1. Today’s Schedule – 05/21/10 30.4 Timeline Check
30.4 PPT: The Environmental Movement
HW:
Study for Chapter 30 Quiz
Organize Binders
Warm-Up: What decisions do you make each day that impact the environment (start by thinking about your morning routine)

2. Background
In 1958 Olga Huckins noticed several dead birds in her backyard the day after her neighborhood had been sprayed with DDT to control mosquitoes
Olga wrote to her friend Rachel Carson to look into a possible connection
Carson’s research results in her writing the book Silent Spring which started the environmental movement

3. Environmental Movement
Began in the 1960s
Demanded the government to take actions to preserve and restore the environment and natural resources
Began to realize that products being used to improve people’s lives were harming the environment

4. Rachel Carson
Carson along with being a biologist was also an award winning author
She promoted the idea that
humans are part of nature and that all parts of nature interact
Humans are responsible for the health of the environment because they have the power to change it
Silent Spring warned against the abuse of this power

6. Silent Spring
In the book Carson warns against the use of chemical pesticides
Especially DDT
Carson argued that DDT had increased agricultural productivity by limiting pests but also killed plants and animals that were not the intended target
Bald eagles were being especially threatened by DDT
Noted that the chemicals carried from one living thing to the next and could ultimately harm humans

7. The book was a huge success and resulted in much debate
Chemical industry argued that Carson confused issues
Public tended to side with Carson
A government committee was formed to research the issue
President Johnson agreed that there needed to be greater focus and governmental regulation on the effects of the use of chemicals, fumes and toxic waste

8. Nuclear Power
Concerns over the use of nonrenewable energy sources (i.e. coal and gas) prompted the use of nuclear power plants to generate electricity
Caused less air pollution
However, these plants dumped water that had been used to cool the nuclear reactor into waterways
Raised the water temperature killing plant and animal life

10. Concern began to grow over the water pollution of nuclear power plants as well as the possibility of a catastrophe should radioactive material be released into the air
The result was the formation of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in 1974
Oversees all nuclear power plant facilities

11. Public Response
In 1969 an oil platform off the coast of Santa Barbara, CA blew out and killed much wildlife and fouled the beaches
Grassroots environmental movements began to spring up around the country supporting conservation efforts

12. Earth Day
In 1969 Senator Nelson from Wisconsin announced his state would be holding a day of discussion and teaching about the environment on April 22, 1970
The next year the first Earth Day was celebrated
Goals were to
Improve awareness about environmental issues
Bring an end to environmental damage

14. Government Actions Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970
Sets and enforces national pollution standards
Made an agreement with car manufacturers to add catalytic converters to cars to turn pollutants into less harmful substances
Clean Air Act of 1970
Control business and car emissions
Clean Water Act of 1972
Regulate discharge of wastewater
Built sewage treatment facilities
Regulates disposal of solid waste

16. Balancing Business and the Environment
Concern over cost to businesses to implements government environmental regulations
Government and businesses had to work together towards sustainable development
Example
Alaskan pipe line built in 1974