Going Green Birth of the Environmental Movement 21.4

Early American Efforts Teddy Roosevelt created first National Parks Teddy Roosevelt created first National Parks Urban Parks created at the turn of the 1900’s Urban Parks created at the turn of the 1900’s Hippies go “back to nature” to avoid modern society Hippies go “back to nature” to avoid modern society

Early Activists Organize Sierra Club – founded by John Muir in 1892 Sierra Club – founded by John Muir in 1892 Wilderness Society - founded in 1935 Wilderness Society - founded in 1935 Focused on Conservation originally, later expanded into all areas of environment Focused on Conservation originally, later expanded into all areas of environment

The World Is Stunned 1952 – coal smog floats through London 1952 – coal smog floats through London 12,000 Killed by asphyxiation!!! 12,000 Killed by asphyxiation!!!

Rachel Carson 1962 – Wrote “Silent Spring” 1962 – Wrote “Silent Spring” Described impact of pesticides on plants, animals and people Described impact of pesticides on plants, animals and people Claimed people were impacting the environment Claimed people were impacting the environment Public Shocked!!! Public Shocked!!!

Carson’s Object Lesson 1969 – Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River catches fire (industrial waste & oil sludge) 1969 – Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River catches fire (industrial waste & oil sludge) Activists organize around this event, fired up over pollution… Activists organize around this event, fired up over pollution…

Lake Erie Dead Zones

Congress Takes Action Bans DDT for use as a pesticide Bans DDT for use as a pesticide Birth defects Soft Eggs for birds

Earth Day WI senator Gaylord Nelson creates to bring issues to govn’t. WI senator Gaylord Nelson creates to bring issues to govn’t. 20 Million take part in action 20 Million take part in action

First Earth Day

Nixon: the new Teddy Roosevelt 1970 – Environmental Protection Agency 1970 – Environmental Protection Agency Protect the entire ecological chain The Clean Air Act The Clean Air Act The Clean Water Act The Clean Water Act Endangered Species Act Endangered Species Act Ford continues w/ Nuclear Regulatory Commission Ford continues w/ Nuclear Regulatory Commission

The Carter Years: Green Gets Dirty Love Canal – Toxic waste from NY chemical plants caused birth defects & cancer in children Love Canal – Toxic waste from NY chemical plants caused birth defects & cancer in children Homeowners take EPA officials hostage until Carter buys their homes Congress creates “Superfund” to clean up environmental hazards

The China Syndrome March, 1979 – Three Mile Island nuclear plant in PA began to meltdown March, 1979 – Three Mile Island nuclear plant in PA began to meltdown Reactor shut down & Pres. Carter toured plant to reassure public Reactor shut down & Pres. Carter toured plant to reassure public US TERRIFIED of nuclear power US TERRIFIED of nuclear power Gov bans new plants Gov bans new plants iCue Three Mile Island

Cold War Politics & the Environment Communist economies create environmental disasters: Communist economies create environmental disasters: No incentive to change production methods Unresponsive to demands so unconcerned w/ public outcry Lack of free press to inform Fear of failing govn’t demands

Pollution in China

Environmentalism In Your Era Exxon Valdez Exxon Valdez Global Cooling then Global Warming Global Cooling then Global Warming Climate Change now Oil Drilling: ANWR Oil Drilling: ANWR Sea Level Change Sea Level Change Mass Extinctions as seas & land warms Mass Extinctions as seas & land warms

BP Gulf Coast Oil Spill April 2010

206 million gallons spilled

Present Day Japan Terror-2011 During a visit to the doctor to check for cancer you will be exposed to a maximum of 4 Rads The predicted range of the nuclear fallout if the Fukushima Daiichi plant has a meltdown

The Debate Is it happening at all? Is it happening at all? Private Property Rights vs. Public Health Private Property Rights vs. Public Health Is this a natural cycle caused by solar cycles or man made? Is this a natural cycle caused by solar cycles or man made? How should US gov. behave if it puts US business in competitive disadvantage w/ world? How should US gov. behave if it puts US business in competitive disadvantage w/ world?