1971 in the environment
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{{Year nav topic5|1971|the environment}}
This is a list of notable events relating to the environment in 1971. They relate to environmental law, conservation, environmentalism and environmental issues.
Events
- The Man and the Biosphere Programme was established by UNESCO to promote interdisciplinary approaches to management, research and education in ecosystem conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
= January =
- The 1971 San Francisco Bay oil spill occurred when two Standard Oil tankers, the Arizona Standard and the Oregon Standard, collided in the San Francisco Bay, resulting in an {{convert|800,000|gal|L}} spill. It led to the formation of a number of environmental organisations.
= February =
- The SS Wafra oil spill occurred when the ship experienced engine trouble and subsequently ran around near Cape Agulhas, South Africa, spilling 200,000 barrels of crude oil.
= July =
- In the United States the Oregon Bottle Bill (HB 1036) is signed into law. It is the first such legislation to pass in the US
= September =
- The Marine Reserves Act 1971 was passed into law in New Zealand.
= October =
- The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil was amended to protect the Great Barrier Reef