Activity 4.1 - US Environmental History and Major Regulations

U.S. Environmental History and Major Regulations

Environmental policy is sustained by the government, a corporation, and a private organization regarding the effects of human activities towards the environment. It is designed to prevent and reduce harmful effects on human activities that can harmfully affect our ecosystem. Many environmental policies address water and air pollution, drinking water quality, oil and chemical spills, and wildlife protection such as endangered species. The importance of environmental policies has a great impact on the environment since the values of our environment are often not prioritized as they should be. Environmental issues within our ecosystem are not being considered in organizational decision making. 

The article, “Sustainability: A comprehensive foundation” by Theis, T., & Tomkin, J., mainly focuses on the evolution of environmental policy in the United States. While reading this article, it focuses in depth on public policies aimed at environmental protection, dating back to ancient times. Many perspectives and thoughts were taken into consideration when harmful situations towards the environment were occuring. For example the article states, “ Along the way it is important to understand that this has been an evolutionary process and that these environmental ‘eras,’ while rejecting the norms, attitudes, and needs of the day, are still very much embodied within the modern concept of sustainability” (Theis & Tomkin 15). In other words, throughout all the trial and errors the United States has gone through with environmental issues, it still continues to be an evolutionary development within our country to make it better. Throughout this article it embodies the historical development of environmental policies and how there are different roles of groups that are shaping those policies. I will be going into some significant policies and provide a general insight on the United States cultural thoughts and perspectives being recognized throughout many eras.This is done to establish insight on what really revolutionized throughout different era’s within the effect of our economy.

There were many risk managements as a basis for many of the environmental policies. The findings of the environmental scientists were shocking and contributed a significant impact on our present-day knowledge of environmental policy. According to the article, “ …impact of the widespread and indiscriminate use of pesticides, was a watershed moment, bringing environmental concerns before a large portion of the American, and global, public” (Theis & Tomkin, pp. 34). A publication of Silent Spring in 1962, by Rahcel Carson documented evidence within the effects of pesticides, resulting in a watershed moment. The ongoing chain of events resulted in the transformation of environmental public policy. It was based on the problems and attitudes that brought about nineteenth century conservation, which was based on the management of risks from chemical toxins. After this risk was established, action was taken by the establishment of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the 1970’s. This was eight years after the publication by Rachel Carson. It goes to show how environmental thought progressed through the United States, with comprehensive treatment delegated towards the environment. 

Throughout this trial and error came sustainability for improvement of environmental policies. Major attributes have taken place for the involvement which has continually evolved over the past two centuries. In the article it states, “To most observers it would seem to be true that advances in public policy, in any realm, are driven by problems, real and perceived, that require systemic solutions” (Theis & Tomkin, pp. 37). Many of the problems faced today are multifactorial and similarly affect many groups of people. The resolution of many environmental problems we face today are largely impacted by the economics of the region. Overall, processing and going through the eras of the environmental policies established by the United States leads to a greater understanding of different cultures and perspectives. It is intriguing to know how back then, there were many different occurrences and policies being established due to tragic events that have affected the environment. It was being shown more consideration and development within the United States and has led to many accomplishments. Our society has shifted to prioritize political, cultural and social injustices rather than focusing on improving our environment. The drive that I read about in this article dating back to multiple eras were focused on making Environmental policies profoundly impactful and educational.

(Timeline of Major U.S. Federal Environmental Laws)

Work Cited:

Theis, T., & Tomkin, J. (Eds). (2018). Sustainability: A comprehensive foundation. OpenStax CNX.  THEISandTOMKIN_Sustainability-a-Comprehensive-Foundation-45.1.pdf

Russell, E., & Fairfax, S. K. (2014). Guide to U.S. Environmental Policy (Links to an external site.) CQ Press.