Pollution and Waste

As with many countries pollution in the United States is a concern for environmental organizations, government agencies and individuals in all walks of life. Pollution from U.S. manufacturing has declined massively since 1990 despite an increase in production, but this does nt mean we are safe from pollution as a nation, far from it.

With the rise of global awareness about global warming, carbon dioxyde emissions, endangered species extinctions, coral reef bleeching, etc, it is clear that pollution has to be under control as well if we want the future generations to have a livable planet to inhabit.

Pollution in the United States has plummeted in the last decade, with pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide decreasing, despite the fact the number of vehicles on the road has not. This change is due to better regulations, economic shifts, and technological innovations. Cars, trucks, and buses powered by fossil fuels are major contributors to air pollution. Transportation emits more than half of nitrogen oxides in our air, and is a major source of global warming emissions in the US. Scientfic studies have linked pollutants from vehicle exhaust to adverse impacts on nearly of aspects of the ecologial system.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) addresses several issues, from setting limits on certain air pollutants to enforcing federal clean water and safe drinking laws. In addition, the EPA enforces federal regulations to reduce the impact of businesses on the environment.

Almost half of the U.S. population lives in areas where air pollution levels are often dangerously high for them to breathe, according to a report released by the American Lung Association. Lucky you if you live in the countryside or near a national park, as you can then enjoy fresh and pure air. But if you live in a big city, this is another story.

Despite dramatic progress cleaning the air since 1970, air pollution in the United States continues to harm people’s health and the environment. Under the Clean Air Act, EPA continues to work with state, local and tribal governments, other federal agencies, and stakeholders to reduce air pollution and the damage that it causes to people’s health, including children.

A recent development in the pollution forefront is that, blown by the wind, microplastic pollution has beendiscovered in pristine mountain peaks. We already knew that we have polluted the deepest oceans with plastic garbage, so it’s not surprising we’re also ruining our most beautiful mountains as well. But it is sad to hear and it is time to reverse this trend.