美國環保署14日宣布其2014至2018年的五年策略計畫。環保署形容這個計畫是「中央和地方政府、部落、聯邦機關、商業和工業領袖，以務實的合作方式達成環境公益的新紀元」。
環保署去年冬天邀請800個組織和個人針對計畫草案提供建議，並發表聯邦政府公報，廣邀民眾建言，並將各方意見整合進最終版的計畫中。
「環保署將以嚴謹的研究和具影響力的發展議程，解決越趨複雜的環境問題，並為政策和決策發展出及時、創新的科技和永續解決方案。」環保署長Gina McCarthy說。
McCarthy表示，「環保署呼應歐巴馬總統氣候變遷的行動呼籲。氣候變遷是現在和未來世代最大的難題，我們在國內外建立堅強的夥伴關係。我們減少碳汙染和其他溫室氣體排放，聚焦改善居家、大樓和電器用品的效能，努力減少氣候變遷的威脅。」
環保署的五大策略目標包括：
- 對抗氣候變遷和改善空氣品質
- 保護美國水資源
- 淨化社區和推動永續發展
- 確保化學安全、預防污染
- 保護人類和環境健康，確實執法和確保法規遵循
五年計畫以環境正義為優先，持續關注都會、偏鄉和經濟弱勢族群，確保每個人不論年齡、種族、經濟狀況，都能享受乾淨水源和空氣，並有機會在健康的社區生活、工作和玩樂。
環保署將持續改善空氣品質和減少有毒汙染物排放，以保護美國公眾健康，也將減少商業、室內和戶外環境、產品和食物的毒物風險，維護社區安全和健康。
美國的基礎建設用水需求重大，環保署將以符合常識、有彈性的永續方式持續改善水質，如綠色基礎建設，並且將建構適應變遷氣候的韌性。
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today issued itsStrategic Plan for the five years 2014-2018.
The plan envisions what the agency calls “a new era of partnerships with state and local governments, tribes, federal agencies, businesses, and industry leaders to achieve environmental benefits in a pragmatic, collaborative way.”
“EPA will address the increasingly complex array of environmental challenges we face by advancing a rigorous research and development agenda that informs and supports our policy and decision making with timely and innovative technology and sustainable solutions,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy.
“We are heeding President Obama’s call for action on climate change, the biggest challenge for our generation and those to come by building strong partnerships at home and around the world.”
“We are working to mitigate this threat by reducing carbon pollution and other greenhouse gas emissions and by focusing on efficiency improvements in homes, buildings and appliances,” McCarthy said.
The five strategic goals in EPA’s plan include:
- Addressing climate change and improving air quality;
- Protecting America’s waters;
- Cleaning up communities and advancing sustainable development;
- Ensuring the safety of chemicals and preventing pollution; and
- Protecting human health and the environment by enforcing laws and assuring compliance.
The agency will continue to deliver significant health benefits to the American public through improved air quality and reduced emissions of toxic pollutants, and will take action to keep communities safe and healthy by reducing risks associated with exposure to toxic chemicals in commerce, indoor and outdoor environments, products, and food.
The agency will continue efforts to improve water quality, given the nation’s significant water infrastructure needs, focusing on common sense, flexible approaches that rely on sustainable solutions, such as green infrastructure, and build resiliency to help us adapt to the effects of a changing climate.
The plan prioritizes environmental justice, continuing to focus on urban, rural, and economically disadvantaged communities, to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, race, economic status, or ethnicity, has access to clean water, clean air, and the opportunity to live, work and play in healthy communities.
Reflecting the agency’s interest in reaching out to stakeholders and communities, the EPA requested input on a draft plan last winter from over 800 organizations and individuals and issued a Federal Register Notice to solicit broad public feedback. The EPA incorporated suggestions and comments received in the final Plan.
※ 全文及圖片詳見：ENS
※ 本文與 行政院農業委員會 林務局 
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In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
