environmentalism's political impact?

Question 1

the environment had always been important to some Americans however during the 70’s it became more of a popularised issues. what indicated this?

Answer 1

• 1969 = 1% felt the environment was the most important domestic issue facing the US
• 1971 = 51% of people did
• membership of environmentalist groups increased c

Question 2

what strengthened environmentalism?

Answer 2

when the canal of love by Niagra falls had so much industrial waste it was causing miscarriges and birth defects in the local area 1978.

Question 3

what was the EPA?

Answer 3

• was passed by Richard Nixon in 1970
• stood for the environmental protection administration
• this asked american car manufactures to reduce exhaust emmissons - which they did so by creating catalyst converters.
• air pollution dropped by 75%

Question 4

what act was passed in 1976 regarding toxic waste?

Answer 4

toxic substance control act.

Question 5

why was Carter significant in the movement towards environmentalism?

Answer 5

• he was the first president to successfully campaign on environmentalism.
• he obtained legislation to prevent chemicals from polluting the environment,
• expanded the national park
• renewed the clean air act and clean water act
• ## sought to find alternative energy

Question 6

where did some of Carter’s environmental policies fail?

Answer 6

his ambitious energy programme failed to get through congress as American’s hated paying for more petrol.

Question 7

examples of environmental resistance?

Answer 7

• workers thought that environmentalism threatened their jobs as industries created a lot of air pollution.
• bumper stickers read “if you’re hungry and out of work, eat an environmentalist.

Question 8

how did environmentalism create divisions in politics?

Answer 8

• internal party conflict between the democrats that contained middle class liberals who favoured environmentalism, and blue collar workers who did not.
• internal conflict within the republicans (as the party as big businesses.) often less concerned about the environment than democrats.
• conservative backlash; Reagan said the Los Angeles was substantially controlled.