The History of Environmentalism
Jacob Murphey
Western Civilization
Jacobson
2/27/13
THE HISTORY OF
ENVIRONMENTALISM
Environmentalism has grown over the last
few decades into a prominent force among social, political, and economic
groups. Its growing influence amongst policies worldwide makes environmentalism
one of the fastest growing policies in recorded history. Even though we are all
certainly familiar with the basics of environmentalism, such as recycling and green
living, it is much more complex than that. The roots of environmentalism go
back much further than the establishment of recycling. In fact, it goes back further
than recorded history.
This paper will analyze the history of
the environmental movement beginning with its impact on ancient civilizations
up through the modern era. It will address key events in history such as laws,
establishment of governmental bodies, as well as social, political, and
economic movements that have contributed to modern day environmentalism. An
issue that I may encounter is deciding which of these are the most important in
the progression of environmentalism and which are subsidies or add-ons to more
pertinent information.
I will start by examining the first
civilizations. A key question that will be addressed is: How did
environmentalism and sustainability contribute to the foundations of
civilization? We can answer this simply by looking at the definition of
sustainability, a core component of environmentalism. Sustainability is defined
as a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not
depleted or permanently damaged or relating to a lifestyle involving the use of
sustainable methods[1].
Nomadic people found the need to settle and establish a new way of living that
would be easier and safer. This need brought forth the beginnings of
agriculture and the domestication of animals. Because of this populations increased
and with it came the rise of villages, a need for a government to keep order,
and the establishment of social classes. The constant need for a sustainable
way of living led to expansion and growth that propelled ancient civilizations
forward through history.[2]
Although the need for sustainability did
wonders for the progression of civilizations all over the world, it also caused
a great deal of negative side affects. Many of which we still deal with
today. A key example of this is the
Industrial Revolution. With the rise of James Watt’s perfected steam engine
came a high rate of industrialization. [3]
Along with this came overpopulation, factory runoff and untreated sewage, and a
poor sanitation system. Although people were living longer and survival rate
increased the world was not yet prepared for the speed at which it had
expanded. England is known for its issues with smoke and smog throughout
history caused by the burning of coal. Even before the Industrial Revolution
there are documented accounts of people protesting the burning of sea coal as a
fuel source due to its negative effects on the health of civilians. John
Evelyn, and English author, wrote:[4]
",,,so universally mixed with the
otherwise wholesome and excellent Aer, that her Inhabitants breathe nothing but
an impure and thick Mist accompanied with a fuliginous and filthy
vapour..."
Although concern for the environment
has been around for thousands of years it was not until 1962 when Rachel Carson
wrote her book Silent Spring that the
environmentalism movement was launched worldwide. In her book she directly
accused the government of allowing the use of DDT when they knew the
ramifications of it. After this the world became increasingly aware of there
impact on the earth. In 1970 the US established the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) whose soul purpose was to protect the environment.[5]
Even though the environmental
movement didn’t really take off until the 1960s its roots spread to the
establishment of early civilizations. Key events in history such as nomads
settling down and creating villages, the Industrial Revolution and its
ramifications, and the establishment of agencies world wide for the protection
and conservation of nature led to the beginnings of the modern environmental movement.
WORKS CITED
Ancient Mexico & Central America:
Archaeology and Culture History.. 2 ed. New York: Thames & Hudson,
2008.
·
This book talks about ancient central American
societies. I specifically looked at how ancient civilizations, particularly the
Aztecs, used chinampas.
Carson, Rachel, and Lois Darling. Silent spring. Boston: Houghton Mifflin ;, 1962.
·
Rachel Carson’s book accuses the government of
knowing the side affects of using DDT and allowing it to be used anyways. It is
also accredited with launching the worldwide environmental movement.
Evelyn, John. Fumifugium.
Exeter: The Rota, 1976.
·
John Evelyn appeals to the king and parliament
about the issue with smog in smoke in England.
Graham, Frank. Since
Silent Spring. Boston: Houghton-Mifflin, 1970.
·
This book addresses the affects of Rachel
Carson’s Silent Spring
Klimke, Martin,
and Joachim Scharloth.1968 in Europe: A
History of Protest and Activism, 1956-1977. New York: Palgrave Macmillan,
2008.
·
This work talks about many different social
movements throughout. Specifically it talks about some environmentalism.
Michael Pollan, The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of
Four Meals (New York: Penguin, 2006), 99–100.
·
This talks about the different progression in
agriculture and how it affected early civilization.
Rootes,
Christopher. "1968 and the
Environmental Movement in Europe." A Handbook on National Perspectives and
Transnational Dimensions of 1960/ 70s Protest Movements 1, no. 1 (2008):
1-10.
·
Rootes writes about the different groups and
agencies established to conserve and protect the environment.
Savery, Thomas .
"Excerpt from The Miner's Friend;
or, An Engine to Raise Water by Fire." World History in Context.
ic.galegroup.com.ezproxy.vccs.edu:2048/ic/whic/PrimarySourcesDetailsPage/PrimarySourcesDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=WHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=PrimarySources&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false
(accessed February 20, 2013).
·
This is about the invention of the steam engine,
its perfection, and its affect in the industrial revolution.
"Sustainability."
Def. 2. Merriam- Webster. N.d. Encyclopaedia Britannica Online. Web. 13 Jan.
2013. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sustainability>.
·
Definintion
"US
Environmental Protection Agency." US Environmental Protection Agency.
http://www.epa.gov (accessed February 10, 2013).
·
The EPA is the government body in the US that
works towards the protection of the environment.
[1] "Sustainability." Def. 2. Merriam-
Webster. N.d. Encyclopaedia Britannica Online. Web. 13 Jan.
2013. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sustainability>.
[2] Ancient Mexico & Central America: Archaeology and
Culture History.. 2 ed. New York: Thames &
Hudson, 2008.
[3] Savery, Thomas . "Excerpt from The
Miner's Friend; or, An Engine to Raise Water by Fire." World History in
Context.
ic.galegroup.com.ezproxy.vccs.edu:2048/ic/whic/PrimarySourcesDetailsPage/PrimarySourcesDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=WHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=PrimarySources&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false
(accessed February 20, 2013).
[5] "The Origins of EPA | About EPA | US
EPA." US Environmental Protection Agency.
http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/history/origins.html (accessed February 19, 2013).
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