Grewal says the formation of the Direct Action subcommittee of EAC and the Harvard Wilderness Alliance last year typify the increased political approach of the environmental movement.
The groups originated in response to what Grewal dubs a "confrontational legislative stance in Congress toward the environment."
In the forum at the Institute of Politics, Werbach called the 104th Congress "the worst Congress on the environment in history."
But Jay M. Dickerson '98, president of the Harvard Republican Club, disagrees. He says the environment was not considered an issue until 35 years ago, and Congresses before that time did not even address it.
He adds that conservative politicians now are taking an interest in the environment and will continue to do so in the future.
"The 104th Congress was concerned with issues that are more in the minds of voters according to polls," Dickerson says.
He adds that he does not recall seeing the environment listed among the top five concerns of voters in a USA Today poll taken within the past month.