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1 BCE
Permian-Eocene Thermal Maximum
About 55 million, the Earth slowly warmed 5 degrees-8 degrees. Scientists say this was caused by a volcanic eruption that started marine sediments to release large amounts of methane into the atmosphere. Because of the increase in temperature, many marine live went extinct. -
1 BCE
Carboniferous Rainforest Collapse
About 305 million years ago, the Carboniferous rainforest era had lush vegetation. But then, carbon dioxide levels increased causing global warming and dry seasons. This event resulted in different plants and animals adapting to the changes of the environment -
Population- 1 Billion
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Population- 2 Billion
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Whaling (save the whale)
On April 27, 1945, Greenpeace launched an anti-whaling campaign to ban commercial whaling internationally. Greenpeace has prevented the extinction of many whale species. -
Founding of ICUN
Founded in October 5th of 1948 after a conference in France, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s formed their main goal of protecting our planet, Earth. The organization displays anthropocentric behavior in that its members convene and develop legislations and laws regarding nature’s conservation. The IUCN is the reason the government and those attempting to preserve of our world have a positive relationship. -
Minamata
In May of 1956, Minamata City, Japan discovered the Minamata disease. Factories dumped chemicals into the ocean which caused people to get methylmercury poisoning from eating fish and shellfish. During the second round of the disease, protests were occurring, nationwide. Affected people got money, and the factory causing the disease stopped using mercury. -
Population- 3 Billion
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Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring Published
Published on June 30th, 1962, Silent Spring unexpectedly started an environmental revolution as it touched on the dangerous outcomes of pesticide and chemical use on our agriculture. Carson warned the American public consumed plenty of pesticides in their daily lives by eating and drinking. The book had such an impact in that millions of copies were sold, President Kennedy ordered a pesticide report on the US, and DDT was eventually banned in the USA. -
The approval of the Wilderness Act
Passed on September 3rd, 1964, The Wilderness Act was signed by President Johnson which formed the National Wilderness Preservation System. The law restricts and manages natural wilderness areas to ensure their protection. Since this law was passed, many other policies were formed to help landowners understand the importance of preserving natural areas and how to manage them without damaging them. -
The Club of Rome
Formed in 1968 in Rome, Italy, The Club of Rome was a meeting with European scientists and economists whose main goal was to advocate for current crisis on our planet. This anthropocentric organization advocated this by creating legislative proposals and encouraging others to change their damaging behavior. The Club of Rome leads many charges to address and combat catastrophes as an effect of human progression. -
Earth day
On April 22, 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson promoted Earth Day to bring awareness of environmental causes and stop environmental damages. Earth Day has created U.S. environmental laws that support clean air, clean water, and an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). -
Stockholm Conference
In 1972, an action plan was put together. In Stockholm, they held a conference where they discussed worldwide issues. They also laid the foundation for the global environmental governance. -
Gaia Hypothesis
The hypothesis stated that the earth is a complex system made up of biospheres. The theory also predicted that increased diversity is linked together with increased stability of population. It also states that humans altered Earths self-regulating system. -
Population- 4 Billion
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Bhopal
On December 3, 45 tons of dangerous gas escaped from Bhopal’s insecticide plant. This resulted in a death toll of 15,000-20,000 and disabled many more. Because of this catastrophe it allowed scientists to develop safer procedures and operating standards. -
Discovery of Antarctic Ozone Hole
In May of 1985, British researcher Jonathan Shanklin discovered the first hole in our Earth’s ozone layer. This finding sent people to a frenzy because without the ozone layer to protect humans on Earth from the Sun’s UV rays, Earth would be uninhabitable. An environmental movement was sparked that pushed the banning of certain chemicals that were responsible for destroying the ozone such as CFCs. -
Sinking of the rainbow warrior
The Rainbow Warrior was a Greenpeace boat that stood for many environmental campaigns in the late 1970s. On July 10 of 1985, French secret service agents dived underneath the boat and attached explosives to the main areas. The sinking and death of a Greenpeace photographer sent shockwaves through Europe and now, the Rainbow Warrior is a symbol of strength, and her spirit will continue to live on in the second Rainbow Warrior created in 2011. -
Chernobyl
On April 26, 1986, a reactor at the nuclear power plant in Ukraine, went rogue caused an explosion and fire which destroyed the building and released a high concentration of radiation. After this incident, safety procedures were increased and design changes, so this event won’t happen again. -
Population- 5 Billion
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Greenland and Antarctica Ice Melting
In the 1990’s it was noticed that ice was melting in Greenland and Antarctica. Antarctica's ice mass is decreasing 150 billion tons per year and Greenland's is 280 billion tons. As climate change worsens, the more ice melts. -
Agenda 21
In 1992, this was a plan that was taken globally, nationally and locally by government systems. There are three principles: to fight environmental damage, poverty disease and mutual needs and shared responsibilities. -
Population- 6 Billion
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Brazil deforestation
Brazil lost 62.8Mha of relative tree cover from 2001 to 2021. Deforestation causes a higher chance of droughts, loss of biodiversity, reduced water cycle, and contributes to global warming, -
The Kyoto Protocol
Enforced on February 16th of 2005, The Kyoto Protocol works towards promoting industrialized countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Kyoto Protocol works primarily with highly developed countries since they are mainly responsible for the high levels of gases emitted into our atmosphere. Their mission is to better the planet and spread the knowledge they have regarding Earth’s difficult current position. -
Documentary film An Inconvenient Truth released.
Released on May 24, 2006, the documentary created by Al Gore addressed the negative environmental impact of humans. For his efforts of encouraging the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, Al Gore was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. This film raised public awareness of climate issues and even affected many political parties to change their ideals and morals. -
Copenhagen
On December 2009, the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference raised climate change policy by investing into better technology to stop greenhouse gas emissions. Copenhagen has been successful by bringing leaders to come together to mitigate climate change. -
Population- 7 Billion
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California Forest Fires
In 2020, the first forest fire in the chain of forest fires occurred in California. These were caused by rising temperatures, drought and dry conditions. Billions of dollars were spent and thousands of acres of land were destroyed, so were the animals. -
East African droughts
As of 2020, East Africa has missed four consecutive rainy seasons, resulting in droughts. This is all caused by the rising temperatures. The African people are losing fertile soil for agriculture and livestock. -
Population- 8 Billion
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Mexican Droughts
Happening as were speaking, Mexico is going through a prolonging drought. Climate change has affected a weather event called La Nina. People are having to walk miles to get water, having to make decisions of either washing themselves, drinking water, or flushing their toilets.