-
First 'Energy Crisis'
The first of its kind, the energy crisis of the 1970's involved the United States and much of the Western part of the world, where there were shortages of petroleum. This, in turn, lead to a proposal by President Jimmy Carter, to shift the nation from oil to coal. This effectively began the cross of climate studies and governmental interest. -
National Climate Program Act Temporarily Put Into Effect
The act, put into effect in 1978, was a temporarily funded act that allowed for climate research within the United States. -
Climate Change Becomes a 'Mainstream' Political Topic
Due to the release of articles by the US National Academy of Sciences and Environmental Protection Agency, there is a sparked interest in climate change, and the issue becomes a highly debated and discussed topic throughout the United States. -
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is Formed
The IPCC is developed by the World Meteorologist Organization and the United Nations Environment Program to continuously release updated information regarding Climate Change, its history, and how the state of the climate continues to change as time goes on. -
Coal Ash Rule Becomes Partially Effective
Initially proposed in 2014, the Coal Ash Rule essentially dictates more thorough regulations on the proper disposal of coal ash that comes from the residue of power plants. -
The Paris Climate Agreement Officially Goes Into Effect
The agreement - signed on Earth Day in 2016, was put into place by the United Nations to effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The agreement specifically "sets out a global framework to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2°C and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. It also aims to strengthen countries' ability to deal with the impacts of climate change and support them in their efforts" (europa.eu). -
United States withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement
On this date in 2017, President Donald Trump decided to redact the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, explaining that "The Paris Climate Accord is simply the latest example of Washington entering into an agreement that disadvantages the United States to the exclusive benefit of other countries, leaving American workers — who I love — and taxpayers to absorb the cost in terms of lost jobs, lower wages, shuttered factories, and vastly diminished economic production." -
The Clean Air Act: Emissions Standards is Repealed
The Clean Air Act, which is the first of its kind (a major law regarding the environment which resulting from a citizen suit), included an increase in the fuel efficiency requirements for passenger vehicles. The act was finalized on October 15, 2012, but then repealed in October of 2018. -
Removal of the Clean Fuels Grant Program
The Clean Fuels Grant program was initially put into place to increase the utilization of clean fuel for transit buses and was revoked in 2019 by the FTA (Federal Transit Administration).
