AP Environmental Science Laws & Events to Know

Events

Exxon Valdez - An oil tanker in 1989 spilt 10.9 million gallons of crude oil into U.S. waters, causing death of benthic species and chronic effects to those nearby

Three Mile Island - Nuclear reactor losing coolant, causing nuclear fuel to overheat and melt, adding to public distrust in nuclear and an overall improvement in nuclear regulations

Love Canal, New York - PCBs, benzene, etc. buried underground, built on top of, cancer and miscarriages from those affected; resulted in CERCLA

James Bay, Quebec - Noted issues with large-scale hydroelectric projects

Laws

Clean Air Act (CAA) - Aimed to study air and how atmospheric pollutants harm us, as well as developing programs to monitor and regulate harmful emissions. Established cap and trade, a system to maximize emissions in an industry.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) - Promotes sustainability

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Formed under Nixon to protect human health and enforce environmental standards

Endangered Species Act (ESA) - Protection for any speech seen as at risk of going extinct. Includes habitat protection, a ban on directly harming the organism’s habitat or population, and more

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild flora and Fauna (CITES) - A multilateral treaty that outlines that certain species are not to be traded due to their endangered status

Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) - Focuses on maintaining pure, drinkable water on the surface and in the ground

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) - “$Cradle to Grave Act$” that set regulations on how dangerous chemicals were manufactured and transported, including a documentation of the process.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) (AKA Superfund Act) - Established to ensure that environmental cites, whether a distinct party was at fault or not, had cleanup paid for (trust fund) safely and appropriately

Montreal Protocol - Global effort to reduce ozone-depeleting chemicals, mainly CFCs, for less harmful alternatives

Kyoto Protocol - Unsuccessful attempt to address greenhouse gases; U.S. did not sign