Environmentalism
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In short, environmentalism is a concern for the environment, advocacy to protect it, and the impact humans have on the environment. Environmentalists work to protect the environment from humanity's abuse.
Conservation believes that nature and humans can co-exist in a symbiotic relationship. Conservationists believe that humans are a positive aspect of the equation and can use resources while protecting nature for future use.
Who is Sir David Attenborough?
David Attenborough is a British broadcaster, biologist, and naturalist. He has hosted and narrated hundreds, if not thousands of hours of nature specials and documentaries. At 97 years old (2023) he is still active in his filmmaking and work to save the environment. He reminds us, "You can do more and more and more the longer you live, but the best motto to think about is not waste things. Don't waste electricity, don't waste paper, don't waste food. Live the way you want to live but just don't waste." -Guardian Newspaper, October 18, 2019.
Attenborough is the leading voice for world unity addressing the climate crisis. When receiving the United Nations' Champion of the Earth Lifetime Achievement Award for his research, documentation, and advocacy for the protection of nature and its restoration, he stated, matter of factly, "The world has to get together. These problems cannot be solved by one nation – no matter how big that single nation is. We know what the problems are and we know how to solve them. All we lack is unified action." “Fifty years ago, whales were on the very edge of extinction worldwide. Then people got together and now there are more whales in the sea than any living human being has ever seen. If we act together, we can solve these problems.” He continues to be a powerful voice for the environment.
Many believe that the first care takers of the environment are the native and indigenous people throughout the world. In fact, many cities, states, and municipalities are turning public land management over to the native and indigenous tribes to care for the environment and local ecosystems.
Prior to the idea of returning the land to those who cared for it before the arrival of European settlers, Conservationism was in the hands of outdoorsmen and politicians. Theodore Roosevelt was an ardent proponent of the preservation of our natural resources. Through his connections with John Muir and other conservation scientists of the day, he helped create the national parks system we have today.
The contemporary environmental movement was born from the major concerns about protecting the countryside in Europe and the wilderness of the Unites States and North America and from the health consequences of pollution during the Industrial Revolution. It truly took off in the 1960s following several man made disasters including an oil spill in Santa Barbara, the Cuyahoga fires, and the pollution of the Great Lakes. These catastrophes angered the general public and solidified the public's environmental consciousness, which helped create the conditions for a spate of federal laws like the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Clean Water Act of 1972.
We moved toward protecting the environment, but have not kept up with the ever growing human population that is stripping the environment faster than it can be repaired. More needs to be done to reverse the recent century and a half of abuse. It cannot be accomplished by individual citizens; industry and government must become involved if there's going to be real lasting change.
As a means of understanding the environmental impact of animal farming, for meat and dairy consumption, according to Denver Water, an environmental protection organization, estimates that it takes 1,847 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef. That amount of water can fill 39 bathtubs to the brim. Many vegans state that animal cruelty and environmental impact led them to a vegan lifestyle. CBC Kids-Is Going Vegan Really Better for the Environment?
According to the Humane League, animal agriculture uses 20% of freshwater globally, and in the United States alone, 60% of fresh water is used for growing crops. Therefore, 80% of fresh water is used in our food supply. These statistics alone show the impact becoming vegan can have on the world's fresh water supply. And, according to the BBC, if the entirety of the world became vegan, food-related emissions could drop by 68% over a 15 year time frame. This would significantly reduce the impacts of climate change. According to the United Nations, farmed livestock accounts for 11.2% of manmade greenhouse gas emissions. That's a lot of environmental impact for the meat industry.
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The subject of the environment, particularly "climate change," "global warming," and the use of fossil fuels is a hot button political issue. Lobbyists, politicians, and environmental organizations on both sides continue to argue the impact humans have on the environment. Science continues to release the data that shows the impact humans have on the environment.
The controversy comes from those who wish to utilize the Earth's resources without consequence. The Earth is heating and environmental scientists agree that we cannot sustain the impact humans are having without significant changes to protect the Earth and her resources for future generations.
