• Discuss the causes and effect of air and water pollution, and describe strategies that
people can take to protect these sources.
The EPA uses a measure called the Air Quality Index (AQI) to measure air pollution.
“The AQI is used for five major air pollutants: carbon, monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2),
nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM), and ground-level ozone” (p. 337). A big
source of air population is the burning of fossil fuels to power cars and industrial processes.
One of the effects is the thinning of the Ozone layer which is an invisible a layer which is 10-
30 miles above; it protects us from damaging rays from the sun. There is a whole that is
getting bigger above Antarctic. Ways to fight air pollution would be through renewal energy
such as solar panels, and alternative fuels from wind and cars running on electric power.
“Less than 1% of the world’s fresh water is readily accessible for human use” (p. 341). The
biggest contributors to water pollution is from not being treated properly in our sewage
system and solid waste from landfills getting in to streams and resources where we obtain our
water supply. Ways we can fight water pollution is to make sure all of the pipes and faucets
are in good shape as thousands of gallons of water are wasted due to lack of proper
maintenance. Recycling helps the water supply as electronics are really harmful to
environment such as batteries ending in a landfill which can leak into the ground. It is
important to conserve water as it’s a vital resource for life.
• Describe the advantages of the Affordable Care Act.
“The Affordable Care Act was signed into law on March 23, 2014. Many of the changes
mandated by the act were implemented in 2014.” (p. 367). People could not be denied for having
a preexisting condition. Children could stay in their parents insurance until the age of 26.