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Take out Assignment 9 for stamp. Bellwork : Day 2. In 2010, 206,000,000 gallons of oil leaked into the ocean near the coast of Louisiana. This was due to offshore drilling. However, it is offshore drilling that helps us be less dependent on the Middle East for oil.
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Take out Assignment 9 for stamp Bellwork: Day 2 In 2010, 206,000,000 gallons of oil leaked into the ocean near the coast of Louisiana. This was due to offshore drilling. However, it is offshore drilling that helps us be less dependent on the Middle East for oil. Should we ban offshore drilling off the coast of the US?
Assignment: 18.4 Save the Earth Movement
Enviornmentalism • During the 1960s and 1970s, Americans began to focus on environmental issues. • Americans argued that the use of pesticides had damaged wildlife and that pollution had fouled air and water.
Silent Spring • Marine biologist Rachel Carson wrote of the increase of pesticides in her book Silent Spring. • She argued that the pesticides that killed insects were also killing birds and fish. 18:00 – 25:00
Side effect of Pesticides • Highly toxic to workers and wildlife • Potentially cancerous • contaminates groundwater • Birth defects
Checking for Understanding • What did Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring focus on? The use of pesticides and their negative effects
Checking for Understanding • How did people react to Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring? made people focus on environmental concerns. The chemical industry began an intense campaign to discredit Carson and her arguments
Enviornmental Problems • The environmental issues of the 1960s concerned all regions of the United States. • Environmental problems • cutting down of trees in the Northwest • smog from factories, power plants, and cars in the cities • an oil spill off Santa Barbara, California • pollution and garbage in Lake Erie.
Smoggiest Cities • Los Angeles, CA • Bakersfield, CA • Visalia, CA • Houston, TX • Fresno, CA • Sacramento, CA • Dallas, TX • New York, NY • Washington, D.C./Baltimore • Baton Rouge, La. 2008
Earth Day • In April 1970, the nation held its first Earth Day to focus on the country’s environmental concerns. • Afterward, citizens formed local environmental groups and organizations like the Sierra Club, the Audubon Society, and the Wilderness Society gained prominence. 58:04 – 1:02:44
Enviornmental Protection • In 1970 Richard Nixon signed the Environmental Protection Policy Act, creating the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). • It took on the job of setting and enforcing pollution standards, promoting research, and coordinating anti-pollution activities with state and local governments.
Clean Air Act • The Clean Air Act of 1970 established emission standards for factories and automobiles.
Clean Water Act • The Clean Water Act of 1972 restricted the discharge of pollutants into the nation’s lakes and rivers. • The Endangered Species Act of 1973 established measures for saving threatened animal species.
This oil spill is on track to become the worst oil spill in history, surpassing the damage done by the Exxon Valdez tanker that spilled 11 million gallons of oil BP Oil Spill: Gulf of Mexico 2010
Toxic Waste • Residents at a local housing development near Niagara Falls, New York, known as Love Canal, began noticing a high incidence of health problems within their community. • It was discovered that the community was on a toxic waste dump. Through dramatic community activism, the state permanently relocated 200 families. • President Jimmy Carter later relocated the remaining 600 families.
Former reporter Richard Ellers says he didn't appreciate the thickness of the pollution on Cuyahoga River until he dipped his hand into it. The photo was taken in the 1960s.
Fossil Fuels • Issues regarding nuclear energy were debated. Supporters of nuclear energy claimed it was cleaner and less expensive than fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, or natural gas, which have a limited supply. • Opponents warned of risks, including consequences of an accidental radiation release.
Three Mile Island • On March 28, 1979, one of the reactors at the Three Mile Island nuclear facility overheated, causing low levels of radiation to escape. • Although the plant was eventually declared safe, the incident left the public in doubt about the safety of nuclear energy.
Nuclear Power • Not popular • No new plants built since 1980 • But…
Current Issues Green peace video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u_8frR0IpE The environment is still a current issue of concern • Energy conservation • Oil consumption/ gas prices • Global warming • Water conservation
Checking for Understanding • Why was the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created? • enforcing pollution standards, promoting research, and coordinating anti-pollution activities with state and local governments.
Checking for Understanding • List three measures taken to combat environmental problems in the 1960s and 1970s. • three of the following: Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, creation of the EPA, Earth Day • .
Checking for Understanding • Identifying What groups lobbied for government legislation to protect the environment in the 1960s and 1970s? the Natural Resource Defense Council, Sierra Club, Audubon Society, and Wilderness Society.
