The History and Philosophical Changes of the Environmental Reform Movement

Abstract

This chapter is an account that provides a chronology of the philosophical evolution of the human viewpoint from the perspective of the apex species on the planet. The gradual change from unrelenting growth and production towards one that embraces conservation, resource management, and the protection of populations from the consequences of rapid technological development came to a inflection point in the mid-20th century that resulted in a revised outlook on mankind's obligations to current populations, including other species, future generations, and Earth as a whole. The chapter will highlight the effects of the Industrial Revolution, expansionism, and the exploitation and mismanagement of resources from overuse and overharvesting of Earth's ecosystems. These practices led to tragedies that shifted the paradigm to environmental responsibility and accountability in the 20th century.