🌱 Category 1: Eco Explorers
What is the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)?
Answer: The federal agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment.
Fun Fact: The EPA was created in 1970 by President Richard Nixon.
What is the Endangered Species Act?
Answer: This law protects endangered plants and animals from extinction.
Fun Fact: The bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list thanks to conservation efforts.
What are National Parks?
Answer: Areas of land protected by the federal government for conservation and recreation.
Fun Fact: Yellowstone became the world's first national park in 1872.
What is NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act)?
Answer: The law that created a national policy to consider environmental impacts before federal actions.
Fun Fact: NEPA was signed into law in 1970.
What is wind energy?
Answer: This renewable energy source uses moving air to generate electricity.
Fun Fact: A single large wind turbine can power hundreds of homes.
What is the Clean Air Act?
Answer: This law helps keep America's air cleaner by limiting air pollution.
Fun Fact: The Clean Air Act has reduced major air pollutants by more than 75% since 1970.
What are Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle?
Answer: The three Rs of waste management.
Fun Fact: Reducing waste is considered the most effective of the three Rs.
What is air pollution?
Answer: Pollution that comes from cars, factories, and power plants.
Fun Fact: Vehicle emissions are one of the largest sources of urban air pollution.
What is pollution transfer?
Answer: The movement of pollutants through air, water, soil, and living things.
Fun Fact: Pollution released in one place can affect ecosystems hundreds of miles away.
What is stay warm enough to support life?
Answer: The greenhouse effect helps Earth do this.
Fun Fact: Without the greenhouse effect, Earth would be much colder.
What is the Clean Water Act?
Answer: This law regulates pollution released into rivers, lakes, and streams.
Fun Fact: Before this law, some U.S. rivers were so polluted they actually caught fire!
What is solar energy?
Answer: A source of energy that comes from the Sun.
Fun Fact: In one hour, the Sun provides more energy to Earth than humanity uses in an entire year.
What is carbon dioxide (CO₂)?
Answer: The gas most commonly linked to climate change.
Fun Fact: Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
What are environmental regulations?
Answer: Government rules designed to protect the environment.
Fun Fact: Regulations can apply to businesses, industries, and even government agencies.
What is carbon dioxide?
Answer: This greenhouse gas is released when fossil fuels are burned.
Fun Fact: Carbon dioxide occurs naturally but increases from human activities.
What is recycling?
Answer: The process of turning used materials into new products.
Fun Fact: Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a TV for several hours.
What are fossil fuels?
Answer: A fuel made from ancient plants and animals.
Fun Fact: Coal, oil, and natural gas are all fossil fuels.
What is sustainability?
Answer: The practice of using resources in a way that protects them for future generations.
Fun Fact: Sustainability balances environmental, social, and economic needs.
What is environmental restoration?
Answer: The process of restoring damaged ecosystems.
Fun Fact: Restoration projects have helped rebuild wetlands and wildlife habitats across the U.S.
What is the EPA?
Answer: The federal government's largest environmental agency.
Fun Fact: EPA scientists study air quality, water quality, and environmental health.
What are renewable resources?
Answer: Natural resources that can replace themselves over time.
Fun Fact: Sunlight and wind are examples of renewable resources.
What is Earth Day?
Answer: The national celebration held every year on April 22.
Fun Fact: The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970.
What is an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)?
Answer: A document often required before major construction projects to evaluate environmental impacts.
Fun Fact: EIS requirements help decision-makers understand possible environmental consequences before projects begin.
What is environmental justice?
Answer: The concept that all communities deserve equal protection from environmental hazards.
Fun Fact: Environmental justice focuses on fairness in environmental decision-making.
Name three major U.S. environmental laws.
****Double Point****
Answer: They are the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and/or National Environmental Policy Act
Fun Fact: Many environmental laws passed in the 1970s are still used today to protect people and ecosystems.