John Barrett '57 a spectator at last night's event, disagreed with Nelson, saying technological innovations will allow enormous increases in food capacities.
"I am concerned that overemphasis on population could affect women, minorities, immigrants and health care of children," he said.
Nelson began work on the environment at a National level in 1963, when he attempted to start an Earth conservation tour with the help of former president and Crimson editor John F. Kennedy '40. The tour's purpose was to get the issue of the environment, "on a national agenda," said Nelson.
Although 80 reporters from all the major television networks accompanied the tour group, Nelson said his attempts failed to win national attention.
"Reporters didn't understand it, and didn't care," Nelson said.
Nelson established Earth day in 1970, inspired by the Anti-Vietnam sit-ins that were a common occurrence on American college campuses during that time.
"I had hoped for a demonstration so big that it would get the attention of all the politicians," Nelson said last night.
Twenty million people attended the first earth day which was held on April 22, 1970.