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Originally Posted by bullseyebarb
However, weren't these same scientists and environmentalists warning us 25 years ago that we were heading into a new ice age?!!
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Which same scientists? The ones I know, which include a couple of fairly prominent PhDs, never expressed such a worry. There were indeed some scientists who expressed concerns back in the mid-1970s, but there was certainly not anything approaching a consensus. Today, there are still some folks who think that global warming may cause some localized cooling, but there aren't exactly a lot of scientists predicting a new ice age. There is, however, a pretty strong consensus today in the world scientific community, based upon available evidence, that global warming is real.
Frankly, the environmental movement has had some great successes. Many of our most-polluted rivers, which were once pretty much dead, now have a good variety of fish. And the reduction in auto emissions has reduced the smog levels considerably in many major urban areas. Far less lead in the environment, too, which is a very good thing for everyone (except, of course, those who were making money from producing tetraethyl lead and other lead-based products).
Of course, due to acid raid from coal-burning power plants, we still have a sizable problem with eutrophic lakes.
Regarding DDT, I'll provide a link to a pretty good article. The WHO has only recommended residual indoor spraying to help prevent malaria in epedemic areas, as well as for areas where there is a continuing high risk of malaria. It is quite clear that it is a limitred use, not a return to the old practices of large scale outdoor use of DDT. It should also be noted that, in some areas, DDT is pretty much useless as the mosquitos have become resistant.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDT