History Of Environmental Ethics In The U.S. Flashcards
George Perkins Marsh
Author of Man and Nature (1864), one of the first environmentalist books, warning that civilizations collapse due to over-exploiting natural resources. His work influenced early conservation efforts, including the U.S. Forest Service
Ralph Waldo Emerson
A key figure in Transcendentalism, Emerson’s 1836 essay Nature emphasized the sacredness of the natural world and warned that industrialization would lead to its destruction
Henry David Thoreau
A Transcendentalist writer who lived in solitude at Walden Pond and recorded his reflections in Walden (1854), advocating for simple living, self-sufficiency, and a deep connection to nature
Transcendentalism
A 19th-century philosophical and literary movement that emphasized intuition, emotions, and spirituality over science and logic. It reacted against industrialization and encouraged a reverence for nature
Walden
Henry David Thoreau’s 1854 book detailed his experience living in isolation at Walden Pond. It became a foundation text for American environmentalism, inspiring people to seek harmony with nature
Teddy Roosevelt
The 26th U.S. president (1901-1909) who, influenced by Gifford Pinchot and George Perkins Marsh, helped expand national parks and forests, making conservation a key part of his presidency
Gifford Pinchot
The first chief of the U.S. Forest Service, he promoted conservstionism, which aimed to manage natural resources sustainably, rather than leave them untouched
Conservationism
The environmental philosophy advocating for wise use and management of natural resources so they remain available for future generations. Supported by figures like Gifford Pinchot and Teddy Roosevelt
Preservationism
The belief that nature should be protected for its own sake, not just for human use. Advocated by John Muir, it opposed conservationism’s utilitarian approach
John Muir
Founder of the Sierra Club and key figure in the preservationism movement, he worked to establish Yosemite National Park and promote the intrinsic value of wilderness
Sierra Club
Founded in 1892 by John Muir, it is one of the oldest and most influential environmental organizations in the U.S., advocating for the protection of wildlands
Rachel Carson
A marine biologist and author of Silent Spring (1962), which exposed the environmental dangers of DDT, and helped launch the modern environmental movement
Silent Spring
Rachel Carson’s 1962 book that revealed how chemical pollution was poisoning air, water, and wildlife. It led to the banning of DDT and the establishment of environmental protection laws
DDT
A synthetic pesticide widely used after WWII, later found to cause severe environmental harm, including bird population declines. Banned in the U.S. after Silent Spring’s impact
Aldo Leopold
Environmental philosopher and author of A Sand County Almanac, he developed the land ethic, stating that ethical decisions should preserve the integrity and stability of the biotic community
No Impact Man
A modern environmental experiment and documentary (2009) by Collin Beavan, in which he and his family attempted to live with zero environmental impact for a year in New York City
How many lbs of trash Americans consume a year
The average American generates approximately 1,700 pounds of trash per year, highlighting the country’s massive waste problem
“Earthrise”
A famous NASA photograph taken during the Apollo 8 mission (1968) showing Earth from space. It became an iconic image for the environmental movement, emphasizing Earth’s fragility
Earth Day
A global environmental awareness day first celebrated on April 22, 1970 to promote sustainability and environmental protection. It was inspired by growing concerns over pollution and ecological destruction
April 22nd, 1970
The date of the first Earth Day, which mobilized millions of Americans to protest environmental destruction and push for legislation like the Clean Air Act and the formation of the EPA
