Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Before the 1960s
Resources,
energy,
land,
etc.
Waste,
heat,
etc.
Human activity
FIGURE 2-1
In the decade of 1960s, perhaps beginning with the publication of Silent Spring by Rachel Carson,
we began to understand the implications of our freewheeling use of resources and our disposal
habits. At the end of the decade, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was passed and the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established. Some, at least, began to understand our
situation as depicted in Figure 2-2: The source and sink are connected, and in a way that has serious
implications for our future. Stuff moves back from the sink to the source. If, following the path of the
dashed arrow, that movement occurs naturally, we call it pollution. If the transfer, according to the solid
arrows is back through human activity, we call it recycling. In any event, we have to deal with the fact
that our source and our sink are connected. GIS can help.
After the 1960s
Resources,
energy,
land,
etc.
Waste,
heat,
etc.
Human activity
FIGURE 2-2
 
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