History of Environmental Science

1. The History of Environmental Science

2. Environmental degradation is nothing new! [ deg-ruh-dey-shuhn ] the wearing down of the land by the erosive action of water, wind,

3. The Fall of Troy 3000 years ago “Homer” wrote of the ancient city of Troy. Troy was situated below a wooded hillside.

4. The Fall of Troy Deforestation led to erosion (d   - fôr   - sta   s h   n) The cutting down and removal of all or most of the trees in a forested area. Deforestation can erode soils, contribute to desertification and the pollution of waterways, and decrease biodiversity through the destruction of habitat. ( i -ˈ rō-zhən ) the process by which the surface of the earth is worn away by the action of water, glaciers, winds, waves, etc.

5. The Fall of Troy Soil blocked the harbour Ships could not get in or out Eventually the thriving seaport ground to a halt Troy’s economy was dependent on shipping

6. Pioneers in Environmental Science Theodore Roosevelt Aldo Leopold John Muir Rachel Carson

7. Theodore Roosevelt " The conservation of natural resources is the fundamental problem. Unless we solve that problem it will avail us little to solve all others." Theodore Roosevelt. October 4, 1907

8. Theodore Roosevelt Was our “Conservationist President Established the National Forest and Parks System

9. Theodore Roosevelt Went to the badlands in South Dakota to hunt There he became concerned by the destruction of big game species and overgrazing of the grasslands

10. Theodore Roosevelt Established 51 Federal Bird Reserves Four national game preserves 150 National Forests Five National parks Protected 230,000 acres of land!

11. Aldo Leopold Born in Burlington, Iowa!

12. Aldo Leopold Father of Wildlife Conservation in America

13. Aldo Leopold Known for his “concept of the land” ethic We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” Foreword to A Sand County Almanac (1949), ASCA viii.

14. Aldo Leopold Said we need to repair the damage we have caused as well as take care of the land

15. Aldo Leopold Also wrote A Sand County Almanac

16. To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering. ---Aldo Leopold

17. John Muir In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seek”

18. John Muir Born in Scotland; emigrated to United States

19. John Muir Muir founded the Sierra club in 1892 to “do something for the wilderness and make the mountains glad.” The Sierra club is the oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the U.S.

20. John Muir Convinces Roosevelt to make Yosemite into a National Park

21. Rachel Carson Before there was an environmental movement, there was one brave woman and her very brave book (Silent Spring) Peter Matthiessen

22. Rachel Carson Was aware of the dangers of pesticides such as DDT DDT was important to agriculture

23. Rachel Carson Wrote the book Silent Spring Warned the public about the dangers of misusing pesticides

24. Rachel Carson She was attacked by pesticide companies who wanted to discredit her work

25. Rachel Carson Her book influenced President Kennedy to call for testing of the chemicals mentioned in the book. She testified before a congressional committee Carson has been called the mother of the modern environmental movement.

26. Rachel Carson DDT was banned as a result of her study Time Magazine elected her “one of the 100 most influential people of the century” http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbtp2B-IFmw