-
1st billion increase in population
The population first reached 1 billion in 1804. This increasing population challenges the world to live sustainably and slow the rate of growth to slow the environmental depletion of Earth. Studies have emerged that implementing population control measures such as a one child policy and properly educating the world about reproductive education and family planning. -
The Sea Birds Preservation Act
The UK’s Sea bird's preservation act was one of the first legislative pieces to protect wildlife, anywhere in the world. Flamorough Head birds were being over hunted, and the act brought about a close season allowing the birds to bred. Unsurprisingly, the act wasn't passed because of the bird's intrinsic value but rather because of Flamborough pilots, which were birds that aided sailors during foggy weather. The act helped pave the way for future protective wildlife legislation. -
Sierra Club
Created in 1982 in California. John Muir became the first president of the club and advocated to not make the Yosemite National Park smaller. He was recognized by Theodore Roosevelt and was inspired by his naturalistic views. The Sierra Club strives to conserve nature even today. Their views are a mix between ecocentric and anthropocentric, as they push for legislation to protect wildlife and parks in all 50 states. -
2nd billion increase in population
It reached 2 billion in 1927 -
Founding of the IUCN
Summary description: IUCN stands for the “International Union for Conservation of Nature”. The IUCN was founded in France on October 5, 1948. It became known as the “first global environmental union”, and the IUCN unified societies and governments to protect the environment. Its “primary focus was to examine the impact of human activities on nature”. It later established the “IUCN Red List of Endangered Species” in 1964 which is still relevant today and has been modified. -
Minimata
“The man made disease” In 1952 Minamata, Japan had an outbreak of Minamata disease which is a neurological disease caused by Mercury poisoning. Mercury was dumped into Minamata bay and ocean by a factory on the bay and contaminated fish were eaten by the fisherman and their customers. This spread the disease, it affected over 10,000 people. In extreme cases, insanity, paralysis, coma, and death followed within weeks. Government did little to nothing to stop the pollution. -
Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring
Published in 1952, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring influenced the development of the environmental movement. Due to Carson’s scientific perspective and credible knowledge, she sparked a widespread debate within both the scientific community and the public about the effect of pesticides. This led to an outbreak of new policies, ones that protect our air, water, and our health and safety. Rachel also raised awareness of pesticides, leading to a more educated community on sustainability. -
3rd billion increase in population
It reached to 3 billion in 1960 -
The Quiet Crisis
Published by Stewart Udall, it acted as an early wake up call of the effects of environmental pollution. Udall was an American politician, and later a federal government official. His book was a best seller and was able to warn the people of the at-the-time current environmental crisis. The book puts emphasis on the importance of conserving the nation’s wild places. -
Air Pollution of 1966 Thanksgiving
In the fall of 1966, 3 days before Thanksgiving in New York there was a massive fog that lasted for 3 days. This fog contained dangerously high amounts of Carbon monoxide, Sulfur Dioxide, haze, and smoke. As a result, many were affected by the pollution in the air. People were often diagnosed with pulmonary emphysema and chronic bronchitis; therefore, the death rate increased following the pollution. From this event, an estimated 200-400 people died due to inhaling the pollution. -
Wild & Scenic Rivers Act
Created by Congress, The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was published by Congress to help protect rivers across the United States for the enjoyment of future generations. This act guards rivers with special characteristics and unique features. It also promotes public participation to protect the rivers. To be protected by this act, the river must have one of the three requirements stated on the act. These requirements are that it must be a wild river, a scenic river, or a recreational river. -
Santa Barbara Oil Spill
On Jan. 28, 1969, an estimated 3 million gallons of oil spilled, creating an oil slick of around 30 miles. The spill damaged marine flora and killed thousands of birds, fish, and other animals such as dolphins and dead seals. The unsightly spill visualized the need for environmental protection. The spill contributed to sparking both legislation following the spill, such as the National Environmental Policy Act and the California Environmental Quality Act, and future legislation and activism. -
Gaia Hypothesis
Inventor and chemist James E. Lovelock and biologist Lynn Margulis created the Gaia hypothesis. The Gaia hypothesis is “In no way is this [Gaia] theory a contradiction of Darwin’s great vision...”, but rather an alternate way of viewing ecology and evolution. (Lovelock, 1986). The hypothesis proposes that Earth and her organisms are one entity. Lovelock theorizes that the earth’s inhabitants created an alive self-regulating system by co-evolving with their environment. -
Whaling (Save the Whales Movement)
One of Greenpeace’s first campaigns was the campaign to stop whaling, which began in 1973. In 1975, using John Cormack’s boat the Phyllis Cormack, they found a Russian whaling vessel off the coast of California. Between 1975 and 1977 Greenpeace focused on gaining publicity for the campaign. The group started a regular newsletter, entitled “The Greenpeace Chronicles”. In 1976 they published the first version of The Greenpeace Manifesto, named “The Greenpeace Declaration of Interdependence, 1976”. -
The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)
The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) protects all marine mammals from importation, exportation, hunting, capture, or any form of harassment, thus encouraging natural resource management in the United States. Marine mammals are being impacted by humans tremendously- from the pollution of plastic in our oceans to overfishing. The MMPA strives to protect these animals in danger. -
The Endangered Species Act
The act strives to protect, and conserve endangered and threatened species and their respective habitats. The law allows individuals and organizations to petition to list a species as endangered or threatened. A listed animal receives a recovery plan and protection for their critical habitat areas. The animal’s population recovery is monitored over time. The law also prohibits hunting and exportation of listed animals. -
4th billion increase in population
And it reached to 4 billion in 1974 -
Whaling (Save the Whales Movement)
One of Greenpeace’s first campaigns was the campaign to stop whaling, which happened on April 27,1975. Greenpeace launched the world's first anti-whaling campaign from the docks of Vancouver. The mission would become the spark that ignited a global “Save the Whales” movement and eventually helped secure an international ban on commercial whaling. -
Sierra Club
Created in 1982 in California. John Muir became the first president of the club and advocated to not make the Yosemite National Park smaller. He was recognized by Theodore Roosevelt and was inspired by his naturalistic views. The Sierra Club strives to conserve nature even today. Their views are a mix between ecocentric and anthropocentric, as they push for legislation to protect wildlife and parks in all 50 states. -
Bhopal
On December 3, 1984, around 45 tons of toxic gas escaped from an insecticide plant. The Bhopal disaster was at the time the worst industrial accident resulting in 15000 – 20000 deaths and half a million survivors who suffered respiratory problems, eye irritation or blindness, and other reinjuries. Inadequate safety and operating procedures caused the tragedy. As of early 21st century around 400 tons of industrial waste remain. As of 2014 Bhopal still suffers from contaminated groundwater. -
Chernobyl
The Chernobyl Disaster occurred in the Soviet Union. A nuclear plant’s core melted after technicians tried to conduct an experiment. The lid of the nuclear reactor blew off and released radioactive substances in the air. The city of Pryp’yat was evacuated (even to this day). Some people died in the initial explosion and many contracted serious radiation sickness. The radioactive particles spread across Europe. It made countries criticize the use of nuclear plants because they are unsafe. -
5th billion increase in population
It reached 5 billion in 1987 -
The Montreal Protocol
The protocol designedly protects the ozone, by gradually stopping production and usage of ozone depleting substances. Superfluous UV radiation causes skin cancer and cataracts, and threatens our food production, and the environment we depend on. The protocol by 2030 will have globally prevented an estimated 2 million yearly skin cancer cases. The protocol was the first UN treaty to achieve universal ratification and is considered by some to be the most successful environmental global action. -
The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
An oil tanker named Exxon Valdez spilled approximately 11 million gallons of oil along Alaska. It was a huge environmental disaster. Anthropocentric legislation was passed to prevent this from occurring again. The Oil Pollution Act was passed in 1990 as a direct result of this oil spill. According to this source, many seabirds, sea otters, harbor seals, bald eagles, and killer whales died as a direct result of this oil spill. Exxon was fined over a billion dollars for this disaster. -
Earth Summit
The Earth summit gave rise to Agenda 21 and the Rio declaration. Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of action. The plan operates globally and locally through the UN, Governments, and other major groups. It works in every area in which humans impact the environment. The Rio Declaration established 27 principles that aim to guide sustainable development around the world. One principal is that states are required to notify other states of any emergencies that are could harm our environment. -
Agenda 21
Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the United Nations System, Governments, and Major Groups in every area in which human impacts on the environment. Agenda 21 sought to provide a comprehensive blueprint of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the UN, governments, and major groups. The Rio Declaration established 27 principles intended to guide sustainable development around the world. -
The Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty which extends the 1992 UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) which basically says the countries participating in this treaty comit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and Co2 emissions because of the affect it has on global warming. Recently some of the major power houses have not accepted the protocol. These countries include USA, China, Russia and Japan. -
6th billion increase in population
It reached 6 billion in 1999 -
Documentary film An Inconvenient Truth released
An Inconvenient Truth talks about how climate change is real. Gore presents a wide array of facts and information using a collection of graphs, photographs, and other imagery to describe the changes. Since he states its man-made, these are the effects that we are causing to our own planet. And its not just one, its many. Just some are the greenhouse effect, changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations throughout history, human energy use and population growth. -
7th billion increase in population
It reached 7 billion in 2011
