During the progressive era, environmentalism became an issue of significance after social scientists universally agreed that outside influences shaped human actions. Therefore, those who were important in shaping the environment, became interested in trying to control these outside forces. There were two camps within the early formation of this movement, the social scientists and planners who sought to combine nature with urban development and the conservationists who wanted to apply the principles of science and engineering to responsibly use natural resources. The conservationist movement emphasized “the aesthetic and spiritual values of the unspoiled wilderness”. The two groups would come into conflict in the early 20th century over the Hetch Hetchy Dam, an urban planning project that would supply San Francisco with a much needed water supply but at the cost of a portion of Yosemite National Park. Throughout chapter twelve, Protecting the Natural and Man-Made Environments, we get many perspectives on social science environmentalism versus conservationism. This analysis will address the main points and summarize each of the essays presented in this collection of documents regarding the environment and urban development.
In Frederick Law Olmsted’s, a New York architect, essay we read about the benefits mankind would enjoy from New York’s Central Park. In the essay we also see the connection that was being forged between moral reformers and urban environmentalists in the late 1800s. Throughout the essay Olmsted argues for the spiritual values that such a development as Central Park offers to the common man. He argues that businessmen who are stressed out and close to break down can be rejuvenated merely by regular trips to the nature of the Park. He argues this not only is good for the individual, but, since it rejuvenates him it is good for industry, “By simply adopting this course as a habit, men…are able to ...