3.1: The History and Key Events of the Environmental Ethics Movement
The sections of this article discuss the historical influences on the modern environmental movement in the areas of Air Pollution, Water Pollution, Deforestation, Legislation, Habitat Destruction, and Environmental Disasters. Do you believe that population has a direct influence on the environmental movement? If so, how might this have helped drive the modern-day movement?
Read these sections. The text is directly related to sustainability ethics and how our understanding and attitudes have evolved over time. After reading the text, attempt to link the key features of the sustainability movement with the environmental movement. Are they one and the same, or are there stark differences?
3.1.1: Pre-1970 Movement
To understand the history of the environmental movement, one should appreciate the significant human developments of the past. Read this timeline to get a sense of the history of European environmentalism. Click "expand all" to see each entry in the timeline.
To understand the history of the environmental movement, one should appreciate the significant human developments of the past. Read this timeline to get a sense of the history of European environmentalism. Click "expand all" to see each entry in the timeline.
"Timeline of European Environmental History, Part 3: Industrial Revolution and the 20th Century" URL
To understand the history of the environmental movement, one should appreciate the significant human developments of the past. Read this timeline to get a sense of the history of European environmentalism. Click "expand all" to see each entry in the timeline.
3.1.2: Earth Day, 1970
Read this article by Senator Gaylord Nelson, one of the founders of Earth Day, for a brief history of the events that led up to the first Earth Day in 1970.
Read this article and watch the videos, which detail the background of the Earth Day movement.
After you have finished watching/reading, reflect on the following questions. If you wish, please post your thoughts on the discussion forum. Leave a reply to your classmates’ posts as well!
In a brief paragraph, explain what Earth Day means to you and how you can apply this to your daily activities. Give specific examples on what you currently do to help. What possible activities you could do in the future to help more?
3.1.3: Post-1970 Movement
Read this article, which describes the environmental movement during the period 1970 - 1995. The journal article provides an excellent account of the environmental changes that were observed during this period. As you read, think about what has changed (for better or worse) and what hasn't since the article was written - in the areas of production, consumption, and population; global, regional, and local environmental issues; and regulation and management.
Read this article, which discusses some of the most common air pollution problems scientists have had to tackle. This article walks you through some of the issues regarding smog, especially in Los Angeles. It also talks about the ozone depletion issue and some of the ways we have controlled and improved this environmental problem.
Read this article. From what you have read, how do you think that attitudes towards environmentalism have changed in Europe since the 1970s? Do you see a marked increase in environmental action from the 1970s onwards?
3.1.4: Ecofeminism
Read this article on ecofeminism. The text introduces the origins of ecofeminism and the lists problems that it has addressed. Do you believe our attitude towards the environment may change if we see an increase in female politicians who have the power to impose laws and regulations?
Watch this video, which presents the experiences of four people influenced by Marti Kheel - a vegan, ecofeminist, activist-scholar credited with founding Feminists for Animal Rights. Do you believe the influence of certain people can parallel the influence of religious beliefs in shaping attitudes about the environment?
3.1.5: The Brundtland Commission and Sustainability
Read this chapter. How do you believe climate change and sustainability will be interdependent as we move forward?
Read these short introductions and watch the video lectures that follow. Taking sustainability as meaning "meeting the needs of today without compromising the needs of the future," do you think this is an achievable target for the human race to meet, or are our current consumption trends only going to become worse?