Environmental Perception

Environmental Risk Perception

Kimberly Hansen

PSY/460

07/13/2015

Susie Ingram

The environment is defined as “the conditions that surround someone or something: the conditions and influences that affect the growth, health, progress etc. of someone or something” (Miriam Webster, 2015). A risk is anything that is associated with the possibility of a negative outcome. According to Steg, “an environmental risk is any situation, event or activity that leads to uncertain adverse outcomes affecting something that humans value” (Steg, 2013). Such environmental risks include global warming, air, noise and water pollution, and climate change, to mention a few. The following paper will discuss the environmental risk; air pollution, and the environmental stressors which are related. In addition , a comparison of two journal articles, will be included.

There are numerous environmental risks, some obvious, some not. Topping the list is air pollution. According to an article published by The National Resource Defense Council confirming that “air pollution, both indoors and outdoors, poses health risks to millions of Americans every day, contributing to asthma, emphysema, heart disease, and other potentially lethal conditions” (NRDC, 2015). “Through the management of the possible causes of air pollution, defending safeguards; like the Clean Air Act, are critical to the human, economic and environmental health of our communities” (NRDC, 2015).

The Clean Air Act, is a federal law that was originally passed in 1973 and again in 1990. Designed to protect human health and environment from the affects of air pollution. (EPA, 2015). The EPA is required to oversee and regulate the emission of pollutants which can

endanger public health and welfare (EPA, 2015). These regulations are also monitored by local and state governments. Since the regulations have been put in place, industries have begun to develop and adopt “state...