Chris Wright, the current Energy Secretary, marked Earth Day with a reflective look at how far the U.S. environment has come since he was a kid in Denver—back when, he says, you could barely see the Rockies through the smog. Wright shared his story in a new video, describing how, growing up in the 1970s, Denver’s air was so polluted that spotting the majestic mountains was a rare treat—one out of every three or four days, if you were lucky.

Back then, Earth Day was just getting its start in Pennsylvania, but Colorado was fighting its own battle with dirty air and health problems. According to Wright, lung issues were common, and clean air was more of a dream than a reality.

Fast forward 55 years, and Wright says Denver’s population and economy have exploded, but—surprise!—the air is dramatically cleaner. He credits this not just to environmental activism, but to technological advances and growing prosperity. Six major air pollutants, including carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide, have dropped by about 75% since the 1970s, all while the country’s wealth and leisure travel grew, and wildlife made a comeback.

Wright points out that as a kid, seeing a moose, mountain lion, or bear near Denver was pretty much unheard of, but now, encountering big wildlife in his hometown is just another Tuesday. He attributes this environmental glow-up to responsible energy development and increased affluence, not just green policies.

He’s quick to say we’re not done yet, though. While the U.S. enjoys cleaner air, water, and thriving ecosystems, Wright laments that billions worldwide don’t have access to reliable energy or clean water. Around 2 billion people are still cooking with wood, dung, or waste, leading to dangerous indoor air pollution that claims about 2 million lives annually, according to the WHO.

Wright’s bottom line? Healthy people, clean air and water, and thriving ecosystems all need a dash of wealth and a generous pour of energy. He believes that a “handily energized society” isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the key ingredient to an environment worth celebrating every day, not just on Earth Day.

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