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Conservation movements Wise use to Silent Spring and beyond.

Environmentalism Frawley, 1992 a range of thought and action concerned with the relationship between people and their environment the basis of a social and political movement which advocates a new philosophy of human conduct towards nature

- need to be clear on how the term environmentalism is used.

- not necessarily talking about the contemporary political movement

- the latter definition refers to the modern conservation movement

- as per the first definition, however, there have always, of course, been versions of environmentalism in Australia.

- Apart from thinking that emphasised pioneering and

exploitative relationships, there have been many threads of environmentalism in Australia, whereby concern of various sorts for the impacts of development has developed

Powell, J. Environmental Management in Australia Bolton, G. (1992) Spoils and Spoilers: A History of Australian Shaping their Environment

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Frawley identifies three general periods

1) Exploitative pioneering: nineteenth century onwards

2) National Development and wise use of resources: c.1900-1960s (the first conservation movement)

3) Modern Environmentalism: 1960s present (the

second conservation movement)

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Heathcotes five visions of Australia

- useful as a framework for tracing the evolution of environmentalism (in both senses of the word in Australia) and the origins of modern environmental ideas in Australia.

- illustrate the range and complexity of often overlapping versions of environmentalism

- illustrate the varying (in time) of how particular bodies of thought, knowledge or ideas change and can either encompass different values or remain remarkably true to past values while taking on new forms

i) The Scientific vision spirit of inquiry-

applied- ii) Romantic vision aesthetic-sublime- wild

nature iii) Colonial economic development- progress-

wise use-ESD (dev) iv) National confidence-potential-heritage v) Ecological challenge-limits-preservation-

ESD (ecological)

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The Visions 1) Scientific

a new land scientific curiosity Joseph Banks, collections sent home from the

new world Application and development of technical

knowledge to the new environment soils, climate etc

Biodiversity protection 2) Romantic

aesthetic qualities of nature and scenery nature as wild nature as sublime spiritual dimension religion, solace, secular awe nature as respite nature as harmonious wilderness movement, national parks

3) Colonial

dominant vision economic development and progress through

transformation of Australian environment according to values brought from Britain

wise use philosophy from the US dont waste the water ESD?

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4) National

confidence in the future and potential of Australia pride in Australian landscapes and flora and

fauna pride in the achievement of European settlement

as evidenced by establishment of agriculture in a difficult climate and in schemes such as the Snowy River hydro scheme

Australian Geographic Society 5) Ecological

challenges development ethos deplores careless exploitation emphasises environmental constraints Australia in global context Protection of biodiversity ESD?

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Conservation and Preservation

Conservation Anthropocentric Wise use Careful management Accommodating

Preservation

Biocentric Protection of landscapes, ecosystems,

species Can be radical and challenging to status quo

but can also be highly conservative

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Some key events in the evolution of Australian environmentalism 1879-1949

1879: Royal National park established, first in Australia (primarily for recreation of Sydneysiders)

1909: Nature Preservation Society established

1920s and 1930s: Sydney bushwalkers, Myles Dunphy and NSW national park campaigns (esp. Blue Mountains)

1938: NSW Soil Conservation Service established

1949-1971: Foundations of the modern movement

Expansion of national parks/conservation reserves

Creation of professionalised government conservation agencies (eg. NPWS)

1965: Australian conservation foundation formed

1950s and 1960s growing conflicts over land use (eg the watershed Little Desert conflict in Victoria see Robin, L. (1998) Defending the Little Desert, MUP, Melbourne or chapter in Powell, J.M. (1974) The Making of Rural Australia, Sorrett, Melbourne.)

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1972-Present 1972: Lake Pedder flooding in Tasmania

influential Tasmanian environmental movement forged

Growth in number and size of NGO conservation organizations

Environmental Impact Assessment introduced 1974

Early 1980s: Franklin Dam campaign in Tasmania high profile national environmental campaign that placed environment firmly on the political agenda in Australia

Urban environmental issues emerged Increased and active involvement of

conservation groups in political processes and lobbying

Globalisation/global consciousness enters evironmentalism and environmental politics and policy

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Environmental Legislation

Environmental Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act 1974 (Cwlth) World Heritage Properties Conservation Act 1983 (Cwth) National Parks and Widlife Conservation Act 1975 (Cwlth) Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 2000 (Cwlth) NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 SA Wilderness Protection Act 1992