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Learn the Issues

Water

Water pollution can hurt our ability to use water in our homes, for recreation, and in commerce. It also harms other forms of life. We work to protect water in all its forms: on the ground, underground, and coming out of the tap.

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Air

Air pollution comes from different sources and has many harmful effects, including hurting our health and the health of other living things. Although national air quality has improved over the last 20 years, many challenges remain. Our goal? Clean air to breathe for this generation and those to follow.

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Climate

The Earth's climate has changed many times during the planet's history, with events ranging from ice ages to long periods of warmth. Natural factors such as volcanic eruptions, changes in the Earth's orbit, and varying energy from the Sun have affected the Earth's climate. Beginning late in the 18th century, human activities associated with the Industrial Revolution have also changed the composition of the atmosphere and therefore very likely are influencing the Earth's climate.

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Wastes and Pollution

Although we can do a lot to clean up pollution after it's in the environment, preventing pollution in the first place is even better. We can do that by changing how we manufacture as well as how we behave: reduce how much you use, reuse what's left when you're done, and recycle what you can't reuse.

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Green Living

Concerned Citizens Resources – learn what you can do to protect the environment in your home, workplace, and community

More resources to live green:

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Human Health

Protecting human health is a key part of our mission. We study how pollution affects children and people with asthma, how water contaminants may affect swimmers and beachgoers, and more. Learn more about how EPA protects human health.

Additional human health information:

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Photo of an alligator swimming with a cloudy sky reflected in the water.

Photo: Carolyn Schroeder, 2008 Earth Day Photo Contest finalist

Ecosystems

An ecosystem is the air, water, land, and habitats supporting plant and animal life in a specific area. We support environmental planning that addresses all the factors, both natural and human, affecting various ecosystems.

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EPA's Offices

EPA is organized into major offices which are responsible for different aspects of our work. We also work in many different locations. Our chart showing our organizational structure provides links to all our major offices.

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Learn More Issues

Looking for more about acid rain, mercury, or lead? How about asbestos, mold or radon? If you haven't found the issues you're looking for, try our A-Z index:

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