Historical Background: This section focuses on documents relating to the environmental movement in Colorado (particularly Denver and Boulder) in the 1960s and 1970s. Throughout the United States, grassroots efforts attempted to fight the growing environmental issues surrounding pollution, transportation, and waste management. Many of these activities culminated in the first Earth Day in 1970 and the creation of the US EPA later that year.
Communication Strategies: The following documents also highlight a variety of different communications methods: cartoons, government reports, pamphlets, and flyers. As you look through the materials below, think about who wrote the documents, who the audience of the items are, and what their biases/goals were. Some also have implicit ethical arguments about the value of the non-human world.
During the 1960s, Patrick Oliphant created cartoons nearly every day for the Denver Post and for LA Times syndication (which means these cartoons were often published in newspapers around the country). Some of them deal with environmental themes as do the two below. What do you find effective or ineffective about this method of communication?
Boulder was one of the first cities in the country to pass a tax-funded open space ordinance (first called the Greenbelt). The goal, as the name implies, was to surround Boulder with open space to slow growth, provide more outdoor access, and preserve the environment. As you look through these documents (two pamphlets arguing for the program and a flyer promoting a later vote on increasing the program), try to find what ethical arguments their authors are communicating, as well as any issues they may not be addressing.
Transportation in the Boulder area was a major issue in the 1970s. RTD and public transportation was just reaching Boulder for the first time, while bicycles were booming as a mode of transportation. Both CU and the city of Boulder published reports on transportation, particularly addressing the role bicycles could be supported. These reports are mostly made for elected officials and administrators. How do their communication styles differ (or remain similar) to items aimed at a more general audience?
