Action Already Taken:

     The United States federal government has passed some regulations and laws addressing both air and water pollution. The Clean Air Act of 1970 requires the Environmental Protection Agency (a government agency that sets regulations for US companies concerning their impact on the environment) to set regulations for the production of "toxic air pollutants" from factories, vehicles, and other sources. The Clean Water Act of 1972 requires the EPA to set standards for pollutants leaked into water sources. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1970 instructs the US government to perform a study of the impact on the environment "every time it wants to build, approve, or renovate something" (theatlantic.com). The Endangered Species Act of 1973 has the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration work with the Fish and Wildlife Service to defend endangered species. Although these laws do create some standards for the environmental safety of our nation, they still include loopholes and do not impose the strict regulations we need to reduce the effects of pollution in our world. Below are a few ways you as an individual can take political action and put pressure on our government.

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Political Action:     

     Apart from making small changes in your own life, which often have a small-scale effect on the earth, you can advocate for lasting change. A few great ways to do this are to sign petitions, join protests, support politicians who are working for the environment, and write letters or make phone calls to your representatives. A few resources for action items against pollution are linked below.

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Blueprint for Better: a campaign working to help the environment. You can sign up for action alerts, contact your representatives, and find more information and resources about campaigning against climate change.

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Global Climate Strike: you can sign up for updates, access resources educating you about climate change, find groups working and protesting near you, learn about petitions to sign and films to watch for more information, and more.

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Petitions:

Petition against air pollution (due to health risks) sent to President Biden.

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Petition against air pollution.

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All climate change-related petitions on change.org.

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World Wildlife Fund climate petition.

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Climate petition to world leaders.

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Supporting Politicians:

List of activists and politicians around the world working against climate change.

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Top 7 politicians against climate change in the world.

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Information on current politicians' climate policies.

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Letter writing and other action items:

How to write a letter (1)

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How to write a letter (2)

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Discusses writing a letter, having a meeting, asking a question at a meeting, etc.

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Advice for talking to a representative.

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Advice for meeting with a representative.

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