HISTORY OF ENVIRONMENTALISM
Environmentalism is a political, social, and economic movement that aims to protect the
environment and reduce the negative impact of human activities on it. Environmentalism
can be categorized into two main perspectives: ecocentrism and anthropocentrism.
Ecocentrism is a holistic view that values all living species equally, while
anthropocentrism focuses on the management and utility of the environment for human
activities. Environmentalism advocates the preservation, restoration and improvement
of the natural environment and critical earth system elements or processes such as the
climate, and may be referred to as a movement to control pollution or protect plant and
animal diversity.environmentalism is an attempt to balance relations between humans
and the various natural systems on which they depend in such a way that all the
components are accorded a proper degree of sustainability. An environmentalist is a
person who may speak out about our natural environment and the sustainable
management of its resources through changes in public policy or individual behaviour.
1. Ancient Environmental Wisdom
● Timeline: Prehistoric to Ancient Civilizations (before 500 BCE)
● Global: Indigenous and ancient societies often held nature in deep reverence.
Various cultures, such as Native Americans, Australian Aboriginals, and African
tribal communities, integrated sustainable practices into their way of life.
Civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and China also showed early
signs of environmental management, although these societies often prioritized
human needs over ecological balance.
● India: Ancient Indian civilizations, such as the Indus Valley Civilization
(3300-1300 BCE), practiced urban planning that included waste management
systems and efficient water use. Religious texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, and
Puranas emphasize the sanctity of nature, and practices like tree worship,
reverence for rivers, and respect for animals were part of spiritual and daily life.
Buddhism and Jainism, with their principles of ahimsa (non-violence), also
stressed harmony with nature.
2. Medieval to Early Modern Environmentalism
● Timeline: 500 CE – 1700 CE
● Global: In Europe, this period saw the rise of deforestation, over-farming, and
unsustainable hunting practices that caused widespread environmental
degradation. However, movements like the establishment of royal forests and
game reserves in England were early attempts to regulate the use of natural
resources.
● India: Indian rulers, especially during the Mughal period (1526-1857 CE), were
involved in massive construction projects that altered landscapes, but there were
also early conservation efforts. Emperor Akbar established hunting reserves and
emphasized tree planting. Indian literature of this period also reflected concern
for the natural world, often weaving it into poetic and spiritual narratives.
3. The Industrial Revolution and the Birth of Modern Environmentalism
● Timeline: 18th to 19th Century
● Global: The Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries transformed
societies across Europe and the United States, leading to rapid urbanization,
deforestation, and pollution. The increasing exploitation of natural resources
spurred a new awareness of the impacts on human health and ecosystems. In
1872, the world's first national park, Yellowstone, was established in the U.S.,
symbolizing the beginning of modern environmental conservation.
● India: In India, British colonial rule saw vast deforestation for timber and the
establishment of plantations. The Indian Forest Act of 1865 (amended in 1878)
gave the colonial state control over forests and their resources, often at the
expense of indigenous communities who had traditionally depended on these
ecosystems. During this period, the Chipko movement's roots were formed,
though it would fully emerge later.
4. The Early 20th Century: Conservation and Ecology
● Timeline: Early 1900s to mid-1900s
● Global: In the early 20th century, conservation became a key concern. Figures
like Theodore Roosevelt in the U.S. advocated for preserving natural landscapes.
In the 1930s, Aldo Leopold published A Sand County Almanac, which introduced
the concept of the "land ethic," emphasizing the importance of biodiversity.
Simultaneously, scientists began to understand the ecological impacts of human
activities.
● India: The early 20th century saw a rise in environmental consciousness in India.
Mahatma Gandhi, while primarily a political leader, emphasized a simple,
sustainable lifestyle. His philosophy of self-sufficiency, minimal consumption, and
harmony with nature influenced later Indian environmental movements. The
Indian independence movement also included aspects of forest conservation, as
colonial exploitation of resources was heavily criticized.
5. Post-World War II Environmentalism
● Timeline: 1940s-1970s
● Global: After World War II, environmentalism became a global movement, driven
by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and the rise of consumerism. Rachel
Carson’s seminal book Silent Spring (1962) exposed the dangers of chemical
pesticides like DDT and sparked the modern environmental movement. This era
also saw the founding of organizations like Greenpeace (1971) and Earth Day
celebrations starting in 1970, raising global awareness about environmental
degradation.
● India: In India, the Chipko movement (1973) became a symbol of grassroots
environmental activism. Women from Uttarakhand embraced trees to prevent
them from being cut down, successfully halting deforestation. This movement
drew global attention to the ecological issues in India and highlighted the role of
rural women in conservation. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy in 1984, when a pesticide
plant leaked toxic gases, further galvanized the Indian environmental movement,
illustrating the dangers of industrial pollution.
6. The Rise of Global Environmental Governance
● Timeline: 1970s-1990s
● Global: In the 1970s and 80s, environmentalism became institutionalized. The
1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm was a
turning point, as it established environmental protection as a global priority. In
1987, the Brundtland Commission published Our Common Future, coining the
term "sustainable development." The 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro led to
the establishment of critical frameworks like the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
● India: India became a participant in global environmental governance, adopting
laws and policies to address environmental concerns. The Forest Conservation
Act of 1980 and the Environment Protection Act of 1986 were passed to regulate
forest use and protect natural resources. India also became a signatory to global
agreements on biodiversity and climate change, highlighting its growing role in
the international environmental movement.
7. Environmentalism in the 21st Century
● Timeline: 2000s - Present
● Global: The 21st century has witnessed escalating concerns over climate
change, with global movements like Fridays for Future (led by Greta Thunberg)
bringing millions to the streets. The 2015 Paris Agreement marked a global
commitment to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The
focus has shifted toward renewable energy, sustainable development, and
biodiversity conservation. Environmental justice, which emphasizes the fair
distribution of environmental benefits and burdens, has also become a prominent
issue.
● India: India has played a significant role in global climate talks, balancing its
development needs with environmental commitments. India’s push for renewable
energy, particularly solar power, has made it a leader in the global green energy
transition. Initiatives like the National Green Tribunal (2010) and Swachh Bharat
Abhiyan (Clean India Mission, 2014) reflect both environmental and public health
concerns. However, challenges like air pollution, water scarcity, deforestation,
and the impact of climate change on agriculture and rural communities persist.
Timeline of Environmentalism
Ancient Civilizations (3300 BCE–500 CE): Indigenous practices, Vedic
reverence for nature, early conservation efforts in ancient empires.
Industrial Revolution (1760–1840): Rapid deforestation, pollution in Europe;
environmental literature and conservation ideas emerge.
Late 19th Century: Yellowstone National Park (1872), Indian Forest Act (1865,
1878), early global conservation movements.
Early 20th Century: Theodore Roosevelt, Aldo Leopold's Land Ethic, Indian
independence movements emphasizing self-sufficiency and conservation.
Post-World War II (1940s–1970s): Rise of global environmentalism, Rachel
Carson’s Silent Spring (1962), Earth Day (1970), Chipko movement in India
(1973).
1980s–1990s: Global summits (Stockholm, 1972; Rio, 1992), sustainable
development, Indian environmental laws (1980, 1986).
21st Century: Paris Agreement (2015), Fridays for Future, India’s renewable
energy push, climate adaptation policies.
Important milestones
1962 - "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson: This book raised awareness about
the dangers of pesticides and is considered a seminal work in the modern
environmental movement.
1971 - Ramsar Convention: An international treaty for the conservation and
sustainable use of wetlands.
1972 - UN Conference on Human Environment at Stockholm: The first major
international conference on environmental issues, leading to the creation of the
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
1973 - Project Tiger (India): A wildlife conservation initiative to protect Bengal
tigers from extinction in India.
1973 - CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species): A
multilateral treaty to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants
does not threaten their survival.
1979 - Three Mile Island Nuclear Disaster: A partial meltdown of a nuclear
reactor in Pennsylvania, USA, raising concerns about nuclear energy safety.
1984 - Bhopal Gas Tragedy: A catastrophic industrial disaster in India, where a
gas leak killed thousands, highlighting the risks of industrial negligence.
1985 - Vienna Convention on Ozone Depletion: A framework for international
efforts to protect the ozone layer.
1987 - Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer: An
international treaty designed to phase out the production of substances that
cause ozone depletion.
1987 - Brundtland Commission: Released the report "Our Common Future,"
popularizing the term "sustainable development."
1986 - Chernobyl Disaster & Environment Protection Act: The Chernobyl
nuclear accident, one of the worst in history, prompted stricter environmental and
nuclear regulations globally.
1988 - IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change): Established to
provide scientific assessments on climate change, its impacts, and future risks.
1992 - Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro: A landmark UN conference addressing
environmental issues and sustainable development, leading to important treaties.
1992 - UNFCCC, UNCBD, UNCCD: Agreements on climate change, biodiversity,
and desertification signed at the Rio Earth Summit.
1997 - Kyoto Protocol: An international treaty that commits countries to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions.
2002 - Earth Summit (Rio+10) at Johannesburg: A follow-up to the 1992 Earth
Summit, focusing on sustainable development.
2010 - International Solar Alliance: An initiative to promote the use of solar
energy globally, launched by India and France.
2011-2020 - UN Decade of Biodiversity: A global initiative to protect biodiversity
and halt its loss.
2020 - Earth Summit (Rio+30): Celebrated 30 years of efforts since the first
Earth Summit to address global environmental issues.
Conclusion
The history of environmentalism in India is a story of complex interrelationships between
people, culture, and nature. It spans ancient reverence for the natural world, colonial
exploitation, post-independence industrialization, and modern-day struggles with climate
change and biodiversity loss. Through grassroots activism, legal frameworks, and global
cooperation, India continues to balance its developmental aspirations with the need for
environmental sustainability.
