2000's

“The Green Movement” is a political ideology that tries to combine government with sustainable management of our environment and our resources. It has been growing since the 1970’s, but has begun to take hold on many people in this decade. Not to mention, President Obama has been introducing new standards and regulations for certain industries such as car production. Along with this, people are now being taxed to help develop renewable and sustainable energy sources.

1990's

The Clinton Administration promised a change in direction from Reagan’s environmental policy. With Vice President Al Gore and other environmentally concerned representatives, they sought to encourage an environmentally healthy standpoint for American citizens. Clinton argued against Reagan’s belief that environmental and economic growth could not mutually coexist and benefit. He therefore returned funding and head representatives back to the Environmental Protection Agency. Some people feel he wasn’t as active environmentally as he could have been, seeing as he took some “middle of the road” positions on environmental issues such as grazing fees and the cleanup of the Everglades so as to not anger either party. Though his intent was to please everyone, he did earn some criticism from environmentalists, such as the Green Party, a political party that bases itself around “Green Politics”, headed by Ralph Nader. Overall, the Clinton Administration had many notable environmental accomplishments. He created the President's Council on Sustainable Development, signed the Kyoto Protocol, and stood firm against Republican pressures to roll back environmental laws and regulations.

1980's

When Ronald Reagan was elected president, he entered office very skeptical and wary of the amount of money going into regulation and funding for environmental protection. Gradually, he reduced the budget of the Environmental Protection Agency by 30% through the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, he cut the number of EPA employees, and he appointed people into his administration who he knew he could depend on to hold onto these policies. Along with these cuts, environmental laws were now written and and interpreted more favorably for big businesses.
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 was one of two bills that established Reagan’s budget and cost priorities such as tax cuts and increased military spending. He was able to justify his cutting funds for the EPA by saying such cuts were necessary for his administration to help better America.

1970's

The Clean Water Act was established to eliminate the release of high levels of toxic substances and pollutants into the water. The waters protected under the Clean Water Act are all “navigable waters of the United States”, meaning waters in the United States and of United State’s territories. In 1972 act introduced the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, which is a permit system for regulating pollution. People and businesses who wish to discharge pollution must obtain a permit from the NPDES (managed by the Environmental Protection Agency), which then allows discharge into managed facilities.
The Clean Air Act was passed in 1970 and was designed to ensure that all Americans have safe air to breathe. The act works to reduce harmful and dangerous pollutants in the air to avoid smog, acid rain and ozone depletion. It set national health based standards to limit the amount of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, lead and soots in the air along with ways to reduce the amount of pollutants already being inhaled by Americans. In addition, the EPA set national standards for new sources of pollution including automobiles, trucks and electric power plants.

The EPA was established December 2, 1970 due to elevated concern about environmental pollution. The government decided to consolidate in one agency many activities dealing in federal research, monitory, and standard setting to ensure environmental protection. For years and years, sewage and industrial wastes had contaminated the air, water and land without any thought or concern for the future. With pollution emissions becoming more and more frequent, the country was on the rise to “do something”.  After Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” became a best seller, foundations, clubs, and organizations were all united to help create a better Earth. This helped spur government action in the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. During the first few years of the EPA’s existence, numerous environmental laws and acts were passed.

1960's

“Silent Spring”, published by Rachel Carson in 1962 sparked the beginning of the environmental movement in the United States. It documented the detrimental effect that chemicals and pesticides were having on the environment. She argued that uncontrolled pesticide use was killing birds, fish and ecosystems, and thus killing humans in the process. The title “Silent Spring” was meant to give an image of a spring season that was completely quiet because all of the birds had been killed by pesticide use.