Reference no: EM133352626

Assignment:

Introduction: Environmental issues have been integrated in human culture throughout history. Any casual observer of the media could tell you that climate change, endangered species, public lands and energy security are common themes but environmental concerns have surfaced many times in human history. Water quality, food security, resource management, and air pollution are not unique to modern times but have surfaced many times in our past. The purpose of this web-based exercise is to gain an appreciation of the people and their ideas that have helped shape the modern environmental movement and the integrating concept of sustainability.

Directions: Access the Environmental History Timeline (https://environmentalhistory.org/) and review the introduction posted by Bill Kovarik (2012) entitled: Environmental issues are part of history. At the top of the page you will find links that discuss each of the time periods. Answer the questions about the time period(s) you and your group have been assigned by your instructor. Be prepared to share your results with the rest of the class.

Time Periods and Questions:

Prehistoric and Classical

1. In general terms, how much air pollution was there? Where did it come from?
2. In general terms, how much water pollution was there? Where did it come from?
3. How did humans get most of the energy they needed to survive?
4. Was conservation being practiced anywhere in the world? How?
5. Why was lead poisoning a problem?

Middle Ages and Renaissance

1. In general terms, how much water pollution was there?
2. How much wood was being harvested? What effects was this having?
3. In what ways was disease affecting the world?

Enlightenment and Industrial

1. What causes did people begin to take up to improve the world?
2. What did Thomas Malthus predict?
3. Give examples of new pollution affecting the world.
4. Why did sanitation become so important?
5. How was the air pollution at this time?
6. How was the water pollution at this time?
7. What happened when the "Mother of the Forest" was cut down?

Progressive Era

1. What types of reforms were occurring?
2. What did Theodore Roosevelt fight for?
3. What new organizations were formed?

1920s and 1930s

1. What was the purpose of the National Coast Anti-Pollution League?
2. What type of gasoline was used for the first autos?
3. What was the chemurgy movement fighting for?

1940s and 1950s

1. What lead people to believe there was a air pollution crisis?

1960s and 1970s

1. What was the "burning river?"
2. What is the name of Rachel Carson's book that started modern environmentalism?

1970-1980

1. What government agency is founded?
2. How was air pollution reduced?
3. How was water pollution reduced?
4. What two new sources of pollution begin causing concern?

1980-1990

1. What major disasters occurred during this time?
2. What two major issues involving the Earth's atmosphere arise?

1990-2000

1. How did the Gulf War create pollution?
2. What does China construct that causes much controversy?

2000-Present

1. What final act did President Clinton sign into law?
2. How does the Bush presidency handle global warming and climate change?
3. How does the world react to leaded gasoline?