1972 Conference on Biodiversity:

•    1972 UNESCO Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage
The UNESCO World Heritage Convention established a network of protected sites of natural significance (World Heritage Sites); sites which posses “outstanding physical, biological, and geological features; habitats of threatened plants or animal species and areas of value on scientific or aesthetic grounds or from the point of view of conservation.” As of May 2000 160 countries have signed the convention, and there are 630 sites worldwide. The convention also prepared a list of World Heritage Sites in danger and provided for the establishment and protection of these sites. Canada currently contains 12 World Heritage Sites.
•    1972 UN Conference of the Human Environment
•    An earlier version of the 1992 Rio Conference (see below), this conference declared that humans are part of the environment as well as affecting it and being affected by it. It resulted in an action plan that focused on environmental assessment and environmental management.
•    1972 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
•    Amended in 1978 and 1987, this agreement between Canada and the United States originally dealt with attempts to reduce eutrophication (specifically, phosphorus loading) of the Great Lakes. Since then, it has expanded to include toxic substances as well.