Environmental Movement
- 2. 1970-1980 Major events
- 3. Creation of EPA (1970) EPA stands for Environmental Protection Agency EPA was founded for “the specific purpose of protecting human health and safeguarding the natural environment” (Best) EPA was the first federal agency designed to deal with pollution EPA revolutionized the way pollution and environmental problems were dealt with Set a precedent for future environmental agencies
- 4. Air Pollutions Air pollution is significantly reduced by using of catalytic converters on the newer cars New cars are predicted to be pollution free; however they prove to release harmful chemicals
- 5. Water pollution Pollution is reduced by a large sewage treatment expansion program Old sewers are being converted back into to the rivers that they used to be The National Pollution Discharge Elimination system fails to eliminate discharges
- 6. Toxic chemicals Toxic Chemicals become more noticeable dangerous and serious Large corporations are causing harm to their employees by exposing them to the chemicals while they work New regulations are forced to be set in 1980
- 7. 1980-1990 Major events
- 8. Ozone Depletion from fluorocarbons is finally taken seriously Even strong conservatives are realizing the negative effects humans have caused to the ozone
- 9. Climate Changes Global warming is becoming more convincing More evidence suggests that the serve climate changes are serious Global warming is warned but not taken as seriously as environmentalists would like
- 10. Toxic Waste Congress passes legislation that allows cleaning up the toxic waste By the year 2002 superfund runs out
- 11. 1990-2000
- 12. Gulf War Has a very negative effect on the environment with the multiple burning oil wells Oil wells depletes a natural resources while releasing harmful fumes and causing harm to marine and land animals
- 13. Environment vs. Economy A poll is taken to see whether Americans favor the environment or economic development “A Gallup poll finds 76 percent of Americans call themselves environmentalists.” (Kovarik) There tension between republicans and democrats regarding which issue to support
- 14. 2000-Present Major Events
- 15. Change in Presidency Bill Clinton, a devoted environmentalist, leaves the Presidency President George W. Bush, a man who favors industry over the environment, becomes president in 2001 However, President Obama restores the environmental missions for activists and government mandated agencies when he is elected in 2009
- 16. Coal Mining Coal mining begins to be viewed as unsafe With multiple coal mining disasters the public sees coal mining as a waste of effort, people, and coal The coal industry shrinks because the public realizes how bad coal can be for the environment
- 17. Global Climate Change This issue becomes a priority for political figures, activists, and scientists The nation becomes more tolerable towards the idea of “being green” Animals and wild life begin to be severely affected by the climate change