Environmental Attitudes Across Race and Ethnicity

Abstract

Environmentalism in the United States roseto national prominence during the 1970s,a period now often referred to as the “the environmental decade.”In a short period of time, the Nixon administrationcreatedthe Environmental Protection Agency, and Congress enacted landmark legislation such as the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Air Act, and Clean Water Act.This burst of government activity followed rising demand among the public over growingconcerns aboutchoking levels of air pollution in majorcities,contamination of groundwater and surface water resources, disappearing species,and sharply increasing use of agricultural chemicals.