7-1 Project
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Southern New Hampshire University *
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100
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History
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
11
Uploaded by hetalpatel39636
HIS 100 Project Template (1) HIS 100 Project Template
Hetal Patel
10-10-2023
7-1 Project Submission
Use this template to address the steps in your Project Guidelines and Rubric. Replace the bracketed text with your responses. Ensure that you have considered your instructor’s feedback when revising your work. Proofread the entire document before submitting.
Part 1: Creating a Research Question
1.
Describe how your assumptions, beliefs, and values influenced your choice of topic.
I have witnessed firsthand the significant damage that garbage has caused to our planet. These events helped shape my view in the significance of sustainability and placed a great deal of weight on how humans will protect our planet in the future; as a result, they had a significant impact on the topic that I chose. Because Earth Day represents the realization of all my core values, conducting research on this topic was an easy decision for me to make. Because the topic was tied to the things that I cared about and found interesting in my own life, it was much simpler for me to dig into the research than it 1
would have been otherwise.
2.
Discuss the significance of your historical research question in relation to your current event.
The research inquiry pertains to the examination of the influence exerted by Earth Day on
contemporary political dynamics. The historical event chosen for analysis is the establishment of Earth Day, while the contemporary event picked is the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27).
A clear and direct correlation between these two events was readily identified. The increasing prominence of Earth Day as a celebration has resulted in notable legislative reforms pertaining to environmental conservation. The enactment of these legislative measures has resulted in the United States' participation in COP27, positioning them as frontrunners in the realms of sustainability and environmental advancement.
3.
Explain how you used sources to finalize your research question.
The major source utilized for the research was a publication titled "The First Earth Day: A founder of the original teach-in remembers," authored by Arthur J. Hanson. The secondary source utilized in this study is the article titled "What's happening at this year's
International Climate talks" authored by Marcene Mitchell. Hanson's article offers primary evidence of the cultural climate during the 1960s, highlighting the significant social unrest in the United States and the collective aspiration of the American populace to safeguard the environment. The individual makes mention of the teach-ins organized at
their academic institution and delineates the influence these events exerted on the 2
surrounding community, both in the period preceding the inaugural Earth Day and half a century later at Earth Day 2020. The teach-ins had a significant impact on Senator Gaylord Nelson, ultimately leading to his establishment of Earth Day as a nationally recognized holiday. Given that my research inquiry aims to establish connections between the historical context and contemporary circumstances, this source effectively bridged the 50-year hiatus and illustrated the progression of the holiday.
My investigation was able to come full circle because of Mitchell's piece since it discussed the United States' existing political position regarding the preservation of the environment in the present day. This paved the way for a direct path from the occurrence in 1970 to COP27. At the Model United Nations held in Egypt in November of 2022, the United States of America was well positioned to assume the role of leader in the environmental discussions. The prominence of Earth Day continued to expand across the nation, leading to important improvements in laws governing the protection of our natural
resources and the environment. These legislative initiatives have resulted in the United States' representation at COP27, making them leaders in the field of sustainability and environmental improvement; these accomplishments may be seen mirrored in the Inflation Reduction Act. The nation's emissions are scheduled to be cut by forty percent before the year 2030 thanks to a law that was only recently passed.
Part 2: Building Context to Address Questions
1.
Describe the context of your historical event that influenced your current event.
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The narrative presented by Hanson in The First Earth Day has significantly contributed to
the enhancement of my comprehension regarding this pivotal historical event. The article authored by the Ph.D. student in 1970 presents a distinct narrative that diverges from that of Senator Nelson.
A significant event that occurred in Michigan, located several states away, had a crucial role in establishing the foundation for Nelson's goal. Two distinct cohorts of individuals had a common objective without ever encountering each other and were able to inadvertently provide mutual assistance while being geographically apart. This indicates that Gaylord Nelson's objective of establishing Earth Day as a national event was embraced by a considerable portion of the general American population. The inaugural Earth Day established a precedent for American involvement in environmental matters and demonstrated the potential for successful political reforms. The demonstration of the senator's participation served to confirm this fact. Once more in the year 2022, it was seen that Liz Lovelett, a United States Senator from Washington State, assumed the role of a panelist at the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27). In her capacity as the vice chair of the American Environment, Energy and Technology Committee, she exemplifies
the enduring influence of Gaylord Nelson.
2.
Describe a historical figure or group’s participation in your historical event.
The individual credited with the establishment of Earth Day was Gaylord Nelson, a Democratic Senator. Consequently, Nelson holds significant historical importance during
this period. The individual, who was born in Wisconsin in 1916, embarked on a 4
prolonged political career, commencing with their involvement in the county senate. Subsequently, they served two terms as the Governor of Wisconsin, and later represented their home state as a senator for a duration of 18 years. Nelson demonstrated his commitment to environmental conservation at an early stage through
the initiation of the Outdoor Recreation Acquisition Program, which allocated financing for the preservation of almost 1 million acres of land designated as state parks. The individual discovered his fervor and aspired to persistently disseminate his escalating apprehensions regarding the deforestation of the cherished territories to the wider populace of the nation.
3.
Explain the historical figure or group’s motivation to participate in your historical event.
Sen. Nelson observed a disparity between the environmental restrictions and safeguards imposed by local and federal administrations and deemed this a flaw that required correction. Earth Day was created because of his conception of a day designed to generate discussion and promote environmental awareness.
Part 3: Examining How Bias Impacts Narrative
1.
Describe a narrative you identified while researching the history of your historical event.
The narratives of each source exhibit a notable degree of similarity, as they adopt the perspective of an environmentalist and center their focus on the consequences of events such as Earth Day, emphasizing the beneficial environmental transformations they engender. In contrast to Earth Day, Mitchell's post mostly centers its focus on COP27. 5
This article exclusively focuses on the present and future, without making any references to the past. The papers authored by Ruben, Hanson, and Dietz provide a comprehensive account of the narrative surrounding Gaylord Nelson and his efforts to establish Earth Day as an officially recognized holiday at the national level. The publications "Speaking for the Earth" and "Earth Day: 50 years of continuity and change in environmentalism" chronicle the evolution of the celebration during periods of 25 and 50 years, respectively.
The three essays examine Gaylord's mission from several views, including those of a journalist, an environmental sociologist, and a colleague. On each occasion, Senator Nelson emerged as a progressive force, effectively disseminating awareness of environmental issues at a national level, leading to a shared conclusion among all parties involved. During a historical period characterized by the division of the United States due
to overseas warfare, and a media landscape preoccupied with celebrity culture and the advent of color television, Nelson managed to effectively communicate his message.
2.
Articulate how biased perspectives presented in primary and secondary sources influence what is known or unknown about history.
The presence of bias is an inherent possibility in the study of any matter, and the level of controversy surrounding a topic directly correlates with the increased likelihood of prejudice. The inception of Earth Day marked the establishment of a comprehensive holiday with the primary objective of raising awareness among the general populace on matters pertaining to environmental well-being. COP27, on the other hand, is subject to considerable controversy due to its advancement towards the global elimination of fossil 6
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fuels, a development that carries the potential to adversely affect influential individuals. The fossil fuel industry is widely regarded as one of the most financially rewarding sectors globally, hence endowing its investors with a comparatively elevated level of influence and power. This phenomenon gives rise to divergent perspectives aimed at undermining the veracity of global warming. However, given the scientific nature of this topic, both sources are rooted in information, whereas opposing perspectives would likely
rely on subjective opinions and personal biases. However, if the researcher refrains from disclosing this supplementary story, their perception may be prone to distortion.
3.
Identify the perspectives that you think are missing from your historical event’s narrative.
Both the main and secondary sources utilized in this research exhibit comparable perspectives and demonstrate a limited degree of bias. Both sources neglect to emphasize the adverse implications of environmental reform, namely pertaining to the substantial financial burden associated with such endeavors.
This encompasses individuals involved in the oil industry who have amassed significant wealth, as well as professionals specializing in financial management and investment strategies. Excluding the details, the papers suggest that sustainability is portrayed as a readily achievable and flawless remedy.
Part 4: Connecting the Past with the Present
1.
Explain how researching its historical roots helped improve your understanding of your current event.
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Through an investigation of the historical origins of COP27, it has been ascertained that the United States has exhibited fluctuating levels of commitment towards environmental matters. The presence of this inconsistency has resulted in a widespread impact on a global scale. The United States is a prominent worldwide force that has witnessed national leaders that persistently undermine the significance of global warming issues. The participation of the United States in COP27 signifies the initiation of a previously delayed phase of American intervention and sustainable development. If consistent and continuous efforts had been made since the establishment of Earth Day in 1970, it is plausible that the United States may have already attained a state of net-zero emissions. When examining this contemporary occurrence via a historical lens, it becomes evident that there exists a clear correlation between prior events and the present situation, highlighting the increasing level of importance placed by the American populace on the preservation and conservation of the environment.
2.
Articulate how questioning your assumptions, beliefs, and values may benefit you as an individual.
I was able to discover the missing story from my study and build a complete picture of how Earth Day has been able to affect present day politics by calling into question my assumptions, beliefs, and ideals. I was able to carry out research that was uninformed by my own biases and was all-encompassing since I overcame the limitations imposed by my own preconceptions. This method is applicable to both professional and personal concerns and can be used again. The realization of the missing component of the picture 8
contributes to the development of a more in-depth comprehension of any subject matter.
3.
Discuss how being a more historically informed citizen may help you understand contemporary issues.
A person who knows about history knows both facts about the past and how to do accurate study on the past. This level of literacy lets you understand any problem in the world and think of ways to solve it without any bias. It also lets you correctly guess what problems will happen in the future and how to solve them. Knowing about the past can help you guess what will happen in the future. In the 1960s, for example, when the idea for Earth Day was first thought of, the country was at odds with its government and dealing with tough foreign affairs and unequal civil rights. COP27 took place in 2022, just as the world was on the verge of a third world war. At the same time, there were a lot
of police killings of African Americans, and a new wave of civil rights groups was about to start. Politicians and other powerful people can use these related problems to figure out
how to solve new problems in the future by looking at how old problems were solved.
References.
In 2020, Dietz, T. The fight for the earth has changed and stayed the same over the past 9
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50 years. The fourth issue of One Earth has pages 306-308.
Jensen, A. J. (April 21, 2020). The First Earth Day: A leader of the first teach-in talks about it.
It stands for the International Institute for Sustainable Development. Get this on November 20, 2022, from https://www.iisd.org/articles/insight/first-earth-day-founder-
original-teach-remembers
Lovelett, L. (2022, December 16). WA may lead the way for the world in climate-change
struggle. The publication is known as The Seattle Times. The information was obtained on December 18, 2022, from. https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/wa-can-lead-the-
way-for-the-world-in-climate-change-fight/
M. Mitchell's article from the 7th of November in 2022. The current situation at the annual international climate change discussions. WWF. This information was retrieved on November 19, 2022, from https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/what-s-happening-at-
this-year-s-international-climate-talks
Ruben, B. (1995) authored an article titled "Speaking for the Earth" which was published in the journal Environmental Action. The article can be found in volume 27, issue 1, on page 11. https://eds-s-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.snhu.edu/eds/detail/detail?
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