For assignment 1, you will be critically comparing two waves of the environmental movement in Canada, and
discussing the need for a fourth wave. You will also critically examine one key challenge that may make the
movement towards environmental sustainability in Canada a slow process. Use the Olive (2016) reading as a
starting point, and then do some research to flesh out your points and provide examples.
Specifically, discuss the following questions. Support your claims with credible and reputable sources. Do not
include these questions in the paper, and do not just answer the questions. Your paper should be cohesive and
ideas should connect and flow logically. Feel free to use headings to guide your reader through your paper
(although this is not required). Use third person when writing.
Second and Third Waves
• What were the second and third waves of the environmental movement in Canada? How were these waves
of environmentalism different from each other? Briefly explain to give context for the remaining discussion
points. Give a couple examples to illustrate.
• How have the economic and social developments of the time shaped each environmental wave?
Fourth Wave
• Olive (2016) claims that there may be a need for a fourth wave of environmentalism. Why might this be?
What might a fourth wave look like (e.g. key focus, types of policy and policy tools)? How are current
economic and social developments shaping the fourth wave?
• “The provinces want to develop economically, and the federal government does not have the power to
dictate the environmental stewardship” (Olive, 2016, p. 92). Discuss how tensions between federal and
provincial governments could act as a barrier to a fourth wave of environmentalism. Give a current
example to illustrate your point.
There is a page limit for the assignment, so this will be good practice in writing concisely. If you would like some tips for how to do this, check out the
following links:
https://writingcenter.gmu.edu/guides/writing-concisely;
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/conciseness/index.html -- see all of the categories under "Conciseness" on the left side
Sample Solution