Conservation Movement vs. the Environmental Movement:
Although the Conservation Movement of the late 1800s up until about the 1920s had a large impact on the development of the Modern Environmental Movement of the 1960's and 1970's, these two movements have several distinct differences. The Conservation Movement involved the management of wildlife and fisheries, protection of water, soil conservation, and sustainable forestry. _ It also involved wilderness and park preservation, and the management of natural resources. _This movement was also centered around other key periods in American history such as the Progressive Era, events surrounding the American Frontier, and eastern urbanization and population growth. Especially as people began exploring the American frontier and capturing photographs, more people began to appreciate the natural aspects and scenic views of our country. This lead to the idea of preservation that the Conservation Movement was centered around._ In contrast, the modern Environmental Movement of the 1960's and 1970's raised attention about the problems involving water and air pollution and eventually led to focusing on issues related to human activities and outdoor areas. _ Environmentalism also focused mostly on the pollution of air and water, chemicals, and other aspects that posed threats to human health. _ Although these two movements were different and centered around different time periods, the Environmental Movement was influenced by some of the same ideas of preservation and conservation.
What Was the Environmental Movement?
The modern Environmental Movement throughout the 1960's and 1970's was a movement rooted in the ideas of transcendentalism, where people have knowledge about themselves and the world around them and they become in touch with their soul and with nature. An example of a well-known transcendentalist is Henry David Thoreau who influenced Conservation as well as the Environmental Movement. _ When Rachel Carson published Silent Spring in 1962, it served as the beginning of the American Environmental Movement and the idea of preservation, which was an aspect of the Conservation Movement soon became a significant aspect of this movement. Environmentalism was not a significant concern among producers regarding future development, but more of a concern among consumers that "demanded a clean, safe, and beautiful environment as a part of a higher standard of living." _ One of the main reasons the Environmental Movement gained such popularity during this time period was because the economic boom post World War II allowed more time for people to focus their attention on "quality of life issues"._ It was then after the publishing of Silent Spring that environmental disasters began to capture the public's attention and making headlines throughout the nation during the 1960's. _ Eventually, the modern Environmental Movement became the "the most popular social movement in the United States today" according to David Walls, a professor at Sonoma State University. _
How did the Environmental Movement cause change?
The Environmental Movement caused a series of changes on many different levels considering that environmentalism involves different sectors and disciplines. The environment is relevant on federal, state, and local levels and influences their politics and legislation. Overall, the environmental movement led to thinking about and aiming for more sustainable development, in order to preserve resources for future generations of people._ This movement impacted media and art, health and education, and businesses as well as corporations in the United States due to increased activism, regulations, and awareness of the importance of preserving the environment and specific ecosystems and species. _Several activists for environmentalism that played a role in the movement in the 1960's and 1970's were the Sierra Club, Greenpeace, and Friends of the Earth, along with many other organizations. _ Although the Sierra Club was originally established during the conservation movement, it continued to thrive and gain support throughout the Environmental Movement due to the drastic increase in membership.
Eventually, Rachel Carson and Silent Spring not only raised awareness solely about chemicals, but also about other issues including air pollution, water pollution, and many pressing issues existing in the environment. Marches and protests also began to take place in order to raise more awareness for the environment, such as the Earth Day March. Due to the increased attention and participation in such activities, in 1970 Time Magazine referred to the environment as being "the issue of the year." _Overall, Silent Spring was the main factor that got the environmentally conscious ball rolling and after it was published in 1962, Congress prompted Congressional hearings on issues such as pollution and the federal regulation of pesticides. Congress soon began to revise its regulations on chemicals after the publishing of Silent Spring, ensuring that the chemical preparations were effective and not involving fraud or scams. _
Eventually, Rachel Carson and Silent Spring not only raised awareness solely about chemicals, but also about other issues including air pollution, water pollution, and many pressing issues existing in the environment. Marches and protests also began to take place in order to raise more awareness for the environment, such as the Earth Day March. Due to the increased attention and participation in such activities, in 1970 Time Magazine referred to the environment as being "the issue of the year." _Overall, Silent Spring was the main factor that got the environmentally conscious ball rolling and after it was published in 1962, Congress prompted Congressional hearings on issues such as pollution and the federal regulation of pesticides. Congress soon began to revise its regulations on chemicals after the publishing of Silent Spring, ensuring that the chemical preparations were effective and not involving fraud or scams. _
Opposition to the Movement:
Although many people supported environmentalism and strongly wanted to help protect the environment and its resources, some opposition to the movement did exist. Many conservatives were not supportive of Rachel Carson's claims about the extensive harm to aquatic ecosystems due to chemical run off and the transfer through the food chain, but considering that her claims were entirely supported by scientific evidence from her case studies and research, such harsh opposition seems somewhat unreasonable. Throughout most of the 1970's, the Environmental Movement had decent support in Washington, DC, but things soon changed when Ronald Reagan was elected to the presidency in 1981. He wanted to help corporations in the fight against the development of regulations and often times his "anti-environmentalist" attitude was not very popular among American citizens. In addition, his pro-business views made him less concerned with the pressing environmental issues during the time period._
One key event that exemplifies opposition to the movement was the Sagebrush Rebellion. In 1979, the rebellion took place as a "revolt against Federal regulation of land and its use by ranchers, miners, and other businesses." _ The rebellion was defeated, but then upon defeat, counter-environmentalists regrouped and collaborated under the Wise Use Movement. This rebellion, spurred by Westerners, encompasses their frustration with the increasing and expanding areas of federally protected land. The main opposition was mostly due to the increased efforts to protect certain tracts of land because millions of acres of land were already protected and over 200 million were in the process of review and protection in 1979. People wanted the government to pass the control of large portions of land to the individual states. In addition, hunters, loggers, and recreationalists were angry with the environmentalists because they made their jobs possess aspects of uncertainty and impermanence. _
One key event that exemplifies opposition to the movement was the Sagebrush Rebellion. In 1979, the rebellion took place as a "revolt against Federal regulation of land and its use by ranchers, miners, and other businesses." _ The rebellion was defeated, but then upon defeat, counter-environmentalists regrouped and collaborated under the Wise Use Movement. This rebellion, spurred by Westerners, encompasses their frustration with the increasing and expanding areas of federally protected land. The main opposition was mostly due to the increased efforts to protect certain tracts of land because millions of acres of land were already protected and over 200 million were in the process of review and protection in 1979. People wanted the government to pass the control of large portions of land to the individual states. In addition, hunters, loggers, and recreationalists were angry with the environmentalists because they made their jobs possess aspects of uncertainty and impermanence. _