1. Environmental Policy

2. The Current Status of Environmental Policy -Strong public support and executive support -The main obstacle is economic -Costs of environmental reform are too high -In December 2011 the UNFCCC met and agreed to work towards a new treaty -International initiative 1

3. Kyoto Protocol -International Agreement with the UNFCCC -Set international targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions -US refused to ratify because of flaws -Gave a pass to big emitters,China & India -Bush didn't approve -World didn't take as seriously 4

4. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) -1970 -Promotes the enhancement and protection of the environment -Requires environmental impact statements (EIS) -Passed with overwhelming support -One of the first environmental protection laws 3

5. The Clean Air Act (CAA) - 1963 - Defines EPA's responsibilities for protecting and improving the nation's air quality and the stratospheric ozone layer. - Establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) - Amended in 1990 5

6. The Biggest Issue Facing Congress/ Obama: Support of the EPA -Lack of support -Republican rejection

7. If it is not dealt with... -The republicans would get rid of the agency all together -People would not be protected from health risks "We made our choice, to create a single agency to safeguard public health, protect our land, water and air, and hold polluters to account. The results have transformed our nation, strengthened our economy and improved our lives beyond measure." -Peter Lehner, executive director of the Natural Resources Defense Council 2

8. What needs to be done: -Rally public support. -Use endorsements from Congresspeople. -Become more involved in international policy-making. -Make their role in the lives of everyday citizens more pronounced.

9. Works Consulted 1. Broder, John M. “Obama Drops by the E.P.A.” The New York Times. Last modified January 10, 2012. Accessed January 15, 2011. http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/10/obama-drops-by-the-e-p-a/?ref=climateandenergylegislation http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/subjects/g/greenhouse_gas_emissions/cap_and_trade_index.html?inline=nyt-classifierf http://cnsnews.com/image/barack-obama-lisa-jackson http://apps.roads.maryland.gov/SHAServices/NEPA_Test_clip_image002.gif http://www.cleanair.org/sites/default/files/imagecache/slider/sliders/Outdoor%20Air_0.JPG http://a.abcnews.com/images/Politics/ap_republican_debate_1_ll_120116_wg.jpg 2. Lehner, Peter. "What if Republicans closed the E.P.A? - A Cop on the Beat." The New York Times. Last modified October 28, 2011. Accessed January 15, 2011. 3. “National Environmental Policy Act.” United States Environmental Protection Agency. Last modified February 18, 2011. Accessed January 16, 2011. http://www.epa.gov/region1/nepa/ 4. Rosenthal, Elisabeth. “Obama’s Backing Raises Hope for Climate Pact.” The New York Times. Last modified Feburary 28, 2009. Accessed January 15, 2011. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/01/science/earth/01treaty.html?pagewanted=all. 5. "Summary of the Clean Air Act." United States Environmental Protection Agency. Last modified August 11, 2011. Accessed January 15, 2011. http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/caa.html