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Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Definition

The EPA is an independent executive agency of the United States federal government tasked with environmental protection matters.

Analogy

Consider the EPA as Earth's doctor. Just like doctors monitor our health, prescribe treatments, and suggest ways to stay healthy, EPA monitors environmental health, enforces regulations to protect it, and suggests sustainable practices.

Related terms

Clean Air Act: Federal law designed to control air pollution on a national level from both stationary sources (like factories) and mobile sources (like cars).

Superfund Sites: Any land in the United States that has been contaminated by hazardous waste and identified by the EPA as a candidate for cleanup because it poses a risk to human health or environment.

Endangered Species Act: A key legislation for both domestic and international conservation which aims to provide a framework to conserve and protect endangered species.