Environmental Progression

By mrabenberg
  • The Federal Water Pollution Control Act is passed by Congress.

    The Federal Water Pollution Control Act is passed by Congress.

  • The Nature Conservancy is formed.

    The Nature Conservancy is formed.

  • A steel and wire plant in Donora, PA causes 20 people to die and more than 600 people are hospitalized from sulfur dioxide emissions.

    A steel and wire plant in Donora, PA causes 20 people to die and more than 600 people are hospitalized from sulfur dioxide emissions.

  • The Air Pollution Control Act is passed.

    The Air Pollution Control Act is passed.

  • The Federal Water Pollution Control Act is amended.

    The Federal Water Pollution Control Act is amended.

  • More than 200,000 gallons of oil were spilled into the ocean, over the span of 11 days, after the Santa Barbara oil well exploded.

    More than 200,000 gallons of oil were spilled into the ocean, over the span of 11 days, after the Santa Barbara oil well exploded.

  • Silent Spring is published.

    Silent Spring is published.

  • The Clear Air Act is passed.

    The Clear Air Act is passed.

  • The Water Quality Act is passed.

    The Water Quality Act is passed.

  • The Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Control Act is passed.

    The Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Control Act is passed.

  • Wild and Scenic Rivers Act as well as the National Trails System Act are passed.

    Wild and Scenic Rivers Act as well as the National Trails System Act are passed.

  • The first national Earth Day is celebrated.

    The first national Earth Day is celebrated.

  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is created, employing more than 4,000 people.

    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is created, employing more than 4,000 people.

  • The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is established.

    The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is established.

  • Denis Hayes created a movement to replace 12 Congress members who had tainted environmental policy records. Seven were removed.

    Denis Hayes created a movement to replace 12 Congress members who had tainted environmental policy records. Seven were removed.

  • The Marine Mammal Protection Act is passed.

    The Marine Mammal Protection Act is passed.

  • Coastal Zone Management Act is passed.

    Coastal Zone Management Act is passed.

  • DDT is banned in the U.S.

    DDT is banned in the U.S.

  • Period: to

    Because of the Arab Oil Embargo, energy demands surpassed U.S. supplies.

  • The Energy Supply Act and Environmental Coordination Act are passed.

    The Energy Supply Act and Environmental Coordination Act are passed.

  • The Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act is passed.

    The Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act is passed.

  • The Toxic Substances Control Act is passed.

    The Toxic Substances Control Act is passed.

  • President Jimmy Carter establishes the Department of Energy.

    President Jimmy Carter establishes the Department of Energy.

  • The Nimbus-7 spacecraft is launched as the first satellite with the technology to take comprehensive worldwide measurements of the ozone layer.

    The Nimbus-7 spacecraft is launched as the first satellite with the technology to take comprehensive worldwide measurements of the ozone layer.

  • The meltdown of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Middletown, PA, causes the evacuation of 140,000 people.

    The meltdown of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Middletown, PA, causes the evacuation of 140,000 people.

  • Solar heaters are installed on the White House roof in support of Carter’s Federal Solar Research Institute.

    Solar heaters are installed on the White House roof in support of Carter’s Federal Solar Research Institute.

  • Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act is passed.

    Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act is passed.

  • The Montreal Protocol is signed by 24 countries to phase out ozone-depleting CFCs by the year 2000.

    The Montreal Protocol is signed by 24 countries to phase out ozone-depleting CFCs by the year 2000.

  • The Ocean Dumping Ban Act is passed.

    The Ocean Dumping Ban Act is passed.

  • The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is formed.

    The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is formed.

  • The Exxon Valdez tanker spills 11 million gallons of oil into the ocean, covering over 1,300 square miles.

    The Exxon Valdez tanker spills 11 million gallons of oil into the ocean, covering over 1,300 square miles.

  • The war in Iraq leads to widespread oilfield burning and other war-related environmental problems.

    The war in Iraq leads to widespread oilfield burning and other war-related environmental problems.

  • California is the first state to impose a cap on greenhouse gas emissions.

    California is the first state to impose a cap on greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Lacey Act is amended.

    Lacey Act is amended.

  • Over a billion gallons of sludge spills out of a holding dam near Kinsport, TN.

    Over a billion gallons of sludge spills out of a holding dam near Kinsport, TN.

  • EPA issues limits on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.

    EPA issues limits on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.