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Home > Science and Technology > Acid Rain: Pollution and Politics


Acid Rain: Pollution and Politics

When fish started turning belly up in lakes and streams, North America's eyes were suddenly opened to the consequences of pollution. But long after acid rain became a household word and Canada decided to take action, the United States was still hesitant to curb its share of industrial pollutants. For years Prime Minister Brian Mulroney courted a reluctant American president while Canadian activists lobbied and spread the word. Results came eventually, but it may have been too little too late.


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Acid Rain: Pollution and Politics

 
Dying lakes, dying crops

 
Like canaries in a coal mine

 
All talk, no action

 Dying lakes, dying crops

The first report on acid rain alerts the public, and the government, to a serious problem. (TV; runs 1:53)

 Like canaries in a coal mine

Resort owners recount their fright as the source of their livelihood, freshwater fish, started to mysteriously decline and then disappeared entirely. (Radio; runs 10:33)

 All talk, no action

Another massive report, another call to action with no results (TV; runs 1:58)

 
Greenpeace climbers

 
The forests are feeling it

 
Blame Canada for acid rain?

 Greenpeace climbers

Three environmentalists climb a smokestack to draw attention to industry negligence. (TV; runs 2:38)

 The forests are feeling it

Eastern Canada's trees are weakening under the strain of acid rain. (TV; runs 2:05)

 Blame Canada for acid rain?

Another round of political ping-pong begins when scientists discover Canada's hidden contribution to acid rain. (TV; runs 1:52)

 
Losing fish in the Maritimes

 
The cost of inaction is greater

 
A long awaited agreement

 Losing fish in the Maritimes

As populations of fish decline from streams, everyone wonders what's to come. (TV; runs 2:31)

 The cost of inaction is greater

Prime Minister Mulroney requests acid rain co-operation in a speech to U.S. Congress. (Radio; runs 1:43)

 A long awaited agreement

After "getting an earful" from Canada, the new Bush administration signs a bilateral agreement to stop acid rain. (TV; runs 2:30)

 
Back from the dead: Go fish!

 
Discoverer of acid rain looks back

 
Imperfect progress on acid rain

 Back from the dead: Go fish!

A population of fish is reintroduced to its home lake, salvaged from acid rain. (TV; runs 2:31)

 Discoverer of acid rain looks back

Harold Harvey watched from the wings as a science experiment grew into a worldwide concern. (Radio; runs 14:04)

 Imperfect progress on acid rain

More changes are needed to reverse the damage of acid rain. (Radio; runs 1:41)

 
Measuring the success of Mulroney's 1991 acid rain accord

   
 Measuring the success of Mulroney's 1991 acid rain accord

The accord is hailed as an environmental success but some disagree. (TV; runs 2:33)

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