Environmental Laws, Agencies, and Treaties - Katy Stepenosky

Laceny Act (US)

May 25, 1900

This law combats trafficking of illegally taken wildlife, fish, or plants.

World Bank

1944

International financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of low and middle income countries

World Health Organization

Apr 7, 1948

The United Nations agency dedicated to global health and safety that connects nations to promote health.

Delaney Cause of Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (US)

Sep 6, 1958

Prohibits the addition to the human food supply of any chemical linked to cancer.

Environmental Protection Agency (US)

Dec 2, 1970

An independent executive agency of the US Federal government tasked with environmental protection matters.

Clean Air Act (US)

Dec 31, 1970

Authorized the development of comprehensive Federal and State regulations to limit emissions from industrial and mobile sources.

Occupational Safety and Health Administation

Apr 28, 1971

Large regulatory agency of the Department of Labor that originally had Federal powers to inspect and examine workplaces.

United Nations Environment Programme

Jun 5, 1972

UNEP-responsible for coordinating responses to environmental issues within the United Nations system.

Clean Water Act (US)

Oct 18, 1972

The primary Federal law in the US that governs water pollution.

Endangered Species Act (US)

Dec 28, 1973

Protects and aims to conserve endangered and threatened species and their habitats.

Safe Drinking Water Act (US)

Dec 16, 1974

The principal Federal law in the US intended to ensure safe drinking water for the public

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

Jul 1, 1975

An international agreement agreement designed to ensure that international trade animals and plants does not threaten them in the wild.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (US)

Oct 21, 1976

An act that governs the disposal of solid waste and hazardous waste.

Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (US)

Aug 3, 1977

The primary Federal law that regulates the environmental effects of coal mining in the US.

Department of Energy (US)

Aug 4, 1977

Manages the US nuclear infrastructure and administers the country's energy policy.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, Liability Act (US)

Dec 11, 1980

Also known as the Superfund Act, provides Federal help to clean up uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites.

Montreal Protocol

Sep 16, 1987

International Treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out substances responsible for ozone depletion.

Kyoto Protocol

Dec 11, 1997

Committed industrialized countries and economies in transition to limit and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.