Eco Movements Throughout the Decades

The Retro Swirl case is here! Meet our funkiest pattern inspired by decades of eco movements 🌈🌍💪

This week, our latest case design, Retro Swirl, was launched. This design is more than just your perfect sustainable bathroom accessory, it has been inspired by the revolutionary eco movements of the 1970s and their impact on today's society. Let’s take you through some of the most important moments in sustainable history over the last few decades!

1960s

Although some environmental action was certainly made before this, we will start with the 60’s.

1962

Rachel Carson publishes the iconic book Silent Spring, which highlights the dangers of pesticides on creatures such as birds. This book is incredibly impactful and is now known as a catalyst for mainstream environmentalism.

1969

The Santa Barbara Channel oil rig explodes, causing an oil spill spanning 800 square miles, killing 10,000 birds, and reaching lakes where many fish die. This demonstrated how precious the earth is and that humans need to take action.

1970s

1970

The first Earth Day was held on 22nd April 1970, which saw 20 million people on the streets of the US to protest against environmental damage and destruction. Although this was not the first eco-movement, it was the most largely documented due to it’s scale, location and uproar.

1980s

The 80s saw many significant changes such as various environmental Acts passing in the US, UK, and European countries. The marine conservation activisim organisation Sea Shepherd successfully clears pirate whalers from the Atlantic Ocean. News of a hole in the Ozone layer is reported by Joe Farman from the British Antarctic Survey.

1986

On April 26th was the explosion of Chernobyl Nuclear power plant. This was undoubtedly the worst nucelear disaster in history, releasing a radioactive cloud over northern Europe. Another major catalyst for environmental action.

1990s

1993

Over 4 million Ogoni people of Nigeria protest the destruction of the Niger River delta homeland by Shell Oil. This movement resulted in thousands of deaths and arrests.

1999

Important year for the ‘Save the Narmada Movement’ in India where thousands protest against a number of large dam projects.

2000s

2005

Following President George Bush pulling out of the Kyoto protocol in 2001 and not committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, large protests were staged and culminated in the Global Day of Action march in 2005. Worldwide protests took place, with the ‘National Climate March’ as the event for the UK.

2009

25,000-100,000 climate activists took to the streets of Copenhagen on December 12th, midway through the UN’s environmental summit.

2010s

2014

400,000 demonstrators gathered in New York City to increase knowledge about climate change with diverse attendees. This was under the slogan “To change everything, it takes everyone”

2019

The Global Climate Strike in September 2019 saw 7.6 million people around the world join forces to demand action from global leaders over 8 days.