Environmental Stewardship and Air Pollution Awareness Proposal

Introduction to Environmental Stewardship

Environmental stewardship is increasingly needed in communities today. A growing number of people are making informed choices in their workplaces and communities — choices that are good for the environment, for their finances, and for their overall quality of life. These actions reflect an inspiring and developing societal commitment to environmental stewardship.

This proposal outlines what can be considered the next step in a continuing evolution of policy objectives — moving from pollution control toward pollution prevention and sustainability. It also reflects on an important reality: although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its state partners share responsibility for the nation's environmental progress, there is still much room for improvement. Environmental stewardship has always been part of the American experience — individuals, governments, and communities have a unique history of working independently and cooperatively to protect and advance environmental quality. If that progress is to continue, concrete steps must be taken to ensure that the air is safe to breathe and the water is safe to drink.

Defining Environmental Stewardship and Key Resource Systems

Environmental stewardship can be defined as the shared responsibility for environmental quality among everyone whose actions affect the environment. This sense of responsibility is a value that can be expressed through individuals, businesses, communities, and government bodies, each shaped by their own environmental, social, and financial interests. It is also a behavior — one built through continuous improvement in environmental performance, a commitment to the efficient use of natural resources, protection of ecosystems, and, where appropriate, adherence to a baseline of environmental requirements.

As society works toward greater sustainability, environmental stewardship can play a central role in preserving natural resources and achieving sustainable outcomes. This project focuses on six natural resource systems and the desired outcomes for each:

Air: Maintain clean and healthy atmospheric air.
Ecosystems: Protect and restore ecosystem functions, goods, and services.
Energy: Produce clean energy and use it efficiently.
Land: Support ecologically sound land management and development.
Materials: Use materials wisely and transition to environmentally preferable alternatives.
Water: Protect water resources to ensure quality and availability for intended uses.

The Problem of Air Pollution

Air pollution has been a significant issue for decades. It is a mixture of man-made and natural substances in the air we breathe, and is generally divided into two categories: indoor air pollution and outdoor air pollution. Over the past 30 years, researchers have identified a wide range of health effects associated with air pollution exposure. These include respiratory illnesses (such as asthma and reduced lung function), cardiovascular diseases, adverse pregnancy outcomes (such as preterm birth), and death. Experts recommend reducing indoor air pollution by ensuring buildings are well-ventilated and cleaned regularly to prevent the buildup of agents such as mold and dust. Occupants are also advised to remove known pollutants and irritants — though many are unaware of the dangers because they have not been adequately educated about these contaminants.

Many people are also unaware that outdoor air pollution exposure can be reduced by monitoring the Air Quality Index (AQI), avoiding heavy traffic when possible, and limiting exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke. Although climate change is a global phenomenon, it produces very local effects that can intensely impact communities — not least through worsening air quality. Rising temperatures are directly linked to poor air quality, which in turn can affect the heart and worsen cardiovascular disease. Examples include increased pollen levels due to enhanced plant growth, and increased mold due to severe storms — both of which can exacerbate allergies and lung diseases such as asthma.