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A union composed of both government and civil organizations. The global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. Helps countries mainstream nature into economic decisions.
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A disease that damages the central nervous system caused by mercury poisoning. It was caused by the consumption of fish contaminated by methylmercury from the Chisso chemical plant. This led to long term health disturbances in the area and effected any wildlife that ate from the river.
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A environmental science book written to document the environmental harm caused by pesticides. It generated a high level of interest and criticism. Became used in movements for environmental change.
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DDT was often used for mosquito control around the 1960’s. It had a huge effect on animals, the environment and even humans. A group of scientists decided to go to court to bring attention to this issue. After the court imposed a ban on DDT the scientists then created an organization called the Environmental Defense Fund. This organization is significant because it is still going on today and has found many solutions to various environmental problems.
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The act was put in place by EPA which made it unlawful to release any pollutant in US waters. This act was a part of a larger act called the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. This sets the basic structure in order to regulate pollution in our oceans.
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Congress passed the Endangered Species Act which provided protection for animals, plants, and their habitats which were threatened. The law ensures that federal agencies don’t authorize actions that are likely to negatively effect the continued existence of a species.
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A chemical plant exploded posing threats from 2,3,7,8-tetra-chlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, a human carcinogen. This event raised the soil dioxin levels dramatically, produced chloracne cases, and increased the risk for cancer. Devastated the local population and introduces potential long-term ecologic, economic, and health consequences.
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40+ tons of methyl isocyanate gas leaked from a pesticide plant in India, killing 3,800 people immediately and thousands more over time. Causes long term chromosomal abnormalities, neurobehavioral, ocular, respiratory, and reproductive effects long term. Contaminated the nearby area and led to more restrictions and regulations on industrialization.
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A nuclear plant explosion caused by a flawed reactor design. The explosion immediately killed 2 people, later killing 28 more within a few weeks. It caused over 5000 thyroid cancers and 350,000 people to be evacuated. Contaminants not only effect humans but made their way into the soil, crops, and eventually animals.
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The Exxon Valdez oil supertanker, bound for Long Beach, CA, struck Prince William Sound’s Bligh Reef. Of the 53.1 million gallons (about 201005271 L) of oil it was carrying, 10.8 million gallons (about 40882428 L) were spilled into the Prince William Sound.
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In a last-ditch attempt to stop a U.S. coalition-led water landing on the Kuwaiti shores, Iraqi forces dumped about 4 million U.S. barrels of oil into the Persian Gulf. This temporarily damaged Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
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In the Clean Air Act, congress directed EPA to use non regulatory ways to prevent air pollution. The consumers and company have saved over $450 billion in energy costs from the Energy Star program.
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Committed industrialized countries and economies in transition to limit and reduce greenhouse gases emissions in accordance with agreed individual targets. Nations could trade greenhouse gas allowances.
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The Baia Mare gold mine spilled 340,000,000 gallons (about 1287039400 L) of cyanide into nearby rivers, such as the Lupes and Tisza., This event shocked and damaged the aquatic life and ecosystem for dozens of miles. It also impacted local fishing industries and disabled access to drinking water for Serbians. Following Hungary suing Romania for damages, Romania paid $200,000,000 to local fisheries.
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A 2006 documentary film directed by Davis Guggenheim to talk on climate by Al Gore. He calls for the population to reverse the effects of global warming. It earned a record high of $91,447 per theatre for a documentary.
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The Deepwater Horizon oil drilling rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico. It is noted as the largest oil spill in history, spilling 4 million barrels of oil over 87 days (about 3 months). Polluted the shores of Louisiana and ocean floor. 11 workers were killed in the explosion.
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In an effort against climate change, The Paris Agreement Act brings countries to an agreement to reduce global temperature growth in the 21st century to 2 degrees Celsius higher than the original, pre-industrial levels.
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