1. SAFETY: Taking Action Ms. Mai Lawndale High School

2. Taking Action We are constantly being exposed to news about the environment We are constantly being exposed to news about the environment Sometimes, the news can be overwhelming and people are confused about what they can do Sometimes, the news can be overwhelming and people are confused about what they can do Improving the environment can being with the actions of individuals as long as they are educated and are willing to make simple changes in their lifestyle Improving the environment can being with the actions of individuals as long as they are educated and are willing to make simple changes in their lifestyle

3. Government and Environmental Protection There are many laws passed by the federal government that set standards for clean air, clean water, and disposal of waste There are many laws passed by the federal government that set standards for clean air, clean water, and disposal of waste State and local governments pass additional laws that may address specific environmental problems that pertain to that area only State and local governments pass additional laws that may address specific environmental problems that pertain to that area only The EPA is in charge of making sure pollution laws are not broken The EPA is in charge of making sure pollution laws are not broken

4. Conflicting Pressures However, there is much debate about the government’s role in protecting the environment However, there is much debate about the government’s role in protecting the environment Almost every American accepts that environmental health is important Almost every American accepts that environmental health is important Many businesses believe that too many regulations would be costly and would hurt the economy Many businesses believe that too many regulations would be costly and would hurt the economy

5. Example of the Environmental Conflict Technology exists that can reduce the amount of pollutants coal- burning companies produce by 95%, but the technology is expensive Technology exists that can reduce the amount of pollutants coal- burning companies produce by 95%, but the technology is expensive Opponents argue that the cost of using this technology would increase the price of electricity, therefore hurting local economies Opponents argue that the cost of using this technology would increase the price of electricity, therefore hurting local economies What do you think? What do you think?

6. Being Heard As individuals, there are many ways that you can make sure your environmental concerns are heard As individuals, there are many ways that you can make sure your environmental concerns are heard However, your voice is only effective if you are knowledgeable about the issues However, your voice is only effective if you are knowledgeable about the issues You can become educated about these issues by reading the newspaper, or talking to other people who share your concerns You can become educated about these issues by reading the newspaper, or talking to other people who share your concerns

7. What You Can Do Writing letters to your government representatives about your concerns Writing letters to your government representatives about your concerns Joining a local or national environmental organization Joining a local or national environmental organization Organize activities that help clean up the environment and raise public awareness about environmental issues Organize activities that help clean up the environment and raise public awareness about environmental issues

8. Individual Action Laws that protect the environment are necessary for keeping the environment clean and protecting public health Laws that protect the environment are necessary for keeping the environment clean and protecting public health However, the most significant contributions are made through individual efforts that can also influence other people to act However, the most significant contributions are made through individual efforts that can also influence other people to act

9. Does My Action Really Count? Imagine if each person in this class recycled just one soda can each day Imagine if each person in this class recycled just one soda can each day That’s 35 soda cans per day That’s 35 soda cans per day In one school year, that’s already about 10,000 cans In one school year, that’s already about 10,000 cans Now imagine the potential for reducing energy and water use, or reducing dangerous household chemicals if everyone made a small effort to protect the environment Now imagine the potential for reducing energy and water use, or reducing dangerous household chemicals if everyone made a small effort to protect the environment

10. Conservation Conservation is preserving resources such as the forest, soil, and water Conservation is preserving resources such as the forest, soil, and water Using energy (driving, heater, AC) is a major source of air pollution Using energy (driving, heater, AC) is a major source of air pollution Therefore, conserving energy can 1. reduce pollution 2. save you money 3. reduce the need to find new sources of energy or rely on other countries Therefore, conserving energy can 1. reduce pollution 2. save you money 3. reduce the need to find new sources of energy or rely on other countries

11. Conserving Water (CHOOSE 1) Repair leaky faucets Repair leaky faucets Turn off water while brushing your teeth, washing your face, or shaving Turn off water while brushing your teeth, washing your face, or shaving Run only FULL loads when using the dishwasher or washing machine Run only FULL loads when using the dishwasher or washing machine Soak dishes first before hand washing them, then rinse altogether Soak dishes first before hand washing them, then rinse altogether Water your lawn or garden in the morning when evaporation is low Water your lawn or garden in the morning when evaporation is low

12. Saving Energy The best place to start reducing energy is finding alternate means of transportation (remember that 50% of air pollution is generated from cars) The best place to start reducing energy is finding alternate means of transportation (remember that 50% of air pollution is generated from cars) Consider walking or riding your bike because that not only saves the environment, but is also good exercise Consider walking or riding your bike because that not only saves the environment, but is also good exercise Consider public transportation, or carpooling Consider public transportation, or carpooling Keep tire pressure at proper levels Keep tire pressure at proper levels

13. Saving Energy at Home (CHOOSE 1) Turn off lights when you are not using them Turn off lights when you are not using them Turn down thermostat in the winter, and up in the summer Turn down thermostat in the winter, and up in the summer Take shorter showers (10 minutes) Take shorter showers (10 minutes) Purchase light bulbs that use less electricity (energy-efficient appliances) Purchase light bulbs that use less electricity (energy-efficient appliances)

14. Reduce Waste According to the EPA, Americans produce enough solid waste each year to fill a convoy truck that can reach halfway to the moon According to the EPA, Americans produce enough solid waste each year to fill a convoy truck that can reach halfway to the moon

15. How to Reduce Solid Waste? (CHOOSE 1) Avoid buying products that have excessive packaging Avoid buying products that have excessive packaging Reuse items rather than throwing them away (paper and plastic bags, cardboard boxes, bottles and jars) Reuse items rather than throwing them away (paper and plastic bags, cardboard boxes, bottles and jars) Donate old furniture, appliances, clothing, and books to organizations instead of throwing them away Donate old furniture, appliances, clothing, and books to organizations instead of throwing them away

16. How to Reduce Toxic Waste? (CHOOSE 1) Don’t use pesticides, solvents, and drain cleaners because they cause water pollution Don’t use pesticides, solvents, and drain cleaners because they cause water pollution

17. Recycle You can recycle paper, glass, metal some plastics, batteries, motor oil, etc. You can recycle paper, glass, metal some plastics, batteries, motor oil, etc. Recycling saves energy and reduces pollution by reducing the need for industries to manufacture new products Recycling saves energy and reduces pollution by reducing the need for industries to manufacture new products The production of many products uses a lot of energy and produces many pollutants The production of many products uses a lot of energy and produces many pollutants

18. Encourage Others to Recycle Despite its advantages, only 10% of solid waste in the country is recycled Despite its advantages, only 10% of solid waste in the country is recycled Take part in the recycling program in your community, and encourage others to join you in your efforts Take part in the recycling program in your community, and encourage others to join you in your efforts Buy products that are made of recycled material or are themselves recyclable Buy products that are made of recycled material or are themselves recyclable

19. Safe Alternative Products CHOOSE 1 Mix vinegar with water to clean windows Mix vinegar with water to clean windows Use bleach to clean toilets Use bleach to clean toilets Mix vegetable or olive oil with lemon juice to polish furniture Mix vegetable or olive oil with lemon juice to polish furniture Use baking soda and water as an all- purpose cleaner Use baking soda and water as an all- purpose cleaner Use corn starch with water to make spray starch or as a rug cleaner Use corn starch with water to make spray starch or as a rug cleaner