environmental history: learning from the past. overview human cultural history u.s. environmental...

Environmental History: Learning from the Past

Overview

Human Cultural History

U.S. Environmental History

Aldo Leopold

Human Culture History:Hunter-Gatherer Culture

Hunter-gatherers

Usually limited environmental impact

Nomadic

Human Culture History:The Agricultural Revolution

Agriculture: stay put and farm instead of gathering

Slash and burn/ shifting cultivation

Essentially sustainable resource use.

Increased environmental impact.

Human Culture History:The Industrial Revolution

Industrial Revolution (mid-1700’s) Medical Revolution

Shift to dependence on non-renewable resources.

Dramatic increase in environmental impact.

Human Culture History:The Information Revolution

Information Revolution

Rate of information increase and speed of communication

Globalization

Decrease in cultural diversity

United States Environmental History:The Tribal and Frontier Eras

Tribal Era : Native Americans caused some extinctions, but generally were low-impact hunter-gather or agricultural societies

Frontier Era Environmental Worldview: European Settlement (1607-1890)

Significant impact as wilderness frontier was “tamed”

United States Environmental History:The Early Conservation Era

Early Conservation Era: 1832-1960

Concern over resource use

Preservation of public lands

Public health initiatives

Environmental restoration projects

Important Figures During The Early Conservation Era

Henry David ThoreauGeorge Perkins Marsh

John MuirTheodore RooseveltGifford PinchotFranklin Roosevelt

United States Environmental History:The Environmental Era

The Environmental Era (1960-Today) Began with Silent Spring

The first Earth Day 1970

1980’s: Backlash against environmentalism

1970’s: Major environmental Laws

2000’s: Some backlash against environmentalism2010’s: Environmentalism ?

1990’s : Environmental awareness

Important Figures of the Environmental Era

Rachel Carson: Silent Spring (1962)

Richard Nixon: EPA; ESA

Jimmy Carter: DOE, Superfund (CERCLA)

Important Figures During the Environmental Era

Ronald Reagan

Bill Clinton

George W. Bush Jr.

Other Key Figures in the Environmental Movement• Abbey, Edward • Adams, Ansel• Audubon, John• Bennet, Hugh• Berry, Wendell• Borlang, Norman• Commoner, Barry• Ehrlich, Paul

Other Key Figures in the Environmental Movement

• Hamilton, Alice• Hardin, Garrett• Gibbs, Lois• Nader, Ralph• Simon, Julian• Sinclair, Upton

Aldo Leopold and His Land Ethic

A Sand County Almanac

Problems arise when land viewed as a commodity

Preservation of the integrity, stability, and beauty of land is right

Aldo Leopold and His Land Ethic

Individuals are interdependent

Ethics: respect for land

Shift from conqueror to member