Ensures that international trade does not threaten the survival of species.

Congressional Sponsors:

There are currently 185 Parties to CITES, including the United States, other member countries, and the European Union.

Date of passage/ President who signed the law:

President Richard Nixon signed CITES in Washington, D.C., on March 3, 1973.

Party Affiliation:

CITES is a global treaty for environmental cooperation, distinct from political parties like Democrat or Republican.

3 disasters that led to the call for legislation - Unsustainable hunting, poaching, habitat loss, degradation, and increased international trade.

3 activists that led to the push:

John Scanlon, Jamie Rappaport Clark, and David Shepherd

3 instances since the passing of the legislation used: 

CITES regulates African elephants, Dugongs, and Polar bears to protect and manage their populations effectively, aiding in conservation efforts.

Regulates the disposal of solid and hazardous waste.

Congressional Sponsors:

RCRA was introduced in the Senate in 1975 by Senator Abraham Ribicoff and signed into law in 1976 by President Gerald Ford.

Party Affiliation:

In the 1970s, environmental laws, including RCRA, garnered bipartisan support despite being signed into law by President Gerald Ford, a Republican.

Date of passage and president who signed the law:

The RCRA was passed by Congress on October 15, 1976, and signed into law by President Gerald R. Ford, a Republican, on October 21, 1976.

3 disasters that led to the call for legislation:

The RCRA was not triggered by a specific disaster but was a response to increasing waste concerns, with incidents like Love Canal and public awareness playing a significant role.

3 activists that led to the push:

Various factors, including public awareness, science, and environmental pressure, led to the passage of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

3 instances since the passing of the legislation used:

Since 1976, RCRA has initiated vital waste programs: hazardous waste systems, state-level solid waste frameworks, and Corrective Action for contaminated lands.

Addresses the cleanup of hazardous waste sites and establishes liability for environmental contamination.

Congressional Sponsors/Party Affiliation:

CERCLA, also called Superfund, was crafted by a bipartisan group including Senators Hagedorn, Biden, Kennedy, and Sarbanes, along with Representatives Synar, Waxman, and Burton.

Date of passage and president who signed the law:

The Comprehensive Environmental Response Act (CERCLA), or Superfund, was signed by President Jimmy Carter on December 11, 1980.

3 disasters that led to the call for legislation:

The Love Canal Disaster, Valley of the Drums, and Times Beach incident led to the creation of CERCLA, or Superfund, emphasizing the need for a federal response to hazardous waste contamination.

3 activists that led to the push:

The murders of James Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and Andrew Goodman in Mississippi in 1964, during Freedom Summer, catalyzed the push for CERCLA by raising awareness of the risks faced by civil rights activists.

3 instances since the passing of the legislation used:

The CERCLA, or Superfund Act, passed in 1980, is used extensively for managing hazardous waste sites and pollution events, with three notable examples.

Prohibits the approval of any food additive found to cause cancer in humans or animals.

Congressional Sponsors:

Sen. James Delaney (D-NY)

Party Affiliation:

Democratic

Date of passage and president who signed the law:

1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower

3 Disasters or Events that led to call for legislation:

The Sulfanilamide Disaster in 1937 led to the 1938 FD&C Act, which Delaney amended. DDT Concerns in the 1950s arose from the use of a carcinogenic pesticide. The Cyclamate Controversy in the late 1950s resulted from concerns about an artificial sweetener being a cancer-causing agent.

3 Activists or Scientists Who Pushed for It:

Senator James Delaney led food safety efforts. Dr. Frances Kelsey advocated for rigorous reviews. Rachel Carson raised chemical awareness post-clause.

3 instances since the passing of the legislation used: 

Cyclamate was banned (1969), as carcinogenic to rats. Red Dye No. 2 banned (1976) amid cancer worries. Alar in the apple controversy (1989), reduction due to carcinogen listing.

Protects the ozone layer by phasing out the use of ozone-depleting substances.

Congressional Sponsors/Party Affiliation:

The Montreal Protocol was implemented in the U.S. through legislation like the Clean Air Act and the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act. Unanimously ratified by a Democratic-controlled Senate under a Republican President.

Date of passage and president who signed the law:

The Montreal Protocol, an international treaty, was adopted on September 16, 1987, with President Ronald Reagan ratifying it on April 5, 1988.

3 disasters that led to the call for legislation:

The Antarctic ozone hole discovery raised concerns about ozone-depleting substances' harmful effects, prompting the creation of the Montreal Protocol in 1987.

3 activists that led to the push:

The Montreal Protocol resulted from international collaboration, with notable contributions from Mostafa Kamal Tolba, Brian Mulroney, and the scientific community.

3 instances since the passing of the legislation used:

The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty with global goals for reducing ozone-depleting substances through collective action by signatories.

Regulating air emissions from both the stationary and mobile sources. The CAA also permits the EPA to set limits to protect public health and the environment.

Originally Passed In:

1970 (with major amendments in 1977 and 1990)

Congressional Sponsors:

Senator Edmund Muskie (D-ME)

Party Affiliation:

Democrat

Date of Passage and President Who Signed the Law: December 1970 — signed by President Richard Nixon

3 Disasters That Led to the Call for Legislation:

1948 Donora, Pennsylvania smog disaster (20 individuals were reported dead, leaving thousands sick)

1966 New York City smog event

Growing concerns about urban smog and acid rain

3 Activists or Scientists Who Pushed for It:

Rachel Carson – She wrote Silent Spring which sparked an environmental movement

Senator Edmund Muskie

Arie Haagen-Smit – he was a scientist who linked car emissions to smog

3 Instances Since the Passing When the Legislation Has Been Used:

1990 Amendments – targeted acid rain, ozone depletion, and toxic air pollutants

Massachusetts v. EPA (2007) – forced EPA to regulate CO₂ as a pollutant

Clean Power Plan (2015) – limited emissions from power plants (later repealed but rooted in CAA)

Addresses climate change by committing industrialized countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Congressional Sponsors/Party Affiliation:

The US Senate's Byrd-Hagel Resolution passed in 1997, blocked ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by requiring emission reductions from developing countries as well.

Date of passage and president who signed the law:

The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997, was signed by President Bill Clinton in 1998, but the U.S. Senate never ratified it, so it didn't become law.

3 disasters that led to the call for legislation:

The Kyoto Protocol responded to global climate concerns by aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat global warming, inspired by growing awareness fueled by events like the IPCC's 1988 assessment.

3 activists that led to the push:

Several key activists and groups, including the Environmental Defense Fund and Jonathan Pershing from the World Resources Institute, were influential in advocating for the Kyoto Protocol in response to concerns about global warming, including those raised by the Pentagon.

3 instances since the passing of the legislation used:

The Kyoto Protocol, though not fully operational, has had notable impacts through the Clean Development Mechanism, Joint Implementation, and Emissions Trading mechanisms to assist countries in reducing emissions.

Date:
Passed in 1974, with major amendments in 1986 and 1996.

Congressional Sponsors:
Senator Warren G. Magnuson (D-WA) was a major sponsor.

Party Affiliation:
Democrat

Date of Passage and President Who Signed the Law:
Signed into law on December 16, 1974, by President Gerald Ford

3 Disasters That Led to the Call for Legislation:

In 1969, Cuyahoga River Fire highlighted water pollution. Unsafe drinking water incidents in the late 1960s and 1972 reports of dangerous public water contaminants by the EPA.

3 Activists or Scientists Who Pushed for It:

Ralph Nader: Consumer advocate for environmental protections. Barry Commoner: Warned about industrial pollution in water. EPA researchers: Early studies showed dangers of lead and nitrates in water.

3 Instances Since the Passing When the Legislation Has Been Used:

The 1996 Amendments mandated annual water quality reports, 2014 Flint crisis exposed SDWA failures, prompting EPA regulation of PFAS in drinking water.

To protect and recover imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. It aims to prevent extinction and promote the recovery of endangered and threatened species.

Congressional Sponsors:

Senator Harrison A. Williams (D-NJ) and Representative John D. Dingell (D-MI)

Party Affiliation:

Both Democrats

Date of Passage and President Who Signed the Law:

Signed into law on December 28, 1973, by President Richard Nixon

3 Disasters or Events That Led to the Call for Legislation:

The near-extinction of the bald eagle, a decline of species like the whooping crane, grizzly bear, and American alligator, and weak 1966 and 1969 protection laws called for stronger enforcement.

3 Activists or Scientists Who Pushed for It:

Rachel Carson was exposed to chemical impacts. John Dingell championed wildlife conservation laws. Scientists and conservationists collaborated.

3 Instances Since the Passing When the Legislation Has Been Used:

Assisted gray wolf recovery in Yellowstone and beyond, delisted bald eagles in 2007, and established protections for loggerhead sea turtles.

Restoring and maintaining U.S. waters by controlling pollution and protecting surface waters and wetlands.

Originally Passed In:

1972 (as major amendments to the 1948 Federal Water Pollution Control Act)

Congressional Sponsors:

Senator Edmund Muskie (D-ME)

Party Affiliation:

Democrat

Date of Passage and President Who Signed the Law: October 1972 — President Nixon vetoed it, but Congress overrode the veto and it became law.

3 Disasters That Led to the Call for Legislation:

Cuyahoga River Fire (1969)

Santa Barbara Oil Spill (1969)

Lake Erie declared “dead” from pollution

3 Activists or Scientists Who Pushed for It:

Rachel Carson (author of Silent Spring)

Senator Edmund Muskie

Senator Gaylord Nelson (Earth Day founder)

3 Instances Since the Passing When the Legislation Has Been Used:

EPA vs. Duke Energy (2007) – thermal water pollution case

Chesapeake Bay Clean-up – still in motion multi-state effort

2015 Clean Water Rule (WOTUS) – grew the protection of small waterways