Activity 4.1 – US Environmental History and Major Regulations.
In reaction to growing worries about pollution and other environmental issues, the environmental movement evolved in the 1960s and 1970s. “Community organizing and an emphasis on environmental justice were the defining characteristics of this movement” (Theis & Tomkin, 2018). The 1962 release of "Silent Spring," a book by Rachel Carson, was one of the major occasions that fueled the environmental movement. The book provided evidence of the detrimental effects that pesticides and other chemicals have on the ecosystem and the general public's health. “It supported the passing of several significant environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, and helped to increase public awareness of environmental issues”(Theis & Tomkin, 2018).
The environmental movement had a huge impact on the growth of the modern sustainability movement. “In order to build a more just and sustainable future, sustainability is a development strategy that aims to strike a balance among economic, social, and environmental factors” (Theis & Tomkin, 2018). The emergence of circular economy models, which aim to minimize waste and encourage resource reuse and recycling, is one of the most recent advances in the sustainability movement. The growing use of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, which may help lower greenhouse gas emissions and prevent climate change, is another significant trend.
The sustainability movement is currently expanding as more people, organizations, and governments work to address environmental problems and achieve sustainable development. “Important problems include biodiversity loss, climate change, and the depletion of natural resources” (Theis & Tomkin, 2018). In addition to biodiversity loss and resource depletion, other important challenges include climate change. As we work to build a more equal and sustainable future for both current generations and those to come, sustainable development is becoming more and more crucial.
The development of environmental thought in the US has been influenced by a range of variables, such as scientific advancements, cultural norms, and political developments. The concepts and movements that have developed over time have contributed to shaping our understanding of the natural world and our place within it, and they still have an impact on environmental policy and practice today. We can build a more just and sustainable future for our current generation as well as future generations by cooperating to address environmental issues and advance sustainable development.
References:
“Theis, T., & Tomkin, J. (Eds). (2018). Sustainability: A Comprehensive Foundation. .”
Russell, E., & Fairfax, S. K. (2014). Guide to U.S. Environmental Policy. CQ Press. https://nvcproxy.alamo.edu/login?url=https://search-ebscohost-com.nvcproxy.alamo.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=862170&site=ehost-live&scope=site&custid=s4653251&authtype=ip&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_407
Timeline Editor, https://time.graphics/editor.
a) Identify the environmental policy to which you are referring.
ReplyDeleteThe Clean Air Act
b) Explain the change in that environmental policy to include what action(s) the Executive Branch has made. (There is no minimum word count, but explicitly demonstrate your new knowledge.)
The United States started the Clean act air because of the high amounts of emissions in the atmosphere they started to see. The technology at the time started to evolve and they started to be more aware of the issues caused by air pollution and how the water could be acidic. The issue with the act is it was not a universal agreement to try to use fewer emissions. They wanted "to protect public health and welfare nationwide, the law requires EPA"(EPA et al. 2013. p.1). They had one goal was to protect everyone in the nation. A couple of major regions made by Congress was decreasing the number of emissions the normal citizen uses. They are now more strict with companies using a specific amount of emissions and letting them into the atmosphere.
c) Outline your perspective on the identified change to include its potential effectiveness. (There is no minimum word count but be sure you explicitly demonstrate your new knowledge.)
I think this act is very effective because the u.s is trying to find different sources of energy so we do not relate CO2 from the coal power process. The earth is getting hotter little by little and the ozone is deteriorating also. Everyone is doing their part like some of them purchasing electric cars so they do not release emissions. The Obama administration said it "reduced key air pollutants that cause smog and particulate pollution by more than 60%"(Heather et al. 2011, p.1). This is also another way the act has been really effective for our environment and citizens.
d) Include a source from where you learned about the change.
National Archives and Records Administration. (n.d.). So what does the Clean Air Act do? National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved April 16, 2023, from https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2011/02/09/so-what-does-clean-air-act-do
Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). EPA. Retrieved April 16, 2023, from https://www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview/clean-air-act-requirements-and-history
a) Identify the environmental policy to which you are referring.
ReplyDeleteThe Clean Air Act
b) b) Explain the change in that environmental policy to include what action(s) the Executive Branch has made.
The enactment of the Clean Air Act of 1970 (1970 CAA) resulted in major change in the federal government role change of air pollution control. This amendment allowed for development of federal and state regulations to monitor stationary and mobile emissions sources. Four major regulatory programs affecting stationary sources were initiated: the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS, pronounced "knacks"), State Implementation Plans (SIPs), New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs). The adoption of this very important legislation occurred at approximately the same time as the National Environmental Policy Act that established the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA was created on December 2, 1970 in order to implement the various requirements included in these Acts.
C) c) Outline your perspective on the identified change to include its potential effectiveness.
I feel like this change is a very effective way to limit emissions and controlling the air quality and pollution within the US. I love that it benefits from both stationary and mobile resources and can help US in long term by taking initiative now
d) Include a source from where you learned about the change.
https://www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview/evolution-clean-air-act
a) Identify the environmental policy to which you are referring.
ReplyDeleteEndangered Species Act
b) b) Explain the change in that environmental policy to include what action(s) the Executive Branch has made.
Threatened and endangered species are protected under the Endangered Species Act, but the extent of that protection and the number of species that are protected rely on how the Act is interpreted and put into practice through regulations by the various government agencies. Fish and Wildlife Services and the National Marine Fisheries Service finalized five additions to the Endangered Species Act during the Trump Administration. The administration published three rules in 2019. The first regulation gave agencies permission to take into account how listing species as endangered and designating critical habitats might affect the economy. Another regulation withdrew some safeguards from endangered species and reserved them only for threatened species. When other federal agencies are obligated to contact FWS and NMFS on ESA-related matters, the third rule changed this. Two new rules were approved by FWS and NMFS in 2020: one that changed the definition of "habitat" to exclusively refer to places that are currently suitable for listed species and another that updated how FWS recognizes and excludes essential habitats. These regulations along with how the Trump administration managed these organizations put animals that are already at risk in even greater danger.
C) c) Outline your perspective on the identified change to include its potential effectiveness.
My grandfather first took me hunting when I was 6 years old. He is Cherokee Native-American and as long as I can remember he taught me about how we need to conserve the resources that have been given to us, especially animals. We hunt for food and to control the population. That is it. The fact that animals were endangered always sickened him. It was just another way that western culture and greed had taken away from the beauty of this world. That is how I feel about these regulations. The fact that organizations get to consider "economic" consequences of preserving animals or their habitat is just ridiculous. So if the government can make a quick buck by driving an endangered animal to extinction, then it can happen. This needs to change.
d) Include a source from where you learned about the change.
https://eelp.law.harvard.edu/2018/07/endangered-species-act-regulations/
After further research I found this out:
ReplyDeleteAlong with his Executive Order on Public Health and the Environment, President Biden directed FWS and NMFS to evaluate the ESA regulations from the Trump administration. The five ESA regulations issued by the Trump administration were listed in a list of regulations that the agencies intended to repeal that was released on June 4, 2021. As of present day these rules are still in place and under research and litigation.
a) Identify the environmental policy to which you are referring.
ReplyDeleteThe Clean Air Act
b) Explain the change in that environmental policy to include what action(s) the Executive Branch has made. (There is no minimum word count but be sure you explicitly demonstrate your new knowledge.)
The Clean Air Act of 1970 resulted in a major shift in the federal government’s role in air pollution control.. The U.S. enacted the Clean Air Act in response to the high amounts of emissions in the atmosphere. It was designed by Congress to protect public health from different types of air pollution(EPA, 2022).
c) Outline your perspective on the identified change to include its potential effectiveness. (There is no minimum word count but be sure you explicitly demonstrate your new knowledge.)
I think the Clean Air Act is very effective because the U.S. Governed programs have helped lower the six common pollutants (particles, ozone, lead, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide)(EPA, 2022).This Act has been effective in lowering pollution rates thus leading to less damage to the health of ecosystems, as well as the health of humans. I believe the clean air act has played an important role in protecting us, and our environment.
d) Include a source from where you learned about the change.
Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). EPA. Retrieved April 18, 2023, from https://www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview/clean-air-act-requirements-and-history
The White House. (n.d.). Our government: The Executive BranchLinks to an external site.. https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/the-executive-branch/