Introduction
Students have already learned that pollution is the contamination of air, water, or soil by the discharge of poisonous or noxious substances. Pollution is a problem that most countries face today. Pollution does not occur on its own; it occurs because people and firms have an incentive to pollute. If that incentive can be removed, pollution will be less of a problem. In this activity, students will learn more about prevention of pollution and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Lesson Description
Students will use information from the United States Environmental Protection Agency Web site to find out more about pollution and protection of the environment.

Previous Knowledge Expected
Students should be familiar with the following term:
pollution: contamination of air, water, or soil by the discharge of a poisonous or noxious substance

Applied Content Standards (from the National Council on Economic Education)
Standard 2: Effective decision making requires comparing the additional costs of alternatives with the additional benefits. Most choices involve doing a little more or a little less of something; few choices are all-or-nothing decisions.
Standard 4: People respond predictably to positive and negative incentives.

Instructional Objectives
1. Students will restate the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's mission statement.
2. Students will describe the purpose of the Guide to Environmental Issues.
3. Students will list sources of information related to environmental protection.
4. Students will list methods for pollution prevention.

Student Web Activity Answers
1. The EPA's mission is "to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment--air, water, and land--upon which life depends.
2. Student answers may vary. The guide provides information on different environmental issues. It includes a glossary of more than 200 terms and descriptions of federal laws, as well as contact information throughout the United States.
3. Answers will vary. Answers might include the section of the guide titled "EPA information numbers," local telephone Yellow Pages, civic and community organizations, and city, county, and state networks.
4. Student answers will vary. Possible answers include: minimizing waste, recycling, eliminating use of toxic substances, using energy-saving light bulbs, the "Ag STAR Program," using "Energy STAR Computers," using alternative refrigerant coolants, limiting greenhouse gas emissions, purchasing goods with less packaging, and using water efficiently.

Extending the Lesson
Encourage students to research further information about pollution prevention on the Internet. The EPA Web site for students has information related to waste and recycling, air, conservation, ecosystems, water, human health, local environmental issues, and environmental basics. The site also features projects and student activities.
Encourage students to learn more about the environment and alternative energy sources. Have students present their findings to local community or civic groups.

Student Web Activity