The Environmental Movement (HL IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))
Revision Note
Author
Alistair MarjotExpertise
Biology & Environmental Systems and Societies
Dynamics of Environmental Perspectives
Environmental perspectives (and the beliefs they are built on) shift and change over time in all societies
Although many different factors can cause these changes in perspectives, they are often influenced by government or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) campaigns or through social and demographic changes
For example, in the 1970s (and as early as the 1950s), there was a significant rise in environmental awareness due to campaigns against pollution
Government initiatives like the Clean Air Act in the UK (1956) and the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US (1970) played important roles in highlighting pollution issues
NGOs like Greenpeace (1971) and Friends of the Earth (1969) also spearheaded campaigns, raising public awareness about the detrimental effects of pollution on health and the environment
Interpretation of behaviour-time graphs
Behaviour-time graphs illustrate how specific behaviours change over time
For example, a behaviour-time graph tracking smoking rates might show a decline over decades due to anti-smoking campaigns and general increased health awareness
The "Stoptober" campaign in the UK encourages smokers to quit during October, resulting in noticeable dips in smoking rates during those periods
Other examples of using behaviour-time graphs include:
Littering tendencies
Water usage
Recycling rates
Use of renewable energy sources
Use of public transport
Consumption of meat
Shifts from traditional indigenous lifestyles to modern ones
For example, Indigenous groups are increasingly adopting Western clothing and technologies due to globalisation
This transition can be seen in long-term studies that show changes in clothing styles, housing structures, personal belongings and food consumption patterns over time
Exam Tip
You should familiarise yourself with interpreting behaviour-time graphs to identify trends and perspective shifts over time. Pay attention to the axes, labels, and units to understand the scale and significance of the changes shown.
The Development of the Environmental Movement
The environmental movement is the term used to describe humanity’s increasing awareness of the damage we are causing to the environment and the importance of conserving the environmental health of our planet
The movement includes a diverse range of individuals, organisations and initiatives united by a common goal: to address urgent environmental challenges such as climate change, pollution, habitat destruction and species extinction
The movement promotes sustainable development, responsible resource management, conservation of biodiversity and the transition to cleaner, renewable energy sources
This can be achieved by implementing changes in public policy and encouraging changes in our individual behaviours
Through education, advocacy, activism and policy-making, the environmental movement aims to create a more sustainable and resilient future for both humanity and the natural world
Various different factors, including people, books, films and historical events, have been key in the development of the environmental movement
These events and influences have come from many different areas, including:
Individuals and environmental activists
Literature
Media
Major environmental disasters
International conferences and agreements
New technologies
Scientific discoveries
Individuals and Environmental Activists
Individual | Field | Description | Effect on Environmental Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
Wangarĩ Maathai | Conservation | Founded the Green Belt Movement, advocating for tree planting, conservation, and women's rights | Mobilised grassroots activism and promoted environmental conservation on a local and global scale |
Greta Thunberg | Climate action | Led global youth strikes for climate action, raising awareness and challenging political leaders | Inspired millions worldwide to join climate activism, urging policymakers to take urgent climate action |
Vandana Shiva | Environmentalism | Advocated for sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation, questioning corporate dominance | Raised awareness of the impacts of industrial agriculture and promoted sustainable, community-based alternatives |
David Attenborough | Conservation | Renowned naturalist and broadcaster, raising awareness of environmental issues through documentaries | Educated and inspired audiences worldwide, fostering greater appreciation and concern for the natural world |
Jane Goodall | Primatology | Pioneering primatologist, advocating for wildlife conservation and ethical treatment of animals | Advancing our understanding of animal behaviour and conservation, empowering individuals to protect biodiversity and habitats |
Literature
Author | Year | Work | Description | Effect on Environmental Movement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Aldo Leopold | 1949 | A Sand County Almanac | Advocated for a land ethic, promoting conservation and stewardship of the natural world | Influential in shaping modern conservation ethics and inspiring environmental activism |
Rachel Carson | 1962 | Silent Spring | Outlined the harmful effects of the pesticide DDT passing along food chains to top predators | Led to widespread concern about the dangers of pesticide use and increased awareness of environmental pollution |
Donella Meadows, Dennis Meadows, Jørgen Randers, William W. Behrens III | 1972 | The Limits to Growth (LTG) | A report, commissioned by the Club of Rome (a global think tank), outlining the effects of a rapidly increasing global population on Earth’s finite natural resources | Increased awareness of the dangers of unsustainable natural resource use (best-selling environmental publication in history) |
James Lovelock | 1979 | Gaia | The first book to suggest that Earth is like a ‘living organism’ (a self-regulatory system that maintains its climate and biology) | Showed how humanity has the power to upset the delicate balance of the Earth’s self-regulating processes, with potentially deadly consequences |
Edward Abbey | 1975 | The Monkey Wrench Gang | Novel about eco-sabotage and resistance against environmental destruction, inspiring direct action | Influenced environmental activism by promoting radical tactics and raising awareness of conservation issues |
Donella Meadows | 1992 | Beyond the Limits | Follow-up to "The Limits to Growth", exploring strategies for achieving sustainable development | Contributed to discussions on sustainability and influenced policy-making towards more eco-friendly practices |
Media
Media | Year | Description | Effect on Environmental Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
An Inconvenient Truth | 2006 | A documentary film of former US Vice President Al Gore giving a lecture on climate change and its consequences | The film got extensive publicity, reaching a huge worldwide audience and triggering a major shift in public opinion in the USA |
No Impact Man | 2009 | Documentary film following a family's attempt to live a zero-waste lifestyle in New York City | Raised awareness about individual carbon footprints and the potential for sustainable living in urban environments |
Before the Flood | 2016 | Documentary featuring Leonardo DiCaprio exploring climate change impacts and solutions | Raised awareness of climate change issues and advocated for renewable energy and conservation efforts |
Our Planet | 2019 | Netflix documentary series showcasing Earth's natural beauty and the impact of human activity | Raised awareness of environmental conservation and the need to protect ecosystems and biodiversity |
Breaking Boundaries | 2021 | Netflix documentary on how humans are pushing Earth beyond the boundaries that have kept the planet stable for the last 10 000 years, narrated by David Attenborough | Highlighted pressing environmental issues and the importance of global cooperation for sustainable solutions |
Major Environmental Disasters
Event | Year | Description | Effect on Environmental Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
Minamata disease in Minamata, Japan | 1956 | Chemical factories released toxic methyl mercury into waste water— mercury accumulation in fish and shellfish caused mercury poisoning in local people, with severe symptoms (neurological disorders, paralysis, death, or birth defects in newborns) | Raised awareness of the risks of industrialisation and the need for environmental regulations and checks to be imposed on industries |
Industrial accident in Bhopal, India | 1984 | Explosion at a pesticide plant—released 42 tonnes of toxic methyl isocyanate gas, killing 10 000 people in the first 72 hours and 25 000 in total | Highlighted industrial risks and lack of safety measures, driving demands for stricter regulations and corporate accountability |
Chernobyl nuclear meltdown, Soviet Ukraine | 1986 | Nuclear reactor exploded—radioactive fallout covered large areas of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia—336 000 people had to be evacuated and cancer incidence increased in surrounding area | Reinforced society’s fear and negative perceptions surrounding nuclear power, strengthening calls for safer energy alternatives and stricter regulations on nuclear facilities |
Fukushima nuclear meltdown, Japan | 2011 | Earthquake-generated tsunami hit nuclear power station and caused a meltdown in three of the six reactors—110 000 people evacuated | Intensified global concerns about nuclear safety and encouraged shifts towards renewable energy sources—however, Japan temporarily halted all nuclear power to carry out new safety checks, leading to increased dependence on fossil fuels |
International Conferences and Agreements
Event | Year | Description | Effect on Environmental Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
Stockholm Declaration | 1972 | The first major United Nations (UN) conference on international environmental issues, held in Stockholm, led to this Declaration | Influential in setting environmental targets and shaping action at the local and international level |
Rio Earth Summit | 1992 | UN Conference on Environment and Development, attended by 172 nations—outlined that radical changes in attitudes towards the environment needed to limit the damage to the planet | Had a global impact—led to the adoption of ‘Agenda 21’ (a comprehensive action plan to ensure sustainable development) by over 178 parties |
Kyoto Protocol | 1997 | An international treaty building on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that committed state parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions | 192 parties committed to reducing their emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane |
Rio+20 | 2012 | UN Conference on Sustainable Development, marking the 20th anniversary of the Rio Earth Summit - aimed to secure further political commitment from nations to sustainable development | Helped to assess progress on various internationally agreed targets (e.g. reduction of greenhouse gas emissions) and identify emerging environmental challenges |
Paris Agreement | 2015 | An international treaty agreed by 195 parties at COP21 - aimed to hold the increase in global average temperature to below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels | 50% cut in greenhouse gas emissions needed by 2030—every country (including developing countries) agreed to set targets and regularly report on their progress |
Glasgow Climate Pact | 2021 | At COP26, an international agreement between 197 countries was reached, which reaffirmed the Paris Agreement's global temperature goal | First climate deal to explicitly commit to reducing coal use—a late intervention from China and India weakened the pact's wording to "phasing down" coal (rather than phasing it out) |
COP27 | 2022 | The 27th United Nations Climate Change conference, held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt | Led to the creation of the first loss-and-damage fund and addressed measures to limit global temperature rise |
COP28 | 2023 | The 28th United Nations Climate Change conference, held in Expo City, Dubai, UAE | The final agreement made at this conference commits signatory countries to move away from carbon energy sources to mitigate climate change effects |
New Technologies
Development | Description | Effect on Environmental Movement |
|---|---|---|
Green Revolution | Agricultural advancements increasing crop yields in the mid-20th century, addressing food scarcity | Improved food security and reduced pressure on natural habitats, but also raised concerns about the environmental impacts of intensive farming practices |
Enteric fermentation control | Methods to decrease methane emissions from livestock, reducing agriculture's environmental footprint—strategies may include dietary adjustments, such as altering feed composition to improve digestion efficiency and reduce methane production, or supplementing diets with compounds that inhibit methane-producing microorganisms | Reduces greenhouse gas (methane) emissions from agriculture, mitigating the environmental impact of livestock and lowering climate change impacts |
Plant-based meats | Innovations creating meat substitutes from plant sources, offering environmentally-friendly alternatives | Reduces demand for animal agriculture, mitigating deforestation, habitat loss and greenhouse gas emissions |
Electric cars | Vehicles powered by electric motors instead of internal combustion engines, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and emissions of greenhouse gases | Lowers carbon emissions and air pollution, driving the transition to sustainable transportation and energy systems |
Scientific Discoveries
Discovery | Description | Effect on Environmental Movement |
|---|---|---|
Pesticide and biocide toxicity | Studies revealing the harmful effects of pesticides and biocides on ecosystems and human health | Increased awareness of environmental risks, leading to regulatory measures, pesticide bans, and adoption of alternative pest control methods |
Species loss | Research documenting the rapid decline of species diversity globally due to human activities | Raised alarm about biodiversity loss and the extinction crisis, driving conservation efforts and policy actions to protect ecosystems and species |
Habitat degradation | Investigations highlighting the destruction and fragmentation of natural habitats worldwide | Highlighted the urgent need for habitat conservation and restoration, leading to the establishment of protected areas and restoration initiatives |
Ocean acidification | Phenomenon of decreasing pH levels in the Earth's oceans, mainly due to increased carbon dioxide emissions | Raised concerns about marine ecosystem health and biodiversity, driving research and policy actions to address ocean acidification impacts |
Climate change impacts | Research documenting the diverse effects of climate change on ecosystems, economies and human societies | Increased understanding of climate change risks and vulnerabilities, motivating adaptation and mitigation efforts to address its impacts |
Exam Tip
You don't need to learn how ALL of these people and events have contributed to the development of the environmental movement! It might be a good idea to select at least one from each of the tables above, then learn what happened and make sure you can explain why each one was important in shaping the environmental movement.
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