Environmental Law: a Brief Summary and Its Impact

Abstract

The impact of environmental laws and regulations may not be inherently evident, but instances where proper protocol isn’t followed can affect millions such as the infamous Flint, Michigan water crisis. In my research presentation, I lay out the timeline of how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) came to be during the Nixon Administration, as well as the key cases leading up to present day. This also includes pivotal decisions made in this state regarding dumping waste in the Illinois River, the creation of superfund sites such as Picher, Oklahoma, and the increase of earthquakes. At the federal level, the current administration has been clear in favoring deregulation along with placing nonrenewable-resource-executives in positions of power of the agencies set out to regulate them. The urgency to act on behalf of future generations has been growing with every scientific report coming to similar conclusions; that the gap between now and the point of no return is closing, and the decisions made in this next decade will directly influence the lives of billions of people.