Conservation of the Environment Timeline by Dinesh PAndian

Garrett Hardin

dinesh_pandian_ — 2017-05-17 14:52:39 UTC

Date of contribution: 1968

Garrett Hardin is well known for one of his writings: “The Tragedy of the Commons." He was trained in Ecology and Microbiology and also taught Human Ecology at the University of California. "The Tragedy of the Commons" explores the self interest of consumers in a survival situation with a shared resource system.

Elbel Consulting Services, LLC, The Garrett Hardin Society. The Tragedy of the Commons by Garrett Hardin. Science, 13 Dec. 1968, www.garretthardinsociety.org/articles/art_tragedy_of_the_commons.html. Accessed 17 May 2017.

“Garrett Hardin.” Garrett Hardin, upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c3/Garrett_Hardin.jpg. Accessed 17 May 2017.

Great Smog of 1952

dinesh_pandian_ — 2017-05-17 15:00:56 UTC

Date of event: Dec 5th-9th, 1952

London’s dependency on coal-fired power plants for heat and electricity is what led to the Great Smog. All the pollutants in the air from manufacturing and production thickened and created a black smog in London. This thick black enveloping smog gave many people respiratory illnesses, and even killing 4,000-10,000 lives.

Society, National Geographic. “Great Smog of 1952.” National Geographic Society, 7 Nov. 2013, www.nationalgeographic.org/thisday/dec4/great-smog-1952/. Accessed 17 May 2017.

“The Great Smog of 1952 in London.” The Great Smog of 1952 in London, fthmb.tqn.com/QarvzbYpbEFRzPdfnlikckHHf98=/768x0/filters:no_upscale()/about/smog-56a48c5c5f9b58b7d0d78109.jpg. Accessed 17 May 2017.

Environmental Protection Agency

dinesh_pandian_ — 2017-05-17 15:01:06 UTC

Date founded: December, 1970

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) was established on December 2, 1970. The agency conducts federal research, monitoring, standard-setting and enforcement activities to try and protect the environment. The main goal of the EPA is to protect the environment, reduce health and environmental risks and to protect human and wildlife health.

“The Origins of EPA.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 11 Jan. 2017, www.epa.gov/history. Accessed 17 May 2017.

“EPA History.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 4 Apr. 2017, www.epa.gov/history. Accessed 17 May 2017.

BP Oil Spill

dinesh_pandian_ — 2017-05-19 05:39:07 UTC

Date of event: April 20, 2010
On April 20, 2010 an explosion in an oil rig caused oil to start leaking, and over 87 days 3.2 billion barrels of oil were leaked into the Gulf of Mexico. Also known as the Gulf oil spill, it was the worst oil spill ever recorded in history. The use of barriers and dispersants were used to help clean up and solve the tremendous problem. This huge accident caused national worry and for more research to be put into the oil industry.

Frost, Emily. “Gulf Oil Spill.” Ocean Portal | Smithsonian, Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, 5 Jan. 2017, ocean.si.edu/gulf-oil-spill. Accessed 17 May 2017.

Kingston Fossil Plant Spill

dinesh_pandian_ — 2017-05-19 05:44:20 UTC

Date of event: December 22, 2008
On this day a coal ash containment pond let go of millions of cubic ash of combustion waste sludge. The break in the containment wall let out over 1.3 billion cubic feet of toxic coal ash. This ash buried 300 acres of land in toxic sludge. This accident created changes in plant byproducts and even changes in weather.

“Coal Ash Spill, Tennessee : Natural Hazards.” NASA, NASA, earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=36352. Accessed 17 May 2017.

Lois Gibbs

dinesh_pandian_ — 2017-05-19 05:47:21 UTC

Date of contribution: 1978

Lois Gibbs first spoke about the dangers of her neighborhood (Love Canal). She started as an activist and later helped create the EPA superfund. Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ). Her efforts also led to the creation of the EPA´s superfund.

"Lois Gibbs." Lois Gibbs. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2017. .

Greenpeace

dinesh_pandian_ — 2017-05-19 05:51:54 UTC

Date founded: 1971

Greenpeace was established in 1971 to combat climate change, defend ocean life, protect forests, stop nuclear weapons, and look for safer alternatives to toxic chemicals used in manufacturing. A brave group of activists protested U.S. Nuclear testing by sailing into harm's way. This brave act shed light onto the dangers of nuclear testing and sparked a community awareness.

“About Greenpeace.” Greenpeace International, www.greenpeace.org/international/en/about/. Accessed 17 May 2017.

Santa Barbara Oil Spill

dinesh_pandian_ — 2017-05-19 05:58:55 UTC

Date of event: January 28, 1969

On January 28, 1969 a blowout occurred in the oil rig and 3 million barrels of oil leaked to the surface before it was plugged. There is a small crack where a few barrels of oil leak everyday. The blowout sparked national and got everyone involved in environmental activism, after seeing animals covered in oil and other dramatic images

“1969 Santa Barbara Oil Spill.” 1969 Santa Barbara Oil Spill, Los Angelos Times, www2.bren.ucsb.edu/~dhardy/1969_Santa_Barbara_Oil_Spill/Home.html. Accessed 17 May 2017.

World Wildlife Fund

dinesh_pandian_ — 2017-05-19 06:02:28 UTC

Date founded: April, 1961

The WWF (World WIldlife Fund) was established in April, 1961. It has over 5 million global members with the goal to protect the future of nature by reducing the most pressing threats to the diversity of life. Their goal is to help restore natural habitats, help communities conserve natural resources and mobilize hundreds of millions to support conservation.

“About Us.” WWF, World Wildlife Fund, www.worldwildlife.org/about. Accessed 17 May 2017.

dinesh_pandian_ — 2017-05-19 12:41:11 UTC

dinesh_pandian_ — 2017-05-19 12:41:27 UTC

dinesh_pandian_ — 2017-05-19 12:42:03 UTC

Sierra Club

dinesh_pandian_ — 2017-05-19 12:47:29 UTC

Date founded: May 28, 1892

The Sierra Club was founded in 1892 by the famous conservationist John Muir. It now has 2 million supporters and is the largest grassroots environmental organization. Some successes are the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.

“The Origins of EPA.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 11 Jan. 2017, www.epa.gov/history. Accessed 17 May 2017.

The Connection: Advancements in Environmental Science and Awareness

dinesh_pandian_ — 2017-05-19 13:56:45 UTC

All of these events, individuals, and organizations work to better improve the environment. All the events were disasters that sparked community awareness and called for improvements in technology and methods. Both the individuals contributed greatly in educating the public about environmental awareness. The organizations also gathered huge groups and did even more than spread awareness but carried out actions and employed solutions. This makes the theme Advancements in Environmental Science and Awareness because of the good outcomes of all of the subjects even if the subject was a disaster.