Introduction to Environmental Legislation (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Study Guide

Introduction to Environmental Legislation

What is environmental legislation?

• Environmental legislation is not an official unit in the AP Environmental Science course

  • However, you need to know about ten specific pieces of legislation (as outlined in the the Course and Exam Description)

• Environmental legislation refers to laws and treaties that aim to protect the environment and public health

  • These can be national (e.g. U.S. federal laws) or international (e.g. global agreements)

  • They regulate pollution, wildlife trade, resource use, and ecosystem conservation

• These laws are created by governments to:

  • Prevent or reduce environmental damage

  • Set standards for pollution levels, emissions, waste disposal

  • Hold individuals, companies, and governments accountable for environmental harm

• They form the legal backbone of many environmental protection efforts

Why is environmental legislation important?

• Laws help solve real-world environmental problems

  • From smog and oil spills to species extinction and climate change

• Without legislation:

  • Polluters would face no consequences

  • Conservation efforts would have no legal power behind them

• Most major environmental improvements (e.g. cleaner air, protected species) have only happened because laws required action

Why do APES students need to know specific environmental policies and legislation?

• The AP Environmental Science exam requires you to understand how specific laws relate to environmental issues

  • Expect these to appear in multiple-choice and free-response questions

• These laws help you link problems to solutions

  • E.g. Acid rain → Clean Air Act

  • Ozone depletion → Montreal Protocol

  • Endangered species → CITES & Endangered Species Act

What are the required pieces of legislation?

1. Clean Air Act (CAA)

2. Clean Water Act (CWA)

3. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)

4. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)

5. Montreal Protocol

6. Kyoto Protocol

7. Endangered Species Act (ESA)

8. Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

9. Delaney Clause of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

10. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)