Due to different aspects of companies’ and plants’ operation and the exhaustibility of natural resources, the United States faces multiple environmental issues. Speaking about the major problems, it is important to pay attention to the land, air, and water pollution (Theodoulou & Cofinis, 2012). Pollution continues to influence the flora and the fauna of the United States, as well as people in urban and even rural areas.
Different types of environmental pollution affect people and animals, even though many policies are currently in place to reduce the problem. Thus, the Energy Policy Act implemented in 2005 promotes the use of renewable energy sources to reduce harmful emissions (Theodoulou & Cofinis, 2012). Additionally, there are the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and other federal policies regulating the use of insecticides and fungicides. Therefore, the government recognizes various forms of pollution, and this concernment finds reflection in policy-making.
Among the aspects of pollution that bothers me most of all are the safety of waste disposal and the presence of opportunities for recycling. With that in mind, I would support the enactment of new policies to make the process of waste disposal safer and even more transparent. Concerning the things that are changing, it can be said that the U.S. environmental policies are contributing to the popularization of alternative energy sources.
At the moment, it does not affect me to a great extent, but this tendency is expected to further promote technological advancement. Before getting acquainted with this week’s reading assignment, I regarded the presence of environmental policies as the key feature of healthy societies and, unfortunately, an area of colliding interests. The assigned readings have reinforced my perspective since I have learned more about anti-environmentalist moods in the U.S. Congress in the past and the evolution of American society in terms of environmental protection.
Reference
Theodoulou, S. Z., & Cofinis, C. (2012). The policy game: Understanding U.S. public policy making. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.