A Brief History of the Environmental Movement
Rob Harsh, Director of Environmental Affairs
Xanterra Parks & Resorts
Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon National Parks
Early Civilization’s Impact on the Environment
 As many 60,000 years ago there is evidence of fire being used to
clear forests in Tanzania
 Agriculture, building and wood fuel begin to lead to mass
deforestation and soil erosion in populated areas.
 7000 BC – Destruction of ancient forests in the Middle East at
the time are believed to have given rise to the story of the Garden of
Eden.
 6000 BC – Deforestation leads to the collapse of communities
in southern Israel and Jordan.
 2700 BC – Some of the first laws protecting the remaining forests were
decreed in Ur – an ancient city in Southern Mesopotamia.
Greek and Roman Influence’s
 500 BC – Greek coastal cities become landlocked after deforestation
causes massive soil erosion, resulting in siltation filling bays and the
mouths of rivers.
 Greek Philosopher Plato compared the hills and mountains of Greece to
the bones of a wasted body.
 One river in southwestern Greece – the Maender, was so heavily silted that
its twists and turns come to represent a river wandering; or Meandering.
 Ancient Rome – the largest city in the world at this time suffered from air
pollution from smelting and tanning, as well as runoff from garbage and
sewage.
 The first technology to deal with such pollution comes about with the
building of large networks of Cloacea’s (sewers) and Aqueducts to
manage sewage and bring in fresh water.
 By 80 AD laws were passed requiring water to be stored in the dry
season in order to be used for street and sewer cleaning.
Medieval Times
 1300 AD – The British begin to use coal in place of wood as fuel.
 1306 – King Edward I forbids coal burning while Parliament is in session.
 1350 – The Bubonic Plague decimates Europe, creating the first attempts
at enforcing public health.
 1388 – Parliament passes law forbidding throwing garbage into ditches,
rivers and lakes.
 1589 – The water closet is invented by Sir John Harrington, but due to
lack of sewers the idea didn’t catch on until 1778.
 1684 – John Evelyn refers to London as a suburb of Hell, rather
than an assembly of rational creatures, in reference to the air pollution
created by the burning of coal.
 1700 – 600 ships are now engaged in hauling “sea coal” from Newcastle
to London, as opposed to just two ships in 1650.
America and the Industrial Revolution
 1769 – Committee led by Benjamin Franklin attempts to regulate waste and
water pollution in Philadelphia.
 1783 – Benjamin Franklin encourages France and Germany to switch from
wood to coal, noting how it saved what was left of England’s forests.
 1824 – Jean Baptiste Joseph Fourier makes the first scientific reference to
global warming proposing that the sun’s heat is trapped by the atmosphere.
 1849 – Edwin Drake strikes Oil in Pennsylvania, creating Kerosene market.
 1854 – Daniel Halladay introduces the mechanical windmill, which will see
6 million in use in by the mid 1950’s.
 1870 – John D. Rockefeller incorporates the Standard Oil Company.
 1872 – President Grant signs the Yellowstone National Park Act making
Yellowstone America’s first National Park.
 1875 – Grant vetoes a bill protecting buffalo and other wildlife.
America and the Industrial Revolution con’t
 1880 – First US municipal smoke abatement laws enacted aimed at
reducing air pollution from factories, railroads and ships.
 1881 – Samuel P. Langley leads expedition to Mt. Whitney to measure solar
heat and it’s absorption in the atmosphere, which later creates the basis for
the greenhouse theory.
 1882 – World’s first hydroelectric power plant starts operation in Wisconsin.
 1889 – John Muir starts campaign to save Yosemite from exploitation, and
in 1890 Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks are established.
 1891 – Clarence Kemp “father of solar energy” patents the Climax Solar
Water Heater.
 1900 – Buffalo population drops to 40 animals from an estimated 30 million
a century earlier.
 1903 – Henry Ford introduces the Model A gasoline powered automobile.
The 20th Century
 1906 – Two dollar per gallon tax lifted on industrial alcohol to allow farm
produced fuel to compete with petroleum.
 1908 – Swedish chemist Svante Arrhenius argues that emissions from
doubling the use of coal and petroleum would lead to a 5 degree C (9F)
increase in average global temperatures.
 1916 – Woodrow Wilson establishes the National Park Service.
 1919 – Zion and Grand Canyon National Park’s are established.
 1921 – General Motors demonstrates a car powered by 30% alcohol.
Fourteen months later gasoline with tetraethyl lead is introduced by its
subsidiary Ethyl Corp. eliminating further research of alcohol for anti-knock.
 1937 – The term Greenhouse Effect is coined by Glen Thomas Trewartha,
when he describes the trapping of CO2 in the atmosphere and insulating
the earth like a pane of glass in a greenhouse.
 1941 – 60,000 rooftop solar water heaters are being used in the US, but
materials needed for WWII prevent the industry’s expansion.
The 40’s and 50’s
 1945 – WWII ends with the dropping of the atomic bomb.
 1947 – Los Angeles Air Pollution Control District formed, first in the nation.
 1948 – 20 people die, 600 hospitalized and thousands sickened from smog
incident in Pennsylvania.
 1950 – Dr. Arie Haagen-Smit identifies the causes of smog as an interaction
of hydrocarbons (mainly from cars) and nitrogen oxides.
 1953 – Congress passes the Air Pollution Control Act.
 1954 – Hydrogen Bomb tested on Bikini atoll, exposes radiation to 856
Japanese fishing boats and killing one. Albert Einstein and Bertrand Russell
call for an end to nuclear weapons.
 1956 – World’s first nuclear power plant opened in England.
 1957 – Chelyabinsk nuclear waste explosion in Russia releases two million
curies and exposes 250,000 people to radiation.
The 1960’s
 1957 – California becomes first state to impose automotive emission
standards; automakers fight installing a $7 device, and the case is not
settled till 1969.
 1960 – First Clean Water Act is passed.
 1961 – President Kennedy addresses UN stating “every inhabitant of
this planet must contemplate the day when this planet may not be
habitable... The weapons of war must be abolished before they abolish us.”
 1962 – Rachel Carson writes Silent Spring, which is seen by many as the
turning point in the environmental movement.
 1963 – First Nuclear Test Ban treaty between US and USSR.
 1969 – Cuyahoga River bursts into flames five stories high from oil and
chemical pollution.
The 1970’s
 1970 – The Environmental Protection Agency is established and the first
Earth Day is celebrated.
 1970’s – Waves of Environmental Laws are enacted: Clean Air Act, Water
Pollution Control Act, Ocean Dumping Act, Toxic Substances Control Act,
Pesticides Act (FIFRA), Hazardous Waste Act (RCRA), and so on.
 1973 – 80 countries sign the Convention on International Trade of
Endangered Species; U.S. passes Endangered Species Act.
 1973 – Oil embargo panics U.S. Nixon claims America can be energy
independent by 1980. Brazil did it by 2005 using sugarcane based ethanol.
 1976 – National Academy of Science report on CFC’s warns of damage
to the Ozone Layer.
 1978 – Love Canal residents sue Hooker Chemical over dumping in the 40’s
and 50’s. The Superfund Act was enacted to clean up similar waste sites.
 1979 – Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant partially melts down.
The 1980’s
 1980 – National Academy of Science report calls leaded gasoline the greatest
source of atmospheric lead pollution, causing multitudes of health problems.
 1981 – VP George Bush proposes to relax leaded gas phase-out which began
in 1979. Phase-out of leaded gas in US is eventually completed by 1986.
 1982 – UN Charter for Nature passes 111 to 1 (U.S. against).
 1983 – NAS report on CFC’s downplays threat to ozone layer, under Reagan.
 1984 – 2000 killed in Bhopal India after Union Carbide leaks cloud of
isocyanide. 8,000 more die from chronic effects and 50,000 remain disabled.
The incident leads to passage of the Community Right of Know Act in 1986.
 1985 – Discovery of ozone hole over Antarctica leads US to the signing of the
Montreal Protocol in 1987 along with 24 other nations, which bans CFC use.
 1986 – Chernobyl Nuclear Reactor explodes killing more than 4,000 people.
 1987 – Exxon Valdez runs aground in Prince William Sound spilling 11 million
gallons of oil.
The 1990’s
 1990 – UN Report on Climate Change warns of 2 degree increase in global
temperatures if CO2 emissions worldwide are not reduced.
 1992 – U.S. attends Earth Summit in Rio de Janiero, but does not sign.
 1993 – Clinton signs order restricting logging of old growth forest, but
logging resumes in 1995 after congress passes legislation.
 1994 – Study shows US blood-lead levels declined 78% between 1978-1991.
 1995 – Wolves reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park.
 1996 – EPA reports sulfur dioxide emissions decreased 40% between 1970
and 1990. The report also cites decreases in smog, carbon monoxide and
ozone since the 1970 passage of the Clean Air Act.
 1997 – Kyoto Protocol is adopted by U.S. and 121 other nations, but congress
fails to ratify, citing outrage from industry if CO2 reductions are enforced.
 1999 – Earth’s population exceeds 6 billion. Nearly half (2.8 billion) are living
on less than $2 per day.
The Early 21st Century
 2001 – NASA Satellite Survey shows over 2,000 glaciers shrinking from
effects of global warming.
 2001 – World Meteorological Organization reports 9 of the 10 warmest years
occurred during the 1990’s.
 2001 – New energy plan focuses on oil exploration and new construction of
coal and nuclear plants, reducing funding for research into renewable energy
and energy conservation.
 2003 – EPA rejects petition from environmental groups to regulate
Greenhouse Gas emissions, stating it did not have authority under the Clean
Air Act, which is a contradiction of the their position under Clinton.
 2003 – Bush administration falls under attack for initiating the rollback of
more than 200 environmental laws, giving the administration the
worst environmental record in U.S. history.
 2004 – Russia ratifies Kyoto treaty, putting it into effect worldwide.
The United States is the only country still rejecting the treaty.
The Early 21st Century
 2004 – Report from 300 scientists conclude rapid climate change is occurring
in the Arctic, citing a 10% loss of sea ice and a 50% reduction of thickness
when compared to data from 30 years earlier.
 2004 – Automakers file suit against California to stop a Greenhouse Gas
emissions law that requires better fuel economy.
 2005 – Congress votes to open the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge for oil
drilling, but vote snags under public opinion.
 2005 – Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans, resulting in the worst
environmental disaster in U.S. history. Many scientists blame global warming
for the number and intensity of worldwide storms.
 2006 – California proposes law to reduce and cap greenhouse gas emissions
25% by 2020 and return to 2000 levels by 2010. California is the 16th
largest emitter of CO2 in the world and the first state in the U.S. to regulate
Greenhouse gases.
 2006 – U.S. population hits 300 million (5% of world total), and uses 25% of
world’s resources.
The Future of the Environmental Movement
What impact does it have on you?
Global Warming
 Most scientists today agree that Global Warming is the single greatest threat
to our environment in the future.
 Since 1860, average global temperatures have increased 1.4 degrees F,
which is the single largest increase in the last 2000 years.
This figure was originally prepared by Robert A. Rohde from publicly available data and is incorporated into the Global Warming Art project.
Global Warming con’t
 The main cause of this temperature rise is believed to be man-made carbon
dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. Fundamentally everything
we do in a modern society somehow impacts carbon emissions.
 Average carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have risen to 380 ppm,
which is the highest value in the last 650,000 years, which is the period for
which reliable data has been extracted from ice cores. It is last believed to
have been this high ~40 million years ago.
This figure was originally prepared by Robert A. Rohde from publicly available data and is incorporated into the Global Warming Art project.
Global Warming con’t
 By the year 2100 average global temperatures will rise 2.5 to 10 degrees F
above the current average, assuming that nothing is done to curb the current
use of fossil fuels.
This figure was originally prepared by Robert A. Rohde from publicly available data and is incorporated into the Global Warming Art project.
Global Warming Effects
Increased Heat Waves, Drought and Wildfires.
 In 2003 heat waves caused 20,000 deaths in Europe and 1,500 in India.
 In 2002 the Western US suffered the worst wildfire season in 50 years with
over 7 million acres burned.
 The 1999-2002 national drought was one of the three most extensive
droughts in the last 40 years.
This figure was originally prepared by Robert A. Rohde from publicly available data and is incorporated into the Global Warming Art project.
Global Warming Effects con’t
Increased Storms and Loss of Ecosystem
 The number and intensity of tropical storms and
hurricanes has nearly doubled over the last 35 years.
It is expected that worldwide costs associated with
this increase in storms could total as much as 1.5
trillion dollars over the next 10 years.
 Recent studies indicate that 279 species of plants and
animals have already been effected by the increased
temperatures and up to a million species could be
affected by the year 2050.
 Increased carbon dioxide levels in the oceans are
predicted to reduce Ocean pH by up to 0.4 units
greatly impacting the worlds coral reefs – considered
to be the largest living organisms on the planet.
Global Warming Effects con’t
Melting Glaciers and Rising Sea Levels
 Since 1995 the Antarctic ice shelf has shrunk by 40%. In 2002 a section
of the size of Rhode Island collapsed in just three months. Loss of surface
ice leads to less reflection of the sun heats, resulting in further warming.
 Sea levels are predicted to rise by up to one meter by 2100, which is
expected to displace ~200 million people in Coastal areas.
The satellite photo at far left shows the Larson B ice shelf on Jan. 31, 2002. Ice appears as solid
white. Moving to the right, in photos taken Feb. 17 and Feb. 23, the ice begins to disintegrate. In
the photos at far right, taken Mar. 5 and Mar 7, note water (blue) where solid ice had been, and
that a portion of the shelf is drifting away. Photos: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Global Warming Effects con’t
Climate Change
 Less understood is the effect of warming on climate change. Some
believe melting arctic ice could destabilize deep ocean currents through
the shutdown of the thermohaline circulation process, leading to abrupt
climatic shift in the opposite direction – in other words global cooling.
What can be done?
Methods in Use or Being Researched
 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (Conservation) – Everything uses energy, so the
we conserve (water, waste, energy) the less fossil fuels will be burned.
 Shift from a carbon based economy to a alternative/renewable fuel
economy – Wind, Solar, Bio-based, Hydrogen, etc. (no carbon)
 Carbon Capture and Storage – which is essentially compressed CO2
emissions and safely storing as to not interact with the atmosphere.
 Carbon Sequestration – basically the opposite of carbon creation, i.e.
when plants utilize CO2 for photosynthesis. There are forms of artificial
sequestration already in use, but is expensive.
 Planetary Engineering – the kind of stuff that wins Academy Awards…
still in the realm of science fiction.
What’s being done in our National Parks?
Federal Government Requirements
 Executive Order 13123 – Energy Conservation
- Reduce Energy Consumption by 35% by 2010.
- Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 30% by 2010.
- Expand Use of Renewable Energy.
- Install Water Conservation Equipment in Top 25% of Class.
 Executive Order 13101 – Waste Prevention and Recycling
- Increase Solid Waste Recycling to 50% by 2010.
- Reduce the Use of Hazardous Substances.
- Increase the Purchase of Environmentally Preferable Products.
 Executive Order 13148 – Environmental Leadership
- Implement Environmental Management System by 2005.
 Executive Order 13149 – Transportation Efficiency
- Reduce Fleet Vehicle Fuel Consumption by 20% by 2005.
- Increase Average Fleet Fuel Efficiency by 3 MPG by 2005.
- Increase Purchase of Alternative Fuel Vehicles.
What’s being done in our National Parks?
Xanterra’s 2015 Environmental Vision Goals
Fossil Fuels
Decrease Fossil Fuel Usage by 30%.
Renewable Energy
Increase Renewable Energy to 7% of Total Use.
Transportation
Increase Average Vehicle Fuel Economy to 35 MPG.
Emissions
Decrease Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 30%.
Solid Waste
Divert from Landfill 50% of Solid Waste Generated.
Sustainable Cuisine
Increase Sustainable Cuisine to 50%.
Water
Decrease Water Usage by 25%
Hazardous Waste
Generate Zero Hazardous Waste
Alternative Transportation
 Zion National Park instituted a propane powered bus shuttle system in
2000 to reduce visitor traffic and reduce air pollution in the canyon.
-
Benefits have included 42,000 less vehicle trips per year.
Elimination of 1,200 vehicles per day on nearly 11,000 miles of road.
Reduced VOC, Carbon Monoxide, and Particulate Emissions greatly.
75% of Park Visitors use Bus Shuttle System.
Increased Fuel Economy
 Increased Average Fuel Economy to 24 MPG.
 Purchased an Electric Hybrid Prius and other fuel efficient vehicles
to replace less efficient SUV’s
 Purchased Zero Emission Electric Carts to eliminate gas guzzling
trucks for maintenance calls.
 Adding another Hybrid Vehicle in 2007.
Reduced Fossil Fuel Use
 Converted an old polluting diesel-fuel fired
boiler, to an energy efficient “on-demand”
propane fired system.
 Eliminated 24,000 gallons of diesel fuel use.
 Eliminated the risk of spills.
 Reduced Greenhouse Gas emissions by 300,000
pounds annually.
Increased Use of Renewable Energy
 Procured 1.4 million kWh of clean renewable wind energy in 2006.
 Installed an on-site 15 kilowatt Solar System capable of providing
30,000 kWh of electricity annually.
 Combined these account for 85% of our total electricity use.
 Reduced Greenhouse Gas emissions by 2.7 million pounds
annually.
Reduced Greenhouse Gas
Emissions by 65% in 5 years
TOTAL CO 2 EMISSIONS
6,000,000
Amount (lbs)
5,000,000
4,000,000
3,000,000
2,000,000
1,000,000
0
Lbs
Lbs
Lbs
Lbs
Lbs
Lbs
Lbs
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Year
Increased Recycling
 Recycled over 150,000 pounds of glass, plastic, aluminum, paper,
cardboard in partnerships with the National Park Service in 2005.
 Composted over 30,000 pounds of food waste from restaurant.
Reduced Water Use
 Reduced water usage by 50%, or 15 million gallons over a 5 year
period, by installing low flow fixtures and reducing lawn watering.
Water Usage
35,000,000
Amount
30,000,000
25,000,000
20,000,000
15,000,000
10,000,000
5,000,000
0
gal
gal
gal
gal
gal
gal
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
Year
Questions?