Environmental Policy

Silent Spring

An environmental science book by Rachel Carson that highlights the dangers of pesticides.

Cuyahoga River Fire (1969)

An event where the polluted river caught fire, raising national attention to water pollution and leading to the Clean Water Act.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

A government agency created to regulate environmental protection matters following major environmental events.

Earth Day

An annual event that raises public awareness on environmental issues, first celebrated in 1970.

Clean Air Act (1970)

Legislation that established federal standards for air quality and aimed to reduce air pollution.

Superfund Act

A law created to clean up contaminated land and to hold polluters responsible for environmental hazards.

Love Canal

A neighborhood in New York known for its chemical contamination that led to the Superfund Act.

Santa Barbara Oil Spill

One of the largest oil spills in America that emphasized the need for federal environmental regulations.

NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act)

A law that requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions before making decisions.

Clean Water Act (1972)

Legislation aimed at restoring and maintaining the integrity of the nation's waters by preventing point and nonpoint source pollution.