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The Post War Period
First plan to change water quality. The Federal Water Pollution Control act is passed by Congress. -
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Enviornmental Timeline
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Air Pollution
In Denora, PA, 20 people die and 600 go to the hospital after sulfur dioxide emissions through smog from a local steel and wire plant. This incident lead to the first U.S. conference on air pollution in 1950. This was held by the Public Health Service. -
Natural Resources
The United States in increasing reliance on foreign sources of natural resources. The Paley Commission argues for the importance to change to renewable energy. -
Smog Episodes
Heavy smog in New York City causes asthma and other lung conditions. This killed 170 to 260 people, these were called "smog episodes". -
State of Union Address
President Eisenhower brings the topic of air pollution in his Union Address. In a special message to Congress, Eisenhower speaks on the Public Health Service to study "effective mthods of control". -
CO2 levels too high
World wide levels of carbon dioxide reach over 300 parts per million. -
Car Update
California mandated blowby devices in all cars that caused unburned gases to the combustion chambers. -
Smog Episodes
More people of New York die of smog episodes. -
Smog and Emissions
83 million Americans owned cars, which led to increased amounts of smog and car emissions. California is the leader in emission standards. -
Clear Air Act
The Clear Air Act passes, bringing in $95 million for the study and clean up of air and water pollution. -
Water Quality Act
The water quality act passes, this causes the qovernment to have more control over water quality. The law was initially set by the Federal Water Pollutio Contril Act of 1948. -
Motor Vehicle Air Polltuion Control Act
The Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Control Act is set. This is the first automobile emissions standards set. -
Endangered Species
First legislation for endangered species passes. This authorized the Secretary of Interior to list endangered fish and wildlife. They give $15 million per year to protect these species. -
Gaylord Nelson
U.S. Senator, Gaylord Nelson, hired 25-year-old Denis Hayes to teach about environmental issues. Denis recruits several young graduates to come to Washington D.C. to organize what will become the first Earth Day. -
National Environmental Policy Act
Congress passed the National Environmental Policy Act. This requires every federal agency to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for any legislation. This Act was made due to the Santa Barbra oil spill that occured the previous year. -
General Motors
General Motors' president Edward Cole promised "pollution free" cars by 1980. He promised to remove lead from gasoline and to add catalytic converters to stop deadly emissions. -
Earth Day
The first national Earth Day coordinated by Denis Hayes and co-chaired by Congressmen Pete McCloskey. -
Ozone Hole
Nature magazine published an article stating evidence that confirmed the ozone hole over the Antartic. -
Montreal Protocol
The Montreal Protocol was signed by the U.S., Japan, Canada, and 21 other countries. By the year 2000 they agreed to phase out ozone-depleting CFCs. -
Ocean Dumping
The Ocean Dumping Ban Act of 1988 was signed by President Reagan. It was a law that prohibited all waste dumping in the ocean starting in 1992. -
Ocean Dumping Ban Act
In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the Ocean Dumping Ban Act. This law was put in place in 1992 and prohibited all waste dumping in the ocean. -
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
The Exxon Valdez oil spill occured in Prince William Sound when it struck Bligh Reef. It is considered to be one of the worst human environmental disasters.
