period 8
contextualization
During period 8, starting in the 1950s, people began to migrate to more suburban areas because the image of traditional families dominated popular perceptions in the post war era. With the increase of suburbanization in U.S., it created a rise of population which resulted in an increase of pollution and there were no strict regulations on this issue. However in the 1960s, the Environmental Movement began after people saw the effects that pesticides and greenhouse gases had on the environment. Counter Culture developed during the 60s and was an alternative lifestyle chosen by individuals who were known as “hippies”. Hippies were not satisfied with the culture that had developed after the Second World War and wanted to distance themselves from American society. They promoted the trend for a “back-to-nature” spiritual life that reminded many pre-industrial living.
Also in the late 60s and 70s. the increased use of pesticides created the Pesticide Treadmill, where pests become immune to the pesticides applied over time, which requires more and more pesticides to be used, overall degrading soil quality. Soils support the majority of the world's biodiversity and healthy soils are crucial to securing food production and providing a sufficient water supply over the long term. Over time, this has created a water shortage in the U.S. because people aren't conscious enough when it came to the use of resources. Ecosystem services provided by soils are essential to the carbon and water cycles. The emission of Greenhouse gases (fossil fuels) by humans causes the atmosphere to trap heat, making the Earth warmer and warmer, this is known as the Greenhouse effect.
The first major text that was released that made this issues like this public was “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson. She addressed the pesticide DDT and its disastrous effects to the environment. DDT causes cancer and infertility in humans as well as was responsible for the endangerment of many animals. This book created a significant change in the way people saw their surroundings. Earth Day was created in 1970 to demonstrate a commitment to protecting our planet and was celebrated by more than 12,000 schools and hundreds of communities. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was also created in 1970, to conduct environmental assessment, research, and education. Congress passed the Clean Air Act in 1973 and the Clean Water Act in 1972 to protect human health and the environment from the destructive effects of air pollution and to protect our water supply. Also, efforts to protect endangered species began which caused the Endangered Species Act to be passed in 1973, this act provides the conservation of species that are endangered or threatened.
Three Mile Island occurred in Middletown Pennsylvania on March 28, 1979 and was a nuclear incident that was the most serious accident in U.S. commercial nuclear power plant operating history. The accident allowed large amounts of nuclear reactor coolant to escape, putting the health of residents in danger, causing the release of radioactive gases. The incident heightened public fears and resulted in the shutdown of many other nuclear plants. The Love Canal disaster occurred due to improper disposal of 22,000 gallons of toxic waste that began to seep underground and into the homes of residents in the Love Canal neighborhood. The effects to people in the area included leukemia and even death. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) was passed after the Love Canal tragedy, and was a federal law passed to enforce the clean up of toxic waste and pollutants.