TIRELESS ADVOCATE John Adams, a founder of the Natural Resources Defense Council, believes that the nation’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is the central environmental issue of the day. He wears the Presidential Medal of Freedom given to him by President Obama. Osei Helper photo
A half century as the planet’s advocate
Earth Day: For John Adams, the struggle continues
By Osei Helper | Manor Ink
Beaverkill, NY – It is the 1960s, and there is an intense battle between the large energy company Con Edison and a group of residents who live near Storm King Mountain on the Hudson River. The company wants to build a pump storage plant, and the residents don’t want the mountain destroyed, so they form the Scenic Hudson Preservation League. They have not been having much success taking Con Ed to court, and they realize that they need the help of experienced lawyers, but not just any lawyers. These lawyers have to possess genuine concern for the environment.
In walks John Adams, a prosecutor for the US Attorney’s Office, with a burning passion for environmentalism. Scenic Hudson asks Adams to leave the US Attorney’s Office and join them in their battle. Along with seven young lawyers who had just graduated from Law School, Adams and Scenic Hudson form the first environmentally-based public interest law firm. On Jan. 1, 1970, the Natural Resources Defense Council, or NRDC, was formed.
USING THE LAW Adams first got involved in environmental issues when Con Edison tried to build a plant on the Hudson River. After winning that legal battle, the NRDC was formed. Photo courtesy of John Adams
On April 22, Earth Day will be celebrated across the world, and while occurring independently of each other, the NRDC and Earth Day have some connections that reach from their initial founding all the way to the present day. The ties between Earth Day and the NRDC grow more important as the 2020 election draws near and environmental concerns increase in urgency. But before we can take a look at the NRDC’s current and arguably most pressing battle, we must rewind and understand the NRDC’s story and its impact.
A formidable organization
When the NRDC was started in 1970, it was different from other tax-exempt organizations because it could sue the government or any business if they violated the newly-established environmental laws, like the Clean Water or Clean Air acts. This power did not sit well with the government. It was this reasoning that led to the Internal Revenue Service to try to stop the NRDC from securing a license to practice law as a charitable organization with a tax exemption.
Senator Gaylord Nelson, a Democrat from Wisconsin, founded Earth Day. He was a huge advocate for environmental protections. Nelson realized the importance of having a group that could actually compel big businesses and even the government to adhere to the environmental laws. So when the government tried to shut down the NRDC, he spoke out for the organization.
1970 was a year when environmental awareness was growing throughout the public. Pressure was building on President Richard Nixon and the commissioner of the IRS, and eventually the commissioner met with Adams, Nelson and Secretary of State Edmund Muskie, who, with the aid of the NRDC, heavily amended the Clean Air Act. This meeting resulted in the NRDC receiving its license and tax exemption. The NRDC was officially in business.
President Nixon is credited with establishing the first environmental laws, but it was the NRDC that helped write those regulations and took legal action to make sure they were enforced.
The work goes on
The NRDC continues to do this to this day.
“The Paris Agreement is the single most important sign we’re in trouble,” Adams said, referring to the 2016 United Nations conference held in Paris, France, that had nearly 200 developed countries sign a treaty that would require each to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The current issue is that President Donald Trump is trying to remove America from the treaty. Adams believes this to be the most pressing environmental issue in America at the moment, especially considering the upcoming election, and this is where Earth Day comes into play.
“‘Everybody who’s seeking to get elected is going to hear from the environmentalists on Earth Day.’”
“Everybody who’s seeking to get elected is going to hear from the environmentalists on Earth Day,” he said.
But the NRDC can’t do all of this alone, and Adams acknowledges this. Earth Day brings everyone together – environmentalist groups and individuals unite to create a powerful force. It was this force that gave rise to the NRDC’s power and influence. It is this force that has improved the air and water in New York far beyond what it was 50 years ago. It is this force that has been increasing the gas mileage requirement, and it is this force that will push candidates to advocate policies to protect the environment.
Though John Adams is known around the world as an advocate for the environment, his roots are right here in Sullivan County. He grew up on a farm in Callicoon Center and then graduated from Roscoe High School. His background gave him a love of nature and an understanding of the importance it has for all of us.
He worked as NRDC’s president for decades, but even after retiring, he still holds numerous positions on boards of environmental organizations. He was rewarded with the highest civilian honor in the country, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 2010. John Adams has no plans to stop his environmental work, and his influence on environmental matters will stand the test of time.