Looking Back to the Future: The Curmudgeon's Guide to the Future of Environmental Law

Abstract

America has been in the Environmental Era since Earth Day 1970. The emphasis is now on resource conservation, environmental quality and environmentalists. The first 360 years of America though were one of resource exploitation with a celebration of master builders. The question raised is if the past four decades will trump the preceding 36 decades. The article describes the history of America's resource exploitation. It is a companion piece to an earlier publication, Perspectives on Forty Years of Environmental Law.

Keywords: History, Environmental History, Resource Exploitation, Environmental Law, Landmarks of America's Development