Environment articles

Learn about the changing US environment with reports on climate, fire risks, floods, and other natural disasters. See how these topics intersect with policies on natural resources and environmental protections.

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Environment
Air quality in the US since the passage of the Clean Air Act

On average, air quality has improved in the United States in the past several decades. Still, 82 million Americans lived in counties with pollution levels above the national standards in 2019.

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Environment
How many people visited the national parks during the pandemic?

A look at the National Park System: Attendance dropped across the system, but some parks had an increase in visitors.

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Environment
What happens when the president issues a disaster declaration?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) responded to a near-record number of disasters last year, including the coronavirus.

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Environment
How many electric cars are on the road in the United States?

About 1.4 million electric-drive vehicles of all types were sold in 2021, 88% more than in 2020.

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Environment
How energy independent is the United States? A look at oil imports, exports and production

Since 1952, the United States has imported more energy than it’s exported. But that could soon change. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), the US is poised to become a net exporter, trading more energy resources to other countries than it takes in.

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Environment
Exploring the impact of natural disasters

Four of the five most costly natural disasters in our nation’s history have occurred during the past ten years. How has the government’s response to natural disasters changed? What is the impact of different types of disasters?

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Environment
A look at FEMA's natural disaster mitigation and preparedness funding

The federal government provides natural disaster support in three main ways: emergency assistance funding for clean-up and restoration after a disaster, preparedness funding to improve emergency responses to a disaster and mitigation funding to reduce loss associated with future disasters.

Greenhouse gas emissions by sector
Environment
Transportation is now the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions

According to new EPA data, transportation became the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States in 2017 after emissions from electricity generation continued to decline.

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Environment
How close is America to eliminating all fossil fuels and emissions?

At the center of the Green New Deal is a move to rebuild American infrastructure “by eliminating pollution and greenhouse gas emissions as much as technologically feasible” and “meeting 100 percent of the power demand in the United States through clean, renewable, and zero-emission energy sources.”Here’s where the United States stands on both of the power and emissions fronts.

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