The reasons for such heavy consumption went beyond mere economic ability to consume, some theorized. The U. Despite backlash from all directions, the message was getting through to at least one person: Nixon, who was elected President in As dawned, with American concerns about the War in Vietnam no longer dominating headlines, concerns about the environment became a further priority for the president. In his State of the Union address delivered that January, he underscored the point :.
The great question of the seventies is, shall we surrender to our surroundings, or shall we make our peace with nature and begin to make reparations for the damage we have done to our air, to our land, and to our water? Restoring nature to its natural state is a cause beyond party and beyond factions. It has become a common cause of all the people of this country.
It is a cause of particular concern to young Americans, because they more than we will reap the grim consequences of our failure to act on programs which are needed now if we are to prevent disaster later.
Clean air, clean water, open spaces-these should once again be the birthright of every American. If we act now, they can be. We still think of air as free. But clean air is not free, and neither is clean water. The price tag on pollution control is high. Through our years of past carelessness we incurred a debt to nature, and now that debt is being called. Nixon followed his State of the Union with a special message to Congress in which he put forth more than a dozen orders and 23 requests to address problems like automobile emission standards.
Critics noted, however , that some major problems, like enforcement, were largely ignored. The Atlantic Crossword. The Print Edition. Latest Issue Past Issues. Only through November Try subscriber newsletters for free.
Link Copied. Alexis C. You can contact the EPA online, by phone, or in writing. How to contact them depends on the nature of your concern or question. For more information, visit their website, epa. EPA violations consist of intentional and nonintentional violations of environmental laws. Common examples include illegal disposal of hazardous chemicals or products, illegal discharge of pollutants in bodies of water in the U. The Environmental Protection Agency EPA is a federal government agency, created by the Nixon Administration, to protect human health and the environment.
The EPA creates and enforces environmental laws, inspects the environment, and provides technical support to minimize threats and support recovery planning.
It consists of different programs—such as The Energy Star program, The Smart Growth Program, and Water Sense—that promote energy efficiency, environmental care, and pollution prevention. Not all concerns with the environment are handled by the EPA, however. For example, protecting endangered species falls under the jurisdiction of the U. Fish and Wildlife Service and protecting our nation's wetlands is under the authority of the U.
Army Corps of Engineers. Critics argue that the EPA imposes unnecessary and large costs on corporations and strains the economy and international trade. However, the agency stands firms on its mission to create a better tomorrow for future generations by promoting a cleaner and safer environment and protecting human health.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. AP News. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for Investopedia. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.
These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Your Money. Personal Finance.
Your Practice. Popular Courses. Table of Contents Expand. What Is the EPA? Understanding the EPA. Examples of EPA Programs. Criticism of the EPA. The Bottom Line. Key Takeaways The Environmental Protection Agency is a United States federal government agency whose mission is to protect human and environmental health.
The EPA regulates the manufacturing, processing, distribution, and use of chemicals and other pollutants.
0コメント