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Air pollution was very minimal and the main source of the pollution came from wood burning and metal burning.

Water pollution was limited to certain areas and mainly came from human and animal waste. Also, another contributor was industrial activities such as the application of dyes or pigments on textile materials, known as dyeing, and metalworking, which polluted nearby water sources.

In order to survive, humans got most of their energy from burning wood for cooking and heating, and by the use of human and animal labor for work such as farming and building. To add, devices like waterwheels and windmills were used for tasks like grinding grain.

In some areas, conservation was being practiced such as ancient civilizations in China and Rome where they managed forests for a steady supply of wood, and they used agricultural methods like crop rotation to preserve soil fertility.

Lead poisoning was a problem because lead was commonly used in Roman plumbing, cookware, and cosmetics. These usages led to contamination of drinking water and food, causing health issues.

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Due to industrial activities, waste disposal, and urbanization, water pollution increased during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Contaminants such as human waste, often polluted rivers and water sources.

Extensive wood harvesting was necessary for fuel, building materials, and tools. This led to widespread deforestation (esp. in Europe) which caused soil erosion, loss of wildlife habitats, and a decline in available timber resources. The reduction in forests, also contributed to changes in local climates and increased vulnerability to flooding. These environmental impacts began efforts to manage forests more sustainably, though deforestation remained a significant issue.

During the Middle Ages, diseases like for example, the Bubonic Plague had extreme and detrimental effects. This disease that occurred during the Middle Ages, killed millions and caused widespread social and economic disruption. The high death rates led to labor shortages which had in turn, weakened political systems and shifted the balance of power between peasants and the noble. Trade routes became routes for the spread of diseases, which affected populations across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. In the Renaissance, while medical knowledge began to improve, still, periodic outbreaks of plague and other diseases continued to shape societies, which influenced public health practices and urban planning.

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People began to take up causes such as public health, environmental conservation, and animal welfare, due to being driven by a growing awareness of the importance of rationalism and science in improving society. They sought to address issues like pollution, deforestation, and cruelty to animals, while also promoting sustainable practices. These efforts set up the stage for modern movements in health, environmental protection, and social justice.

Thomas Malthus predicted that population growth would outpace food production, leading to famine and disease due to an imbalance between rapid population increase and slower food supply growth.

An example of plastic pollution and how it is increasingly affecting oceans and waterways is with microplastics. Electronic waste from the microplastics, releases toxic chemicals into the environment from discarded electronics. This chemical runoff from pesticides and fertilizers contaminates the water supplies.

Sanitation became crucial as urbanization led to severe health crises caused by poor waste management and contaminated water. This resulted in widespread disease and high mortality rates. Scientific advancements highlighted the link between cleanliness and health, driving efforts to improve public sanitation.

Air pollution during this time was severe, particularly in cities like London, where the widespread use of coal led to thick smog that obstructed visibility and caused significant health issues. The dense smoke from coal burning was so bad that it filled the air with soot, which made it extremely difficult to breathe and contributing to respiratory illnesses.

Water pollution during this time was significant, especially in growing urban areas where waste from industries, tanneries, and human sewage was often dumped directly into rivers and streams. This contamination led to widespread health issues, including waterborne diseases, and contributed to the poor living conditions in many cities.

When the "Mother of the Forest," which was a giant sequoia tree in California, was cut down in 1852, it caused a widespread of public outrage, and drew attention to the need for conservation. The tree, one of the largest and oldest living organisms, was felled to be exhibited in a traveling show, sparking a backlash that eventually contributed to the early conservation movement and the establishment of national parks to protect such natural wonders.

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Reform of working conditions such as slum housing, food adulteration, sanitation, drinking water, polluting industries, hunting laws and mining practices had occurred.

Theodore Roosevelt advocated for a “wise use” of natural resources and a better approach in taking the future into account while accommodating to the needs of other people.

The women’s movement was formed which fought for women’s suffrage, labor rights, and social reforms.

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The purpose of National Coast Anti-Pollution League was to address and lessen pollution along the coastlines, particularly focusing on industrial and municipal waste that threatened coastal and marine environments.

The first automobiles used gasoline derived from crude oil, which was less refined than today's gasoline.

The chemurgy movement aimed to develop industrial processes that could utilize agricultural products. This movement sought to find new uses for crops and agricultural waste, promoting agricultural innovation and sustainability.

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Concerns about air pollution in the 1940s and 1950s grew due to the increasing number of vehicles and industrial activities. The infamous "killer smog" events, such as the Donora smog of 1948 and the Great Smog of London in 1952, heightened awareness of air pollution's dangers.

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The "burning river" refers to the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio, which famously caught fire several times due to pollution.

Rachel Carson's influential book that is often credited with starting the modern environmental movement is "Silent Spring.” The book raised public awareness about the dangers of pesticide use and its impact on the environment.

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was founded to protect human health and enviroment

To reduce air pollution, the Clean Air Act was signed into law and gradually stopped the use of leaded gasoline in cars

To reduce water pollution, the Safe Drinking Water act was signed into law, scientists detected carcinogens in water, and the Superfund program cleaned up waste

Chlorofluorocarbons and mercury pollution were two new sources of pollution began causing concern

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Love Canal relocation causing hundreds of people to move, Times Beach contamination, nuclear accidents at Chernobyl leading to contamination and health issues were major disasters that occured during this time period.

Ozone layer depletion and climate change issues were two major issues involving the Earth's atomosphere that started arising

The Gulf War caused pollution because of the oil spills

China constructed The Three Gorges Dam which garnered controversy

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The final act President Bill Clinton signed into law was the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000

President Bush was the president with the lowest attention to environmental protection, including global warming and climate change, of any president in United States history

Reactions to leaded gasoline resulted in a worldwide public health campaign against the use of leaded gasoline because of the dangers to society and individuals.