The Green Years, 1964-1976: When Democrats and Republicans United to Repair the Earth

In the 1960s and 1970s, the US created the legislative, legal, and administrative structures for environmental protection that are still in place today. This period saw cultural change, grassroots activism, and political leadership that led to the passage of laws attacking pollution and the passage of the Wilderness Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and other land-protection measures. Republicans played a vital role in this era, with President Nixon establishing the Environmental Protection Agency and signing into law the 1970 Clean Air Act, the 1972 Clean Water Act, and the 1973 Endangered Species Act. The authors analyze the full range of transformations during this period, from the creation of new pollution-control industries to backpacking becoming mass recreation and how revelations about chemical exposure spurred the natural food movement.

Format: Hardback
Length: 375 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2021
Publisher: University Press of Kansas

In their comprehensive work, "The Green Years: 1964-1976," Gregg Coodley and David Sarasohn delve into the historical era when the United States established the legislative, legal, and administrative frameworks for environmental protection that remain in place over fifty years later. The authors present a captivating narrative that encompasses cultural change, grassroots activism, and political leadership, ultimately resulting in the passage of numerous laws aimed at combating pollution under President Johnson. Simultaneously, with Stewart Udall serving as the secretary of the interior, landmark legislation such as the Wilderness Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and other land-protection measures were enacted, redirecting the department's focus from western resource development to broader national conservation issues. The magnitude of what was achieved during this period is truly remarkable, even under conservation-minded presidents like the two Roosevelts.

The authors' fast-paced story extends beyond the Democratic Party, highlighting the vital Republican conservation tradition that thrived in the 1960s. Republicans, who were chronologically close to Theodore Roosevelt as to Donald Trump, played significant roles in both the House and Senate, as well as in the Nixon and Ford administrations. It was President Nixon who established the Environmental Protection Agency and signed into law the 1970 Clean Air Act, revisions to the Clean Water Act in 1972, and the 1973 Endangered Species Act. Under Nixon's leadership, efforts were made to safeguard oceans, forests, coastal zones, and grasslands while regulating chemicals, pesticides, and waste.

The authors meticulously analyze the wide-ranging transformations that occurred during the "Green Years," encompassing the emergence of new pollution-control industries, the widespread adoption of backpacking as a mass recreational activity, and the impact of revelations about chemical exposure on public awareness and environmental activism. They shed light on the complex interplay between government policies, corporate interests, and grassroots movements, illustrating how these factors shaped the trajectory of environmental protection in the United States.

"The Green Years" serves as a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the historical roots. It provides a comprehensive and insightful examination of a pivotal period in American history when environmental consciousness emerged, leading to the creation of lasting legacies that continue to shape our world today. Through their meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Coodley and Sarasohn have contributed to our understanding of the complex factors that shaped the nation's environmental policy and the ongoing struggle for a sustainable future.

Weight: 726g
Dimension: 163 x 238 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780700632343