mammoth corporate giants in the oil and gas industry have known the damage their products cause to our air, water, and public health. Yet, they have continued to prioritize profits over our collective safety. In any Wisconsin neighborhood, if a neighbor causes damage to your property, you expect them to make it right. We must hold Big Oil to that same standard.

We are building a statewide movement to inform our elected officials that they have the power—and the obligation—to hold these companies financially responsible for the climate-driven damage our taxpayers are currently funding.

The Power of the Collective

When faced with a global climate crisis and a multi-trillion-dollar industry, it is easy to feel small. As individuals, our impact may feel like a drop in the ocean, but together, we are a rising tide.

"Now is the time to draw the line in the sand. Empowerment is the core of our mission."

Act with WEJ:

• Learn how to Act: Explore specific action steps designed to inform policymakers.

• Join the Movement: Help us bridge the gap between individual concern and collective political power.

• Voice Your Demand: Tell your representatives that Wisconsin’s legacy as an environmental leader depends on holding industry giants responsible.

Wisconsin started this movement in 1970. In 2026, let’s be the ones to finish the job. Let this be Earth Day, where we stopped asking for change and started demanding it.

Join the fight for a just, sustainable Wisconsin.