Over the years, environmental activism in America has evolved. The movement began with a concern for wilderness and focused on pollution as we transitioned into the Industrial Revolution. Events that occurred during World War II then gave rise to the modern environmental movement in which the post-war generation no longer accepted environmental destruction at the price of progress. And now, the environmental challenge that defines our time is climate change.

In this episode of Big World, SIS professor Paul Wapner joins us to discuss environmental activism as well as the problems with America’s idealized notion of Nature (1:47). He explains how “wild places” can be defined (4:51), why it’s important for humans to recognize their power over ecology (6:35), and how environmental activism has changed over the years (7:56). We also ask Wapner to define and tell us more about climate suffering (14:56).

Now that Earth is on track to pass the two-degree Celsius global warming threshold, is it too late for environmental activism (21:22)? Wapner discusses what we should do now that climate change isn’t so much a puzzle that has a solution but is rather a permanent part of the human condition (23:09). On a lighter note, Wapner shares why he chose to jump into the Potomac River on a cold day in February (26:36).

During our “Take Five” segment, Wapner tells us five ways he would change the underlying engines of environmental degradation (11:16).

In this episode of Big World, SIS professor Paul Wapner joins us to discuss environmental activism and how it has changed over the years.