Chapter 25, Student Web Activities, Texas and Texans, Glencoe, 2003

Chapter 25: Turmoil and Progress
"The Environmental Challenge"

Introduction
The 1960s and 1970s were decades of environmental short-sightedness. Factories spewed wastes and smoke into the water and air, and many people at the time believed that these were signs of progress. Environmentalists opened everyone's eyes to the long-term effects of pollution on the country's landscape and our own health. In Chapter 25, you learned about the steps taken to clean up Texas's air and water in the 1970s. In this activity, you will learn that there is still much more to be done.

Destination Title: Texas Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility

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Directions
Start at the Texas Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility Web site.

Click on the map of Texas.
Look for the icon at "Big Bend." Click on it.
Read the information provided.

After you have read through the information, answer the following questions.

1. What is harming the majestic landscape in Big Bend National Park?

2. What are two areas of Texas that are a large source of air contaminants harming Big Bend? What is the source of contaminants emerging from Mexico?

3. Name some potential health risks caused by the area's air pollution.

4. How are the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Park Service (NPS) attempting to track specific sources of the pollution in Big Bend?

5. Use a separate sheet of paper to create a brochure that will help make people aware of the environmental problems that still exist in Texas. In your brochure, explain at least five environmental problems that need to be addressed, and provide solutions, suggestions, or actions that people can personally follow to clean up their state. Use pictures or drawings to illustrate your brochure, and be sure to use standard grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and punctuation.