Environmental Laws, Agencies, and Treaties - Lexie Conte

Lacey Act (US)

May 25, 1900

The Lacey Act combats illegal trafficking of wildlife, fish, and plants.

Environmental Protection Agency

Dec 2, 1920

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for the protection of human health and the environment.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (US)

Apr 28, 1921

This assures safe and healthful working conditions by setting and enforcing standards, and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.

World Bank

Jun 25, 1946

The World Bank is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world.

World Health Organization

Apr 7, 1948

An agency that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health.

Clean Air Act (US)

Dec 31, 1970

A comprehensive Federal law that regulates all sources of air emissions.

Clean Water Act (US)

Nov 18, 1972

The Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters

Endangered Species Act (US)

Dec 28, 1973

This act provides a framework to conserve and protect endangered and threatened species and their habitats both domestically and abroad.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

Jul 1, 1975

This was designed to ensure that international trade in animals and plants does not threaten their survival in the wild.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (US)

Oct 21, 1976

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) gives EPA the authority to control hazardous waste from cradle to grave.

Department of Energy (US)

Jul 4, 1977

This department ensures America's security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.

Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (US)

Aug 3, 1977

SMCRA is the primary federal law that regulates the environmental effects of coal mining in the United States.

Safe Drinking Water Act (US)

Dec 16, 1979

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was established to protect the quality of drinking water in the U.S.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, Liability Act (US)

Dec 11, 1980

CERCLA provides a Federal "Superfund" to clean up uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous-waste sites as well as accidents, spills, and other emergency releases of pollutants and contaminants into the environment

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

Sep 16, 1987

This law prohibits the addition to the human food supply of any chemical that had caused cancer in humans or animals.

Montreal Protocol

Sep 16, 1987

This is a global agreement to protect the stratospheric ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances

Kyoto Protocol

Dec 11, 1997

What is the Kyoto Protocol and why was it created?
The Kyoto Protocol was an international agreement that aimed to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and the presence of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere.