CHAPTER 2: A HISTORY OF ENVIRONMENTALISM

The history of environmentalism stretches back some 300 years, and it is useful to be able to place today’s approach in its historic context:

1703 to 1850

The Industrial Revolution caused a previously unprecedented amount of forest clearance and land drainage.

1850

Nature writers were talking about a respect for nature.

1892

John Muir founded the US conservation organisation to encourage the US government to protect parts of the environment. He was opposed by politicians and companies such as timber companies. At about the same time, national parks were declared in Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

1893

The RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) was established in ...

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