Contributors

Contributors to Environmental Issues, Ecology, and Environmental Science

John Muir: Influential naturalist and conservationist. First President of the Sierra Club

Aldo Leopold: Early 20^th century American ecologist and environmental writer. “Sand County Almanac”. “The Bible of the Environmental Movement” which outlines the biological community and land ethic. Helped with the Wilderness Society (wilderness and forest preservation).

Garrett Hardin: Tragedy of the Commons- 1986

Hardy & Weinberg: Population Genetics ; Hardy (1877 -1947) Mathematician; Weinburg (1862- 1937) Physician - 1908- Found that gene pool frequencies are inherently stable but evolution should be expected within all populations virtually all the time. Whose position did this idea build upon? __________

Found that evolution will NOT occur in a population if seven conditions are met.

1. Mutation is NOT occurring

2. Natural selection is NOT occurring

3. The population is infinitely large.

4. All members of the population breed

5. All mating is totally random

6. Everyone produces the same number of offspring

7. There is no migration.

Sir Charles Lyell: 1797 – 1875 Wrote “The Principles of Geology” (1830). Believed that geological & biological forces act consistently over time. Or these concepts behave the same way over time with the same intensity. Charles Darwin was influenced by him. Also wrote: “Geological Evidence of the Antiquity of Man” (1863)

Charles Darwin: Theory of Evolution based on natural selection. May have been influenced by Malthus. Wrote the “Origin of Species” (1859).

George Perkins Marsh: 19^th Century American diplomat. Father of Ecology. Wrote “Man & Nature”. Researched human actions impact upon nature.

Pres. Clinton – 42^{nd :} 1994 – Addressed high, adverse human health and environmental effects of programs, policies and activities on minority populations and low income populations. This executive order focused on the principle of “Environmental Justice”.

Pres. Theodore Roosevelt – 26^th: Antiquities Act. Known for setting aside land for national forests. Established wildlife refuges and encouraged the development of farmlands of the American west. Advocated for the protection of natural resources.

Pres. Jimmy Carter – 39^th: Energy Shortage Resolution. Was aware that energy resources were decreasing and the demand of resources, increasing. Established a national energy policy by decontrolling domestic petroleum prices to stimulate production. Also expanded the national park system by including protection of 103 million acres of Alaskan lands. US Department of Energy was formed in 1977 under Carter’s admin.. / National Energy Regulations Act.

Pres. Reagan - 40^th: Prior to his election, supported the Sagebrush Rebellion (Western states tried to gain land back from the federal government after being encouraged to give up their land when joining the union). Reagan dropped this cause when elected. Eliminated price controls on oil and gas (After the rationing of gas introduced by Carter). Pros & Cons? Established lower regulations on coal, encouraged drilling.

Pres. Franklin Roosevelt – 32^nd: Established the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps). CCC projects focused on forestry, flood control, prevention of soil erosion and fighting forest fires. Responsible for the Soil Conservation Act

Pres. Woodrow Wilson: On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the act creating the National Park Service, a new federal bureau in the Department of the Interior responsible for protecting the 40 national parks and monuments then in existence and those yet to be established. This "Organic Act" of August 25, 1916, directed the National Park Service to protect and preserve natural and cultural resources while allowing for the enjoyment of the parks. The National Park System of the United States comprised of over 400 areas covering more than 83 million acres in 49 States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Saipan, and the Virgin Islands. These areas are of such national significance as to justify special recognition and protection in accordance with various acts of Congress.

Pres. Nixon – 37^th : Responsible for the National Environmental Policy Act. Environmental Protection Agency. Also signed the Endangered Species Act in 1973.

Pres. Obama – 44^th: Focused on energy independence. Supports jobs in energy areas and alternative energy research. Domestic energy emissions has decreased to their lowest output over the course of 20 years. Offshore oil and gas regulation and oversights implemented due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the gulf. Promotion of CCS (Carbon Capture Sequestration) Technology. Established a Climate Action Plan.

Rachel Carson: Silent Spring- 1962. Effects of DDT on the environment. Often credited with beginning the environmental movement within the US

Paul Hawken: Natural Capitalism

Barry Commoner: Focused on the ozone depletion. Wrote “Closing Circle”. Also focused on the cons of nuclear testing. Ran for US president in 1980 as a Citizen’s Party Candidate.

Alfred Russell Wallace: 1923-1913;“Evolved” the concept of evolution. Wrote “The Geographical Distribution of Animals, Island Life – 1881)

Thomas Malthus: Recognized that once the carrying capacity of an area was exceeded, organisms would die of starvation. Wrote the “Principles of Populations.

Paul Ehrlich: Wrote “Population Bomb” & Population Explosion” with Anne Ehrlich

Gifford Pinchot: The greatest good to the greatest number for the longest time. Helped establish the US Forest Service, the national forest system and forest reserves. Encouraged the public use of this lands.

Alice Hamilton: Founder of occupational medicine and the first woman professor at Harvard Medical School. Concentrated on a typhoid fever epidemic in Chicago of 1902. The outbreak was due to improper sewage disposal and the role of flies in disease processes. Also studied poor immigrants, noxious chemicals and lead dust.