The 1960s Environmental Movement

Jonathan Gearty
Hist-1302-078
11-21-2011
“Give Earth a Chance”
The Environmental movement of the 1960s opened doors for long time conservationists and preservationists. I should say though, the movement did not originate in the 1960s, but became a more apparent situation due to the changing effects of our nation during this time. Theodore Roosevelt had a part in the environmental movement, but of course, this took place in the late 19th century. He was responsible for several preservation policies that nearly doubled national parks. Historically, this movement has changed the way American industrial businesses have had to operate and led to numerous government policies and regulations. The movement made way for the Environmental Protection
This was probably due to the use of this chemical during World War II. Rachel Carson quietly sounded an alarm for the world to recognize the harms in polluting the world with dangerous chemicals. By the early 1960s, after intense spraying worldwide, particularly of DDT, reports of malformed animals and their eggs began to surface and the alarms on DDT’s hazard became an apparent shock to most people. She told the world the truth behind the chemicals that caused such atrocities not only to animals but humans as well. When her book Silent Spring was published in 1962 it created a heated debate between conservationists and the chemical industry. The chemical industry publicly denounced the book. The pesticide manufacturers made valiant efforts to educate the public about the benefits and importance of pesticides in 1962, by mailing out monthly news stories to the mass media. Furthermore, the president of the industry-backed American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) said, “- in the opinion of the ACSH - the benefits of DDT's power to kill insects who may carry diseases that threaten humans outweigh the chemical's effects on wildlife and humans. In addition, ACSH questions whether DDT affects wildlife and humans adversely at all.” Carson’s particular warning against 12 of the most harmful chemical poisons gave rise to the
The Act also limited the use of herbicides and pesticides in the areas protected under this act. The year prior to this act Congress also passed the first research act which orders the Secretary of the Interior to “undertake continuing research on biological fluctuations, status, and statistics of the migratory marine species of game fish of the United States and contiguous waters.” This act gives the public access to the findings and causes of fluctuations in migrating fish as well as any evidence pertaining to the use of chemicals causing these