Today being the 40th Earth Day I thought we might reflect on how far we've come.
40 years ago rivers in Ohio were catching fire, LA's air was next to unbreathable, gasoline was leaded, industry polluted almost at will, and 12 mpg cars spewed toxic exhaust everywhere.
Things are much improved today thanks to hard work of environmentalists who agitated for reform, politicians who actually listened (including Richard Nixon of all people), and the scientists and engineers who found concrete ways to reduce pollution.
The flood of environmental legislation that was passed in the 70s has paid quite impressive dividends. Things are not perfect -- but they're a lot better than they would have been without the following legislation:
1969 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
1970 Clean Air Act
1970 Reorganization Plan No. 3 (established the EPA)
1972 Clean Water Act
1973 Endangered Species Act
1974 Safe Drinking Water Act
1976 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
1980 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
40 years ago rivers in Ohio were catching fire, LA's air was next to unbreathable, gasoline was leaded, industry polluted almost at will, and 12 mpg cars spewed toxic exhaust everywhere.
Things are much improved today thanks to hard work of environmentalists who agitated for reform, politicians who actually listened (including Richard Nixon of all people), and the scientists and engineers who found concrete ways to reduce pollution.
The flood of environmental legislation that was passed in the 70s has paid quite impressive dividends. Things are not perfect -- but they're a lot better than they would have been without the following legislation:
1969 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
1970 Clean Air Act
1970 Reorganization Plan No. 3 (established the EPA)
1972 Clean Water Act
1973 Endangered Species Act
1974 Safe Drinking Water Act
1976 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
1980 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
