History of the U.S. Environmental Movement

1847- George Perkins Marsh called attention to the destructive impact of human activity on the land, especially through deforestation; advocated a conservationist approach to the management of forested lands

1866- the word "ecology" was coined by the German biologist Ernst Haeckel

1872- Congress made Yellowstone the world's first official National Park. 1876-Appalacian Mountain Club founded 1886-Audubon Society founded 1891- Congress passed the Forest Reserve Act empowering the President

to create "forest reserves.”; legislative foundation for the National Forest system

1892-Sierra Club incorporated 1915-Rocky Mountain National Park created 1916-National Park Service founded 1935-Wilderness Society founded 1955-Air Pollution Control Act 1962-Rachel Carson wrote Silent Spring about dangers of pesticides 1964-the Wilderness Act passed (permanently protects some land)

History of the U.S. Environmental Movement

1969-Santa Barbara Oil Spill drew public’s attention toward pollution problem; Environmental Protection Agency created

1970-Earth Day on April 22nd

1971-Greenpeace founded 1972-DDT banned in U.S. & Water Pollution Control Act passed 1973-Endangered Species Act passed 1979-Three Mile Island nuclear power plant almost had a meltdown,

giving the nuclear power industry a permanent black eye 1980- Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act passed;

designated over 100 million acres of parks, wildlife refuges, and wilderness areas

1986- reactor at Chernobyl suffered a disastrous explosion and fire; many thousands were subjected to radiation; worst nuclear accident to date

2005-Kyoto Protocol comes into effect. Almost all countries in the world are now pledged to reduce the emission of gases that contribute to global warming.

Greenpeace Greenpeace is a global campaigning organization that seeks to change

attitudes/behavior, protect/conserve the environment, and promote peace

Founded in 1971 when group sought to “bear witness” to nuclear testing in Amchitka Island, Alaska; island was home to sea otters, bald eagles, etc.

Some victories include: a ban on toxic waste exports to less developed countries, a UN convention for better management of world fisheries, bans on dumping of radioactive/industrial waste at sea, etc.

Greenpeace’s core values are: “To 'bear witness' to environmental destruction in a peaceful, non-violent

manner;  Use non-violent confrontation to raise the level and quality of public

debate;  In exposing threats to the environment and finding solutions we have no

permanent allies or adversaries;  We ensure our financial independence from political or commercial

interests;  We seek solutions for, and promote open, informed debate about society's

environmental choices.” --Greenpeace Website

Everything has a “system” and those individual systems are interwoven upon or connected to each other

We are connected to & dependent on our “built” & our “natural” environments

The “built” environment (Hutchison, 2008) is those elements in our environment which we have manufactured or contrived. (p.243)

The “natural” environment(Hutchison, 2008) are those elements which remain in their most natural or pristine state that we humans have allowed.(p.239)

The “natural” environment is the focus of the Environmental movement and is that area within the systems perspective that we’ll focus on (specifically on the Spiritual model)

Spiritual Model

• Based on the premise that all life is sacred, including nature, and it should be protected from human activity

• Spirituality provides meaning and dimension to various aspects of nature which in turn helps us to define how we should interact with nature (Example: Mother Nature)

• According to the Spiritual Model there are certain places that are sacred and therefore they are to be preserved intact due to their sanctity (Example: Bear Butte, South Dakota)

Spiritual Views of the EnvironmentThe environment is sacred and it is important

to preserve nature, to be respectful, & to recognize we are connected to each other

Humans are only a small part of a very large system

Nature has its own value and we should act with restraint to create balance with ourselves and nature

For example . . .

Muslims believe there is divine truth in nature and God has made them the caretakers of the earth. They have a responsibility to be respectful and to be good stewards of the earth. There is an exchange between Muslims and the environment that is intended to be beneficial for all.

Buddhism is based on interdependence, non-violence, moderation, compassion, kindness and lovingness. Therefore, their interaction with the earth must be compliant with their religious philosophy. Hence, no killing or disturbance to the life of the earth and all of those who live upon the earth.

Animism is the belief that all things have life and a spirit. Nothing is to be disturbed and taken for granted as all things have value and are equal. We are interconnected and dependent upon each other.

Cultural Framing & Greenpeace

Greenpeace and developing shared meanings

Naming of grievances and injustice

Change is possible!

Cultural Framing & Greenpeace• Goals of Greenpeace

• Action

• Cultural Frames

Example: Kimberly-ClarkDiffering views of Kimberly-Clark/the Market

Economy and Greenpeace As stated in the New York Times by a spokespersons for

Kimberly-Clark, “Fluffiness comes at a price: millions of trees harvested in North America and in Latin American countries, including some percentage of trees from rare old-growth forests in Canada. Although toilet tissue can be made at similar cost from recycled material, it is the fiber taken from standing trees that help give it that plush feel, and most large manufacturers rely on them.”

KIMBERLY-CLARK WEBSITE

•Poor people, children, the elderly, and minority populations suffer disproportionately from the impacts of environmental problems.

•Climate change "will aggravate existing problems such as poverty, social tensions, environmental degradation, ineffectual leadership and weak political institutions"

•Globally, poorer countries will experience more flooding, declining food production, more disease and the deterioration or extinction of entire ecosystems on which many of the world's poorest people depend

•Even in more wealthy nations, environmental problems experienced by minority and poor communities will be exacerbated because these groups are often the least able to adapt

Macro-Micro Relationship: Sustainability

Macro Develop Conservation & Recycling programs Eco-system Restoration programs Direct practice and Consultation on Sustainable Economic

Development: [Worker & Community-Owned Businesses] Initiate and monitor enforcement of Policy Changes to protect

and restore resources Social Action & Advocacy around patenting of genetic materials

[protect biodiversity and reduce corporate commoditization of life] Micro

Mental Health & Personal Growth initiatives oriented toward changing consumption-oriented values.

Educational programs teaching about scarcity and environmental destruction; teaching about alternative lifestyles [simple living, voluntary simplicity movement].

Crisis intervention with persons who have lost needed resources. 

Macro-Micro Relationship: Climate Change

Macro Develop urban gardening & tree-planting; develop

Reforestation Programs Develop and support Bicycle & Pedestrian -friendly urban

design Initiate and monitor enforcement of policy changes re

pollution emissions; Redirect policy toward soft-path Energy Systems (Wind and Solar Power development)

Micro Health interventions with skin cancer victims & other

diseases Crisis intervention & recovery assistance for victims of

floods, tornadoes, and other climate-related disasters Educate about dangers, values & behavior changes: [e.g.

public vs. private transportation; burning of fields, etc.] 

•EcoTopia/USA (2005). Environmental Movement Timeline. Retrieved March 5, 2009, from http://www.ecotopia.org/ehof/timeline.html

•Greenpeace International (2009). About Greenpeace. Retrieved March 5, 2009, from http://www.greenpeace.org/international/about/history

•Office of the Attorney General: State of California Department of Justice. (2007). Global warming’s unequal impacts. Retrieved February 25, 2009, from http://ag.ca.gov/globalwarming/unequal.php

•Hoff, M. D. & McNutt, J. G. (n.d.). Social work practice with environmental issues. Retrieved February 24, 2009 from University of Tennessee & Boise State University, Social Welfare, Social Justice and Environmental Degradation Web site: http://web.utk.edu/~merogge/POV/mrinterv.html

•Sponsel, Leslie (Lead Author); Leslie E. Sponsel (Contributing Author); David Casagrande (Topic Editor). 2007. "Religion, nature and environmentalism." In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth June 30, 2007; Last revised July 2, 2007; Retrieved March 6, 2009]. <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Religion,_nature_and_environmentalism>

What are some actions that you can take on a personal level to make positive environmental changes?

Do you have any personal experience creating change at the macro level?

What agencies have you seen that are involved in the environmental movement?