Air Pollution Policy

Clean Air Act

A comprehensive federal law that regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources to improve air quality.

Goals of the Clean Air Act

1. Reduce outdoor concentrations of air pollutants. 2. Reduce emissions of toxic air pollutants. 3. Phase out production of chemicals that destroy the ozone layer.

Montreal Protocol

An international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by regulating the production and use of numerous substances responsible for ozone depletion.

6 Criteria for Regulation

sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter 2.5, ground level ozone, lead

Denial machine

A term referencing the organized efforts to promote skepticism and doubt regarding climate change and the validity of scientific research.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

long-living chemicals found in refrigerants and aerosol sprays that are harmful to the ozone layer

Stationary sources

Sources of pollution that are fixed in location, such as factories.

Massechussetts vs. EPA (2006)

A court ruling that greenhouse gases are considered pollutants under the Clean Air Act, allowing the EPA to regulate them.

Endangerment Finding (2009)

EPA's determination that greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health and welfare, prompting regulatory action.

Inflation Reduction Act (2020)

An act that aims to address social inequality while tackling the climate crisis by promoting clean energy and electric vehicles.

James Hansen Testimony (1988)

A presentation on the hottest day of the year by climate scientist James Hansen to Congress, highlighting the dangers of climate change and the need for immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Kyoto Protocol 1997

A global treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by setting binding obligations for developed countries to limit their emissions.