En

viro

nmen

tal h

eal

th

Per capita GNP

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

National Pollutant Emissions

Nitrogen oxidesSulfur dioxidePM10PM2.5

Mill

ions

of t

ons

pe

r ye

ar

YEAR

In the study of history, nothing is more fascinating than the emergence of those ideas that periodically galvanize mankind into urgent action. Such ideas leap onto the center stage of public awareness, stay for a time, and then effectively vanish.

The most interesting moments in this process, of course, are those when the idea is on stage, when it engages the public in passionate debate, when people struggle to fit the idea into the existing order, and when, through their efforts, people inevitably change both the existing order and the character of the idea.

William D. Ruckelshaus ‘85

%age change in program funding

The system usually ignores new developments, sticking to a status quo policy until there is some often-belated recognition that action is required; at this point very large changes are common.

F.J. Baumgartner, In: R. Repetto (2006)

Do you believe that acid rain “killed” hundreds of lakes in the northeastern United States?

a. yes, I believe this is true.

b. no, I believe this is false.

c. I don’t know (or never thought about this).

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

National Pollutant Emissions

Nitrogen oxidesSulfur dioxidePM10PM2.5

Mill

ions

of t

ons

pe

r ye

ar

YEAR

Claims of acid rain “naysayers” during the 1980s

General: We don’t need to control acid rain

1. Rainfall is naturally acidic and most sources of acid rain pre-cursors are natural (volcanoes, swamps, etc.)

2. Gradual acidification of lakes is a natural phenomenon

3. Some lakes are naturally acidic and never supported fish populations

4. Fish stories

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

National Pollutant Emissions

Nitrogen oxidesSulfur dioxidePM10PM2.5

Mill

ions

of t

ons

pe

r ye

ar

YEAR

Claims of acid rain “naysayers” during the 1980s

General: We don’t need to control acid rain

1. Rainfall is naturally acidic and most sources of acid rain pre-cursors are natural (volcanoes, swamps, etc.)

2. Gradual acidification of lakes is a natural phenomenon

3. Some lakes are naturally acidic and never supported fish populations

4. Fish stories

In the study of history, nothing is more fascinating than the emergence of those ideas that periodically galvanize mankind into urgent action. Such ideas leap onto the center stage of public awareness, stay for a time, and then effectively vanish.

The most interesting moments in this process, of course, are those when the idea is on stage, when it engages the public in passionate debate, when people struggle to fit the idea into the existing order, and when, through their efforts, people inevitably change both the existing order and the character of the idea.

William D. Ruckelshaus ‘85

The system usually ignores new developments, sticking to a status quo policy until there is some often-belated recognition that action is required; at this point very large changes are common.

F.J. Baumgartner, In: R. Repetto (2006)

Biomass for live and dead trees on W6 over time

Year1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Mg/ha (live trees > 10 cm dbh)

100

120

140

160

180

200

220

240

Mg/ha(dead trees and live trees 2-9 cm dbh)

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Live trees > 10 cm dbh

Dead trees > 10 cm dbh

live trees 2-9 cm dbh

c:\crap-7 w6-mass.jnb

Biomass for live and dead trees on W6 over time

Year1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Mg/ha (live trees > 10 cm dbh)

100

120

140

160

180

200

220

240

Mg/ha(dead trees and live trees 2-9 cm dbh)

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Live trees > 10 cm dbh

Dead trees > 10 cm dbh

live trees 2-9 cm dbh

c:\crap-7 w6-mass.jnb

Figure 3