The Kessler syndrome is proposed. It is a scenario in which the density of objects in low Earth orbit is high enough that collisions between objects could cause a cascade – each collision generating debris which increases the likelihood of further collisions. It would render space exploration unfeasible for a period of time.
The environmental issues surrounding the notorious Love Canal, a former dump site in the neighborhood in Niagara Falls, New York, in the United States, is highlighted in the media.
The Green Wall of China, a major series of tree planting designed to hold back the expansion of the Gobi Desert, was started. There has been some debate about the effectiveness of the project.
The Environmental Modification Convention, formally the Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques is an international treaty prohibiting the military or other hostile use of environmental modification techniques, entered into force.
^United States. Toxic Substances Control Act. "Prioritization, risk evaluation, and regulation of chemical substances and mixtures; Polychlorinated biphenyls." 15 U.S.C.§ 2605(e)