Chapter 2 Environmental History: Learning from the Past

Cultural Changes and the Environment Human History Homo sapiens have been on Earth 160,000 years Homo sapiens have been on Earth 160,000 years Until 12,000 years ago we were hunter-gatherers, moving as we needed for food Until 12,000 years ago we were hunter-gatherers, moving as we needed for food

Cultural Changes and the Environment Three Cultural Changes Agricultural revolution Agricultural revolution Began 10-12,000 yrs ago Began 10-12,000 yrs ago Industrial revolution Industrial revolution 150 years ago 150 years ago Information and globalization revolution Information and globalization revolution 50 years ago 50 years ago

Cultural Changes and the Environment Three Cultural Changes Have increased our impact on environment in several ways Have increased our impact on environment in several ways More energy and technology More energy and technology Increased food production Increased food production Expansion of human population Expansion of human population Increase in resource use Increase in resource use

Cultural Changes and the Environment Hunters-Gatherers Most of our existence Most of our existence Collect edible plants, fish, hunt Collect edible plants, fish, hunt Lived in small nomadic bands Lived in small nomadic bands Worked together to survive Worked together to survive Population grew slowly Population grew slowly Small environmental impact Small environmental impact South Africa: San, Khwe, Sho, Bushmen, and Basarwa South Africa: San, Khwe, Sho, Bushmen, and Basarwa Australia: Australia: Spinifex people

Cultural Changes and the Environment Hunters-Gatherers Small environmental impact due to: Small environmental impact due to: Understanding of natural surrounding Understanding of natural surrounding Low population Low population Low resource use Low resource use Migration to allow reparation Migration to allow reparation Lack of technology Lack of technology

Cultural Changes and the Environment Agricultural Revolution Agricultural Revolution- Agricultural Revolution- Began 10-12,000 years ago Began 10-12,000 years ago H-G  settled, agricultural communities H-G  settled, agricultural communities Plant cultivation developed Plant cultivation developed Slash and burn/shifting cultivation Slash and burn/shifting cultivation Sustainable Sustainable Grew food for subsistence Grew food for subsistence Little impact on the environment-no machinery Little impact on the environment-no machinery

3 Harvesting for 2 to 5 years 1 Clearing and burning vegetation 2 Planting 4 Allowing to revegetate 10 to 30 years

Agricultural Revolution Good NewsBad News More food Destruction of wildlife habitats from clearing forests and grasslands Longer life expectancy Fertile land turned into desert by livestock overgrazing Supported a larger population Formation of villages, towns, and cities Towns and cities served as centers for trade, government, and religion Killing of wild animals feeding on grass or crops Soil eroded streams and lakes Increase in armed conflict and slavery over ownership of land and water resources Towns and cities concentrated wastes and pollution and increased spread of diseases Higher standard of living for many people

Cultural Changes and the Environment Industrial/Medical Revolution Industrial/Medical Revolution- Industrial/Medical Revolution- Began in England in 1700’s Began in England in 1700’s U.S. in 1800’s U.S. in 1800’s Huge shift in culture Huge shift in culture

Cultural Changes and the Environment Industrial/Medical Revolution Cultural shifts Cultural shifts Renewable (wood, water)  nonrenewable Renewable (wood, water)  nonrenewable Localized goods  large scale, machine made Localized goods  large scale, machine made Rural  urban Rural  urban Increased crop yields/acre w/ farm machinery Increased crop yields/acre w/ farm machinery Population ↑ sharply Population ↑ sharply Environmental impact ↑ Environmental impact ↑

Industrial-Medical Revolution Trade-Offs Good NewsBad News Mass production of useful and affordable products Increased air pollution Longer life expectancy Soil depletion and degradation Greatly increased agricultural production Increased urbanization Lower rate of population growth Increased water pollution Groundwater depletion Habitat destruction and degradation Higher standard of living for many Lower infant mortality Increased waste pollution Biodiversity depletion

Cultural Changes and the Environment Information and Global Revolution Information and Global Revolution- Information and Global Revolution- 1950’s 1950’s New technology to gain rapid access to global info New technology to gain rapid access to global info TV TV Telephone/Cellphone Telephone/Cellphone Satellites Satellites Computers Computers Did You Know? Did You Know? Did You Know? Did You Know?

Information-Globalization Revolution Trade-Offs Good NewsBad News Remote-sensing satellite surveys of the world’s environmental systems Ability to respond to environmental problems more effectively and rapidly Globalized economy can increase environmental degradation by homogenizing the earth’s surface Globalized economy can decrease cultural diversity Computer-generated models and maps of the earth’s environmental systems Information overload can cause confusion and sense of hopelessness

Environmental History of the United States 4 Eras The environmental history of the US can be divided into 4 eras: The environmental history of the US can be divided into 4 eras: Tribal Tribal Frontier Frontier Early Conservation Early Conservation Environmental Environmental

Environmental History of the US Tribal Era Tribal Era- Tribal Era- Native Americans Native Americans 10,000 years before European settlement 10,000 years before European settlement Hunter Gatherers Hunter Gatherers Slash and burn/shifting cultivation Slash and burn/shifting cultivation Small populations Small populations Low environmental impact Low environmental impact

Environmental History of the US Frontier Era Frontier Era- Frontier Era- Early 1600’s—European settlement Early 1600’s—European settlement Frontier environmental worldview— vast and inexhaustible resources Frontier environmental worldview— vast and inexhaustible resources Tribes and land “conquered” Tribes and land “conquered” Public  private land Public  private land Government declared frontier officially closed in 1890 Government declared frontier officially closed in 1890

Environmental History of the US Early Conservation Era Early Conservation Era- Early Conservation Era- Alarm at resource depletion Alarm at resource depletion Urged part of unspoiled wilderness be protected as legacy to future generations Urged part of unspoiled wilderness be protected as legacy to future generations Thoreau (Life in the Woods) and other writers addressed these issues but not taken seriously Thoreau (Life in the Woods) and other writers addressed these issues but not taken seriously Active role of government increases Active role of government increases Environmental change within democracies involves voicing opinions through elected officials, legislation, budgeting, and lobbying by special interest groups.

Environmental History of the US Early Conservation Era Actions ↑ role of government and private citizens in resource conservation Actions ↑ role of government and private citizens in resource conservation  1891-Forest Reserve Act established federal government as responsible for protecting public lands  1892-John Muir founded Sierra Club and led preservationist movement  1890-Yosemite National Park

Environmental History of the US Early Conservation Era cont…. Theodore Roosevelt Established wildlife reserves and tripled size of national reserve President given power to designate public land as federal wildlife reserves 1905-US Forest Service 1906-Antiquities Act President can protect areas on federal lands as national monuments (Grand Canyon) “Golden Age of Conservation”

1916-National Park Service Act creates National Park System 1916-National Park Service Act creates National Park System President Hoover wanted to return or sell federal lands but the Great Depression left people unable to do business President Hoover wanted to return or sell federal lands but the Great Depression left people unable to do business GOOD THING!! GOOD THING!!

Environmental History of the US Early Conservation Era Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) 1933-Civil Conservation Corp (CCC) 1933-Civil Conservation Corp (CCC) 2 million people employed 2 million people employed Restore degraded environment, built dams, parks, etc. Restore degraded environment, built dams, parks, etc. 1940’s and 50’s had little change 1940’s and 50’s had little change

Aldo Leopold Forester, writer, conservationist Forester, writer, conservationist Wrote A Sand County Almanac Wrote A Sand County Almanac Describes the Land Ethic Describes the Land Ethic

Case Study: Aldo Leopold and His Land Ethic Individuals are interdependent Individuals are interdependent Humans are a part of nature Humans are a part of nature Ethics: humans have an ethical responsibility to preserve nature. Ethics: humans have an ethical responsibility to preserve nature. Shift from conqueror to member Shift from conqueror to member Problem arises when land viewed as a commodity. Problem arises when land viewed as a commodity. Preservation of integrity, stability, and beauty of land is right. Preservation of integrity, stability, and beauty of land is right.

Some of the key types of environmental protection laws in the United States (see Appendix in book): Setting pollution standards (e.g, Clean Air Act)Setting pollution standards (e.g, Clean Air Act) Cleanup and restoration ("Superfund Act" = Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act)Cleanup and restoration ("Superfund Act" = Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) Screening substances for safety (e.g., Toxic Substances Control Act)Screening substances for safety (e.g., Toxic Substances Control Act) Requiring environmental impact assessment (e.g., National Environmental Policy Act)Requiring environmental impact assessment (e.g., National Environmental Policy Act) Protecting ecosystems, resources, and species (e.g., Endangered Species Act)Protecting ecosystems, resources, and species (e.g., Endangered Species Act) Encouraging resource conservation (e.g., National Energy Act)Encouraging resource conservation (e.g., National Energy Act) Types of Environmental Laws

Primary forces involved in making environmental policy at the federal level in the United States. Policy in the United States

Various mainstream environmental groups actively influence environmental policy in the United States Nature Conservancy works to evaluate, purchase, and protect critical habitat;Nature Conservancy works to evaluate, purchase, and protect critical habitat; Sierra Club works to focus public attention on key environmental issues, especially with respect to land management and protection;Sierra Club works to focus public attention on key environmental issues, especially with respect to land management and protection; National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, and World Wildlife Fund focus attention on wildlife conservation;National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, and World Wildlife Fund focus attention on wildlife conservation; Environmental Groups

Worldwatch Institute serves as a think tank and research center to compile and communicate environmental information;Worldwatch Institute serves as a think tank and research center to compile and communicate environmental information; Greenpeace focuses public attention by activism.Greenpeace focuses public attention by activism. Environmental Groups

Recently experienced declined membership and reduced budgetsRecently experienced declined membership and reduced budgets “Group of 10" largest U.S. environmental organizations depend heavily on corporate donations“Group of 10" largest U.S. environmental organizations depend heavily on corporate donations 6,000+ grassroots organizations address issues of concern to citizens, focused locally, regionally, or on a specific issue.6,000+ grassroots organizations address issues of concern to citizens, focused locally, regionally, or on a specific issue. Anti-environmental groups focus on weakening or repealing existing environmental laws.Anti-environmental groups focus on weakening or repealing existing environmental laws. Environmental Groups

Environmental History of the US Environmental Era 1960’s Environmental Era- Environmental Era- Citizens began modern environmental movement Citizens began modern environmental movement 1962-Rachel Carson published Silent Spring about pesticide effects 1962-Rachel Carson published Silent Spring about pesticide effects 1963-Clean Air Act 1963-Clean Air Act 1964 Wilderness Act protecting tracts of land in the Wilderness System 1964 Wilderness Act protecting tracts of land in the Wilderness System 1968-Garrett Hardin 1968-Garrett Hardin 1969-Spaceship Earth worldview 1969-Spaceship Earth worldview

Environmental History of the US Environmental Era 1970’s Environmental decade Environmental decade st Earth Day st Earth Day Nixon Nixon 1970-EPA established 1970-EPA established 1973-Endagered Species Act 1973-Endagered Species Act 1978-Bureau of Land Management started to manage public lands through Federal Land Policy and Management Act 1978-Bureau of Land Management started to manage public lands through Federal Land Policy and Management Act “Sagebrush rebellion” “Sagebrush rebellion”

Environmental History of the US Environmental Era 1970’s cont….. Jimmy Carter Jimmy Carter 1977-Department of Energy (DOE) 1977-Department of Energy (DOE) to reduce dependence on foreign oil to reduce dependence on foreign oil 1977-Clean Water Act 1977-Clean Water Act 1980-Superfund created in response to Love Canal to clean up abandoned hazardous waste 1980-Superfund created in response to Love Canal to clean up abandoned hazardous waste Tripled land in National Wilderness system and doubled land in the National Park System Tripled land in National Wilderness system and doubled land in the National Park System

Environmental History of the US Environmental Era 1980’s Anti-environmental movement formed to weaken laws of 60’s and 70’s Anti-environmental movement formed to weaken laws of 60’s and 70’s Ronald Reagan Ronald Reagan Increased private energy, mineral Increased private energy, mineral development and timber cutting development and timber cutting Funding for environmental resources cut Funding for environmental resources cut The “wise use” movement formed to weaken government over environmental issues The “wise use” movement formed to weaken government over environmental issues

Environmental History of the US Environmental Era George Bush Sr. George Bush Sr. Weakened protections on almost as much public lands as Teddy Roosevelt protected Weakened protections on almost as much public lands as Teddy Roosevelt protected Increase fossil fuel use Increase fossil fuel use Relaxation on air and water quality standards Relaxation on air and water quality standards 1992 attended the United Nations Conference, Earth Summit, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to discuss environmental issues 1992 attended the United Nations Conference, Earth Summit, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to discuss environmental issues

Environmental History of the US Environmental Era cont…. Clinton protected more public lands as national monuments than any other President. Clinton protected more public lands as national monuments than any other President Kyoto Japan 161 nations 1997-Kyoto Japan 161 nations met to negotiate a treaty to decrease emissions and slow climate change met to negotiate a treaty to decrease emissions and slow climate change Environmentalists countering claims climate change and ozone depletion are hoaxes Environmentalists countering claims climate change and ozone depletion are hoaxes

Environmental History of the US Environmental Era cont…. George Bush Jr George Bush Jr Followed in father’s footsteps Followed in father’s footsteps Withdrew US totally from Kyoto treaty Withdrew US totally from Kyoto treaty Frontline’s Hot Politics Frontline’s Hot PoliticsHot PoliticsHot Politics

Environmental History of the US Environmental Era Barack Obama Barack Obama Campaigned on strong environmental plateform Campaigned on strong environmental plateform As President has pledged to “take actions to build the foundation for a clean energy economy, tackle the issue of climate change, and protect the environment.” As President has pledged to “take actions to build the foundation for a clean energy economy, tackle the issue of climate change, and protect the environment.” Obama’s environmental policy is struggling under political and economic pressures Obama’s environmental policy is struggling under political and economic pressures What’s next?! What’s next?!