Environmental protection involves implementing laws and other restraints that seek to prevent degradation of the natural environment, as well as remediating damage that has already occurred. This is done through a variety of means, including restricting industrial activity, promoting sustainable business practices, reducing waste, and creating wetlands.
A variety of environmental problems have been attributed to human activities, such as deforestation, ecosystems loss, air pollution, and climate change. These problems are generally addressed by governments at both the national and local level, though some countries have more stringent regulations than others.
The environmental protection movement is generally supported by environmental organizations, governmental agencies, and philanthropic groups. Literature also plays a role in environmental protection, with works such as A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold and Silent Spring by Rachel Carson being important examples.
EPA is working more aggressively to reduce and control nonpoint source (NPS) pollution, the primary cause of water quality impairment in most impaired waters across the country. NPS pollutants include excess nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers, pesticides and animal wastes; oil, grease and toxic chemicals from urban and rural runoff and energy production; sediment from poorly managed construction sites, crop and forest lands, septic systems and eroded streambanks; and pathogens from livestock and pet wastes.
EPA is addressing the effects of a changing climate by providing guidance and technical assistance for communities to develop and implement local climate adaptation strategies that support improved environmental, public health and economic outcomes. EPA is also working to reduce short-lived climate pollutants that contribute to ground-level ozone and global warming, including methane, black carbon, and hydrofluorocarbons.