Transcript History of the Environmental Movement

History of the
Environmental Movement
Earliest Accounts of
Environmental Concerns
• Air and water pollution was not a much of a
concern, though places like the Roman Empire
were known to have sewage in the streets.
• The cutting of timber for building was an early
concern in places such as Babylon, Greece, Italy,
& Phoenicia.
• Soil conservation was practiced by civilizations in
China, India, and Peru.
Earliest Accounts of Environmental
Concerns continued
• As countries became more developed,
sanitation became a problem. The best
example is Europe during the Middle Ages
and the outbreak of the Bubonic Plague.
• Forests were also disappearing more and
more as the need for timber increased.
1700’s
Ben Franklin began noting water pollution
issues and pushed for a solution.
A correlation between population and
resources was made and brought to light
that as one increases, the other decreases.
The use of more coal led to more air pollution.
1800’s – 1900’s
The impact of water born diseases became a
big concern as well as working conditions
in factories and industry.
A push was also made to start preserving
wilderness areas. Teddy Roosevelt &
Gifford Pinchot suggested forests be used
wisely.
The Sierra Club formed during this time.
Sierra Club
• To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild
places of the earth; To practice and promote
the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems
and resources; To educate and enlist
humanity to protect and restore the quality
of the natural and human environment; and
to use all lawful means to carry out these
objectives.
1900’s
Impacts of the burning of chemicals and
processing of synthetic materials is
publicized.
Air pollution is seen as a problem. In 1957,
increased levels of CO2 was documented
and was a concern.
1960’s &1970’s
• The harmful effects of leaded gasoline is
presented before Congress.
• Silent Spring -1966-book by Rachel Carson-stated
that uncontrolled pesticide use (DDT) led to the
deaths of animals and especially birds, but also
humans. Its title was meant to evoke a spring
season in which no bird songs could be heard,
because they had all died from pesticides.
• Cuyahoga River -1969-oil & chemicals burn in
Ohio, sparking a big environmental movement.
1970’s-1980’s
EPA is established and major environmental laws are
passed such as the Clean Air Act & Clean Water
Act.
Catalytic converters are put on cars.
The effects of toxic dumps comes to light after the
Love Canal incident. (1978)
Nuclear power is questioned after a minor accident
at Three Mile Island. (1979)
First major energy crisis over supply of oil. (1973)
Love Canal Incident
• Love Canal is a neighborhood in New York
which became the subject of national and
international attention and controversy
following the discovery of 21,000 tons of
toxic waste buried beneath the
neighborhood.
Three Mile Island
Incident
• Three Mile Island is an island in the Susquehanna
River near Harrisburg Pennsylvania.
• The Three Mile Island accident of 1979 was the
most significant accident in the history of the
American commercial nuclear power generating
industry. It resulted in the release of a significant
amount of radioactivity, an estimated 43,000
curies of radioactive krypton
1980’s – 1990’s
1980’s Major Disasters:
• Chernobyl
• Exxon Valdez- Largest oil spill to date. Happened
in the Prince William Sound in the Gulf of Alaska
• Bhopal poisoning - 27 tons of lethal gases leaked
from Union Carbide Corporation's pesticide
factory in Bhopal, India. It was the worst chemical
disaster in history.
Ozone depletion taken seriously in 1987.
Global Climate change becomes more of a concern.
Chernobyl
• Chernobyl WAS a city in northern Ukraine
• The Chernobyl disaster was a nuclear reactor
accident in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. It
was the worst nuclear power plant accident in
history resulting in a severe release of
radioactivity into the environment following a
massive power excursion which destroyed the
reactor.
• Two people died in the initial steam explosion, but
most deaths from the accident were attributed to
fallout
1990’s to Present
• Debates continue in our government and around the world about
environmental issues.
• United Nations begins addressing global climate change and suggests
solutions, but many countries do not want to comply.
• Clinton sets aside 58 million acres of forest & wilderness to be
protected or managed.
• Support grows for alternative energy sources such as wind energy.
• In 1997 the Kyoto Protocol was drafted.
– An agreement made under the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Countries that ratify
this protocol commit to reducing their emissions of carbon dioxide
and five other greenhouse gasses, or engaging in emissions trading
if they maintain or increase emissions of these green house gases.
Development of
Alternative Energy
Deemed more important due to rise of fossil
fuel costs.
Automotive companies spending more money
to develop gas saving cars.
More efforts being made to develop solar,
wind, biofuel, and hydrogen fuels.
Wind power is the fastest growing
energy source.