Patrick F. O'Donnell

Did you know Earth Day was originally the brainchild of a former plastics industry guru? No? Neither did I.

That was in 1969, and the gentleman, John McConnell, had designed one of the first plastic plants years before on the West Coast. He was reportedly fascinated by science and nature, concerned for the environment, and worked on developing a plastic using walnut shells, as well as finding ways to reuse waste products.

McConnell’s Earth Day was March 21, the spring equinox. And although we now recognize the first official U.S. Earth Day, established by Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Gaylord Nelson on April 22, 1970, the U.N. and many countries around the world celebrate both days.

Earth Day sparked the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970, as well as laws such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and more.

It’s frightening that after all the progress we’ve made in the years since, the current administration is hell-bent on gutting the rules and regulations that protect our earth in favor of protecting the pocketbooks of already rich businessmen and women.

There’s hope, though. Today’s March for Science proves that.

In honor of Earth Day and The March for Science, I put together a YouTube playlist of songs that revolve around science and the environment. Some might be obvious choices, others perhaps not, but all celebrate, mourn or caution us in some way.

Clicking on the first video below should start the playlist, and they should play through in order.

Enjoy.