Why not decades ago for all the "Going Green" initiatives?

Sure with the state of the economy and the gas and food prices no wonder everyone is thinking green but why now rather than years ago. I mean researchers been screaming for decades that earths resources could not handle the consumption rate at which we humans operate. I think that they should have been drilling it our heads about being green conscious and conserving more then and maybe things wouldnt be so bad now. neway just my 2 cents wut do u guys think