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Clean Air Act (US)
The Clean Air Act regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. It authorizes the EPA to set air quality standards to protect public health and the environment. -
Clean Water Act (US)
The Clean Water Act regulates the discharge of pollutants into U.S. waters and sets water quality standards. Its goal is to restore and maintain the integrity of the nation’s surface waters. -
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (INT)
CITES aims to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. It regulates trade through a system of permits and lists species under varying levels of protection. -
Endangered Species Act (US)
The Endangered Species Act aims to protect and recover species at risk of extinction and the ecosystems they depend on. It prohibits harming listed species and mandates conservation plans. -
Safe Drinking Water Act (US)
This act ensures safe drinking water for the public by setting quality standards for water systems. It allows the EPA to regulate contaminants and protect water sources from pollution. -
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (US)
This act governs the disposal of solid and hazardous waste in the U.S. It gives the EPA authority to manage waste from creation to disposal, promoting safe and responsible waste practices. -
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, Liability Act (US)
CERCLA, also known as Superfund, was created to clean up hazardous waste sites and respond to environmental emergencies. It allows the federal government to hold polluters accountable and fund cleanups when necessary. -
Montreal Protocol (INT)
The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty that aims to phase out substances that deplete the ozone layer, such as CFCs. It is one of the most successful environmental agreements and has helped significantly reduce ozone-depleting emissions worldwide. -
Delaney Clause of Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (US)
This clause prohibits the FDA from approving any food additive found to cause cancer in humans or animals. It was intended to ensure absolute safety in food but has faced criticism for being overly strict and not allowing risk-based assessments. -
Kyoto Protocol (INT)
The Kyoto Protocol commits industrialized countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions based on agreed targets. It was the first international treaty to address climate change through legally binding commitments.