In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, members of the EPA Alumni Association released a special series of reports on Environmental Protection - A Half Century Of Progress.
The series is designed to inform high school and college students and others about the major environmental problems confronting the United States in the 1960s and how they have been addressed.
The United States faced significant environmental challenges in the 1960s. Pollution was rampant and not effectively controlled.
Illnesses and even death were caused by discharges to water and emissions to air. Birds and wildlife were in decline, and natural resources could not be productively used.
We have made significant progress in controlling pollution and cleaning up contamination, but much remains to be done to sustain that progress, tackle problems which have never been effectively addressed, and avoid or manage newly emerging problems.
Many people are not aware of this history and challenges - some because they were born long after the nation’s concerted environmental programs had begun, and the most serious problems had been abated.
The goal of these reports is to inform high school and college students and others about the major environmental problems and issues encountered in the United States in the 1960s, how they were addressed, and the importance of continued effort to overcome remaining challenges and address newly and emerging problems.
Half Century of Progress consists of an Overview together with more detailed reports about particular programs: Clean Water, Clean Air, Pesticides, Toxic Substances, Waste Management, Hazardous Site Cleanup, and Drinking Water.
The Association hopes these reports will bring about a greater appreciation of the need for effective environmental programs and inspire students and others to consider careers in the environmental field.
They also developed a Teachers’ Guide and additional resource materials to accompany Half Century and we welcome comments and suggestions on ways to improve these materials and make them more useful.
The reports include--
-- Teacher’s Guide to the Series [Click Here to request]
Supplemental materials on How Regulations Are Developed and the National Environmental Policy Act and Environmental Impact Statements are also available.
Members of the Association are available to speak to schools and civic organizations using presentation materials based on the Half Century reports. Click Here to request a speaker.
Visit the EPA Alumni Association’s Environmental Protection - A Half Century Of Progress webpage for more information.
[Note: EPA was created in 1970 and over the years state laws on many of these issues were enacted before federal action was taken, but sometimes not. That is certainly true in Pennsylvania where major laws controlling air pollution, water pollution, on mine reclamation, waste management and recycling and more were enacted first.
Regardless of whether they were first or states were, the federal government has been a major partner in supporting state and local environmental protection and restoration efforts.]
Regardless of whether they were first or states were, the federal government has been a major partner in supporting state and local environmental protection and restoration efforts.]
Earth Day 50 PA
Visit the Earth Day 50 PA website for more special events, Earth Day 1970 remembrances, environmental reading lists and more.
Related Articles - Remembering Earth Day 1970:
Related Articles- Earth Day:
Op-Ed: My Fellow Conservatives Are Out Of Touch On The Environment - Fmr. Gov. Tom Ridge
Op-Ed: 50th Earth Day: Time To Consider Wiser Course - We Are All Of This Earth And Dependent On It - Bernie McGurl, Lackawanna River Conservation Association
Op-Ed: Earth Day 1970 Changed My Life - Carol Collier, The Academy Of Natural Sciences
Op-Ed: Earth Day 50: A Wakeup Call To The Scientific Community - Science Matters -Roland Wall, Director, Ruth Patrick Center For Environmental Research
Op-Ed: Earth Day - 50 Years And Counting - Joanne Shafer, Centre County Recycling Coordinator
DEP’s Blog: Earth Day 50 PA: DEP Staff Reflections
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