Environmental Summer School Documentary: Review

Environmental Summer School Documentary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFWlCv2KfQM&authuser=1

                This documentary focused on the primary principles and the history of environmental policy in America, including discussions on Environmental Law, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The discussions began with the history of environmental law in America presented by Dinah Bear, an Attorney and former council member on the Council for Environmental Policy.  In the early years of our developing nation, environmental policies incentivized opening up the country and helping colonize the untamed wilderness. More modern environmental law was not brought up in discussion until “Man and Nature” or “Physical Geography as Modified by Human Action” by George Perkins was published in the mid-1800s.

                Theodore Roosevelt was the first president to take environmental protection seriously and take action on large scale issues. Roosevelt started the National Wildlife Refuge System, he designated roughly one-hundred and ten national forests, used the antiquities act to designate national monuments which later became national parks. There was a strong boost in conservation activity within the nation during the Roosevelt era. During the mid-1900s and Nixon era, the increased frequency of environmental accidents prompted sprouts of activism amongst the people. Nixon acknowledged that environmental issues would slowly have increased relevance and importance in political discussions. Nixon is quoted with stating, “Environment would be the most important domestic issue of the 21^st century” which as things currently are, may indeed come to fruition. Under Nixons presidency, a committee was set up of cabinet members including the secretary of the interior and members from the army to oversee and address environmental concerns that would arise within the nation.

                Senator Henry Jackson introduced NEPA to the senate in proceeding his statement that, “What is a stake here is the survival of human beings”, his address was well received by both the senate and congress. The National Environmental Policy Act was passed and signed on June 1^st, 1970. The purpose of NEPA was to present the responsibility of caring for the environment to present generations so that the natural world may be maintained for future generations. Includes current environmental concerns and those that the nation m ay not yet be aware of. NEPA policies have been copied by roughly 85-100 countries around the world.

                Next the documentary took focus on the Endangered Species Act which was presented by John Kostyack, vice president of wildlife conservation at the National Wildlife Federation, and supported safeguarding species and ecosystems in a warming world. The ESA was enacted in 1973 following tremendous support, recognizing human caused extinction was a real issue, linked species conservation to human quality of life, and emphasized species and ecosystem conservation. Since its implementation 40 years ago, the ESA has brought management attention to over 1400 species in the United States alone. Millions of acres of habitat have been labeled as management or protected zones.  Members supporting the ESA try to emphasize that this act is beneficial to the US economy, provides human recreation, supports plants that filter our watersheds, provides water storage, and flood protection. So far for every species that has been placed under protection by the ESA, extinction has been prevented and some species have seen a resurgence in population.

                Biodiversity is an important issue and has direct implications on the human way of life. As climate change is increased more and more every year, the risk of extinction for species increases by 20-30%. The loss of a species is an alarm for even larger environmental issues. Species are the most measurable indicator of progress on the environment besides water quality. Species and habitat must be managed together to produce significant a significant impact on species management. Since the inception of the ESA, the decisions of what species would be protected was made by citizen petitions and lawsuits. Communities of dedicated individuals have provide the backing behind these decisions and show that a few people can make a difference in their area. The ultimate goal of the ESA is to stimulate recovery of habitat and individual species to the point where the act is no longer needed.  The documentary ended with some main messages being exemplified. That interest in clean energy and building a sustainable economy has increased among Americans. That there are key opportunities to show how wildlife conservation is part of the “Green jobs” and sustainability agenda. That a national dialogue is needed expressing the role of conservation laws in strengthening our economy and quality of life.