Environmental Issues in the Early 20th Century

I) "http://66.147.244.135/~enviror4/progressive/early-progressive-1890/." http://www.environmentalhistory.org/. WordPress, 03 10 2013. Web. 22 Jan 2014.

II) . "Progressive Era to New Era, 1900-1929." http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/progress/conserve/. USA.gov, n.d. Web. 22 Jan 2014.

III) Simply Living Quote. 2013. Photograph. http://www.simplyspiritualliving.org/simply/everybody-needs-beauty-as-well-as-bread-places-to-play-in-and-pray-in-where-nature-may-heal-and-give-strength-to-body-and-soul/Web. 22 Jan 2014.

IV) . "Roosevelt and the Environment." http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/tr-environment/. PBS, 2014. Web. 22 Jan 2014.

Citation

Environmental Issues in the Early 20th Century

• Newlands Reclamation Act of 1902-damns to irrigate small farms under federal protection
• United States Forest Service- 230,000,000 acres of land under federal protection
• Conference of Governors- "Conservation as a national duty."
• National Park Service
• National Conservation Commission
• Beginning of National Refuge System- animal protection
• U.S. Bureau of Mines

Progressive Response

Environmental conservation was greatly supported by Progressive President Theodore Roosevelt. Environmental issues became popularized social topics, and the public grew increasingly involved in earthly protection.

Obviously the Progressives did not 'solve' these issues, but legislature passed during this time period set a solid foundation for ongoing conservation. Many movements, such as the Seirra Club, are still relevant today.

Other Leaders

• Theodore Roosevelt

National Reclamation Act of 1902, developed water management systems, dams, and irrigation

-Campaigned with John Muir for natural habitat preservation

-Protected 200 million acres of public land as national forests, mineral reserves, and waterpower sites

-Appointed the National Conversation Commission in 1909 which aided in the preservation of water, forests, lands, and minerals

• Gifford Pinchot

-The greatest good of the greatest number in the long run."

-Chief Forrester under Roosevelt

-increased size and quantity of National Parks

Muckrakers

• John Muir

Problems

Wrote essays and books such as "Our National Parks" advocating the preservation of the West, inspired by his adventures across America

Founded the Sierra Club, a still existing environmental protection organization

Petitioned Congress for the Nation Park Bill

What Now?

While environmental issues are now discussed on a much more global scale, Americans today focus mainly on

1) Pollution

2) Global Warming

3) Water Safety

Similarities

Differences

• Resources used at an unsustainable rate
• Farmers used too many nutrients in soil
• Industrial factories emitted large amounts of toxins into the air and water (pollution, air contamination, water purity)
• Sewage dumped in rivers
• Mining companies employed wasteful and unsustainable practices
• Conservation Movement

-conservation

-advocacy of president

-Sierra Club

-public opinion is important

-concern over water, air, mining, dumping, contamination from factories, animal refuge

-more international

-research based

-Global Warming and climate change

-Oil spills

-sustainability

-proper use of dams and irrigation