People and Their Environment: The United States

Managing Resources

• Modern life poses a threat to the abundant

natural resources in the United States.

• Conservation efforts by citizens and from all

levels of government have increased to ensure
resources will continue to flourish in the future.

• Resource management includes understanding

and respecting the balances that exist in natural
ecosystems.

• Efforts to reverse the damage have begun but

more is needed to achieve sustainable levels.

Human Impact

• Acid rain and smog are consequences of

human pollution of the air and water.

• Water pollution speeds eutrophication, which

encourages the excessive algae growth that
depletes water’s oxygen and suffocates fish.

• Projected water shortages could turn into

droughts that cause billions of dollars in crop
and livestock losses.

People and Their Environment: The United States

Addressing the Issues

•

The United States is continually improving its
protection of the environment by using clean-air
practices, searching for renewable sources of
energy, and reducing waste.

•

Federal legislation, such as the Clean Water Act
and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement,
has helped restore water quality throughout the
country.

•

The government is working to curb
environmental damage by encouraging the use
of renewable energy sources and offering
incentives for companies to limit emissions.

People and Their Environment: The United States