In the United States, the golden age of environmental control occurred from the late 1960s until around 1980, when nearly all of our laws and major policies were put into place. By 1980, a strong resistance force had arisen, slowing if not halting nearly all environmental progress.  That backlash effort, now seemingly stronger than ever, has allowed significant environmental problems to linger and is poised to undercut much environmental progress to date.  This session will probe the backlash movement, noting its common methods and linking the movement to core American liberal values and neo-classical economic thought.