Development of the Environmental Movement

  • Passenger Pigeon Goes Extinct

    As the bird goes extinct, the conservation movement grows and the concern for tigers and rhinos' extinctions rise as well. Text Reference.
  • Dustbowl in North America

    This event brought recognition that "agricultural practices could be affecting the state of soils and the climate". Text Reference.
  • Leopold writes "A Sand County Almanac"

    With the publishing of this book, "the concept of stewardship was now applied to nature by society". Text Reference.
  • UK's Ten National Parks are Established

    The establishment of these ten parks brought needed recognition and called citizens to conserve natural areas. Text Reference.
  • Rachel Carson Publishes "Silent Spring"

    The publishing led to the "general acceptance of dangers of chemical toxins affecting humans" and leads to the ban of the pesticide DDT. Text Reference.
  • First Celebrated Earth Day

    Twenty million Americans gathered and celebrated the first Earth Day, bringing awareness to environmental activism. aarp.org.
  • First Earth Summit - UN Conference on the Human Environment

    This conference led to the creation of the Action Plan for the Human environment as well ad the establishment of the Environment Fund and the formation of the UN Environment Program (UNEP). Text Reference.
  • C.I.T.E.S. Formed by the IUCN

    Establishment meant endangered species would be protected from the practices of international trading. Text Reference.
  • James Lovelock publishes "Gala - A New Look at Life on Earth" and presents the Gala Hypothesis

    Nature is now seen by society as "self-regulating" and an approach of a "system based study" to the environment begins. Text Reference.
  • Bhopal Disaster

    Known as the world's worst industrial disaster, the chemical accident affected hundreds of thousands across Indian provinces. Text Reference.
  • Antarctic Ozone Hole Discovered

    Researchers come across a 7.3 million square-mile hole over the ozone layer in Antarctica, bringing countries to pledge the elimination of ozone-depleting compounds, or CFC's. aarp.org.
  • Chernobyl Disaster

    A nuclear power plant accident leads to nuclear fallout affecting millions across Europe. Text Reference.