On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans took a stand to protect our planet. They opened the doors to discussion, heated debate, rallies, and protests, all of which laid the path to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts by the end of that year. Since that time we have made great strides globally, however, as with any shift and realignment of priorities, there is the constant pattern of two steps forward and one step back. Let's take a closer look at where we've come over the past 49 years and what is in store for our future on spaceship earth.