The story of growing environmental consciousness.
1962: Rachel Carson publishes 'Silent Spring', awakening environmental consciousness
1969: Santa Barbara oil spill galvanizes environmental movement
1970: First Earth Day - 20 million Americans participate on April 22
1970: US Environmental Protection Agency established
1972: UN Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm
1973: Endangered Species Act signed into US law
1985: Antarctic ozone hole discovered
1987: Montreal Protocol bans CFCs
1990: Earth Day goes global - 200 million participants in 141 countries
1992: Rio Earth Summit produces climate framework and biodiversity convention
2000: Earth Day reaches one billion participants
2015: Paris Agreement adopted by 196 nations
2016: Paris Agreement enters into force
2020: 50th Anniversary of Earth Day - largest online mass mobilization