'The Lorax' Warned Us 50 Years Ago, But We Didn't Listen
Call it fate or an unfortunate coincidence that Dr. Seuss' The Lorax celebrates its 50th anniversary the same week the United Nations releases an urgent report on the dire consequences of human-induced climate change. The conflict between the industrious, polluting Once-ler and the feisty Lorax who "speaks for the trees" feels more prescient than ever.
"Once-ler!" he cried with a cruffulous croak.
"Once-ler! You're making such smogulous smoke!
My poor Swomee-Swans...why, they can't sing a note!
No one can sing who has smog in his throat.
"He wanted a book that captured the effects of pollution on ecosystems and I would say it was,' and for me, as a scientist, I just find that genius that he anticipated that concept by a decade or more."
