History of the Green Movement

The 'Green Movement' that seems to be so popular today- has actually been going on for a lot longer than you might think. With roots in as far back as the 1800s, environmentalism is definitely more than just a fad.

Popular belief is that environmental consciousness began in the 1970s, with Rachel Carson's novel, Silent Spring; however, the seeds for the green movement were actually planted in the early 19th century with the transcendental philosopher, Henry David Thoreau. According to WebEcoist.com, "Environmentalism isn't a trend, or a cult, or a form of hysteria. It is rooted in American philosophy and, being at once innovative and practical, idealistic and active, one could easily define modern environmentalism as quintessentially American."

By the mid 1800s in America and London, the Industrial Revolution was going strong, and living conditions began to suffer. Smog, water pollution, and disregard for the environment became evident, and conservationism began to take root. In 1851, an iconic sequoia, the "Mother of the Forest" was chopped down in California- and outraged, the people began to call for wild parks and protection of the environment. By 1872, (only 21 years later) Yellowstone, the nation's first national park was established.

By the late 1800s, the progressive era set in and Teddy Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot promoted the "wise use" theory of conservation. Soon new organization such as the Sierra Club and National Coast Anti Pollution League were formed, setting the groundwork for environmental politics to come.

to be continued...

- Amber

[Information courtesy of http://webecoist.com/2008/08/17/a-brief-history-of-the-modern-green-movement/ and http://www.radford.edu/~wkovarik/envhist/].