The History of the Conservation Movement PART 1: Introduction

It is getting easier to have a positive outlook on the progress of global sustainability. As we see how President Obama is really putting his foot forward to increase sustainable living, we can be more optimistic about the progress our nation can have in reducing global emissions and preserving natural wildlife. Optimism can help to motivate us to keep fighting the seemingly endless battle against humanity's impact on the earth. By learning about how humans have impacted the environment, we can learn more about how to alter the damaging effects. While we look for more answers in solving environmental challenges, I thought it would be appropriate to reflect upon the roots of the conservation movement.

As we look into the past, it is important to be careful to not judge or blame people for their actions. It is too late to hold them accountable. Instead, we must look into the past with an understanding that cultivates purposeful actions for the future. Understanding people's behavior can help us to look objectively and learn from others' decisions. This is an important concept in understanding why people choose to or not to inhabit the earth respectfully. If we look past their actions, we can realize that their poor decisions were a result of their own suffering. It is imperative that we remove our presentistic lenses and observe the past with a past-minded perspective. Learning about the past can help us to understand humanity and to take responsibility for preventing future damage.

Before I discuss the conservation movement, I think it is important to recognize the pioneers of sustainable living: the Native Americans. In Native American culture, sustainability was a lifestyle. They understood the importance of respecting the earth and their interconnection with nature. Native Americans conserved the land and did not take in excess. Their values can serve as lessons in our approach to improving national and global sustainability.

The vastness of Native American culture was spread throughout the American continents. When the Europeans arrived, they brought their own expectations that distorted their perception of the beautiful land. However, their distorted view had such a destructive impact on the Native Americans and their land. The Europeans left behind a land that did not practice sustainability and brought this lack of knowledge to the Americas. The results of their ignorance demanded the need for a conservation movement.