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Minimata
An incident in Minimata Bay, Japan, when fish and shellfish were consumed that contained methyl-mercury, causing a deadly neurological disease in people and killing many. The methyl-mercury wastewater from a nearby chemical plant had been discharged into Minimata bay, leading to the ecosystem consuming it. The source of this neurological disease took over 30 years to be recognized. (Textbook, class notes) -
Silent Spring
Environmental science book written by Rachel Carson. It talks about pesticides and DDT’s danger to health and the ecosystem, especially the problems it poses to birds. This book was the start to the modern environmental movement, and it eventually led to the banning of DDT use. (Textbook, class notes) -
First Earth Day
The first ever Earth Day in history. About 20 million people attended celebrational events all throughout the world. (aarp.org) -
Bhopal
Disaster when the chemical methyl isocyanate leaked out of a pesticide factory in Bhopal, India. It killed 3,000 people and half a million were exposed, causing many disabilities and affecting lives for years to come. It is considered the worst industrial disaster in the world. (Textbook, class notes) -
Ozone Hole
When the hole in the Ozone layer above Antarctica was its biggest. The Ozone layer is a layer of atmosphere in the sky that protects Earth from dangerous UV rays. It was caused by human activities, such as gases that come from hairspray, refrigerants, and other products that broke down important ozone molecules. Thankfully after its discovery in the late 1980s, the world decided to take action— and it worked. The hole has been getting smaller and smaller ever since. (earthobservatory.nasa.gov) -
Chernobyl
A nuclear disaster in Ukraine when the No. 4 reactor of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded near the town of Pripyat. It is the worst nuclear disaster to ever occur in the world. (Textbook) -
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
An oil disaster known worldwide that occurred in Prince William Sound, Alaska. A oil rig named Exxon Valdez ran aground, releasing 11 million gallons of oil into the environment. The oil polluted the water, killing and almost wiping out many species of fish and wildlife. It is considered one of the biggest environmental disasters in the history of the US. (Textbook, darrp.noaa.gov) -
Rio Earth Summit
From June 3 to 14, the United Nations met in Rio de Janeiro for a conference on environment and development. Its main objective was to produce new and better ways for international action on environmental and development issues to guide international cooperation. Achievements such as the UNFCCC, CBD, and negotiations on stocks and migratory fish stocks came out of this. (Textbook, un.org) -
Julia Butterfly Hill and Luna
The date when environmental advocate Julia Butterfly Hill, in a valiant act of protest, climbed a giant old growth redwood tree named Luna, near the town of Stafford, California. She stayed up there for two years. (class notes, businessinsider.com) -
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
The largest oil spill in history, caused by an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. 210 million gallons of oil was spilled, polluting the gulf and killing many animals. (Textbook, Britannica.com) -
Fukushima
Nuclear accident that happened at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan, after an earthquake caused a tsunami. It is the second worst atomic incident in the world. (Textbook, class notes) -
Amazon Rainforest Wildfires
On this day, about 39,194 fires were detected burning throughout the Amazon Rainforest. Draught and the development of agricultural land had started them up in January of 2019, the fires spreading throughout Brazil, Peru, Paraguay, and Bolivia, covering around 2,240,000 acres of land. (theguardian.com)