Everyone, regardless of the election climate outcome, we do have great reason to be joyful. Each of us has three homes to celebrate and be in good spirits about.

The first is the one we reside in that welcomes us every day.

The second is the United States, our national home with so many spectacular characteristics that, if they were available elsewhere, most people around the world would give anything to protect and cherish them.

And Earth, our planetary home that is so environmentally unique because there is no other world like it in the entire universe.

Three homes that deserve all our devotion as we go forth into the new year. Each holiday season is a time to give thanks for the good that surrounds us and these three places should top that list. A mighty portion of that thanks goes to those that guided the numerous advancements  toward righting the climate crisis ship this past year in the never ending effort to steer it in a positive direction. A long voyage indeed, yet we are on the right course toward a sustainable future for younger generations.

If I could name one steward that will always be there to help protect our three homes, as well as the health of the public within, it would be: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), created by President Richard Nixon 54 years ago to the day of last December 2nd, for the stated purpose of protecting the human health and environment of our nation. As an independent agency of the executive branch of our federal government, the EPA is designed to be every citizen’s common advocate for ensuring that our country remains on the path for healthy and prosperous livability.

What the EPA has accomplished under six Republican and four Democrat administrations is remarkable - to say the least. The Clean Air Act alone set national limits for six major pollutants, established vehicle emission regulations, and created regulatory technology for our industrial sector’s pollutants. Since the act’s inaugural year, common pollutants have decreased by about 80% saving thousands of lives and trillions of dollars.

The long list of EPA achievements is extraordinary because of its mindset to act strictly on behalf of people and nature. While it is impossible to rank its objectives in order of importance, here are some of the most noteworthy goals it focuses on:

Air and water quality

Pollution prevention

Ocean, river and lake dumping

Transportation fuel standards

Cleaning up toxic waste and spill sites

Treatment of wastewater

The release of chemicals from industry

Promotion of energy efficiency

Regulation of pesticides

For decades, our Environmental Protection Agency has helped mitigate one crisis after another. A prime example occurred in 1993, when the EPA classified second hand cigarette smoke as a known carcinogen which led the way to a justifiable action against the tobacco industry. On other occasions, it banned the use of the DDT pesticide; required schools to be tested for asbestos; and strengthened standards for protecting children from exposure to lead paint residue. 

Congress authorizes the Agency to administer a formal and equitable process for enforcing laws and assessing penalties to violators of health/environmental regulations. During 2025, try to find time to research and understand the following:

The Clean Air Act

The Resource and Conservation Act

The Safe Drinking Water Act

The Endangered Species Act

Let’s not forget how the EPA radiates its meaning around the world too. International cooperation with the agency is widespread since it promotes bilateral cooperative initiatives that allow countries to develop priorities that march on for sustainable economics. Not only in Canada, Mexico and Europe, but in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and parts of Africa, the addressing of matters pertaining to industrial pollution, air and water quality, environmental governance, and solid waste management are all in motion.

The EPA has been and will continue to be the catalyst for tying Earth’s continents together to concentrate on all the environmental impacts of joint concern. The scientific cooperation and engagement for the betterment of public health is a partnership unlike any other in terms of ongoing respect and trust. When it comes to the polluting sectors of commerce, a level of continuous inter-continental communication exists that leads to a united decision making ability like no other.

Global organizations including The United Nations Environment Programme, The World Health Organization, and the International Maritime Organization are some of the EPA’s partners. Each of our three homes enjoys a powerful, in-this-world gift of regulatory protection against every known form of polluting enemy.  

During this holiday, celebrate our ability to thrive because we all have a great protector staring down any known attempt to lessen our quality of life. The EPA looks out for our best interests. As it monitors human activity and then establishes fair and equitable boundaries for industrial and manufacturing production, pollutants are successfully minimized. 

It has our backs against most forms of escaping chemicals...except one, for the most part. While greenhouse gas certainly has been detected, it will not be regulated anymore than it already is. In 2011, The Clean Air Act began, to some extent, to limit the amount of carbon pollution that can be emitted from coal and gas fired power plants. But the production of fossil fuels has pretty much exploded undeterred.

And so it continues. Every American, our nation and our planet will always require safekeeping from the wrongdoings of a few uncaring businesses that operate as if the rest of us don’t exist, except as paying customers. The ability to have national pollution control rules, regulations and laws is everything to be thankful for this holiday and beyond.

Some say that America’s federal bureaucracy that consists of 2000+ agencies, sponsored enterprises, and state statute created organizations is over the top. Duplication and unwarranted agencies is probably true. In light of our country’s national debt, this matter certainly deserves a thorough analysis of the mission statement pertaining to each agency and arrive at a consolidation, or elimination decision. For example, why is there the Office of Cuba Broadcasting?

Whatever happens, may God forbid any notion of scaling back the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency from continuing to operate as it has since December 2, 1970. Mr. President-Elect, Mr. EPA Director, Mr. Secretary of the Interior, and Mr. Secretary of Energy, given your climate denier status, please don’t roll back the policies and procedures of the Environmental Protection Agency for the benefit of fossil fuel expansion. Rather, continue to pave the way for the required clean energy initiatives necessary to prevent the horrendous severe weather, drought and wildfire episodes from piling up.

Much appreciated.