NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this bell ringer activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
SUMMARY
The EPA announced plans to overturn a key scientific finding that has been used to regulate carbon emissions since 2009. The endangerment finding determined that pollutants caused by burning fossil fuels endanger humans and can be regulated under the Clean Air Act. It’s the latest in the Trump administration’s efforts to roll back federal regulations. Stephanie Sy discussed more with Ben Geman.
View the transcript of the story.
News alternative: Check out recent segments from the News Hour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- Who is Stephanie Sy and what does she do?
- What is the the Clean Air Act?
- How does the EPA effect the environment and economy?
- Where have the effects been most prominent?
- Why are companies bringing more wind and solar power online?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
- How has the Clean Air Act changed over the years? When were changes most significant?
- How does this make you feel about the air in the U.S.?
Media literacy: If you were a journalist covering this topic, who would you interview?
WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
Read this article about the cuts to EPA research and how it affects workers.
Discuss with a partner:
- What are the implications of the cuts to EPA research?
- How are workers affected?
Written by Payton Alfieri, PBS News Hour Classroom's intern and senior at Episcopal High School, and News Hour's Vic Pasquantonio .
