Cleaning America's Air Progress and Challenges

Cleaning America’s Air presents a brief but broad examination of the Clean Air Act of 1970—arguably the most significant piece of environmental legislation ever passed by the U.S. Congress—and some of the major policy and environmental milestones since its passage thirty-six years ago. The book’s contributors comprise a group of renowned policymakers, environmental regulators,and scientists. Former Vice President Al Gore advances a compelling case for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to curb global climate change. Former Republican Senator Howard Baker reflects on his remarkable collaboration with Democratic Senator Ed Muskie in drafting the act, which launched the U.S. environmental movement. Scientist Paul Gilman presents the latest scientific data pertaining to air pollution and its effects on the human body. Dale Ditmanson and Jim Renfro of Great Smoky Mountains National Park explore the destructive effects of pollution on the country’s most visited national park. Other contributors include Leon Billings, Senator Muskie’s chief of staff; Milton Russell, former EPA assistant administrator; TVA chairman Bill Baxter; and Betsy Child, former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. Accompanied by numerous full-color photographs by Senator Howard Baker, this sweeping examination of the Clean Air Act presents a usable history, detailing the substantial progress achieved in controlling target pollutants, future targets, and the current state of science regarding America’s air quality.