1970 – The U.S. creates the Environmental
Protection Agency.

1971 – Department of the Environment formed in Canada.

1972 – Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between the U.S. and Canada. Amended in 1978 and 1987.

1976 – The Environmental Assessment Act, which legally requires planning and approval of certain projects, is passed in Ontario.

1980 – The World Conservation Strategy is prepared by the UN Environment Program, World Wildlife Fund and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

1992 – The UN Rio Conference on Environment and Development is held. This conference, also called Earth Summit, led to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

1995 – The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, which requires environmental assessments of projects involving the federal government, is passed.

2000 – The Canadian Environmental Protection Act comes into effect, with a focus on pollution prevention and sustainable development.

2005 – The Kyoto Protocol goes into effect Feb. 16, after 141 countries ratified it.

2007 –  The Endangered Species Act is passed in Ontario.

2009 – The Green Energy Act is passed in Ontario, with a focus on renewable energy and conservation.

 

Sources:

– Institute for Research and Innovation in Sustainability
– The Canadian Biodiversity website
–  Environmental Defence