What historically has had the greatest impact on the development of environmental policy?

The industrial revolution had a significant impact on the development of environmental policy, as it led to widespread pollution and degradation of Natural Resources, prompting the need for regulations to protect the environment. Additionally, high-profile environmental disasters such as the Exxon Valdez oil spill and Love Canal contamination have influenced the establishment of environmental policies and regulations. Public awareness and advocacy movements, such as the environmental movement in the 1960s and 1970s, have also played a key role in shaping environmental policy.