When Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant in 1864, he designated the giant sequoia Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Groves for “public use, resorts and recreation.” This act, while perhaps not heavily focused on conservation, laid the groundwork for national conservation ethics.
Theodore Roosevelt, who greatly expanded the national park system, once remarked that valuing natural resources as assets to be preserved for future generations would guide the nation towards responsible behavior.
Fast forward 55 years, and President Richard Nixon enacted the National Environmental Policy Act and established the Environmental Protection Agency. He posed a critical question for the 1970s: “Are we ready to make peace with nature and address the harm done to our land and water?”
Today, we face pressing challenges: Will we reverse the strides made for environmental protection? The dismantling of initiatives involving clean air, safe water, and land preservation threatens public health.
The warning signs are clear. On Earth Day this year, the EPA laid off around 280 employees and reassigned 175, many of whom were essential in protecting communities from pollution and climate change effects. Meanwhile, the Trump administration suggested rolling back vital climate regulations that control emissions from cars and power plants.
These alterations are undeniably detrimental to public health.
It seems that the belief guiding these changes is misguidedly rooted in the idea that they benefit businesses. Ironically, Nixon, Roosevelt, and Lincoln—three Republican leaders—recognized that conservation shouldn’t be at odds with conservatism; these concepts are fundamentally linked.
I am concerned that decades of environmental achievements may be overshadowed by misleading narratives that frame economic growth and environmental protection as conflicting goals. In reality, these objectives can support one another.
Consider this: from 1980 to 2017, the U.S. GDP rose by 165%, while emissions of six key air pollutants dropped by 67%. This occurred alongside a 25% rise in energy use, a population increase of 44%, and a doubling of vehicle miles traveled. A clean environment and economic growth are crucial for our future.
As a former EPA administrator and New Jersey governor, I’ve witnessed how effective environmental policies drive innovation, enhance public health, and generate solid employment opportunities. Clean air, water, and accessible natural spaces are essential for societal well-being. Additionally, a flourishing economy is necessary to support future clean technologies and conservation initiatives.
The environmental advancements we achieved aren’t arbitrary, and we mustn’t allow them to be disrupted by shortsighted decisions. Protecting our environment isn’t a luxury; it is vital for our survival.
