20 U.S.C. § 5501 : US Code - Section 5501: Findings and policy

Search 20 U.S.C. § 5501 : US Code - Section 5501: Findings and policy

(a) Findings
The Congress finds that -
(1) Threats to human health and environmental quality are
increasingly complex, involving a wide range of conventional and
toxic contaminants in the air and water and on the land.
(2) There is growing evidence of international environmental
problems, such as global warming, ocean pollution, and declines
in species diversity, and that these problems pose serious
threats to human health and the environment on a global scale.
(3) Environmental problems represent as significant a threat to
the quality of life and the economic vitality of urban areas as
they do the natural balance of rural areas.
(4) Effective response to complex environmental problems
requires understanding of the natural and built environment,
awareness of environmental problems and their origins (including
those in urban areas), and the skills to solve these problems.
(5) Development of effective solutions to environmental
problems and effective implementation of environmental programs
requires a well educated and trained, professional work force.
(6) Current Federal efforts to inform and educate the public
concerning the natural and built environment and environmental
problems are not adequate.
(7) Existing Federal support for development and training of
professionals in environmental fields is not sufficient.
(8) The Federal Government, acting through the Environmental
Protection Agency, should work with local education institutions,
State education agencies, not-for-profit educational and
environmental organizations, noncommercial educational
broadcasting entities, and private sector interests to support
development of curricula, special projects, and other activities,
to increase understanding of the natural and built environment
and to improve awareness of environmental problems.
(9) The Federal Government, acting through the coordinated
efforts of its agencies and with the leadership of the
Environmental Protection Agency, should work with local education
institutions, State education agencies, not-for-profit
educational and environmental organizations, noncommercial
educational broadcasting entities, and private sector interests
to develop programs to provide increased emphasis and financial
resources for the purpose of attracting students into
environmental engineering and assisting them in pursuing the
programs to complete the advanced technical education required to
provide effective problem solving capabilities for complex
environmental issues.
(10) Federal natural resource agencies such as the United
States Forest Service have a wide range of environmental
expertise and a long history of cooperation with educational
institutions and technology transfer that can assist in
furthering the purposes of the (!1) chapter.
(b) Policy
It is the policy of the United States to establish and support a
program of education on the environment, for students and personnel
working with students, through activities in schools, institutions
of higher education, and related educational activities, and to
encourage postsecondary students to pursue careers related to the
environment.