Environmental IssuesEnvironmental Issues

The birth of Activism in the U.S.The birth of Activism in the U.S.

• In the U.S. democracy, the idea that the government should bend to the will of the people is one of the dearest ideals. When citizens see a problem, they are free, and even obligated, to get the government to solve the problem for the good of the entire population.

• What kinds of problems should the government solve for citizens?

Hunters, fishermen, and naturalists began seeing problems Hunters, fishermen, and naturalists began seeing problems with the environment as early as the 1850’s. They began with the environment as early as the 1850’s. They began applying pressure on the government to write legislation to applying pressure on the government to write legislation to protect the environment.protect the environment.

How can citizens “apply pressure” on the government?How can citizens “apply pressure” on the government?

Hunters hunt for a variety of reasons: food, clothing, sport, Hunters hunt for a variety of reasons: food, clothing, sport, and protection.and protection.

Why would hunters want to protect the environment?Why would hunters want to protect the environment?

Hunters and fishermen buy licenses and tags each year Hunters and fishermen buy licenses and tags each year to participate in the sport they love.to participate in the sport they love.

How do those purchases help protect the environment?How do those purchases help protect the environment?

The following slides have a list of The following slides have a list of environmental activists and environmental environmental activists and environmental legislations in the history of the U.S. Each legislations in the history of the U.S. Each member of your group needs to research member of your group needs to research one of each (1 activist, and 1 piece of one of each (1 activist, and 1 piece of legislation).legislation).

ActivistsActivists

George Perkins March John Muir Gifford Pinchot George Perkins March John Muir Gifford Pinchot

Pres. Theodore RooseveltPres. Theodore Roosevelt

Robert Sterling Aldo Leopold Julia Butterfly Hill Pres. Jimmy CarterRobert Sterling Aldo Leopold Julia Butterfly Hill Pres. Jimmy Carter

Information:Information: Why did they become activists? Why did they become activists? Did they help any environmental legislation Did they help any environmental legislation

get passed? get passed?

Were they a part of any environmental publications?Were they a part of any environmental publications?

Did they pressure the government to act? How?Did they pressure the government to act? How?

Legislation 1872 Congress makes Yellowstone Park the world’s 1st official National

Park 1891 Congress passes the Forest Reserve Act which became the basis for

the National Forest system 1916 National Park Service is founded 1955 Air Pollution Control Act comes into law 1964 Wilderness Act is passed 1969 National Environmental Policy act comes into effect (led to the

development of the Environmental Protection Agency) 1970 Clean Air Act 1972 DDT is banned 1973 Endangered Species Act 1978 Love Canal issue

Legislation InformationLegislation Information

What was the major issue(s) involved?What was the major issue(s) involved? Were there any economic issues involved?Were there any economic issues involved? What groups supported the legislation? What groups supported the legislation?

Who opposed it?Who opposed it? What effects has the legislation had, good What effects has the legislation had, good

and bad?and bad?

PowerPoint 2 Environmental Issues, Birth of Activism PowerPoint 2 Environmental Issues, Birth of Activism DiscussionDiscussion

  

1.1. What is the purpose of gov. in the U.S.? How does it help the people? What is the purpose of gov. in the U.S.? How does it help the people?

Students should cite examples of gov. aid such as social security, Students should cite examples of gov. aid such as social security, Medicaid, unemployment, police, firefighters, etc.Medicaid, unemployment, police, firefighters, etc.

  

2.2. If citizens notice a problem, what avenues can they take to “fix” the If citizens notice a problem, what avenues can they take to “fix” the problem? problem?

Students should cite examples such as using the court system, Students should cite examples such as using the court system, writing their representatives, advertising the problem through protest, tec.writing their representatives, advertising the problem through protest, tec.

  

3.3. For what reasons do most hunters hunt in the present day? For what reasons do most hunters hunt in the present day?

SSport, foodport, food

4.4. How do hunters and fishermen support conservation? How do hunters and fishermen support conservation?

Licenses purchased help support conservation monetarily.Licenses purchased help support conservation monetarily.

  

Project Rubric (Individual)Project Rubric (Individual)

  

At least 1 piece of legislation and one activist were addressed in At least 1 piece of legislation and one activist were addressed in presentation. presentation.

50 points (25 points for leg. / 25 points for activist)50 points (25 points for leg. / 25 points for activist)

The required information was presented in the Activist portion – 20 pointsThe required information was presented in the Activist portion – 20 points

(Some required information missing – 10 points)(Some required information missing – 10 points)

The required information was presented in the Legislation portion – 20 The required information was presented in the Legislation portion – 20 pointspoints

(Some required information missing – 10 points)(Some required information missing – 10 points)

Information was well thought out and presented in an organized manner – Information was well thought out and presented in an organized manner – 10 points (Level of organization could receive 0-10 points)10 points (Level of organization could receive 0-10 points)

  

Group RubricGroup Rubric

  

An audio-visual such as a poster, power point, or other device was created An audio-visual such as a poster, power point, or other device was created with ideas from all members of the group – 75 points (missing with ideas from all members of the group – 75 points (missing information from each member worth up to 25 points)information from each member worth up to 25 points)

The audio-visual contains a timeline of all of the activists and legislations The audio-visual contains a timeline of all of the activists and legislations passed for the entire group – 25 pointspassed for the entire group – 25 points