From the Himalayas to Newt Gingrich, the 'tree-huggers' prevail

On Earth Day, we take a look back at the rocky history of "tree-huggers." The term originated in the 1970s in the Himalayas and was later co-opted by American politics in the 1990s. Now, environmentalists are reclaiming the word.

Apr 22, 2026 - 08:00
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From the Himalayas to Newt Gingrich, the 'tree-huggers' prevail
On Earth Day, we take a look back at the rocky history of "tree-huggers." The term originated in the 1970s in the Himalayas and was later co-opted by American politics in the 1990s. Now, environmentalists are reclaiming the word.

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