Environmental History: Learning from the Past CHAPTER 2 APES Ms. Miller CHAPTER 2 APES Ms. Miller.

Environmental History: Learning from the Past

Environmental History: Learning from the Past

CHAPTER 2APES

Ms. Miller

CHAPTER 2APES

Ms. Miller

Key ConceptsKey Concepts

Three Major “Revolutions”in Human Culture

Three Major “Revolutions”in Human Culture

U.S. Environmental HistoryU.S. Environmental History

Tribal and Frontier EraTribal and Frontier Era

Early Conservation EraEarly Conservation Era

The Environmental EraThe Environmental Era

Aldo Leopold’s Land EthicAldo Leopold’s Land Ethic

Cultural Changes and the Environment: Hunter-Gatherer Culture

Cultural Changes and the Environment: Hunter-Gatherer Culture

Hunter-gatherers—earliest humans until about 12,000 years ago

Hunter-gatherers—earliest humans until about 12,000 years ago

Usually limited environmental impact Usually limited environmental impact

Nomadic: seasonal movement Nomadic: seasonal movement

Cultural Changes and the Environment: The Agricultural Revolution

Cultural Changes and the Environment: The Agricultural Revolution

AgricultureAgriculture

Slash and burn/shifting cultivation (See Fig. 2-2 p. 22)

Slash and burn/shifting cultivation (See Fig. 2-2 p. 22)

Essentially sustainable resource useEssentially sustainable resource use

Believed to have developed in Southeast Asia, northeast Africa and Mexico

Refer to Trade-Offs in Fig. 2-3 on p. 23

Increased environmental impact as agriculture grew and spread

Cultural Changes and the Environment: The Industrial-Medical Revolution

Cultural Changes and the Environment: The Industrial-Medical Revolution

Industrial Revolution (mid-1700’s)Industrial Revolution (mid-1700’s)Shift to dependence on non-renewable

resources

Shift to dependence on non-renewable resources

Refer to Trade-offs in Fig. 2-4 on p. 23

Dramatic increase in environmental impact

Salmon used to travel up the river Thames, through London, to their breeding grounds in Berkshire. However, the industrial revolution and the pollution that

accompanied it killed them all off by 1833.

Cultural Changes and the Environment: The Information/Globalization RevolutionCultural Changes and the Environment: The Information/Globalization Revolution

Information RevolutionInformation RevolutionRate of information increase and

speed of communication

Rate of information increase and speed of communication

Refer to Trade-offs in Fig. 2-5 on p. 24

Decrease in cultural diversity

Globalization

Environmental History of the United States: The Tribal and Frontier ErasEnvironmental History of the United States: The Tribal and Frontier Eras

Tribal Era: Native Americans Tribal Era: Native Americans

Native Americans caused some extinctions, but generally were low-impact hunter-gather

or agricultural societies

Native Americans caused some extinctions, but generally were low-impact hunter-gather

or agricultural societies

Significant impact as wilderness frontier was “tamed”

Significant impact as wilderness frontier was “tamed”

Frontier Environmental Worldview: European Settlement (1607-1890)

Environmental History of the United States: The Early Conservation EraEnvironmental History of the United States: The Early Conservation Era

Period: 1832-1960Period: 1832-1960

Concern over resource useConcern over resource use

Preservation of public landsPreservation of public lands

Public health initiativesPublic health initiatives

Environmental restoration projectsEnvironmental restoration projects

Important Figures During The Early Conservation Era

Henry David Thoreau—wrote “Life in the Woods” while living on Walden Pond, was a naturalist who tried to live life simply

George Perkins Marsh— scientist and member of Congress, wrote “Man and Nature” to show need for conservation

John Muir— explorer, geologist and naturalist who founded the Sierra Club and established Yosemite National Park. Spent 22 years as lobbyist for conservation.

Theodore Roosevelt—US president that gave land for refuges/reserves, “Golden Age of Conservation.” He was also an explorer, writer, naturalist, and birdwatcher

Theodore Roosevelt—US president that gave land for refuges/reserves, “Golden Age of Conservation.” He was also an explorer, writer, naturalist, and birdwatcher

Gifford Pinchot—first chief of the U.S. Forest Service; pioneered scientific management of forests

Gifford Pinchot State Park; Pennsylvania

Franklin Roosevelt-established Civilian Conservation Corps

Environmental History of the United States: The Environmental EraEnvironmental History of the United States: The Environmental Era

Period: 1960-TodayPeriod: 1960-Today

The environmental movementThe environmental movement

The science of ecologyThe science of ecology

Spaceship Earth worldviewSpaceship Earth worldview

1980’s: backlash against environmentalism1980’s: backlash against environmentalism

1990’s: environmental awareness1990’s: environmental awareness

Important Figures During The Environmental Era – Part 1

Important Figures During The Environmental Era – Part 1

Rachel Carson: biologist, marine biologist, environmentalist: The Sea Around Us (1951) Silent Spring (1962)(See Individuals Matter on p. 27)

Rachel Carson: biologist, marine biologist, environmentalist: The Sea Around Us (1951) Silent Spring (1962)(See Individuals Matter on p. 27)

Richard Nixon: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Endangered Species Act (ESA); and the Clean Air Act

Jimmy Carter: Department of Energy Superfund (for hazardous waste cleanup)

Brownfields are industrial or commercial sites that are idle, closed, or underused because of real or perceived environmental pollution.  All Superfund sites are Brownfields.

Important Figures During The Environmental Era – Part 1

Important Figures During The Environmental Era – Part 1

Ronald Reagan—angered environmentalists by appointing those opposed to environmental laws; led to increased membership into conservation groups because of angered citizens

Ronald Reagan—angered environmentalists by appointing those opposed to environmental laws; led to increased membership into conservation groups because of angered citizens

Bill Clinton—appointed respected environmentalist to key positions; vetoed most of the anti-environmental bills

George W. Bush—appointed those opposed to environmental laws and wanted to weaken existing laws; did not consult with environmental groups; withdrew US from Kyoto Treaty (global warming)

Case Study: Aldo Leopold and His Land Ethic

Case Study: Aldo Leopold and His Land Ethic

Leopold’s Land Ethic Leopold’s Land Ethic

Individuals are interdependentIndividuals are interdependentEthics: respect for landEthics: respect for landShift from conqueror to memberShift from conqueror to memberProblems arise when land viewed as a

commodity

Problems arise when land viewed as a commodity

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

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

Anything is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.