The United States has gained a reputation as a rebellious country since its birth in revolution against Great Britain. Throughout history, Americans have repeatedly faced oppression, both foreign and domestic, through various wars and rights movements. Unfortunately, when it comes to environmental issues, the average American has become increasingly complacent. With renewed urgency, the government is working to combat global warming, but it lacks the necessary social support. This social support could be provided by a new environmental movement different from past efforts. Throughout American history, there have been three categories of environmental movements: preservation, conservation, and modern reform, which have failed to bring about pervasive social change or substantial impact on overall environmental health . The origin of environmentalism in the United States can be found in 19th century literature. The age of conservation began with a new appreciation of nature that emerged from transcendentalism. Ralph Waldo Emerson, author of the 1836 essay “Nature,” mentored and greatly influenced Henry David Thoreau, who later published Walden in 1854 (“Ralph Waldo Emerson”). Thoreau's studies of nature demonstrated the need to preserve wild habitat, asserting: "We need the tonic of wilderness... At the same time as we are determined to explore and learn all things, we demand that all things are mysterious and unexplorable…We can never get enough of nature” (Thoreau 187). Although Thoreau viewed nature as a spiritual development, countless environmentalists and naturalists were inspired by his revelations; including John Muir. Through his various travels and occupations through...... middle of paper ...... and Detlef F. Sprinz. International relations and global climate change. Cambridge, MA: MIT, 2001. “The Need to Conserve Our Resources” in print. Library of Congress. Library of Congress, nd Web. February 25, 2014. Nordhaus, Ted and Michael Shellenberger. Breakthrough: From the death of environmentalism to the politics of possibility. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2007. “Rachel Louise Carson” print. Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, 2014. Web. February 25, 2014. “Ralph Waldo Emerson.” Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, 2014. Web. February 26, 2014. Sussman, Brian. Eco-tyranny: How the left's green agenda will dismantle America. Washington, DC: WND, 2012. Print. Thoreau, Henry David. Walden. Philadelphia, PA: Courage, 1990. Print. “Timeline of main environmental legislations - NAEM”. The first association for EHS management. Naem.org, April 2011. Web. February 25. 2014.