The Environment Chronicle

Notable environmental events between 1980 and 1989 Deselect

  1. On 7 March 1980 the oil tanker Tanio, carrying 26.000 tonnes fuel oil, broke in two during violent weather conditions off the coast of Brittany, France. As a result approximately 13.500 tonnes of cargo oil was spilled. Strong northwest winds moved the oil towards the Breton coast. The spilled oil contaminated about 200km of coastline to varying degrees.

  2. "First the trees, then us" - the debate on dying forests becomes emotionally highly charged. This is partly thanks to the Green Party, which raised public awareness.

  3. BUND's annual Bodo Manstein Medal for exceptional services to the environment is awarded for the first time.

  4. Flower of the Year 1980 is the Marsh Gentian (Gentiana pneumonanthe).

  5. Bird of the Year 1980 is the Black Grouse (Tetrao tetrix).