GEF

Unit 8  |  Government and Sustainability 167 government agency tasked with developing and overseeing environmental regulation. Within a few years, the new agency was responsible for federal laws that continue to form the backbone of environmental regulation in the U.S. The 1970 Clean Air Act amendments gave the federal government broad powers to restrict air pollutants from industrial sources and vehicles. The Clean Water Act of 1972 regulates water pollution from sources such as factories and agricultural runoff. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 requires development restrictions and recovery plans in areas where human activity threatens species with extinction. In subsequent years, these laws have been expanded to cover a wider range of pollutants and provide more protection to habitats and ecosystems. In addition to regulations, there are other ways the government can be part of the sustainability solution. Two common meth- ods of encouraging corporations and individuals to support sustainable practices are to reward positive actions and punish negative ones. Examples of a reward might be a tax credit for installing solar panels or energy efficient windows in a home, or a subsidy to renewable energy companies to grow the busi- ness. An example of a punishment might be a carbon tax for emitting greenhouse gases. The government plays a role in protecting wetlands from development and pollution. CLEAN AIR ACT U.S. legislation that gives federal government broad powers to restrict air pollut- ants from industrial sources and vehicles. ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT U.S. legislation requiring development restrictions and recovery plans in areas where it is shown that human activity threatens biological species with extinction. SUBSIDY A type of assistance from the government, given to groups or individuals to support a certain action or the produc- tion of goods. CARBON TAX A tax charged to companies that generate greenhouse gas emissions by burning fossil fuel.