The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The mission of the EPA is to protect human health and the environment. The EPA ensures that: all Americans are protected from significant risks to human health and the environment where they live, learn and work; national efforts to reduce environmental risk are based on the best available scientific information; federal laws protecting human health and the environment are enforced fairly and effectively; environmental protection is an integral consideration in U.S. policies concerning natural resources, human health, economic growth, energy, transportation, agriculture, industry, and international trade, and these factors are similarly considered in establishing environmental policy; all parts of society — communities, individuals, businesses, and state, local and tribal governments — have access to accurate information sufficient to effectively participate in managing human health and environmental risks; environmental protection contributes to making our communities and ecosystems diverse, sustainable and economically productive; and the United States plays a leadership role in working with other nations to protect the global environment.
The Department of Energy (DOE)
The mission of the DOE is to ensure that America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions. The DOE is responsible for: catalyzing the timely, material, and efficient transformation of the nation’s energy system and secure U.S. leadership in clean energy technologies; maintaining a vibrant U.S. effort in science and engineering as a cornerstone of our economic prosperity with clear leadership in strategic areas; enhancing nuclear security through defense, nonproliferation, and environmental efforts; establishing an operational and adaptable framework that combines the best wisdom of all Department stakeholders to maximize mission success.
The Department of the Interior: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), National Park Service, USGS
The Department of the Interior protects and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities. The DOI includes many environmental agencies including the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and the United States Geological Survey.
The Department of Agriculture
The USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management. The USDA has a vision to provide economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive; to promote agriculture production that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed others throughout the world; and to preserve the Nation’s natural resources through conservation, restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The three main goals of the NOAA are to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans and coasts; to share that knowledge and information with others; and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources. From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, NOAA’s products and services support economic vitality and affect more than one-third of America’s gross domestic product. NOAA’s scientists use cutting-edge research and high-tech instrumentation to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers and other decision makers with reliable information they need when they need it.
Written by Alyssa Lemire, Class of 2017
