-
Sequoia Tree
The cutting down of a very old tree started the convservation movement. -
Excelsior Refinery
John D. Rockefeller opens the Excelsior Refinery in Cleveland, Ohio which begins a huge monopoly on oil during that century. -
London, First Subway
The very first subway was opened on this day. 120 different trains ran through London with 40,000 plus excited passengers. At the time it released lots of pollution, giving London an early start into its days of smog. -
The Mining Act
This act prevents the government from demanding royalties for minerl extraction as well as forces the sell of federal lands. This act is still in affect today. -
Monongah Mine Disaster
This mining accident kills 362 coal miners in Monongah, West Virginia. Three years later, the America starts the US Bureau of Mines to protect miners, keep them safe, and improve welfare. -
National Audubon Society
This society decided to boycott all hat makers that used endangered tropical bird feather in thier products and continuously pushed for the Migratory Bird Act. -
Hawks Nest Tunnel Disaster
One of the worst industrial disasters happened in 1936 when 100 to 1000 workers died after developing lung cancer from silica dust. -
Texas Gas Leak
Leaking natural gas from nearby oil fields causes an explosion killing 425 students and teachers. -
Saint Louis Smog Episode
On this day, a cloud of smoke covered Saint Louis. This day is referred to as, "The day the sun didn't shine". -
Smog in Pennsylvania
Here a smog accident in Donora, Pennsylvania kills 20 people and hospitalized 600. -
Chalk River Nuclear Accident
The reactor suffered an explosion which destroyed the core and caused a fuel spill. Nobody died however thousands were exposed to radioactive waste. -
Silent Spring
Rachel Carson published her book Silent Spring that discussed the harm on the environment and started the environmental movement. -
Clean Air Act
On this day the act to control pollutants in the air was passed, creating new rules and regulations for businesses on a national level. -
Cuyahoga River Fire
The Cuyahoga River catches fire, also cathing attention of Time Magazine and raises the awareness of water pollution in our nation. -
A Clean Car Race
43 modified ars raced in a economiclly boosted race to see who could go the fastest on a low-emission car. The students wanted to prove they could take away alot of pollution while still having and selling good cars. -
Environmental Protection Agency
The Environmental Protection Agency was established by President Richard Nixon in order to insure a safe and healthy environemnt monitored and protected by the government. -
Buffalo Creek Flood
Also in 1972 was the Buffalo Creek Flood that occured when the Pittston Coal Company's dam burst spilling millions of gallons of waste water that killed 150 people and injured 1,000 in West Virginia. -
Stockhalm Conference
The United Nations held a meeting in Stockhalm, Sweden where they created the United Nations Environment Programme -
Three Mile Island Accident
The worlds worst nuclear accident happens on this day when the power plant looses coolant and partially melts down in Pennsylvannia. In result, it released small amounts of radioactive gases and iodine into the environment. -
Bhopal Disaster
This was a gas leak in Bhopal, India. An explosion exposed 500,000 people to methyl isocyanate which killed between 2,000 and 8,000 people and injuring hundreds of thousands. -
Hole in the Ozone Layer
Joe Forman released his research to the world to show the gaping hole in the ozone layer over Antartica -
Chernobyl Disaster
Huge quantities of radioactive contamination was released into the atmosphere when an explosion and fire in Ukraine spread over the USSR and Europe.This is known to be the worlds worst nuclear accident. -
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
An oil spill occured in Prince William Sound, Alaska when the ship Exxon Valdez strucka reef, releasing 260,000-750,000 barrels of oil into Alaskas ocean. -
Martin County Coal Slurry Spill
The bottom of an inpoundment dam releases more than 300 million gallons of coal slurry near Inez, Kentucky. -
Bolivia Gas Conflict
Bolivian protestors were killed including a 6 year old little girl because of arguments over natural gas development. -
Wangari Maathai
Wangari Maathai won the Nobel Peace Prize because of her contribution to a sustainable development, democracy, and peace. She was the first african-american women to recieve the Nobel Prize. -
Kingston Fossil Plant Oil Slurry Spill
When a dam ruptures, more than a billion gallons of gas are released in Kingsport, Tennessee. -
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
The largest marine oil spill occurs when the Deepwater Horizon platform explodes, releasing 20 times the amount of oil as the Exxon Valdez which destroys the environment. -
Fukushima
The nuclear power plant experienced equipment failures, nuclear meltdowns, and released radioactive material. It's known as the worst nuclear disaster since Chernybol. -
President Obama African Telegraphs
President Obama stopped US government financing of most overseas coal projects due to climate concerns. People respond by saying "Sorry Obama, Africa needs coal"
