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Witness History: The world's first environment conference

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World's First Environment Conference

26/10/2021 GMT

The world's first environment conference

BBC World Service - Witness History, The world's first environment conference

Countries first tried to tackle the damage humans are doing to the planet in 1972

Countries first tried to tackle the damage humans are doing to the planet at a conference in Stockholm in 1972.

The first international conference on the problems of the environment took place in Stockholm in 1972. It didn't concentrate on climate change but on the damage that was being done to animals and forests  by the encroachment of humans and industry. It also highlighted some of the splits between rich and poor nations over who should make the greatest changes to save the planet. Maurice Strong, who organised the gathering, spoke to Claire Bowes about why it was so difficult to get the countries of the world to agree on change.

Photo: Maurice Strong (right) shakes hands with Brazilian indigenous chief Kanhok Caiapo. AFP/Getty.

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