Social Environmentalism The Development of the Environmental Movement

Social Environmentalism The Development of the Environmental Movement

Man’s Perspectives on Nature: 1800’s Turn of the Century • Gilford Pinchot • Join Muir • Teddy Rossevelt • John J. Audubon Perspective • Conservation • Preservation • Multiple Use • Game Protection Focus: • Land Protection • Wildlife (game) Conservation • Recreation: National Parks, Monuments • Multiple Use 2

Anthropogenic Impacts: 1900’s • Denora, PA (1920) • Bald Eagles, Osprey – Thermal inversion – near extinction, DDT • Pittsburgh’s Dark Noon • NJ & NY Beach Closures – Steel Mill Smoke • Monogahalia River • Muellenburg Canyon • Leaded Gasoline – “Where Paradise Lays” (Pb) – Coal mining • Ashland, NC Fish Kills – Textile Mills, Colored water – bias studies of babies • Lake Erie – Fish Kills • The Cayahooga 3

Man’s Perspectives on Nature: late 1900’s Modern Era • Rachel Carson – 1962 • Edward Abbey – 1970’s • 1960’s - 80’s • 1990’s • Future Focus • Polluting Limited Resources – DDT, Bio-accumulation • Aesthetic Values – Where is Man’s Ecological Niche? • Pollution Cleanup • Sustainability & • Natural Hazards 4

Changing Perspectives • Early Man – Nature is a resource to use • 1800’s – Nature is a resource for multiple uses – Nature can assimilate man-made wastes • late-1900’s – Nature is a required resource for survival – worthy of protecting and not polluting 5

Congress takes action. . under pressure! • 1970 NEPA & Earth Day National Environmental Protection Act • 1972 CWA Clean Water Act • 1972 CAA Clean Air Act 6

National Environmental Protection Act • Trustee of the • Attain widest range environment for of beneficial uses of future generations the environment without degradation • Assure safe, healthful, productive, • Preserve important aesthetically & historic, cultural, and culturally pleasing natural aspects of surroundings our national heritage 7

NEPA • Achieve a balance between population and resource use • Enhance the quality of renewable resources and recycle resources that can be depleted 8

NEPA • ACKNOWLEDGES STEWARDSHIP • ACKNOWLEDGES POLLUTION • CONNECTION BETWEEN POPULATION GROWTH & RESOURCE DEPLETION • DOES THE PUBLIC NEED IT: BENEFITS. vs. COSTS ANALYSIS 9

NEPA • Conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIS) • Consider the impact on the environment • Consider alternative planning measures • Consider the Null Alternative – i. e. do nothing 10

Polluter Pays Principle • No Externalities • The user pays their fair share • No free riders – Hardin: Tragedy of the Commons • Incorporate environmental degradation into costs – bottle deposits – tire disposal charge – waste oil surcharge 11

REGULATE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Enforcement Report directly to President (public relations) Big Stick Approach Sue under Nuisance Law Go After Stationary Sources – Factory’s – Big Manufacturer’s / Deep Pockets lined with $$$ – Energy Producers / Electric Utilities 12

Clean Water Act • 1972 • Clean up point and non-point source pollutants • Make American waterways “fishable, swimable, and drinkable” 13

Clean Water Act • 1972 • Control point and non-point source pollutants • Make American waterways “fishable, swimmable, and drinkable” Polluter Pays Principle • The user pays their fair share • no free riders (Hardin) • incorporate environmental degradation into costs – bottle deposits 14

Clean Air Act • • 1970 Point or Stationary Sources (Factory’s) Mobile Sources (Transportation) Primary Pollutants – PM, So 2, Nox. O 3, CO • Secondary Pollutants – 189 toxic chemicals, Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr 15

Clean Air Act • • 1970 Polluter Pays Principle Point & Mobile Sources Primary Pollutants – PM, So 2, Nox. O 3, CO • Secondary Pollutants – 189 toxic chemicals, Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr • Non-Attainment Areas: Class I, III • Pollution Standards Index: PSI 16