What was the origin of the green movement?
According to historical accounts, the initial stirrings of the green movement can be traced back to concerns over air pollution in 13th-century London.
The journey towards what we now recognize as the green movement began not with formal organizations or global treaties, but with direct observations of environmental degradation and its impact on human health.
Early Recognition of Pollution
The very first indication pointing towards the Green Movement emerged in 1285 in London. At this time, the air quality had deteriorated significantly due to the thick smog resulting from the burning of coal. This became such an obvious health problem that it marked a key early recognition of human activity causing environmental harm and prompting concern.
This early awareness highlights that environmental issues, particularly pollution, were a noticeable problem centuries ago, laying foundational concerns that would much later evolve into a widespread movement.
Influential Early Voices
Centuries later, in 1661, we find one of the most prominent early voices expressing environmentalist views: John Evelyn. He published his influential work, “Fumifugium, or The Inconvenience of the Aer and the Smoak of London Dissipated”. Evelyn's writing served as a detailed critique of the air pollution in London and advocated for solutions, positioning him as perhaps the first truly vocal environmentalist.
Evelyn's work demonstrates a more structured and articulate response to environmental problems, moving beyond simple observation of health issues to a written argument for change. This marks a significant step in the development of environmental thought.
Key Historical Points
Based on these early instances, we can outline foundational moments:
- 1285: Recognition of health problems caused by coal smog in London – a practical, problem-driven origin.
- 1661: John Evelyn's "Fumifugium" – a vocal, written critique and call for addressing air pollution.
These historical occurrences, centuries before the modern environmental movement gained widespread traction, represent early instances of people identifying environmental problems and advocating for cleaner surroundings. While not a 'movement' in the modern sense, they are the initial seeds of environmental awareness from which the green movement eventually grew.
