The man who originally introduced the name “Earth Day” was a Pentecostal minister, according to the Assemblies of God (AG) Heritage magazine.
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John McConnell introduced “Earth Day” at the 1969 UNESCO Conference on the Environment. The next year, Sen. Gaylord Nelson (D-Wisconsin) moved Earth Day to April 22, when he held a political protest.
“So the next thing I knew they stole my name Earth Day and they used it for April 22,” McConnell told the AG Heritage. “I was urged to sue, but I didn’t. I didn’t believe in suing.”
McConnell’s grandfather was at the Azusa Street Revival and his parents were founding members of the AG. Darrin Rodgers also did a video interview with McConnell.
“If there had been no Christian experience in my life there would be no Earth Day – or at least I would not have initiated it,” McConnell said. “We love God … [and therefore should] have an appreciation for His creation.”
