Landmarks in Environmentalism

By JadaGowan

  • Industrial Revolution in Europe

    Increased urbanization, resource usage and pollution.

  • National Audubon Society

    The National Audubon Society forms to try to save plume birds from ladies’ hatters (PBS).

  • Once the most prolific bird, the passenger pigeon becomes extinct

    Conservation movement grows. Concern for tigers, rhinoceros, etc.

  • Dustbowl in North America

    Recognition that agricultural practices may affect soils and climate.

  • Green Revolution - Intensive Technological Agriculture

    Resource use (especially fossil fuel use) and pollution increased. Human population rises sharply.

  • Leopoldo writes ‘A Sand County Almanac’

    Concept of ‘stewardship’ is applied to nature.

  • UK’s ten National Parks are established

    Recognition of need to conserve natural areas.

  • Minamata Bay Disaster

    Emphasizes the ability of food chains to accumulate toxins into higher tropic levels, including into humans.

  • Rachel Carson publishes ‘Silent Spring’

    General acceptance of dangers of chemical toxins affecting humans. The pesticide DDT is banned.

  • NGOs Gain Greater Following

    Public awareness grows. WWFN, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth all formed.

  • First Earth Summit - UN Conference on the Human Environment

    Declaration of UN conference. Action Plan for the Human Environment. EnvironmentFund established. Formation of UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Earth Summits planned at ten-year intervals.

  • Endangered Species Act

    Act was passed by Congress to conserve and protect endangered and threatened species and their habitats both domestically and abroad (NOAA).

  • C.I.T.E.S. formed by IUCN

    Endangered species protected from international trade.