1986 in the environment

This is a list of notable events relating to the environment in 1986. They relate to environmental law, conservation, environmentalism and environmental issues.

Events

April

  • The Chernobyl disaster, a catastrophic nuclear accident, occurred at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.

June

September

  • The Balloonfest '86, a publicity stunt in Cleveland, Ohio, it aimed to break the world record for the largest simultaneous balloon release. However, the event led to unforeseen environmental damage and disruptions in the city, where thousands of balloons ended up in Lake Erie, hampering search and rescue operations and littering the shores.

November

  • The Sandoz chemical spill, a major environmental disaster caused by a fire and its subsequent control, occurred at the Sandoz agrochemical storehouse in Schweizerhalle, Basel-Landschaft, Switzerland, on November 1, 1986. It released toxic agrochemicals into the air and resulted in tons of pollutants entering the Rhine river, turning it red.
  • The West Coast Accord was signed between government, industry and environmental organisations concerning the conservation forests of the West Coast of New Zealand.

December

See also

References

  1. ↑ Wei-han, Chen (15 June 2017). "Mining companies to face make-up reviews: Cabinet". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  2. ↑ Przyboś, Ewa; Komala, Zofia (1997). "Notes on the Paramecium aurelium Species Complex in Some Waters of the Żywiec Beskids". Folia Biologica. 45 (1–2). Index Copernicus. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  3. ↑ "President Signs Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments". US EPA. 2013-01-29. Retrieved 2025-10-13.