LSAT 23, Section 4, RC Passage 3, Environmental History

RC Passage 3 Explanation

Paragraph Summaries

1. There is growing controversy between environmentalists and industrialists. It’s now harder for industrialists to respond to environmentalists’ calls for action.
2. In the past, industrialists generally agreed with environmentalist criticism. Environmentalists thought it was possible for industry to fix problems.
3. Back then, everyone thought humankind should keep the earth in good condition. It was easier for environmentalists and industrialists to agree whether there was a problem, and environmentalists did not blame any industrialist personally.
4. In the 1960s, environmentalists began to argue that nature should be left alone.
5. This philosophy argues that industry should do less.

Analysis

This author gives us a history of environmentalism. This context allows us to better understand the current, polarized debate.

In the past, it was easier for both sides to agree. Environmentalists and industrialists shared the enlightenment ideal of responsible development of the land.

Now both sides have moved further apart. The author focusses on environmentalists; they have become more radical. Environmentalists now want us to leave the Earth alone.

The author doesn’t tell us much about modern industrialists, and the author doesn’t take sides. The author does deplore polarization, and they imply that environmentalist is now too extreme, but the author never says that industrialists are right or that environmentalists are wrong.