Many of the chemical hazards in our world can be avoided by lifestyle choices. However, air pollution, which is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, is a form of chemical hazard that we do not have direct control over

Sandra Steingraber, in her book "Living Downstream," discusses the idea that clean air should be elevated to the status of a civil right in the United States. What would have to occur in order to have clean air become a civil right? Does not having clean air prevent you from realizing your other civil rights? If it were a civil right in the United States, would this guarantee clean air for you as a citizen of the U.S.?

What will be an ideal response


In order for clean air to be elevated to the status of a civil right, an amendment to the United States Constitution would have to be passed. If premature death or debilitating diseases such as emphysema are caused by air pollution, one could argue that other civil rights have been compromised. If we do guarantee clean air in this country because of a constitutional right, we may still experience air pollution to some extent from pollution that is carried to us from other countries, either from human causes or natural disasters such as volcanoes.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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Indicate whether the statement is true or false

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Which of the following is the most cleanly burning fossil fuel available, producing the least carbon dioxide per unit of energy released?

A) nuclear energy B) coal C) kerosene D) natural gas E) petroleum

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

The status of women is a cultural spatial variable because:

A) women are found all over the world B) gender relationships and role assignments differ among societies C) women are biologically different from men D) women do different kinds of work

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences