Revise later
SpaceTo flip
If confident
All Flashcards
What was the significance of *Silent Spring* (1962)?
Exposed the dangers of pesticides like DDT and is considered a catalyst for the modern environmental movement.
What was the impact of the Santa Barbara oil spill (1969)?
Highlighted the dangers of human error in the oil industry and reinforced public fears about environmental damage.
What was the OPEC oil embargo (1973)?
OPEC embargoed oil exports to countries supporting Israel, leading to sharp oil price increases and shortages.
What was the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (1975)?
Set corporate standards for gas mileage in response to the oil crisis.
What was the Three Mile Island accident (1979)?
A near meltdown at a nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania, leading to public fear and skepticism about nuclear power.
What was the significance of Earth Day (1970)?
Helped raise awareness about environmental problems and catalyzed environmental action.
What did the Clean Water Act (1972) aim to do?
Aimed to combat industrial pollution of waterways.
What did the Endangered Species Act (1973) do?
Protected threatened and endangered species and their habitats.
What was the purpose of Superfund (1980)?
Created to identify, investigate, and clean up hazardous waste sites.
What was the impact of the Chernobyl disaster (1986)?
Reinforced fears about nuclear power globally due to the release of large amounts of radiation.
Define 'DDT'.
A powerful pesticide that was widely used but later banned due to its harmful environmental effects.
What is the EPA?
Environmental Protection Agency, an agency of the U.S. government created to protect human health and the environment.
Define 'OPEC'.
Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, a group of nations that coordinate petroleum policies.
What is the Energy Policy and Conservation Act?
A U.S. law passed in 1975 to address energy shortages, including setting gas mileage standards.
Define 'Earth Day'.
An annual event celebrated on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection.
What is the Clean Water Act?
A U.S. law aimed to reduce industrial pollution of waterways.
Define 'Endangered Species Act'.
A U.S. law that protects threatened and endangered species and their habitats.
What is 'Superfund'?
A U.S. law (officially the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act or CERCLA) created to clean up hazardous waste sites.
Define 'Radioactive Waste'.
Waste products from nuclear reactors that remain dangerous for thousands of years.
Define 'Environmental Movement'.
A social and political movement focused on protecting the natural environment.
What were the causes and effects of the OPEC oil embargo (1973)?
Cause: OPEC embargoed oil exports to countries supporting Israel. Effect: Sharp increase in oil prices, shortages, and disruptions to the global economy.
What were the causes and effects of the Three Mile Island accident (1979)?
Cause: Cooling system failure at a nuclear power plant. Effect: Public fear and skepticism about nuclear power.
What were the causes and effects of *Silent Spring*?
Cause: Rachel Carson's investigation into the effects of pesticides. Effect: Increased public awareness, DDT ban, and the establishment of the EPA.
What were the causes and effects of the Santa Barbara oil spill (1969)?
Cause: Human error and modern technology in the oil industry. Effect: Reinforced public fears about environmental damage from oil.