Environmental Impact of Oil Spills

The video explores the unexpected connection between kitty litter and the modern environmental movement, starting with the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill. The disaster highlighted the nation's unpreparedness for environmental crises, leading to public outrage and a surge in environmental activism. This activism, alongside other social movements, spurred significant legislative reforms, including the creation of Earth Day, the National Environmental Policy Act, the EPA, and the Clean Water Act, marking a pivotal moment in environmental history.

What unusual material was used during the cleanup of the 1969 oil spill?

• Wood chips

• Plastic sheets

• Sand

• Kitty litter

Which major social movements were occurring in the U.S. around the time of the 1969 oil spill?

• Women's suffrage

• Civil rights and anti-war protests

• Space exploration

• Prohibition

What was the name of the volunteer group formed in response to the oil spill?

• Get Oil Out

• Save the Oceans

• Protect Our Waters

• Clean Coastlines

Which of the following was NOT a result of the public outcry after the oil spill?

• The National Environmental Policy Act

• The first Earth Day

• The Space Race

• The Clean Water Act

What significant environmental agency was established following the 1969 oil spill?

• The Department of Energy

• The National Park Service

• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)