That would be the Chernobyl nuclear accident and the Bhopal, India toxic gas disaster at a Union Carbide factory. They were turning points in our understanding that our environmental problems are truly global. Bhopal in particular showed us the nature of corporate greed, and revealed their transnational strategy in the Third World. Silent and voluntarily ingested poisons that stunt our childrens' intelligence and are killing us softly. DONE People need to slow down, breathe, look around, and realize how much everything is connected.
Every individual has to commit to doing something that makes a difference.
Respect boycotts of companies, drive your car less, contribute money to an environmental organization, send a fax to a corporate polluter, recycle more, join your neighborhood association, plant trees. Everyone I meet wants to slow down. Do it today. The Internet's existence has helped environmental organizations become more effective at getting their message out to the general public and to their members. Websites, email, mailing lists and discussion forums, have been new ways to disseminate news, action alerts, and fundraising appeals.