Timeline of Environmental Science

Environmental issues have surfaced throughout human history.

60,000 years ago-today Earliest evidence of fire to clear land in Tanzania Deforestation continues to devastate

7,000 years ago Land, air and water pollution common Rome was notorious for sewage in the streets Ancient sewer system

500 BC forward Soil conservation practiced except in China in ancient times Lead poisoning by Romans who prepared their wine with lead sweetened sugar (lead acetate)

Middle Ages and Renaissance 1200-1750 Plague devastates Europe but leads to the beginnings of a public health system. Still deforestation, soil erosion, water pollution Picture is woodcut of outhouse opening directly into water supply

Era of Enlightenment 1750-1830 Thomas Malthus predicts that as populations soar, resources will become scarce or run out entirely. Movement to clean up waterways. New technologies create new pollutions Woodcut of victims of typhus

Industrial Revolution 1830-1890 Living conditions in urban areas horrible Smog episodes begin killing residents of large cities like London. Conservation of wilderness areas begins Giant Sequoia “Mother of the Forest” tree cut down started national forest preservation

Progressive Era 1890-1920 Reform was the common concern. Reform of working conditions, slum housing, food adulteration, sanitation, drinking water, polluting industries and more. Social activism, women’s clubs, Sierra Club begin Young Teddy Roosevelt leads the way in conserving large tracts of land for “wise use”

Roaring 20’s and depression 1920-1940 Leaded gasoline becomes standard for vehicles despite fight against Civilian Conservation Corps founded by FDR

World War II and the 50’s Only the government can secure the long-term public interest. Private industry can not Increasing C02 buildup Deadly smog episodes in London

The Sixties 1960-1970 Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring The tragedy of the commons (as unrestricted grazing could turn a common pasture into a wasteland, unregulated industry could do the same to the planet. )

The Seventies 1970-1980 A decade of awakening and cleanup begins with the birth of the Environmental Protection Agency Air pollution is cut back dramatically through use of catalytic converters on new cars Water pollution is greatly decreased through a massive sewage treatment expansion program …

1970-1980’s Toxic chemicals become more troubling Nuclear power safety is increasingly suspect after the Three Mile Island accident. Energy crisis in oil supply leads to reversals of some restrictions on refinery and oil pollution Greenpeace protecting whales

The Eighties 1980-1990 Disasters -the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster in Ukraine; and the Challenger shuttle and Exxon Valdez oil spills in the U.S. Ozone depletion from fluorocarbons

The Nineties 1990-2000 Persian Gulf War creates environmental disaster with thousands of burning oil wells. Political standoff - A Gallup poll finds 76 percent of Americans call themselves "environmentalists."

2000 til now Global climate change becomes a pressing priority Coal mine disasters continue to haunt the US and China. Toxic Waste dumping in developing nations continues to be an urgent problem. Tsunami and earthquake almost destroys nuclear power plant in Japan

The Future