The greatest environmental problem of the 1950s was?

During the 1950s, one of the most pressing environmental issues was the widespread and easily detected pollution in air and water. This period marked significant industrial growth and urban expansion, which led to increased emissions from factories, automobiles, and other sources. Additionally, the disposal of industrial waste into water bodies became common, contributing to significant water pollution that impacted ecosystems and public health. The environmental movement started gaining momentum in response to these visible and pressing issues, paving the way for future regulations aimed at controlling pollution and protecting natural resources.

In contrast, while radiation from nuclear power plants is concerning, the extensive deployment of such plants did not occur until later decades. Global climate change, driven by greenhouse gas emissions, also began to emerge as a concern, but it wasn't as prominent in public discourse during the 1950s, as the impacts of industrial pollution were more immediate and observable. Similarly, the depletion of the ozone layer and the associated increase in ultraviolet radiation became more widely recognized in later decades, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s.