In this entry, you will be highlighting 2 to 3 major events throughout human history that have helped shape our planet positively or negatively with respect to the environment. For example, I will choose TWO specific events, actually books, that have been critical to helping start an environmental conscience in the modern world. Some people may view these choices as insignificant on a larger scale of global impact, however I disagree due to the fact the two books below increased awareness of the human role in nature and the impacts we have on ALL living and non-living systems. Not only do the books speak to the layperson, but they also speak to the scientific community as a whole, sparking new debates and new ideas.
Book 1: Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. The book was first published in 1962 and has since been reprinted numerous times. Carson was a scientist by academic standards and a passionate observer of the natural world around her. She began noticing declines in bird populations and while discussing this among colleagues from around the U.S., she began pulling research from multiple sources to prove the cause of bird decline was the uncontrolled use of pesticides, particularly DDT. Her book is really a scientific paper and novel hybrid, which she meticulously cited all her sources of information and placed at the back of the book for ease of reading. She had been criticized for this form of publication, but the audience was the public, not just the scientific community. Her book help inspire the modern environmental movement that has spread throughout the globe. If given the chance, you should read Silent Spring.
Book 2: Our Stolen Future: are we threatening our fertility, intelligence, and survival? A scientific Detective Story. By Theo Colborn, Dianne Dumanoski, and John Peterson Myers. First published in 1996, the group of researchers focused on the development of endocrine disruptors and wrote the book in narrative form similar to what Rachel Carson did in Silent Spring. The book Our Stolen Future is one of frightening context in which hormone mimicking toxins are described in detail. The fear that can be generated from this book is palpable as it clearly chronicles the types and amounts of toxins found in everyday items and how they enter and interact with our bodies. The content of the book can be a bit heavy to read but it is explained well enough for most people. Since the book's publication, the U.S. has changed governmental policy to aid in the research of endocrine disruptors. If you are looking for a modern (yes it is still modern even for a 1996 book) look at what chemicals affect the human population of the earth, please read the book. It has a high probability to change your life. For more information about the book and the research, go to http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/
Have a good read.
Mr. Bittle
One of the biggest incidents of Environmental History in my opinion would be the meltdown of Reactor 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. It is a major disaster that could have easily been avoided and honestly should have never happened. Many people of my generation have no idea what Chernobyl even is, especially for those of us that live in North America but almost everyone in Europe, Ukraine, Russia and Belarus know of the catastrophe that sent a massive plume of Nuclear Fallout over majority of Europe, large portions of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Nearly 60% of the fallout landed in Belarus. This disaster caused a heightened awareness and raised concerns about nuclear power in the world and slowed it's rapid growth. It also caused the Soviet Union to become less secretive in general. Part of the negative option on nuclear power is caused by this incident which is both a good and bad thing. It's good because we have no way to properly dispose of the waste after energy production but it's a bad thing as we run out of options with fossil fuels. Hopefully people will feel more rushed to figure out alternative and RENEWABLE energy sources to protect our future.
ReplyDeleteMy other historical event would have to be the current BP Oil Spill since it has raised awareness GLOBALLY of the dangers and consequences of relying on fossil fuels. People in the United States are especially getting a wake-up call to get things in motion for more renewable and sustainable energy. The spill has caused massive amounts of economic and environmental damage. Destroying the livelihoods of thousands of people along the gulf. We honestly did need this "slap-to-the-face" in the USA though. We aren't conscious enough of our environmental impact and right now it still feels like most people never will be. Japan is also facing energy problems needing fossil fuels but they're still ahead of us with the National respect for nature and all of the easy-to-access ways to recycle. They also have far more public transportation making cars needed less than here in the United States. I hate that our mentality is "fix it after a disaster happens" but it still is. We all need to work to make things that are preventable, well PREVENTED.
Two of the events that I believe shaped the environment that we live in today and the resources that we use are...
ReplyDelete1. 1963 - 300 deaths and thousands of illnesses in New York City from air pollution. Clean air act begins regulation of air pollution with stricter amendments.
> I believe that this is important because if it wasn't for the restrictions put on to air pollution the pollution from the factories and the burning of coal would have just kept getting worse to the point where workers couldn't work because the working conditions and air would be so bad. And the pollution would have kept spreading and could have killed thousands of plants, animals, and probably even people.
2. 1989 - Exxon Valdez oil tanker accident in Alaska's Prince William Sound.
> This is important because if it wasn't for this major oil spill we would not have the equipment and resources that we have today for cleaning up oil spills such as the devastating once that has just happened in 2010 the BP Oil Spill that is now destroying our oceans and the animals and plants that live in them. The Exxon Valdez is the second largest oil spill next to the current BP oil spill that is still currently letting out more oil into the ocean.
3. April 22, 1970 The first earth day took place.
> I think that the first earth day is important because if earth day had never been enforced than a lot of our plants and wildlife would be ruined because students and parents would not be taught about how certain things are used and how we can protect them so that we won't run out of certain resources that are not renewable.
There is a lot of things that could be said shaped the world how it is today. A lot of the things that are done by humans in the world today are with the thoughts that we shouldn't prevent it we should just clean it up later. Although some people would view these events as non important events, i believe that this helped the world realize what was happening around them.
ReplyDelete*Earth day is a major event to me because it has the mentality that we should replace everything we use and perhaps instead of cleaning up after wards actually preventing the events from happening. However although earth day has helped with a lot placing new trees through out the world and teaching children and adults to recycle, it could be a lot more if more people took into consideration what earth day is really trying to provide for the earth.
*Exxon Valdez is a big event that happened in 1989. The reality that an oil spill kills a lot of natures living organisms and can take thousands of years to build those back up was a shocker to many. With oil spills organisms can become extinct, which is a very big deal because every organism plays a role in keeping the food chain going. Why this is truly important is that it set out boundaries and told the world to be careful with oils especially over seas. However as we can tell by the 2010 oil spill some people don't find this significant and continue to be careless with their oil. Most people began to be more careful with how they transported oil and made a goal of not letting something like Exxon happen again. This is very important because every organism, small or large plays a role in our ecosystem, and it can be down right devastating if one organism was token out. I think that this event caused people to take a look at that, even though the didn't want to.
Event 1- 1st Earth Day on April 22, 1970; This is an important event in our history because this shows how we are taking our steps to better our world and understanding the consequences of our choices. 20 million people nationwide attended festivities this day and celebrated our earth. Senator Gaylord Nelson believed that "we only have one earth, so we need to take car of her." This outlook is still very true today. This day represented the first opportunity people had to join together nationwide for a common goal and send a big message to public officials, "protect our planet." For the 20th anniversary of Earth Day in 1990, 200 million people in 141 countries celebrated the planet. Earth day will continue to be celebrated across the world and hopefully help us to make decisions to improve our earth and help it sustain itself.
ReplyDeleteEvent 2- EPA established by President Richard Nixon; December 2, 1970. The Environmental Protection Agency is very important to our environmental history because without it many other organizations would not exist today. EPA was founded with the elevated concern about environmental pollution in the U.S. It would provide a variety of federal research, monitoring, standard-setting, and enforcement activities to ensure environmental protection. The EPA mission is to "protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment (air, water, and land) upon which life depends." EPA jump starts other agencies and organizations with the U.S. which eventually leads to new laws and regulations that help protect and better our environment.
~Haley~
The events that I feel have really affected the environment would be the BP oil spill. It may be just because it is the most recent and I am seeing the affects of it today but I think that they way they decided to "take care" of this problem is really not helping anyone out. They put a chemical in the water to break up the oil which then made it sink to the bottom and that it almost worse. Now it is harder to clean up and it is harder to see the damage it is doing. Yes the surface looks better and it is clearer for boats and for different animals at the surface but now it is damaging the bottom layers and all the organisms down below. On top of pushing the oil to the bottom, this was BP's way of getting it "out of mind, out of sight" which obviously does not clean up the mess it just makes it not visible which then tells everyone that they don't care so much about helping the environment versus making it "look" like everything is just fine. This is one that has truly affected the environment.
ReplyDeleteThe second one I would have to say would be Hurricane Katrina. This not only affected the water, food supply and animals it also affected all the people living around the area it hit. Due to Katrina a lot of people had to move to different states and when they returned home, there was nothing there for them to live in so the had to permanently move. Katrina contaminated their water supply and they also had no food because everything was flooded. The whole town was destroyed and it caused agony for everyone. Still today it is hurting people and affected everything and everyone around it.
-Abby
I feel that two of the most important environmental events in history are the founding of the Sierra Club in 1892 and the establishment of the EPA in 1970.
ReplyDeleteThe Sierra Club was founded by John Muir in 1892. He was a naturalist, geologist, explorer, and the leader of the preservationist movement, which advocated the protection of wilderness from public exploitation. He helped establish Yosemite National Park in 1890 and spent the majority of his life petitioning for conservation laws. Muir dedicated his life to preserving nature, and through his efforts, the National Park Service Act was passed in 1916, creating a national park system. His persistent activism preserved the beauty of nature for future generations to utilize. If these laws had not been passed, we would have no wilderness left in our country to enjoy.
In 1970, President Richard Nixon established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in response to the growing environmental movement at the time. Before the establishment of this agency, the federal government was not equipped to deal with the growing environmental problems that faced our nation, such as pollution. The EPA enforces laws based on what Congress passes, and works with other levels of government and industries to try to prevent pollution and conserve energy. The EPA is also responsible for educating the public and increasing environmental awareness, and without this agency today, many people would remain ignorant about serious environmental issues.
- Bri
One event that i thought was very influential is when Earth Day was created because it impacted the nation. The public decided that they should teach kids about it so they know there surroundings and about the environment. Its a pretty big deal that they teach kids so they can know at an early age and be aware of what happens around them.
ReplyDeleteAnother event was the creation of Yellowstone National Park because it was the first national park. It was created to protect wildlife. After Yellowstone was created several others were created too. If Yellowstone wasn't created then we would not have any nature walks or parks around us we would be living in rural areas. Are environment would be very harmful and less wildlife.
-Felicia
1) The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970 is a very influential event that has impacted our world in many ways. This was one of the first events that brought conservation, preservation, and wise-use ways of life into the spotlight. Within ten years of the first Earth Day many new laws were enacted into law including: Clean Air Act, NEPA, Endangered Species Act, and Water Quality and Improvement Act. With these laws humans started to find ways to protect natures resources and natures inhabitants. Now over 175 countries and over 500 million people celebrate Earth Day to help our planet.
ReplyDelete2) The creation of the Humane Society of the United States founded in 1954. HSUS has effected many peoples lives. Throughout history HSUS has helped people take care of their pets, by providing free veterinary care for families in impoverished communities. The five issues that HSUS focuses on are: Factory Farming, Puppy Mills, Wildlife Abuse, Fur Trade, and Animal Fighting. These issues are seen in the news daily and with the help of HSUS we could permanently end this cruelty to animals. When Hurricane Katrina hit the coast HSUS raised millions of dollars to help clean up and find new homes for the people effected. Also after the hurricane HSUS provided medical attention and homes for the thousands of animals lost or abandoned. The HSUS has helped pass 91 state animal welfare laws to create a environment of equality and care.
- Tony
I think the two most influential environmental events are Yellowstone being established in 1872 and the first Earth Day in 1970. Also in 1954 when the Atomic Energy Act passes. Both were an eye opener for the public to view and appreciate nature.
ReplyDeleteYellowstone helped protect an area of the country and helped sparked conservation. President Roosevelt during his term in office helped protect over 16 million acres of land. With this protected land people can start to understand and appreciate it more and not abuse the resources we are given.
The First Earth Day was on April 22, 1970 it helped people save and conserve their resources. It showed that not all our resources are limitless and the better we take care of them the better for the environment. President Nixon also established the EPA or Environmental Protection Agency which helps to protect our environment.
With the exception of the Atomic Energy Act both of the events are beneficial. The Atomic Energy Act helped develop nuclear power plants. Well that's good for us because it gives us energy but bad because the waste produced by nuclear fission is very bad for the environment. Some companies dump waste and that can cause severe mutations in the land and its organisms. Think about it would you want to eat a 2 headed fish?
These 3 events helped inform the public of how to use resources better and not to waste. I believe the more people know about our environment and what we are doing to it the more action will be taken to take care of it. For our environment to last for generations to come we need to use it wisely now and in a responsible manner
EPA established by President Nixon(1970)
ReplyDeleteThe EPA was established by melding a conglomerate of smaller federal agencies in order to address environmental concerns.
The EPA has been responsible for regulating government standards in the disposal of toxic waste, forms of pollution and conservation.It has also been involved in efficiency in energy use.
Love Canal Incident in 1978
I think the Love Canal incident helped turn public attention to the dangers of pollutants. Due to the improper disposal of chemical waste, and the sale of the dump site to land developers, residents of the area suffered an extremely high rate of birth defects, miscarriages and other illnesses such as cancer.
This event really hit home to the public as it exposed the danger pollutants caused on the ordinary people who had no idea that they lived near a toxic dump site.It was a public health disaster that could have easily happen in some other community as well.
It would spur government action in cleaning up toxic chemicals as well as highlighting the lack of liability that private companies had at the time.
By Aleck G
I think the two most influential environmental events in history are..
ReplyDelete1. 1970- First earth day established.
Gaylord Nelson established Earth day after years of trying to get it official. What I think is really cool is how much publicity it got so fast. It showed how everyone can come together to support saving our environment and how people are willing to help out. Earth day has now spread to 175 countries and a lot of countries now spend an entire week doing activities that bring awareness to the environment. I think although we should take care of our surroundings everyday, earth day is a good reminder for people that they need to be more involved than just one day. I think this is important because it will forever be a reminder that we need to care for our environment and not harm it and is now a day that no one can take away.
2. 1880- Killer fog in London killed 700 people.
This event is important because it was a wake up call for the not only the people in London but for the rest of the world too. After the Industrial Revolution there was much more pollution with a lot of coal and smoke pollution all in one city. It lasted for three days and by the time it was over the damage was already done. Although this event was horrific and not fair to the people that died I think it was important for people to realize what their actions had done and will continue to do if nothing changes. The worst part of this event was the fact that it could of been prevented. If we realized how much harm pollution does and had a better plan for business than this event never would of had to occurred.
Jami
Event #1: In 1870 first official wildlife refuge established at Lake Merritt, California. Dr. Merritt who was the mayor of Oakland who owned property at the shores edge wanted to clean it up more for a source of pride but in 1869 proposed the idea of turning the lake into a wildlife refuge. It was voted by the state legislature in 1970 and the Lake Merritt Wildlife Refuge went into law in 1870 making it the first such refuge of its kind in North America. Although this isn’t as big of a deal as some of the other events on the ecological timeline I still find it very important as it was a major stepping stone in the conservation for wildlife today, as many other wildlife preservations followed.
ReplyDeleteEvent #2: In 1970 first Earth Day. Earth day was founded by Gaylord Nelson who was the United States Senator at that time, and was originally established as an environmental teach in which was first held on April 22. Earth Day was initially established in effort to learn about and conserve the environment in the United States it was later taken internationally by Denis Hayes in 1990. Earth Day has now gone global and is celebrated in more than 175 countries annually and some communities even celebrate Earth Week, which is an entire week of activities focused on addressing environmental issues. I think Earth Day is a great way to get people of the community involved with the environment and is an especially great way to address children. I remember when I was younger I would always be looking forward to Earth Day in school as we would always have some sort of fun event planned to get us aware of our environment. The younger people become more alert about the environment and the problems we face, the younger we can learn habits to help conserve our earth.
-Cole
Kayla Says...
ReplyDeleteEvent 1- One of the most influential environmental events was establishing Yellowstone National Park in 1872. It was made to protect forests. This park is in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. It is a place where wildlife can live without being disturbed. The reason why this park is so important is because it helps us to see that we need to save our forests. Yellowstone is a place were people can visit and experience the nature. Yellowstone was the start of many more parks to come.
Event 2- Another influential environmental event was the establishment of earth day. This event still happens on April 22 every year which began in 1970. Earth day helps people to know about their environment and what they can do to change it. It is more important to teach the younger age because they can improve their environment for their future and their childrens' future. It helps everyone to be aware of how bad we are treating our environment and that we need to recycle and save energy. Through this day many laws have been made to make the world a better place. Earth day was the day where people started thinking about their environment and is still very important to this day.
Kayla
I think the two most important environmental events in human history are the National Park Service Act passing in 1916 and Earth Day, which started in 1970.
ReplyDelete1)The first annual Earth Day was on April 20th 1970, it was proposed by Senator Gaylord Nelson. I think Earth Day is one of the most important events because it was established as an annual event, so once a year environmentalist's get out into their communities and promote environmental friendliness, get people aware of the problems in our environment, and teach people about the earth. Earth Day has had a really positive impact on our environment because it promotes things like recycling and reducing your resource consumption and its a reminder for people to respect their earth. The first earth day, which was 40 years ago, was the start of the modern environmental movement and it will continue to change the environment positively for years to come.
2) The National Park Service Act passing in 1916 creating the National Park System and National Park Service. This event was huge in environmental history because in the act it was declared that the parks were to be kept and maintained the same for future generations. The National Park Service meant that all the National Parks were going to be under the same control and these guidelines would help keep all the National Parks the way they were when they were established. Stephen Mather the first president of the Parks encouraged lots of support and tourism.