The U.S National Environmental Policy Act

12/14/22

“Why do U.S federal agencies have to evaluate environmental impacts for every major decision?”

Any major action humanity takes can have drastic environmental impacts. For this reason, The U.S National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA was passed by congress in 1970. NEPA binds all federal agencies to factor in environmental impacts during decision-making. Furthermore, federal agencies must warn the public about their actions. NEPA also established the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), a part of the Executive Office of the President to ensure NEPA is implemented in federal agencies.

• Earth/Climate science
• Ecology
• Policy
• Urban Systems