The Environmental Movement
Background The movement was fueled by the post WWII desire for a better quality of life in America. Also, the realization of the harmful toll an expanding economy took on the environment. It was a consumer movement that demanded a clean, safe, and beautiful environment as part of a higher standard of living.
Roots of the Environmental Movement The New Deal under FDR Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA): 1 st land restoration project. Soil Conservation Society (SCS): professional soil conservationists to prevent erosion and loss of soil nutrients Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC): planted trees, erosion control, nature trails, etc.
The Awakening: Rachel Carson Rachel Carson was a naturalist who intended to raise awareness about the human impact in nature. In 1962, she released Silent Spring, which focused on the dangers of toxic pesticides and pollution of the environment. She wanted to change the way people saw the natural world and see the truth about human impacts on it. The publishing of the book led to new legislation concerning the environment and brought public interest into issues pertaining to the environment. In many ways this book was considered to begin the modern Environmental Movement.
Early Preservation President Johnson took interest in preservationist issues. He also wanted to eliminate harmful fumes in the air as well as lethal sludge in the nation s streams and rivers. He ended up signing over 300 preservation measures. The National Wildlife Preservation Act of 1964 was one of them designed to protect 9.1 million acres of wilderness.
Oil Spill in Santa Barbara 1969 January 1969, Oil spill in Santa Barbara California. An estimated 80,000-100,000 barrels of oil were spilt off the coast of southern California and eventually made its way to the beaches. The spill killed thousands of sea birds, dolphins, seals, sea lions. There was also a lot of media coverage of the event which led to new legislation along with a greater awareness of the affects of pollution. This was a contributing factor to the Environmental Movement.
Fire On Cuyahoga River 1969 On January 22, 1969, an oil slick and debris in the Cuyahoga River caught on fire in Cleveland Ohio. The fire called attention to the harmful effects and dangers of pollution. This fire alone, although short, cost $50,000 in damage. The fire brought attention to other environmental problems across the nation and helped draw attention and ignite the Environmental Movement.
Earth Day April 22, 1970 - First Earth Day Organized by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin. He wanted the politicians to realize the need for new legislation to accomplish environmental goals. In support, thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the pollution and deterioration of the environment. 1 st teach-ins on the environment were held
President Nixon Supported the idea of political regulation of the environment. President Nixon signed the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) which established the first federal environmental agency and required environmental impact studies for all major federal projects in order to ensure all branches have given consideration to the environment before taking any major federal action that may affect the environment. The bill passed the Senate unanimously. Signed many environmental protection and preservation laws as a result of the Movement.
Environmental Protection Agency 1970- Nixon authorized a new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This was an independent federal agency responsible for regulating and enforcing environmental safety measures on federal programs for the protection and preservation of air and water pollution, environmental radiation, pesticides, and solid waste.
In the 1970s, environmentalists pressured the federal govt. for legislation to regulate and limit polluters.
Laws passed by Congress Under Nixon Aimed to: limit the toxic and harmful byproducts of modern industry. Create a safer, cleaner, long-lasting environment 1970- Clean Air Act: Outlined the EPA s responsibility for the protection and improvement of the nation s air quality and also the ozone layer. 1972-Clean Water Act : Required EPA to develop and implement a National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System 1973-Endangered Species Act: A preservationist measure to protect endangered species from extinction. 1974-Clean Air Act : established national standards for major pollutants that were enforced by a federal agency.
What Was Love Canal? Love Canal was a neighborhood in Niagara Falls, New York surrounded by two bodies of water, the Bergholz Creek and Niagara River In the mid 1970s, Love Canal became the subject of national and international attention after it was revealed that the site had been formerly used to bury 21,000 tons of toxic waste by Hooker Chemical Thousands of families who lived near this abandoned toxic chemical waste dump were forced to leave their homes to escape the hazardous chemicals and hundreds of families faced medical issues caused by these toxins
Background Hooker Chemical sold the site to Niagara Falls School Board in 1953 for one dollar with a deed explicitly detailing the presence of the waste, including a liability limitation clause about the contamination The construction efforts of housing development combined with particularly heavy rainstorms released the chemical waste, leading to a public health emergency and an urban planning scandal There are over 20 different compounds that were identified in and around the canal, including at least 12 known carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals)
Health Effects Studies showed there was a 50-75% chance of a miscarriage Birth defect rate in the preceding 5 years was 56% Increase in central nervous system disease including epilepsy, nervous breakdowns, suicide attempts and hyperactivity in children Greater chance of contracting urinary disorders including kidney and bladder issues Increase in asthma and other respiratory problems Out of 15 pregnancies, there were only 2 normal births. Rest will result in miscarriage and stillborn or birth defected babies
Significance
Impact The federal and state government didn t agree at first to move the people away from the site and didn t listen to the people. In the situation at Love Canal, the ordinary citizens took control of their own lives by insisting to be heard. Over 500 families formed the Love Canal Homeowners Association Inc. They did things such as held bake sales and sold tee-shirts to raise money to fight against the federal government and the state of New York. By raising their own funds, they were taking control over their situation and trying to change it.
The Government s Response Dec. 11, 1980 Congress passed the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act -established laws regulating abandoned hazardous waste sites -provided for liability of persons responsible for hazardous waste releases -established a trust fund (Superfund) for cleanup of sites where no responsible party could be found
President Reagan Reagan had a conservative, pro-business outlook. He felt that although some regulation was necessary to protect public health, however, the costs and bureaucracy of regulating pollution had gotten out of hand. He cut regulations which were a burden on business, industry, and state/local govts in effort to promote economic growth. Appointed Anne Burford as head of EPA, she cut the agency s enforcement of the necessary environmental regulations. Between 1980 and 1983, the EPA lost 1/3 of its budget and 1/5 of its staff. By 1984, the EPA staff cuts totaled 30% and its budget had been cut by 44% since 1980.
Impact on Movement Organizations such as the Sierra Club (grassroots organization for conservation and preservation), were able to expand their membership in response to Reagan s policies. 1980s Growth in grassroots organizations, opposed threats to local environments. Often called NIMBY (Not in My Backyard) organizations. Spread awareness of local threats and impacts of a growing economy.
Justice movement of late 1980 s In the late 1980s the growth of the Environmental Justice Movement developed. Supporters argued that all people have a right to a safe and healthy environment. They argued that poor and minority Americans were put at greater environmental risk. These environmentalists focused on air pollution in cities, garbage and hazardous waste stations. Environmental Justice organizations widened the support base for environmentalism.