Environmental Laws, Agencies, and Treaties Timeline

Clean Air Act(US)

1970 BCE

protects human and enviromental health from emmisons and pollutants in the air.

Lacey Act

May 25, 1900

combats trafficking of illegally taken wildlife, fish, and plants.

Delaney Clause of Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

Sep 6, 1938

World Bank

Nov 19, 1944

one of the world's largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries.

World Health Organization

Apr 7, 1948

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.

Environmental Protection Agency(US)

Nov 2, 1970

responsible for the protection of human health and environmental health.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration(US)

Apr 28, 1971

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

United Nations Environment Programme

Jun 5, 1972

coordinates response to environmental issues within the UN system.

Clean Water Act(US)

Oct 18, 1972

established base structure for regulating pollution in US waters.

Endangered Species Act

Nov 27, 1973

Protects threatened and endangered species in the USA.

Safe Drinking Water Act

Nov 16, 1974

structure for safe drinking water and controls water supply.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

Jul 1, 1975

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

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

Oct 21, 1976

EPA authority to control hazardous waster from cradle to grave.

Surface Mining and Reclamation Act(US)

Aug 3, 1977

regulates the enviromental effects of coal minging in the US.

Department Of Energy

Aug 4, 1977

overseas U.S national energy policy and manages the research and development.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, Liability Act(US)Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, Liability Act(US)

Nov 11, 1980

responsible for cleaning of hazardous or abandoned waste sites.

Montreal Protocal

Sep 16, 1987

global agreement to protect the stratosphere ozone by phasing out CFCs.

Kyoto Protocol

Nov 11, 1997

limits GHG emissions with agreed individual country targets.