§ 5501. — Findings and policy.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 20USC5501]
TITLE 20--EDUCATION
CHAPTER 65--NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Sec. 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.
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\1\ So in original. Probably should be ``this''.
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(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.
(Pub. L. 101-619, Sec. 2, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3325.)
Short Title
Section 1(a) of Pub. L. 101-619 provided that: ``This Act [enacting
this chapter] may be cited as the `National Environmental Education
Act'.''
