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Environmental issues in theUnited States include climate change, energy, species conservation, invasive species,deforestation, mining, nuclear accidents, pesticides, pollution, waste and over-population. Despite taking hundreds of measures, the rate of environmental issues is increasing rapidly instead of reducing. The United States is among the most significant emitters of greenhouse gasses in the world. In terms of both total and per capita emissions, it is among the largest contributors.[2] Theclimate policy of the United States has a major influence on the world.[3][4]
Both conservationism and environmentalism appeared in political debate in forests about theProgressive Era in the early 20th century. There were three main positions. Thelaissez-faire position held that owners of private property—including lumber and mining companies—should be allowed to do anything they wished for their property.[5]
TheConservationists, led by PresidentTheodore Roosevelt and his close allyGifford Pinchot, said that the laissez-faire approach was too wasteful and inefficient. In any case, they noted, most of the natural resources in the western states were already owned by the federal government. The best course of action, they argued, was a long-term plan devised by national experts to maximize the long-term economic benefits of natural resources.
Environmentalism was the third position, led byJohn Muir (1838–1914). Muir's passion for nature made him the most influential American environmentalist. Muir preached that nature was sacred and humans are intruders who should look but not develop. He founded theSierra Club and remains an icon of the environmentalist movement. He was primarily responsible for defining the environmentalist position, in the debate between Conservation and environmentalism.
Environmentalism preached that nature was almost sacred, and that man was an intruder. It allowed for limited tourism (such as hiking), but opposed automobiles in national parks. It strenuously opposed timber cutting on most public lands, and vehemently denounced the dams that Roosevelt supported for water supplies, electricity and flood control. Especially controversial was theHetch Hetchy dam inYosemite National Park, which Roosevelt approved, and which supplies the water supply of San Francisco.
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Climate change has led to the United States warming up by 2.6 °F (1.4 °C) since 1970. In 2023, the global average near-surface temperature reached 1.45 °C above pre-industrial levels, making it the warmest year on record.[8][9] Theclimate of the United States is shifting in ways that are widespread and varied betweenregions.[10][11] From 2010 to 2019, the United States experienced its hottest decade on record.[12]Extreme weather events,invasive species,floods anddroughts are increasing.[13][14][15]Climate change's impacts on tropical cyclones andsea level rise also affect regions of the country.
Cumulatively since 1850, theU.S. has emitted a larger share than any country of the greenhouse gases causing current climate change, with some 20% of the global total of carbon dioxide alone.[16] CurrentUS emissions per person are among the largest in the world.[17] Variousstate and federal climate change policies have been introduced, and the US has ratified theParis Agreement despitetemporarily withdrawing. In 2021, the country set a target of halving its annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030,[18] however oil and gas companies still gettax breaks.[19]
Climate change is having considerable impacts on the environment and society of the United States. This includes implications foragriculture, theeconomy (especially theaffordability and availability of insurance),human health, andindigenous peoples, and it is seen asa national security threat.[20] US States that emit morecarbon dioxide per person and introduce policies to opposeclimate action are generally experiencing greater impacts.[21][22] 2020 was a historic year for billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in U.S.[23] In 2024, the United States experienced 27 separate weather and climate disasters, each causing over $1 billion in damages. This set a record for the most billion dollars disasters in a single year.[24]
Although historically anon-partisan issue, climate change has becomecontroversial andpolitically divisive in the country in recent decades.Oil companies have known since the 1970s that burningoil and gas could cause global warming but neverthelessfunded deniers for years.[25][26] Despite the support of a clearscientific consensus, as recently as 2021 one-third of Americansdeny that human-caused climate change exists[27] although the majority are concerned or alarmed about the issue.[28]
Since about 26% of all types of energy used in the United States are derived fromfossil fuel consumption it is closely linked togreenhouse gas emissions. The energy policy of the United States is determined by federal, state and local public entities, which address issues of energy production, distribution, and consumption, such as building codes and gas mileage advancements. The production and transport of fossil fuels are also tied to significant environmental issues.
Many plant and animal species became extinct in North America soon after first human arrival, including theNorth American megafauna; others have become nearly extinct since European settlement, among them theAmerican bison andCalifornia condor.[31]
The last of thepassenger pigeons died in 1914 after being the most common bird in North America. They were killed as both a source of food and because they were a threat to farming. Saving thebald eagle, the national bird of the U.S., from extinction was a notable conservation success.
As of 13 December 2016, theInternational Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List shows the United States has 1,514 species on its threatened list (critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable categories).
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Invasive species are a crucial threat to many nativehabitats andspecies of theUnited States and a significant cost to agriculture, forestry, and recreation. An invasive species refers to an organism that is not native to a specific region and poses significant economic and environmental threats to its new habitat.[32] The term "invasive species" can also refer toferal species or introduced diseases. Some introduced species, such as thedandelion, do not cause significant economic or ecologic damage and are not widely considered as invasive. Economic damages associated with invasive species' effects and control costs are estimated at $120 billion per year.[33]
The main geomorphological impacts of invasive plants include bioconstruction and bioprotection.[34]
In theUnited States,deforestation was an ongoing process until recently. Between 2010 and 2020, the US forests increased 0.03% annually, according to FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations).[a]
Native Americans cleared millions of acres of forest for many reasons, including hunting, farming, berry production, and building materials.[35] Prior to the arrival ofEuropean-Americans, about one half of the United States land area was forest, about 1,023,000,000 acres (4,140,000 km2) estimated in 1630.Forest cover in the Eastern United States reached its lowest point in roughly 1872 with about 48 percent compared to the amount of forest cover in 1620. The majority of deforestation took place prior to 1910 with the Forest Service reporting the minimum forestation as 721,000,000 acres (2,920,000 km2) around 1920.[36] The forest resources of the United States remained relatively constant through the 20th century.[37] The Forest Service reported total forestation as 766,000,000 acres (3,100,000 km2) in 2012.[38][39][37] A 2017 study estimated 3 percent loss of forest between 1992 and 2001.[40]
The 2005 (FAO)Global Forest Resources Assessment ranked the United States as seventh highest country losing itsold-growth forests, a vast majority of which were removed prior to the 20th century.[37]
In 2025, new research by Earth System Science Data showed that over the past four centuries vast stretches of forestland in the United States giving way to agriculture, urban development, and industry. Since the 1600s, the country has a net loss of approximately 258 million acres of forest.[41]Mining in theUnited States has been active since the beginning of colonial times, but became a major industry in the 19th century with a number of new mineral discoveries causing a series of mining rushes. In 2015, the value of coal, metals, and industrial minerals mined in the United States was US$109.6 billion. 158,000 workers were directly employed by themining industry.[42]
The mining industry has a number of impacts on communities, individuals and the environment. Mine safety incidents have been important parts of Americanoccupational safety and health history. Mining has anumber of environmental impacts. In the United States, issues likemountaintop removal, andacid mine drainage have widespread impacts on all parts of the environment. As of January 2020, the EPA lists 142 mines in theSuperfund program.[43]
In 2019, the country was the 4th world producer ofgold;[44] 5th largest world producer ofcopper;[45] 5th worldwide producer ofplatinum;[46] 10th worldwide producer ofsilver;[47] 2nd largest world producer ofrhenium;[48] 2nd largest world producer ofsulfur;[49] 3rd largest world producer ofphosphate;[50] 3rd largest world producer ofmolybdenum;[51] 4th largest world producer oflead;[52] 4th largest world producer ofzinc;[53] 5th worldwide producer ofvanadium;[54] 9th largest world producer ofiron ore;[55] 9th largest world producer ofpotash;[56] 12th largest world producer ofcobalt;[57] 13th largest world producer oftitanium;[58] world's largest producer ofgypsum;[59] 2nd largest world producer ofkyanite;[60] 2nd largest world producer oflimestone;[61] in addition to being the 2nd largest world producer ofsalt.[62] It was the world's 10th largest producer ofuranium in 2018.[63]
Though different jurisdictions have varying criteria for what exactly qualifies as anorphaned or abandoned oil well, generally speaking, anoil well is considered abandoned when it has been permanently taken out of production. Similarly, orphaned wells may have different legal definitions across different jurisdictions, but can be thought of as wells whose legal owner it is not possible to determine.[64]
Once a well is abandoned, it can be a source of toxic emissions and pollution contaminating groundwater and releasingmethane, makingorphan wells a significant contributor to nationalgreenhouse gas emissions.[65] For this reason, several state and federal programs have been initiated to plug wells; however, many of these programs are under capacity.[65] In states likeTexas andNew Mexico, these programs do not have enough funding or staff to fully evaluate and implement mitigation programs.[65]
According to theGovernment Accountability Office, the 2.1 million unplugged abandoned wells in the United States could cost as much as $300 billion.[65] A jointGrist andThe Texas Observer investigation in 2021 highlighted how government estimates of abandoned wells in Texas and New Mexico were likely underestimated and that market forces might have reduced prices so much creatingpeak oil conditions that would lead to more abandonment.[65] Advocates of programs like theGreen New Deal and broaderclimate change mitigation policy in the United States have advocated for funding plugging programs that would addressstranded assets and provide aJust Transition for skilled oil and gas workers.[66]
The most notable accident involvingnuclear power in the United States wasThree Mile Island accident in 1979.Davis–Besse Nuclear Power Station has been the source of two of the top five most dangerous nuclear incidents in the United States since 1979.[67]
Nuclear safety in the United States is governed by federal regulations and continues to be studied by theNuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The safety of nuclear plants and materials controlled by the U.S. government for research and weapons production, as well those powering naval vessels, is not governed by the NRC.
Theanti-nuclear movement in the United States consists of more than eighty anti-nuclear groups which have acted to oppose nuclear power and/ornuclear weapons in the USA. The movement has delayed construction or halted commitments to build some new nuclear plants,[68][69] and has pressured theNuclear Regulatory Commission to enforce and strengthen the safety regulations for nuclear power plants.[70]Anti-nuclear campaigns that captured national public attention in the 1970s and 1980s involved theCalvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant,Seabrook Station Nuclear Power Plant,Diablo Canyon Power Plant,Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant, andThree Mile Island.[68]
Pesticide use in the United States is predominately by theagricultural sector, which in 2012 comprised 89% of conventional pesticide usage in the United States.[71]
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TheFederal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) was first passed in 1947, giving the United States Department of Agriculture responsibility for regulating pesticides. In 1972, FIFRA underwent a major revision and transferred responsibility of pesticide regulation to the Environmental Protection Agency and shifted emphasis to protection of the environment and public health.
As with many countries,pollution in the United States is a concern forenvironmental organizations, government agencies, and individuals.
Billions of pounds of toxic chemicals are released into the air, land, and waterways in the U.S. each year. In 2019, approximately 21,000 facilities reported releasing 2.16 billion pounds of these chemicals onto land, 580 million pounds into the air, and 201 million pounds into water sources. Exposure to these pollutants can lead to various health problems, from short-term symptoms like headaches and temporary nervous system effects (e.g., "metal fume fever") to serious long-term risks such as cancer and early death.[72]
Pollution from U.S. manufacturing has declined massively since 1990 (despite an increase in production). A 2018 study in theAmerican Economic Review found that environmental regulation is the primary driver of the reduction in pollution.[73]
Air pollution is the introduction ofchemicals,particulate matter, orbiological materials into theatmosphere that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or damageecosystems. Health problems attributed to air pollution include premature death,cancer, organ failure, infections, behavioral changes, and other diseases. These health effects are not equally distributed across the U.S. population; there are demographic disparities by race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and education.[74] Air pollution can derive from natural sources, such as wildfires and volcanoes, or from anthropogenic sources. Anthropogenic air pollution has affected theUnited States since the beginning of theIndustrial Revolution.[75]
According to a 2024 report: "39% of people living in America—131.2 million people—still live in places with failing grades for unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution." Analyzing data from 2020 to 2022, the American Lung Association found the number of people living in counties with a failing grade for ozone declined, this year by 2.4 million people.[76]
A 2016 study reported that levels ofnitrogen oxides, which contribute tosmog andacid rain, had plummeted over the previous decade,[77] due to better regulations, economic shifts, and technological innovations. TheNational Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) reported a 32% decrease ofnitrogen dioxide inNew York City and a 42% decrease inAtlanta between the periods of 2005–2007 and 2009–2011.[78]
During June 2023, due to early seasonwildfires in Canada, cities likeNew York andWashington D.C. suffered from dangerous levels of air pollution. It was the worst regional air quality in decades for the Northeast.[79](NRCS_Photo_Gallery).jpg)
Water pollutionin the United States is a growing problem that became critical in the 19th century with the development ofmechanized agriculture, mining, andmanufacturing industries—although laws and regulations introduced in the late 20th century have improved water quality in many water bodies.[80] Extensive industrialization and rapid urban growth exacerbated water pollution combined with a lack of regulation has allowed for discharges ofsewage,toxicchemicals,nutrients, and other pollutants into surface water. This has led to the need for more improvement in water quality as it is still threatened and not fully safe.[81][82]
In the early 20th century, communities began to installdrinking water treatment systems, but control of the principal pollution sources—domestic sewage,industry, andagriculture—was not effectively regulated in the US until the 1970s.[81] These pollution sources can affect bothgroundwater andsurface water. Multiple pollution incidents such as theKingston Fossil Plant coal fly ash slurry spill (2008) and theDeepwater Horizon oil spill (2010) have left lasting impacts onwater quality, ecosystems, and public health in the United States.[83][84] TheUnited States Geological Survey (USGS) reported in 2023 that at least 45% of drinking water in the United States containsper- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as "forever chemicals."[85][86][87] TheEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been able to identify around 70,000 water bodies that do not meet revised water quality standards due to PFAS.[81]
Many solutions to water pollution in the United States can be implemented to curtail water pollution:municipal wastewater treatment,agricultural andindustrial wastewater treatment,erosion andsediment control, and the control ofurban runoff. The continued implementation of pollution prevention, control, and treatment measures are used to pursue the goal of maintaining water quality within levels specified in federal and state regulations; however, many water bodies across the country continue to violate water quality standards in the 21st century.[88]The United States is the biggest creator ofplastic waste and the third largest source ofocean plastic pollution, e.g. plastic waste that gets into the oceans. Much of the plastic waste generated in the United States is shipped to other countries.[89]
At 760 kg per person the United States generates the greatest amount of municipal waste.[90] In 2018 municipal waste totaled 292.4 million short tons (265.3×10^6 t), or 4.9 pounds (2.2 kg) per person per day.[91]
Electronic waste or e-waste in the United States refers to electronic products that have reached the end of their operable lives, and the United States is beginning to address its waste problems with regulations at a state and federal level. Used electronics are the quickest-growing source of waste and can have serious health impacts.[95] TheUnited States is the world leader in producing the most e-waste, followed closely by China; both countries domestically recycle and export e-waste.[96] Only recently has the United States begun to make an effort to start regulating where e-waste goes and how it is disposed of. There is also an economic factor that has an effect on where and how e-waste is disposed of. Electronics are the primary users of precious and special metals, retrieving those metals from electronics can be viewed as important as raw metals may become more scarce[97]
The United States does not have an official federal e-waste regulation system, yet certain states have implemented state regulatory systems.The National Strategy for Electronic Stewardship was co-founded by theEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA), theCouncil on Environmental Quality (CEQ), and theGeneral Services Administration (GSA), and was introduced in 2011 to focus on federal action to establish electronic stewardship in the United States.[98] E-waste management is critical due to the toxic chemicals present in electronic devices. According to the United States EPA, toxic substances such aslead,mercury,arsenic, andcadmium are often released into the environment and endanger whole communities; these toxic contaminants can have detrimental effects on the health of ecosystems and living organisms.[99] United States e-waste management includesrecycling and reuse programs, domestic landfill dumping, and international shipments of domestically produced e-waste. The EPA estimates that in 2009, the United States disposed of 2.37 million tons of e-waste, 25% of which was recycled domestically.[99]
Lack of awareness for e-waste issues is also a problem in the U.S., especially among young people. In a 2020 survey of people between the ages of 18 and 38, 60% did not know what the term "e-waste" is, and 57% did not consider electronic waste to be "a significant contributor to toxic waste."[100] With electronic recycling options readily available in most states, the issue seems to be awareness, not availability. In 2018, an association of European electronic recyclers based in Brussels called the WEEE Forum, created International E-Waste Day on October 13, with the support of 19 e-waste companies globally, in order to raise awareness about how large of an issue e-waste has become.[101]
UnderUnited States environmental policy,hazardous waste is a waste (usually a solid waste) that has the potential to:
Under the 1976Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), a facility that treats, stores or disposes of hazardous waste must obtain a permit for doing so. Generators of and transporters of hazardous waste must meet specific requirements for handling, managing, and tracking waste. Through RCRA,Congress directed EPA to issue regulations for the management of hazardous waste. EPA developed strict requirements for all aspects of hazardous waste management including the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. In addition to these federal requirements, states may develop more stringent requirements or requirements that are broader in scope than the federal regulations.
EPA authorizes states to implement the RCRA hazardous waste program. Authorized states must maintain standards that are equivalent to and at least as stringent as the federal program. Implementation of the authorized program usually includes activities such as permitting, corrective action, inspections, monitoring and enforcement.The total U.S. population crossed the 100 million mark around 1915, the 200 million mark in 1967, and the 300 million mark in 2006 (estimated on Tuesday, October 17).[102][103] The U.S. population more than tripled during the 20th century – a growth rate of about 1.3 percent a year – from about 76 million in 1900 to 281 million in 2000.
Population growth is fastest among minorities, and according to theUnited States Census Bureau's estimation for 2005, 45% of American children under the age of 5 are minorities.[104] In 2007, the nation's minority population reached 102.5 million.[105] A year before, the minority population totaled 100.7 million.Hispanic and Latino Americans accounted for almost half (1.4 million) of the nationalpopulation growth of 2.9 million between July 1, 2005, and July 1, 2006.[106]
Based on aPopulation Clock maintained by theU.S. Census Bureau, the current U.S. population, as of July 2021 is about 332 million.[107] A 2004 U.S. Census Bureau report predicted an increase of one third by the year 2050.[108] A subsequent 2008 report projects a population of 439 million, which is a 44% increase from 2008.
Today, the organizedenvironmental movement is represented by a wide range of organizations sometimes callednon-governmental organizations or NGOs. These organizations exist on local national and international scales. Environmental NGOs vary widely in political views and in the amount they seek to influence the government. The environmental movement today consists of both large national groups and also many smaller local groups with local concerns. Some resemble the old U.S. conservation movement – whose modern expression is the Nature Conservancy, Audubon Society and National Geographic Society – American organizations with a worldwide influence.
(FIg. 3) EPA's data source: NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). 2021. Climate at a glance. Accessed February 2021. www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cag.(Direct link to graphic;archive)
