Climate Change and Sustainability

Plastics are synthetic materials widely used in manufacturing, packaging, and consumer goods. Polyethylene, the most commonly used type of plastic, became available for commercial use in the United States in the 1950s. Technical advances led to the creation of different types of polyethylene with unique properties and characteristics that make it suitable for producing a wide variety of goods. Polyethylene appears in packing materials, toys, bulletproof vests, carpeting, golf balls, and automobile parts, among many other objects. Plastic's relative affordability and pliability have historically made it a popular material among manufacturers.

Electronic waste, or e-waste, refers to discarded electrical or electronic devices, including televisions and computer equipment. Most e-waste is thrown away and taken to landfills or incinerated. Health advocates note that most e-waste contains hazardous materials that can have detrimental impacts on humans and the environment if not disposed of safely. E-waste materials can be recycled to preserve valuable metals, plastics, or other substances that can be reused. Some items like computers or smartphones can also be refurbished or the materials in them can be recycled and placed in new items.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a government organization mandated to safeguard human health, preserve natural environments, and enforce related federal laws. As part of its mission, the EPA reviews chemicals for safety and oversees the cleanup of toxic waste sites and contaminated land. Beyond these core functions, the EPA participates in policy development regarding natural resource management, the processing of agricultural products, and relevant economic and health issues. On a global level, the EPA works with agencies such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations Environmental Programme to address environmental issues affecting the worldwide community. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the EPA is subdivided into thirteen component offices and ten regional offices across the United States. On March 11, 2021, Michael Regan became the first Black man to serve as administrator of the EPA. The agency's major internal departments include the Office of Administration and Resource Management, the Office of Research and Development, the Office of Water, and the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. Along with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Small Business Administration (SBA), it is one of the few independent federal agencies led by cabinet-level officials.

Fossil fuels are energy resources that have accumulated in the ground over millions of years through the decay of organic materials such as ancient plant and animal remains. The three main types of fossil fuels are coal, crude oil, and natural gas. Unlike renewable sources of energy, fossil fuels are depleted at rates that far exceed the rates in which they can be replenished. This finite supply represents one of several major issues and problems associated with fossil fuels. Other issues include environmental, economic, and security concerns.

Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, is a drilling technique used to extract oil and natural gas trapped within sedimentary rock formations deep beneath the earth's surface. Fracking typically involves pumping large quantities of high-pressure water mixed with sand and chemicals into the ground to create fractures in the rock and release the fuels trapped inside. Hydraulic fracturing stimulates the flow of oil or natural gas to the surface, where it can be captured, processed, and used as a source of energy. The technique has enabled the oil and gas industry to extract large volumes of fossil fuels from unconventional locations like shale rock, sandstone, or coalbeds, where fuel is dispersed in small pockets rather than concentrated in underground reservoirs.

Biofuels are a renewable fuel source derived from biomass (organic material from plants or animals) or biowaste. Also known as agrofuel, biofuels have been made from several different biomass sources throughout history, including agricultural crops such as corn and switchgrass as well as algae, animal fat, and vegetable oil. Energy can also be derived from biowaste such as landfill gases (LFG) emitted from rotting garbage in landfills. Converting biomass energy safely, cleanly, and efficiently remains an ongoing challenge.

Carbon offsets are activities designed to counterbalance the environmental damage caused by carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions that have led to global climate change. These strategies take two primary forms: reducing actual emissions and increasing the planet's ability to store carbon. Emissions reductions involve quantitative decreases in the amount of carbon and other greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere by the extraction, production, and combustion of fossil fuels and certain industrial processes. Approaches that increase carbon storage boost nature's capacity to absorb atmospheric carbon include tree-planting and other restorative land-use techniques that enhance the planet's carbon storage capabilities.