Environmental Movement

Question 1

What is Environmentalism?

Answer 1

The concern about an action aimed at protecting the environment.

Question 2

What have been the influential factors of the Environmental Movement?

Answer 2

Literature: the Green Book, Silent Spring.
Media
Disasters: Minamata Bay Disaster, Chernobul, Bhopal, Fukushima, Australian Fire
International Agreements: Stockholm Conference (1972), Montreal Protocol (1987), Kyoto Protocol (1997), Paris Agreement (2015)

Question 3

Stockholm Conference (1972)

Answer 3

• The UN Conference on Human Environment.
• First major conference on environmental issues.
• A turning point in politics.
• Aimed at protecting human health and environment from chemicals that remain intact and organic pollutants.

Question 4

Montreal Protocol (1987)

Answer 4

• Achieved universal ratification.
• Due to the discovery of the HOLE IN THE OZONE LAYER.
• It banned ozone-depleting substances.
• Big success.
• To avoid 280 million cases of skin cancer, 1.6 deaths, and more than 45 million cases of cataracts.

Question 5

Kyoto Protocol (1997)

Answer 5

• International Treaty signed in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (started in 1992).
• Aim: to reduce CO2 emissions. Reduce and stabilize GHG emissions.
• One of the first international agreements

Question 6

Chernobl 1986

Answer 6

• In Ucraine 1986 (USSR).
• A nuclear plant reactor exploded, causing lots of fire.
• The explosion released lots of radiation, which can cause thyroid cancer.
• The UN Scientific Commitee intervened.
• Reactors alike were banned.
• Safety standards were introduced.
• Chernobyl and Pyriat became inhospitable.